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

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

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.

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

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AVASCULAR-NECROSIS (AVN) in 6 joints. HIPS,KNEE'S and SHOULDERS-Replaced RT shoulder.New left hip 9/8/11 LT shoulder next-then RT hip and both knee's together
Bilateral Empyema-Thoracotomy with Decordication.(Removed the Lining of left lung)Bilat Pneumothorax (2005-2008)
COPD.
All at the age of 44-Started with a fever in 2005 at age 38
Methadone 90mg's-oxycodone 15mg's Qid-Nucynta 100mg's Tid

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.