Sats Dropping with Pain Meds

[roadtrip]

Do your sats drop when you take pain meds? I have been on my pain meds for 3 days now and I am barely able to maintain a 91 with my rescue inhaler, nebulizer and PLB. When I checked it last night it was 84. When I finally went to sleep it was 90.

I don't want to give up the pain meds because they are really helping. That sounds a bit immature on my part but the pain level is so intense without the meds and I need to be able to get around.

Do your sats drop with pain meds? I am not sure where to go from here. Very frustrating.

Thank you for your help/

[Colleen-NC]

I have never been on them and looked. Maybe time for supplemental 02? Sounds like you won't do very well with out them and the 02 will certainly help.

[virginia]

Road Trip, I take Aleve, that what my pulmo told me to use because i can't tolerate the stronger pain meds. sure wish I could , believe I would be like you not want to give them up. I know that is not much help, but I feel for you and hope you find an answer...

[maryaz]

Hi RT. Surprised this is not in the COPD section as it pertains to breathing. We still do not know why Joe's numbers go down to 88 sometimes.

I am not referring to when walking. He can be sleeping or just laying down. I don't know what pain meds you are on but check them out. Some definitely affect breathing. Joe is using percocet and I think it can affect the breathing, but at this point no one seems to know why this is happening.

Some of our 'what seemed like such good doctors' are dropping in our rating system lately.

I just wanted to tell you that I know pain meds can and do affect breathing. Guess that is why certain ones are often given. There again, always nice that all doctors know what one another is doing and pay attention. Sorry about my sarcasm, But 'they don't always do that'. I am so tired of trying to figure all this out.

I needed a break and came here to read a little before getting back to 'things to do'. I liked it better when I posted with smiling smilies but don't feel that way,and so I really rather just not post but I did want to share this with you about Joe. He tried darvocet but didn't seem to work. Be careful. Good luck.

[debbieky]

RT...I agree with Colleen, it may be time to start 02. Having your sats go below 89 is NOT a good thing. Remember you can damage your other organs by not having enough oxygen!

I am not on any pain meds, but I do know that some of them have difficulty breathing as a side affect. Maybe you need to call your doctor or pharmachist. Good luck and easy breathing!!!

[canyon711]

Roadtrip, I am not sure what pain meds you are taking but anything that has a effect on the central nervous system can cause breathing problems. Vicodin specifically mentions that it can cause breathing problems for persons with COPD. Oxycontin would also. Anything that has narcotic in it. You need to talk to your Doctor as it could become a dangerous problem. Seriously, they need to be informed. Sometimes anti-inflammatory meds will work better than just pain killers. Aleve works very well for some people.

[muffin]

The pain meds they had me on after my LVRS did not lower my sats. IMHO if you are in pain and take meds for it and those meds are working your sats would go up because of the stress you would be relieving from the pain. If you are noticing that your breathing is worse then I would discontinue and talk with the doctor. Probably wouldn't hurt to ask him/her anyway. Good luck, & God bless

[roadtrip]

Thank you all. You are all right. I need to call the Dr. My bone pain is so terrible that Advil or Aleve won't cut it. For pain meds, I am on Morphine, Robaxin (muscle spasms) and Hydrocodone for break through pain.

Mary, good luck with Joe's 02 rate. I too don't have to be doing anything and mine go down - just sitting there.

Muffin, I agree. You would think they would go up since the pain meds help.

Canyon, thanks. I will call him today.

Colleen, thanks. I think you are right and I am going to suggest it.