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hypercapnia
Does anyone on here suffer with hypercapnia? My husband has advanced copd and stage iv lung cancer and has gone into respiratory distress twice since September of this year. Actually it has happened since he was diagnosed with cancer. The hospital wanted him to wear a bipap but he refused. Are there any other options out there to keep this from happening that anyone knows of? Thank you.
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@denise96 My, your are in a tough spot with your husband. He seems non-compliant with many of the doctors' recommendations, which makes your job much harder.
Unfortunately, his use of opioids is most likely making this scenario worse, since in addition to his COPD and lung cancer, it contributed to the shallow respirations that cause hypercapnia.
I think it is time to bring the oncologist and/or his social worker into the picture to have a serious talk with your husband about what he wants for an outcome. Resisting everyone's efforts to help him tell me he is either deeply depressed or is thinking about giving up fighting, and you need help to decipher which.
I am sending you hugs - this is a horrendous journey for both of you.
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3 ReactionsHere is a new article from Mayo about the benefits of adding counselling/stress reduction to cancer treatment.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/cancer-related-distress/
If he is not a Mayo patient, ask his oncologist - many places offer these services.
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1 ReactionThank you so much for responding. I have called the onologist but never get to talk to him. Just the nurse. In fact I just talked to the oncology nurse this morning because he is showing signs of the co2 getting high again. She told me to take him to the emergency room or call the ambulance. When I talked about it to him, he refused to go. If he would refuse to go in the ambulance if I would call him, then I would just get a hefty bill that I can't afford to pay right now. So, I guess I will have to wait until he is unresponsive again and call for an ambulance again. I feel as if I am between a rock and a hard place.
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1 ReactionPlease keep in touch. One of my friends had this issue with her Dad, and the eventual result was respiratory failure. He needed such close monitoring that he had to stay in the hospital on full-time bi-pap with oxygen with meds only as prescribed by the doctors (and where he was not allowed to smoke.) You might point out that this is the near future he is facing if he continues his current path.
But truly, the oncologists's nurse can also hook you up with social services.
That is why I called the oncology nurse yesterday. To see about getting a visiting nurse. When the receptionist called me back with the report from the oncology nurse, I was told to bring him to the ER. He told me I am not going. Again, if I call an ambulance and he refuses to go, I don't think they can force him to go. Then I would get a bill that I can't afford at this time. So, I guess I will just have to wait until he becomes unresponsive again and then call the ambulance. He shuffles when he walks and is stumbling. He has a walker but he won't use that either. My hands are tied at the moment. I am having a small Christmas meal tomorrow because I don't know if he will be around next year for Christmas. Heck, I am not even sure he will be here for dinner tomorrow. He does have a video phone call with his palliative doctor at 11:45 today. That should be an interesting conversation if he isn't sleeping. Thanks for your caring.