Hypoxia and Medicine

Asthma, oxygen saturation reading off? Also question about Xopenex (and nebulizer treatments in general).?

Hi, I've been having some pretty bad asthma symptoms lately (bad enough where I went into the hospital last night). I was put on Prednisone 40 mg 2X daily. Anyway, my oxygen saturation was fine, and I'm wondering if my over-compensating breathing (i.e. I was trying to make up for my shallow breaths by taking more and taking them as deeply as possible, even though my chest was sore) would have highered it, when, if I had just let myself breathe without physically straining during the attack, it would have let my oxygen levels drop lower? There have also been times when I have a bad attack and my oxygen is close to normal, whereas a mild one is much lower. Could this be caused by my rapid breathing (in a desperate attempt to get more air in)? Lastly, can Xopenex nebulizer treatments cause high blood pressure temporarily (like 120/85)? I'm usually 90/60, but last night my BP was high. Thanks so much!

Public Comments

1. inhalers and nebualizers can raise you blood pressure. they can also make you woozy, and shaky
2. Your best answers will come from a Respitory Tech. My son is a severe asthmatic. He actually had no vitals for 3 - 3 1/2 mins, I performed CPR until the ambulance came and took over. He was hospitalized for a week. This was 4 years ago, he is still on high dosages of nebulizers, and inhalers. We finally found a combination of different medicines that help. But he has to take them daily. We have our own machine at home which he uses 4 to 6 times a day, plus 2 other inhalers that he uses daily. Please see a professional to help you, you must get this under control. Asthma is very serious. I find that alot of people do not take this as serious as it really is. Asthma Kills. Inhalers and nebulizers can cause an increase in BP and heart rate. Also try to pin point what triggers your attacks. It could be allergies, stress, excitement, exercise. We had to change alot in our home for it to be safe for our son. All rugs and mats are gone. We do not use any cleaners, found recipes for cleaners that do not trigger his asthma. Air purifiers, AC, decluttered the whole house. Many, many other things. But please try to speak to a professional. They will help guide you and teach you more on many issues that are associated with asthma. Peak flow, preventive inhalers. Remember that with prednisone one usually has to be weaned off.