HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Shallow Breathing Caused By CNS Depressants

default
Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2015
Question: If a CNS depressant causes slowed it shallow breathing and severe shortness of breath, what treatment would be available for that if it was an ongoing issue/chronic? If a person has clear lungs, no asthma, but overdoses on a CNS depressant unknowingly ( in the form of a vitamin) for a period of four days, and experiences shortness of breath for over a week after ward...would lung damage show up on an xray? I'm using asthma medication. This medication make my blood test appear that I am getting enough oxygen. If a person experience shortness of breath after using CNS depression and uses it daily following the cns depression, what test could show this damage it caused me( shortness of breath, spasms)? My xray and blood tests were fine, but I'm experiencing issues the issues that I experienced after my first four doses of the cns depressent ( a week ago).
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
CNS depression not the cause.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

I think though that you have a wrong idea about CNS depressants. They do not cause shortness of breath, spasms etc as you seem to think. They do not act directly on the lungs at all. They act on the brain. Respiratory depression happens only in large doses, it means that the brain doesn't send the signal to the breathing system, stops giving orders so to say. The fact that you "felt" your shortness of breath in itself excludes CNS depression as the cause.

So the symptoms you describe do not look as a result of CNS depression but due to asthma exacerbation. If some component of the vitamins you took had any that would have been through acting on your airways not through CNS depression.

I hope I was able to make my point clearly for you. I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (32 minutes later)
Ashwaghandha, the cns depressant I am referring to, is such a powerful herb that contains still many properties that I can't tell what all it's capable of doing since I am no doctor or expert.But, if cns depressants can cause short term respiratory failure why wouldn't the damage the lung and create a chronic respiratory failure? I have nasal wheezing and gasp for air when I am active. I didn't have this issue until I tried Ashwaghandha. Why do you think Ashwaghandha has nothing to do with the issue? I am taking albuterol via a machine, a Provenil and Flovent inhaler...both have failed to improve my condition. Please hel me understand.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.

The reason I insist your symptoms are not due to CNS depression is because as I said it doesn't act on the lungs directly. In practical terms CNS depressants would first sedate you, put you to sleep and after that would come the respiratory depression.
So the reason I insist it was not due to cns depression, be it ashwagandha or some other product, is because that description of gasping for breath is totally the opposite as with CNS depression you should not be awake at all, should be in a coma.

If you're not feeling well with the current regimen obviously the current regimen should be reseen by your doctor, possibly someone specialized in respiratory disease.

I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (8 minutes later)
I did get sedated and had moments of awakenings and near faintedness when I used the Ashwaghandha. I recall nearly fainting every time I left to go to the grocery store. It was horrible! Then I stoppe using it. Is it possible that the adverse side effects actually become permanent?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No, drug will clear out

Detailed Answer:
No do not worry, those side effects will not be permanent, should abate as the drug is cleared from your system. Can not give precise time frames, as apart from individual metabolism characteristics, clearance times for herbal products are not well studied, but should subside eventually.

I still do not think that the respiratory symptoms you described earlier were due to the drug.

I sincerely hope you will get better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Shallow Breathing Caused By CNS Depressants

Brief Answer: CNS depression not the cause. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. I think though that you have a wrong idea about CNS depressants. They do not cause shortness of breath, spasms etc as you seem to think. They do not act directly on the lungs at all. They act on the brain. Respiratory depression happens only in large doses, it means that the brain doesn't send the signal to the breathing system, stops giving orders so to say. The fact that you "felt" your shortness of breath in itself excludes CNS depression as the cause. So the symptoms you describe do not look as a result of CNS depression but due to asthma exacerbation. If some component of the vitamins you took had any that would have been through acting on your airways not through CNS depression. I hope I was able to make my point clearly for you. I remain at your disposal for further questions.