spirometer

[NLGA]

the doctors booked me for this test not had one before does the results differ much from a peak flow test

[Gareth57]

from my limited knowledge I believe it is a different type of test from a peak flow and can be used to test for copd as well as asthma

[NLGA in reply to Gareth57]

thanks Gareth

Be interesting results as my peak flow is decent 650 no problem yet get terrible days of being breathless

[peege]

yes! It's a very useful tool for checking if there's an element of copd in your breathlessness - or not. If not then then thethey can continue to investigate.

[Collienut]

Spirometery is a big breath in, expel air as fast and long as you can until no air left, done three times and best result used. It records a graph of your expiration, which will show how fast you can get the air out and how much air, your lung volume, the graph lines also tell them a lot about what condition you have and how it's doing. They will usually weigh you first, and measure height so they know the predicted results for a person without lung problems of same height/weight, against your result.

My line is never smooth, it looks zigzaggy as I have asthma and bronchiectasis and rarely have enough breath to get to the end of the recording time. I've been as low as 25%, but have also managed 100% at times. I'm usually about 60 - 80% predicted. It's a really useful tool for your consultant to make decisions about your treatment in line with what you also tell him about how you are managing. xx

[NLGA in reply to Collienut]

what would be your normal peak flow is you have that tested

[Collienut]

My normal peak flow at home when I'm feeling ok, is usually between 420 and 470, have occasionally hit 500. When I do the spirograph in hospital, it's anywhere between 350 and 450, the air ambulance usually lands right outside of respiratory and it's on a busy with Traffic roundabout which sets me off, my reading goes down if the ventolin hasn't kicked in. I remind the consultant about this when I go in to see him.