Peak flow

[Gentlechelle11]

Hi my peak flow is currently around 300. I have never been very good at assessing the servitude of my asthma and hardly notice when I am breathless of wheezing as I have had asthma for so long.

I am now a 48 year old(female) and am trying to take better care of my asthma. I have noticed I am sometimes wheezy in the morning and have been coughing at night. I have been trying to increase my fitness levels by running but the last run I did made me quite breathless and I had to take my salbutamol servers times before I fully recovered.

I am on fostair 100/6 twice daily. However I have noticed that my peak flow increases to 350 when I have taken my salbutamol inhaler. Is that normal.

[CRP386]

Do you have an asthma plan? Available from your nurse/GP. That would tell you what your normal peak flow measure would be. Then you could compare to check if 300 is about right, and tracking everyday can help to manage your symptoms, especially at the moment. Its good you are boosting your heat and lung healthy through exercise. Salbutamol is a reliever medicine, which works by relaxing the muscles of the airways into the lungs, which makes it easier to breathe. Exercise can increase an individual's peak flow measurement. Alternatively, some people can experience a reduction through 'exercise induced asthma'.

[Gentlechelle11]

Yes I have an asthma plan and my peak flow is 300. However this is lower than the average expected for my age! Is that normal? My asthma triggers are exercise, allergens, colds and viruses. However I read in the information from asthma U.K. that if your symptoms are well controlled you should be able to exercise with very little to no symptoms. I am trying to figure out if my asthma is well controlled or not as I do not notice my symptoms because I have grown so used to them. Yet other people often comment that I sound out of breath or am wheezing.

[Poobah in reply to Gentlechelle11]

My current PF hovers around 350 and I wouldn't be considering running. However, 15 years ago my PF was 450 & I played squash and went to the gym. Aerobic exercise was always very difficult for me so short spurts suited my ability.

Now a good walk is all I can manage and the key is to do it regularly. My niece, who is a physio, reckons walking is the best exercise (weight bearing too with osteoporosis in mind), especially done regularly.

But you can add weight training for added strength. Muscle eats calories and gives us all manner of things, balance and bone strength too.

In substitute for running you could try using a power breather - a hand held device that you breath through, it resists when you inhale thereby exercising your lungs. Amazon sell a good cheap one for about £12. Just make sure you sterilise it regularly. I would use it before exercise as it warmed up the lungs (to me it made them more elastic).

If you're still keen on more aerobic exercise then a cross trainer will help as it is gentler on the body and you can moderate the resistance and pace, depending on how you feel.

Good for you for wanting to improve your fitness. All the best.

[Welland]

I just wanted to say that this post has brought me some assurance as I am 49 and have just been diagnosed with asthma although it is believed that I have had it for most of my life! My triggers are the same, and I have the blue and brown inhalers and a peak flow of 300 -350 depending on the conditions. Read yours with interest as currently only walking daily but considering exercise to try to increase lunch capacity. I have a follow up call with my asthma nurse in 3 wks so hoping for improvement in flow results but not seeing them yet and 2 wks into inhaler use. Thanks for the support on here it’s an amazing platform!

[Gentlechelle11 in reply to Welland]

Hi well and. Glad my post bought you some reassurance🙂my peak flow does not seam to improve greatly with my in inhalers but I did start the couch 2 to 5k a few years ago. I do struggle with exercise but I have been so used to my asthma that I play down my symptoms when I discuss them with the asthma nurse, purely cuz I have lived with them so long that I don’t notice them. Am considering asking for another asthma review. Should you be able to see a difference in your peak flow when using your preventer regularly?

[ChrissieMons]

I think you go by how you feel in yourself. If you are comfortable on a day-to-day basis, then that’s good. If you aren’t, then you should talk to your GP, asthma nurse, or another medic. Exercise is essential, but be careful and don’t push yourself too far. Especially in this frightening time, enjoy life.

[SheilaC]

I know I am not exactly answering the question here. I dug out my peak flow meter to monitor my lungs at this difficult time. Normally I struggle to get to 300 but for the first time for ages I got 320 this morning. My lungs feel quite good and I think it could be because there are hardly any cars around and no planes going to the nearby airport. Also some of the factories are closed. It is reassuring as I am not allowed out to exercise and I normally do a 40 to 50 minute fairly brisk walk a few times a week.

[Mas1]

I’m 51 and started being treated for asthma 2 years ago. My peak flow is only ever about 320 and I’d consider myself to fairly fit. I cycle regularly up to 100km rides (before the lockdown). I’ve stopped worrying about PF compared to averages and just judge it on what seems normal for me. I’m also taking fostair 100/6 and montelukast. I’m on MART regime.

[Babbela]

Mines about the same as yours in the year 2000 it was 320 on a good day and now aged at 64 its exactly the same on a good day im on top fostair 200/6 4 puffs a day and montelukast one a night so over the years it hasn't improved by meds but it keeps me going .