unable to exhale long enough for feno test reading

[BEECHLODGE]

Anyone else had a problem not being able to complete a feno test. I had one today but was unable to exhale long enough for a reading , resulting in a red x on the machine. Disappointed and notsure what this means now .

[Homely2 Administrator]

Why were you doing a feno test.

[BEECHLODGE in reply to Homely2]

I have recentlly been diagnosed with eosophilic asthma and consultant wants to start me on biologics. I have never had a Feno test before but my breathing was so poor today i literally could not breathe out long enough to finnish test

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to BEECHLODGE]

In theory, the feno test is just a tool, that they use to assist them, along with spirometry, your history etc. The fact that they cannot do a feno test should not stop them in an ideal world.

However it can be an issue in that the NHS is a bureaucracy, so there are criteria for prescribing biologics, and all the hospitals have lots of their own rules.

So I would email the consultants secretary or your asthma nurse and check it is not a problem, and if it is, ask if the feno test can be rearranged.

If you are not proactive, the NHS, like all bureaucracies, is capable of doing many silly things.

To give you an idea of the bureaucracy. I am waiting to be referred to a specialist asthma centre by my local hospital. I cannot be referred as my asthma was very acute in January so I was put on 4 weeks of prensidone which means they cannot redo my spirometry until April. So my referral to a specialist centre is delayed because my asthma has been too bad.

[Itswonderful in reply to Homely2]

computer says no. It’s all crazy. The clinical staff are highly trained and yet they seem to have no say in the process.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Were you struggling with your asthma? I do find it challenging to do the outbreath when I am - it's hard work. I can do it but it's hard.

Do you also remember which setting the machine was on ie was there a dial, a cloud, or a little girl (sometimes it gets onto the child setting) on the screen? If it was a cloud, there are so many people including me who can do the dial setting with absolutely no problem and cannot handle that damn cloud! I have no idea why as it makes no sense, but there you go. I think I've heard of someone who finds the dial harder, but most people seem to prefer the dial to the cloud.

I agree with Homely2 that if they need you to do another one, ask to reschedule. Maybe take your reliever inhaler shortly before, as long as it doesn't interfere with other tests. And ask them to put it on the dial setting (or if you struggled with that, ask for the cloud), They might say it makes no difference, but it's really no trouble for them to change it and it might help you finish the test.

[BEECHLODGE in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you both for the advice, It was a dial. I was literally in and out of there in 5 mins not given an option , just told to try and move dial . Nurse said your initial breath out is good but you are unable ro sustain it. I will follow up on your advice. thank you

[BEECHLODGE in reply to BEECHLODGE]

and yes i have been struggling for weeks now with my asthma despite using inhaler

[Wheezycat]

I had a FENo test recently. the local asthma nurse, who I trust, thought it would be useful. In spite of being well controlled then (early November) I couldn't do either. After two-three tries the nurse turned it onto the child one, and success! But the interesting bit was to me that I just couldn't do the adult one, in spite of all being largely good at that point. Since then, due to the cold, I have had more issues, and quite a few times a disturbing amount of coughing at night and such. So you are not alone struggling with the test. The result for me was very good.

[Dino40]

Bain of my life. I had to do them weekly for a while and always struggled.

Even when I did manage to do it it set me off coughing so badly I felt miserable. 😔

[Bu997 in reply to Dino40]

I recently failed both the Feno test and spirometry in a lung function assessment because I could not sustain the exhale for 6 seconds. Really frustrating as I was unintentionally taking a short breath in at around 5 seconds. My consultant was very kind and reassured me it happens all the time. I would definitely benefit from child settings as I am on the little side. I would talk through the best approach.

[Yellow-dog]

can I ask , what are biological please? I have eosiphilic asthma too and struggle to breathe out .

[Poobah in reply to Yellow-dog]

This is a good explanation: asthma.org.uk/advice/severe...

[fallon12]

Hi,

I hope you’re feeling ok. Just want to agree with most people. I couldn’t do my last feno test but did great the 1 before so there is hope you will get it . But it’s just a guide so they tell me. Also my sister has just finished an asthma trial on a new inhaler which went brilliant for her and they are now able to get the information they need from a nose swab rather than the breathing tests which can be very difficult. So hopefully they will start that soon. Fingers crossed. Good luck x