Confused

[Kezzy123462]

Hi, at a recent lung function test i had a two part test, a before and after ventolin test, well the outcome of it was that ventolin made no difference to the readings, but at a later appointment for the results of the test, my respitory nurse said she wasn't going to remove the ventolin from my script!! I asked why and she said that with a blast of 5 puffs into the chamber in an emergency would possibly give me some relief while waiting for the ambulance... I don't get it, if its not guaranteed to work, why not try something else that might.. Thank you x

[Matman]

Usually the dose of Ventolin given for the second stage of the Test is the same dose-size you have been pre-advised to take if your day to day Asthma starts to get worse. In my case, for example, if I start getting more breathless, I would take two puffs of Ventolin leaving one minute between each dose. Therefore that same two puff dose would be used as part of my lung function test after first having attempted the Test without Ventolin.

Each occasion I have a Lung Function Test the part of the Test that involves use of Ventolin can show a different result. Sometimes I do better after use of Ventolin, other times there’s little difference.

However, my Ventolin Dose for a ‘severe’ Asthma Attack is upto 10 Puffs. So, while 2 Puffs may not always help or improve matters significantly, taking 5 to 10 Doses is very likely too.

You can give yourself an improvised Test to further check if Ventolin is helping you. Purchase a Peak Flow Device (about £10 to £15) sold by Pharmacists, Amazon etc (you may be eligible for a Free One on the NHS, so check with your Surgery). Then take a Peak Flow Test without having had any Ventolin in the previous 6 Hours. (The effects of Ventolin last from about 4 to 6 Hours). Wait 15 Minutes and then take your normal dose of Ventolin (typically one or two puffs). Wait a further 10 Minutes (to allow time for the Ventolin to work) and do your Peak Flow Test again. The Peak Flow Result 10 Minutes after the Ventolin Dose should be better / higher. Go through the same process on 3 or 4 Different Days, as doing the Test on just one day may not give a reliable indication.

If after several such Peak Flow Tests you find the Ventolin part of the Test is not improving your Peak Flow Result, you can advise your GP of the results of your Peak Flow tests and see what he / she has to say.

By the way, if you had taken Ventolin just a couple of hours before you had your Lung Function Test, it’s possible that fact may have been the reason your Test results were not improved when you repeated the Test after the nurse gave you the Ventolin. (Ventolin should not have been used for 4 Hours Min before a Lung Function Test).

[hypercat54]

Hi I don't get this as ventolin is the standard reliever inhaler used. I don't know of any others. But it should usually only be used as and when needed unless advised otherwise by a medical professional. Your main inhaler would be a preventer ie symbicort which you would use one or twice a day. This opens your airways up and keep them open for at least 12 hours.

If your breathing is extra bad then ventolin should help surely? Using a spacer means more of the med can get into your lungs and is nearly as good as a nebuliser. I would follow your nurses instruction. x

[Superzob]

Ive been giving this some thought since you first posted this query. I imagine that most people's symptoms are variable, and it's entirely possible that you're lungs were working correctly at the time of the test, in which case Ventolin shouldn't make any difference. However, if the nurse is concerned that you might, for whatever reason, have a phase of poorer lung function, then having a bronchodilator available is a sensible fall back position. Given that many of the posters on this forum have actually been refused Ventolin, I would definitely take advantage of having it!