Peak Flow

[Geegee2]

Hello, I hope this is not a silly question. I have slight facial palsy, the right hand side of my mouth drops slightly so I never seem able to take a full "puff" when taking my peak flow, which is normally between 450 and 500. If I hold up my right cheek to match the other side it goes up to between 500 and 550. Is it OK to do this or would this provide a false reading. Sorry new to all of this.

[twinkly29]

Not sure about the false reading although instinct says whichever side works best will give the most accurate reading (but could be wrong!) But I think as long as you always use the same side/technique then your values are relative to each other which is the important thing. So top value doesn't matter as such but other values are important relative to that. So if you always use your "better side", then you'll know how things are relative to your best with that technique, if that makes sense?

[Geegee2 in reply to twinkly29]

It does. Thank you twinkly29. You are a real asset to this site 🙂

[Troilus]

Difficult question in a way. I suppose when you hold your cheek you are getting a true reading, as you are able to get a good seal on the mouthpiece, but it depends how easy that is for you.My experience with peak flow is nobody is interested if you are not symptomatic! When you are the question is, what is your peak flow normally and what is it now? So, either method would answer that question.

I would say to do what is best for you.

[Geegee2 in reply to Troilus]

Thank you for replying Troilus. I have become a bit obsessed about this even though I am not symptomatic.

[elmothebrave]

I would say that you should do the version you would be able to do if your asthma worsened. If you're going to struggle with holding your face when having an attack, that's going to have a bigger impact on your score than if you usually leave it. So essentially you'll get a truer reflection if you always do the same thing. All the measures work best if you reduce other variables as far as possible if that makes sense. You could ask your asthma nurse and get advice written into your asthma plan 🙂

[Geegee2]

Thank you Elmothebrave. Great name 😀 I do not have a plan or an asthma nurse. My diagnosis was by the GP over the phone. Thanks for replying.