Peakflow

[Loulou9000]

Hi I am being more cautious than normal with my asthma and mor engaged with measuring peakflow.

A bit of history, I used to be really chronic and severe in my early 20s but over the years I am more acute (difficult) couple of weeks attacks with extra steroids and sometimes antibiotics a year, then I can live relatively normal on Seretide 500 twice a day and salbutamol use 2-3 times daily which stop and reverse sudden constrictions.

So I used to have a peakflow of 300-350 normal reading, I have not used a peakflow for awhile until the corona virus outbreak. I am very well, no difficulty breathing, no wheezing, no inflammation but I can’t blow a peakflow above 200! It is consistently 200 every day it drops slightly after 3 goes the best reading always the first one. I have asked family member to check and they blow 450-500 no problem.

Anybody else have a low lung capacity when well? What can be done to increase it? I’m female, 56 normal weight range for height and average fitness? Thanks if you stayed to the end!😁

[Poobah]

Do you have regular asthma reviews with an asthma nurse on an annual basis? That would track your asthma across time. And it would give you both the opportunity to pick up any decrease in health and address it.

Unfortunately at the moment reviews are on hold because of the coronavirus.

You don't say how far you can walk without getting out of breath or if you've had to curtail your current chores, work, and activities because of your asthma. This may be a more reliable indication of your health. If I had a peak flow of 200 I wouldn't be able to do any walking or anything else, so your results may be a red herring.

If you can't get to talk to your asthma nurse or doctor then you could try exercises to strengthen your breathing. YouTube is used by qualified physios who post helpful vids on breathing techniques. Or you could try a powerbreather - a small hand held device that acts as a breath resister. The claim is it improves breathing strength. You can get them on Amazon for about £12.

You could also try using your peak flow before and after taking your inhalers, leaving it about 20 minutes after you've taken the inhaler. That should show an improvement. If it doesn't or it decreases definitely talk to your asthma nurse or doctor.

All the best.

[Loulou9000 in reply to Poobah]

Thank you so much poobah for your advice that is great. I do have a yearly check up which is due soon but I’m sure I recorded about 300. I’m shocked it is only 200 though. I can walk relatively far if level and climb stairs, but I’ve had other health issues this last year which have restricted my exercise. I do blow a bit going uphill but put that down to not being as fit as I was. I’ll get it checked out when restrictions are lifted. In the meantime I’ll check it the breathing exercises. xx