Breathing tests query

[Mogget]

Hi all,

I've been invited for some proper breathing tests (finally) at my hospital tomorrow at 4.30pm. The instructions state that I must refrain from using long-acting bronchodilators for 24hrs prior to appointment and to stop taking any breathing tablets and/or using my inhaler(s) on the day. Does that include Ventolin?

I'm a bit apprehensive about this as I currently use my Ventolin most days (and that's whilst being on all the preventer meds I'm on).

Thanks!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Usually for LFT they don’t want you to take ventolin for at least 4 hours prior. If you can avoid taking it tomorrow do so, as if you’re symptomatic on the LFT your results will be more accurate. Of course if you’re really symptomatic take it

Hope that helps and good luck tomorrow x

[Mogget in reply to EmmaF91]

Hi Emma, thanks - that's helpful. I take my preventer meds in the morning and evening - do you think I would be able to bring my evening doses forward to 4.30pm today (or is that not appropriate)?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Mogget]

Personally I’d avoid it... the less in your system, the more symptomatic you’ll be and the more likely you’d get an accurate diagnosis! (I had to do 2 LFTs cause my first showed nothing but both my hosp and GP knew I had asthma 🙄)

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Mogget]

I'm on the fence now - I agree with Emma but given some places say only 12 hours for combination inhalers, do you think cutting out your evening dose today will make you so symptomatic you have to take Ventolin tomorrow? I have had incorrect test results because I didn't stop long enough but it can be a tricky balance ans the stopping can be less than fun!

[Mogget in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks both for your replies! I think I'm not going to bring the evening dose forward and will go without (using Ventolin only if I really really have to). I want to make sure I get as accurate a diagnosis as possible as the last spirometry I had suggested my lungs were good! Though I had taken my reliever beforehand as I wasn't told not to... Will definitely ask for reversibility too.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, I found the guidance below from a random hospital's leaflet. Google West Suffolk spirometry preparation for a formatted version. I might be tempted to shift back the preventer.doses today too though not sure if this is official advice.

Oh and I always say this but if you can, insist on them doing the reversibility bit even if they say it's not needed. Sometimes they don't want to if the first part of the test looks 'normal', but normal can vary and it's important for asthma to know if reliever improves the readings even if they look ok to start with.

Salbutamol and Terbutaline - e.g. Salamol, Bricanyl, Airomir,

Ventolin

4 hours prior

Ipratropium bromide – Atrovent, Respontin 6 hours prior

Salmeterol - Serevent, Neovent, Vertine

Formoterol – Oxis, Foradil, Atimos, Formoterol

12 hours prior

Indacaterol - Onbrez, Olodaterol - Striverdi 24 hours prior

Aclidinium – Eklira Genuair

Formoterol/Aclidinium – Duaklir Genuair

12 hours prior

Tiotropium - Spiriva, Glycopyrronium - Seebri, Umeclidinium –

Incruse Ellipta,

Vilanterol/Fluticasone – Relvar

Vilanterol/Umeclidinium – Anoro Ellipta

Olodaterol/Tiotropium – Spiolto Respimat

Indacaterol/Glycopyrronium – Ultibro Breezhaler

24 hours prior

Salmeterol/Fluticasone - Seretide, Sirdupla, AirFluSal

Formoterol/Budesonide - Symbicort, DuoResp

Formoterol/Fluticasone - Flutiform

Formoterol/Beclomethasone – Fostair

12 hours prior

Theophylline, Phyllocontin, Uniphyllin, Bambuterol (tablets) 24 hours prior

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Lysistrata]

That’s what I got given in Kent! Yes reversibility is key, so ask for it if you’re feeling symptomatic but they’re saying you aren’t!

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yes when I went to my appointment last year I had to take all my inhalers, it was tough on the machine to do all the breathing that I had to do but it has to be done, I hope you get on alright take care.

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

I would clarify with the hospital Mogget.

[kshull13]

How did your tests go? Which tests exactly did you take?

[Mogget in reply to kshull13]

Annoyingly they only did the FeNO test (the letter I was sent was a generic one inviting me for breathing tests so i assumed it would be a range!). I did a spirometry test over the summer which came out normal so they don't feel I need to repeat it (despite having taken all my inhalers beforehand as I hadn't been told not to). I adhered to the proper guidelines this time round so we'll see what the FeNO test shows. My consultant has referred me to another consultant and advised that Xolair be considered so I imagine this test will help the new consultant with his decision.