Electronic PEF FEV1

[Aido101]

Hi all,

I have recently purchased an electronic PEF FEV1 device it’s called the MIR Smart One. I am curious to know do any of you guys have any experiences using it for Asthma, COPD

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have a fairly old PIKO1. The mouthpiece keeps falling off so probably need to replace it now!

I used to have trouble using it correctly but have got the hang.of it now. I'm not sure what my best peak flow is on it as it reads higher than the manual one, but for me the FEV1 can be a useful measure.

My asthma specialist nurse uses an electronic meter in clinic (not sure of brand, a name that sounds like asthma). It's handy for keeping track of things especially when I use my own at home, and means tbey dom't just go on pesk flow which isn't that useful for.me.

[risabel59]

After much research I also bought a MIR smart one. I have had it for 18 Months and I love it. I check it against my consultants when I see him and they pretty much tally. Interestingly it was assessed by NICE quite recently, and considered accurate against doctors spirometry, but was too expensive for use in general population! I think you can look up the report online.

My only bug bear with it is the graphing, which I think could be a lot better than it is. I use MIR’s own software. Another company sells this same SmartOne meter with their own software, which is very bad and does not give you good graphs. And the way the data is logged is terrible. If you don’t have SmartOne MIR software you can download it from their website.

I do find, that sometimes I have to reset the Bluetooth by taking out the batteries, particularly after I do a phone upgrade.

I would be super reluctant to go back to my old meter now! I think you made a good choice.

R x

[Matman in reply to risabel59]

Hi Risabel

Only ever used the typical (cheap) non-electric Peak Flow Meter that costs about £10.

What’s the advantage of using an MIR over a bog-standard cheap Peak Flow Meter?

If I see from my Peak Flow Meter that my score is trending down (or remains down) I know I need to do something.

Can you gain any additional health edge by use of the MIR Device?

Thanks in advance.

[risabel59 in reply to Matman]

Hi Matman,

Because I can get huge diurnal differences in Peak Flow and great crashes, etc, I have graphed my peak flow for the last 15 years or so. I always used to put my readings into an excel programme on my laptop and then do graphs from the data. I started doing this after I had a few crap doctors, who half the time didn't believe me. After I managed to get a good consultant, he was so keen on the graphs he wanted me to continue. I now see a different consultant but he is equally keen on the graphs.

I like the Mir, because I get readings straight on my phone, and the app creates a graph, without me having to input all the data. It also immediately gives me a percentage of my best peak flow and shows in Green Orange or Red depending on the reading, as per my asthma plan. I can also make a note of symptoms and meds really easily in the app, and I have all this information on my phone without having to print anything out. So if I have an emergency appointment etc, I can show the doctor. Without having to go through the faff of printing or dragging my laptop to the appointment. I can then send a PDF from my phone straight to the consultant.

I actually think my own graphs on the excel programme were a bit better than the ones in the app, because I could show the Dirurnal differences and annotate the graph, but the app is way more convenient. Also the MIR Smartone measures FEV1 too. I mostly look at the Peak Flow but my consultant is always interested in the FEV1.

Having said all that, My old cheap meter does a good job of measuring and I still have one in case the MIR goes wrong. I guess I am just quite nerdy, Also I have found that doctors seem to believe you better if you have great records of how you have been. It helps explain how I am pretty unwell with a peak flow in the Low 400's. So I've added a screen shot of the monthly graph so you can see how it looks. (I am really really well at present!!!) But you can also look at all the readings in linear view and read all the notes.

R

Sorry the screen shot wouldn't add!!

[Matman in reply to risabel59]

Thanks for taking the time to provide a detailed reply. Much Appreciated. Lots to think about. The idea of having all your notes on your phone in an App sounds useful. Though my experience is that - unless you’re paying a Consultant - they often don’t seem to have the time or the inclination to get into the fine details. Not sure what NHS Avg Consultant Appointment Duration is, but know GPs allow about 8.5 Minutes Per Avg. Thanks Again.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have been out of the loop as not heard of this! Will have to look and see if the software is Mac-friendly. It would be really useful to have one that can reflect the professionals, as I am such a freak and more data may help.

I would very much like a good graphing solution. I have tried finding an app which has one but they are pretty much all rubbish, at least for Android, and I have to enter manually.

[risabel59 in reply to Lysistrata]

The software works with iPhone! I don't know if you can pair the device with a mac. I use it on my phone, then transfer pdf's to my Mac.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to risabel59]

Thanks! Information above very useful too. I will have a look as I think data may be useful at this point - lot of head-scratching going on at my clinic.