Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/20/2011

Question
I've had two surgeries, both of them arthroscopic, and each time, when I woke up in recovery, I couldn't take a breath.  The nurses in both instances told me my oxygen levels were fine and to take a deep breath, but I couldn't draw a breath.  I was given (both times) a "breathing treatment", I think it was Albuterol.  I haven't ever been diagnosed with asthma or any breathing problems.  I'm going to have another surgery in the next several months and I'm really afraid this will happen again.  What causes this and how can I prepare?

Answer
With so little information it is hard to say. Patients often fell like they can''t breathe and it is either just an impression or perhaps they have not recovered from the paralytic agent. In your case, I would just let the anesthesiologist know what happened in the past so they can better evaluate the real cause.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston