peak flow

what does it mean when you are getting the same peak flow before and after medication?

i am in hospital and i been doing peak flow before and after nebs and now there is no difference is this something i should be concerned about?

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hey plumie

How long after your meds are you doing the peak flow? I have been told it should be at least 15 mins after to get the best result. Is your peak flow already quite high beofre meds? then it wouldnt change much anyway. Obviously if your nebs are not helping and your are feeling worse please tell someone.

hope this helps

Clare

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my peak flow is almost back to normal. so cud thatbe why before and after neb is almost the same reading? does that mean i dont need as much reliver, although they are still giving it me it is just puzzling me as when iat home i only do peak flow before meds not after is this correct?

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hey plumie

have they tried you back on inhalers, as you say you dont think you need as much reliever, you could suggest this to the docs and just have nebs as and when. In hospital they want to know if you are responding to meds and if your improving hence pre and post peak flows. I would only do a post peak flow at home if I was feeling unwell and wanted to know if a neb had helped much.

hope this helps

Clare

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i am allergic to all the blue inhalers my consultant has tried every single make now (over my 3 weeks in hospital), so the only kind of reliver i can have is the kind you put in a neb. we are aware it not ideal but at present time we have no alternative. thank u for your suggestions though they have been a great help.

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hi plumie

If ur feelin much better and are not gettin much more increased benefit from ur nebs-ie gud increments in peak flow post u cud do wot my consultant did wit me b4 i got a neb at home.

Obviously talk to ur consultant and its a gud idea to keep things as they are on drug cards to make sure that if u feel poorly they're stil written up. Anyways sorry 4 the ramble my brain got carried away. Ask to try reducin frequency of nebs ie im usually on continuous at first then hrly then 2 hrly then 4 hrly then 6 hrly once at the beginnin of this yr i got down to one in the am and one at night-obviously i also had a blue inhaler which you dont hav so u may never get to that point.

How frequently are u takin nebs at mo?

If u r takin them quite frequently n feelin u dont need as much wud prob b a gud idea to talk about reducin them down as the side effects of salbutamol can b horrid to cope wit not just the lack of manual dexterity needed 4 intricate wrk - due to the old evil vent shakes! Theres also the low potassium levels which can b really really scary! Ive only had this twice b4 but it was not pleasnt n if sum1 had told me at the time it was the nebs i cud've prob cut one or two out - low potassium can cause you to feel weak and tired but in extreme cases can give u blackouts and heart beat irregularities!

I wud've agreed wit clare's advice but if allergies prevent blue inhaler use hon try discussing things re reduced freq wit ur consultant this shud find out wot wrks best 4 u!

Gud luck wit things hon im back in hospital again to so tryin to amuse myself wit the usual activities hope u escape soon! If i can help anymore feel free as always to PM me. Hdu better soon. Lv kitkat Xx

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I am now only on nebs four times a day and my peak flow is at 80% mark and the con is currently trying to get me off steriods now only on 5 (25mg) a day which is a huge improvement once i get off steriods then his plan i think is to reduce nebs but one stage at a time.

Thank you for all your advice!

I now understand peak flows when you are well you should be getting same peak flow reading before and after neb as it shows you that they are working and your asthma is finally controlled

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I wouldn't worry too much, I find if I try about an hour later I have a lower peak flow than before. I'm not that bothered as it doesn't affect me,must mention it oneday to the doc though.