How to cheat at peak flow?: Ok, this... - Asthma Community ...

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How to cheat at peak flow?

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Ok, this may seem the most ridiculous of posts but is really quite important!

How do you get a higher score on the peak flow without physically nudging or poking it (or anything that a pe teacher could pick up on). I would never use this at clinic etc. but i've currently been banned from pe because of my poor measuments.

Anyone??

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25 Replies

I moved the sticker up when I was in hospital and they didn't cotton on?

Not that I reccomend this of course...

'How to cheat at peak flow?' surely rates as the most amusing message today! I wouldn't call this cheating, but if you can, do your peak flow standing up and do a tiny jump. It always boosts mine by 20-30.

Than angle of how you hold the peak flow I have found makes a difference!

KateMoss profile image
KateMoss

Weetabix!

could try coughing into the meter.

Ahh you see i tried the old nudge with the finger.....but the pe teacher watches me like a hawk (no joke), so even a hint of cheating and i get one less chance (I've made it 5 attempts)

The coughing is sounding good, i've scoured the internet and can find nothing!

x

Naughty peoples!!!! Can't believe how inventive you all are ;o)

hi- this is an odd one lol. i can see why you would want to do pe but if your peak flow is low and your asthma is exercise induced then i wouldnt rec that you should do it...good on ya for effort though lol

experiment but you can cheat the readings, if you find out which either chest or stomach can create the highest readings hehe, only way they let me out of hospital was to have a high PF.

PF readings are not very accurate, it's effort based, fev1 is better, and the electronc meters also give higher readings, also having colds and sore throats produce lower readings even without symptoms, I know this as PF's for me are crap yet thats due to having a stinking cold.

Use of reliever 15 minutes before your reading..... Not cheating as it's a post medication reading... But I would rather wait til well to take pe. Take it back I would just skip pe all together !!'

If you tilt it down as you do it gravity helps a bit. xx

Skee-skee profile image
Skee-skee

If you flick your tongue like when you are playing a woodwind instrument (I used to play the clarinet- very badly) that can help!

Being serious now, if you really want to do PE, could you do a more gentle option when you are not so well, preferrably something indoors.

Take care

Bryony

Problem solved by very genius friend of mine!

All you have to do is peel the sticker off chop 200 or so off and stick it back on!

But will the teacher fall for it??

angievere profile image
angievere

We have completely the opposite problem - getting Games teachers to take my son's asthma more seriously. They think he can join in like anyone else and haven't a clue about asthma. I only wish they had the same attitude as your Games teachers.

Think They will notice that the strip has been chopped !!!!

If u gotta raise the reading by as much as 200 I would seriously ask ru fit for pe!

My teachers vary wary of me, a few too many unfortunate pe lessons involving ambulances :/

Thing is my lung function was pretty crap, so it's all a catch-22. Don't do excercise and don't get wheezy but don't improve my lung function, or do excercise risk an attack but improve lung function....

Skee-skee profile image
Skee-skee

I think Gussypoo is right if you have to improve your peak flow by 200 you are probably not up to doing games!!

I understand your fustration about wanting to improve your lung function though. Even really gentle exercise can be beneficial, it might not improve your lung function but it will improve how efficiently your muscles use oxygen. Then hopefully if your muscles use oxygen more efficiently then it puts less stress on your lungs as you try and increase the amount of exercise you can do. When I am not so good I try do stuff like squats or light arm weights (cans of beans!).

Could even do something different to the rest of the class so you can actually do something?

Maybe u should sit down wie Ur pe teacher to discuss ur gym requirements. And draw up a different list of activities which could b less demanding on ur asthma bit improves it so u will then b able to join the main activities

Back to the drawing board, she figured it out!

Any more ideas??

She'll probably be hyper-vigilant to any 'tricks' now. But, perhaps you could use this as a way into a discussion with her. Explain why you felt the need to do it, perhaps supply her with some literature saying that exercise is good for asthma and see if you can come up with a plan between you as to what you can do.

Sorry but trying to ""cheat"" your peak flow is silly. How old are you? Your teacher has a duty of care to you and you're just making her life difficult. Your parents would soon complain if they found you'd been doing pe when you weren't well enough and got carried off to A&E! It's not fair on the people who care about you. Instead of continually trying to outwit her, sit down and talk to your teacher like an adult.

Anyway, school pe isn't your only opportunity for exercise - what is it, 2 hours a week? You've got plenty of opportunity for exercise outside school.

I don't think it is 'silly' at all. I have been completely banned from trips, clubs and now most PE lessons. In my opinion wanting to be normal for a few hours a week isn't silly. My parents certainly wouldn't complain, there very for me doing exercise, in fact my mum thinks it's better me trying something and ending up in A&E than not doing anything my whole life.

And I have spoken to the teacher repeatedly. After a few bad experiences she's very wary.

I'd be the last to suggest you do nothing your whole life! & I applaud your rebellious spirit, but I can't think it's ever a good idea to fiddle your peak flow, especially if you need to blow 200 more. That's a big margin. Your teacher would be in big trouble (quite rightly) if she ignored the school's protocol. It's difficult for them to get the balance right - if you've needed an ambulance on numerous occasions before surely you can see their point of view. If next time the paramedics arrived ten minutes too late, the consequences could be dreadful.

Having asthma doesn't mean you're not normal. It's so common now. Why are you banned from trips etc tho? That's wrong.

polly

just wondering as you are so determined and your parents are encouraging you, could you get them to have a word with the teacher and say that you and they accept responsibility if something happens. You're a bright young girl who has the energy and wants to do things so you should be able to, you know your asthma and how you fell, so if you feel like you can do something then whats stopping you just as long as you be sensible and admit when it's getting too much for you.

Peakflows are not the best indicator for sports. Mine at the moment are not great yet i did the longest swim 3.4km last night for ages and still felt like could keep going.

EverReadyDude profile image
EverReadyDude

Find a taichi or yoga class near you keep training till your peak flow is good. Also taichi or yoga will teach you how breathe while having an asthma attack and avoid the ambulance

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