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Can you oxygen levels be normal and still have a asthma attack?

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Posted 11/13/2011 9:02 AM (GMT -7)
I rarely have any major problems with my asthma never need inhalers on a daily bases till this past month. I have been on Prednisone twice. I am now tapering and at 20mgs today. I also have a chest cold that has not made problems any better. Went to the ER two days ago could not breath, coughing. Oxygen level was checked and it was 99. So why was my chest tight and I was short of breath/coughing. I take Advair 250/50 tapering on the Prednisone and now they have me on Singulair and Nasnex everyday. They sent me home no breathing treatment cause the oxygen level was fine and my x ray was normal as well. They did say I had alot of post nasel drip going on which could cause brociol spasms. Gave me Zynthromax for a few days and said use my Proair rescue inhaler as directed.  Today I am still trying to be careful what I do as I get out of breath very easy. I guess I was just wondering if someone can have a attack but their numbers still be normal. I never had to have allergey testing as I never needed all these meds for my mild asthma before. Just thought Id ask here what others think.
Posted 11/14/2011 1:00 PM (GMT -7)
I have had many asthma attacks where my oxygen level was normal anywhere from 95 to 99. I was still having an asthma attack and I was short of breath, wheezing, coughing with chest tightness.

Do you have a peak flow meter? If, not you should ask your doctor about that.

I have heard of alot of people besides you and I that are having an asthma attack without a low oxygen level.

Good luck
Posted 12/17/2011 8:51 PM (GMT -7)
Yes! I have had readings of 98 in a ambulance going to the ER with a asthma attack. If you feel like you are having a attack go to the er. Also I find that Azelastine HCL nasal spray is the miracle drug for post nasal drip. Nothing I took came close. And I have taken everything. Just be warned of the horrible taste.
Posted 12/18/2011 7:37 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks I have to wonder sometimes just cause the nurses and some Drs seem to throw it on to anxciety not asthma. I have to say the anxceity is there of course when one feels they can not breath. So the dr has me try the albuteral first then ativan if I need to see if that helps. I have been doing better this past month now since Im on Singulair once a day and do not need the ativan. I really still feel most of this was asthma more so then anxceity since now its calmed down and I don't need the ativan.
Posted 12/18/2011 1:18 PM (GMT -7)
Oh I have anxiety also. And I take Ativan too. Yes sometimes anxiety attacks can feel like a asthma attack. But like I said if nothing is working call the er. But remember I have had full blown asthma attacks with oxygen readings of 98 in the ambulance and hospital.
Posted 12/22/2011 3:29 PM (GMT -7)
Most asthma attacks have no effect on your PaO2 levels or O2 levels. The level that is most likely to be affected is your PaCO2 level or Co2 levels and this has to be checked with an ABG (arterial blood gas) unless you are talking about your O2 saturation that is checked with a pulse oximeter. During most asthma attacks depending on the severity your O2 levels and O2 sats will be actually higher due to hyperventilation and the anxiety that accompanies such an attack. During a severe attack your Co2 levels will increase due to air trapping. When you have an asthma attack your small airways lock up resulting in air trapping. Remember Asthma is a Obstructive Pulmonary disease meaning you have no problem inhaling but have a problem exhaling and when this happens you tend to trap more air then usual and trapping Co2 at the same time. Hope this helps Best regards Beck
Posted 12/23/2011 12:38 AM (GMT -7)
Well I seemed to have a problem inhaling that day and getting enough air in. Maybe I was hyperventalating as well but for some reason I reall think I was having a asthma attack and anxciety but my family dr seemed to say well the oxygen level was good so he was leaning towards anxciety and some asthma. Hmm so I will have to talk to my lung Dr on this one once I see him again. how can one tell if its anxciety based only or asthma with anxciety??? Hmm
Posted 12/26/2011 11:46 AM (GMT -7)
this is an interesting thought. i do know that ozone (O3 , three oxygen molecules bound together) is a lung irritant and effects asthma sufferers. many older air purifiers release ozone into the home and should be avoided. it would be interesting to buy some type of wall mountable or handheld oxygen meter and check it several times daily and look for patterns between attacks and oxygen levels.
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