Peak flow meter measurement

[Jolius]

Hello all, I have recently buyed peak flow meter and I started to measure my peak flow in the morning, afternoon and evening before taking my therapy.

I found it strange that even when I feel symptoms (chest tightness) according to my peek flow meter I am in green zone( which should be from 517-600 and my results are from 560-630).

In that case I am not sure should I take a extra puff of Fostair or not?

I also read alot about peak flow meter and I saw that even in asthma attacks it could show normal results?

How is that possible and what is the use of peak flow meter then?

EDIT: also I got to mention that I have problem with anxiety and ussualy in case of symptoms I got a panic attack? Could that all be product of anxiety since I am in green zone

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Typically it’s suggested that you only measure PF twice a day, at the same time and always either before or after your daily meds.

You work out your green zone using your best score if you know it, so if you are frequently scoring 630, that is your best.peak flow generally measures larger airways, so those who get the majority of issues in their smaller airways PF tends not to be that representative. But the majority have their larger airways affected (to greater or lesser extent) hence why PF is commonly used to show asthma issues.

For most, tightness is the first symptom they become aware of, so usually their PF won’t have dropped too significantly - if you’re on the mart regime then yes here is when you use your fostair to stop things before they set in and worsen.

Anxiety is a common mimic of asthma, esp in an asthmatics who will be more aware to look for issues. There are ways to differentiate which I have explained in the post below.

For more information about PF; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

For tips on how to differentiate asthma from anxiety; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Hope this helps

[Jolius in reply to EmmaF91]

Hello, thanks for the explanation. Yes I am on mart regime just using fostair. I Think that I have issues just in small airways since I never had any wheezing or coughing. Only symptom I feel is chest tightness and there is where my panic start to come in.Thanks!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Jolius]

Even those with small airway issues will get cough/wheeze/breathlessness if they ignore symptoms. Often the tightness is the ‘early warning’ that asthma issues are approaching. But tightness can also be a symptom in anxiety. It’s a hard thing to work out and only you will be able to say if the issue is anxiety or not.

The PF isn’t there to say when to have your reliever. It’s more to say when to start steroids and when to go to hospital.

[Jolius in reply to EmmaF91]

Well I fell tightness everyday so it could be anxiety and I always start to panic and think that I will pass out. Not really sure what it is but fostair helps me in that case so.