Lung tests

[Homely2]

I had feno and spirometry done by my hospital asthma nurse three weeks ago. It made me very out of breath but I persisted and completed a valid test per the computer. The nurse would not tell me the spirometry results, she just said she had to discuss changing my medications with the consultant and arrange an appointment with him.

They then wrote to me and said my spirometry test results needed checking, without telling me what they were and sent me for a lung function test, which was the same feno test and then breathing into a bigger machine.

The young nurse would not tell me anything about the test, and I could not talk anyway, he just made me breathe in and out, until he half killed me. He was absolutely determined that I was going to reach four litres, whatever the cost.

The cost is that my asthma is now back with a vengeance.

Any idea what the four litres was about, so I can at least know what the point of the whole thing was.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Homely, sorry to hear your asthma is acting up again! I hope you're in touch with whoever you need to be to keep an eye on that.

I'm really frustrated and annoyed on your behalf. I absolutely hate the way they seem to think we as patients don't need/deserve an explanation about what they're measuring from or doing to our bodies. I understand it might need to be explained in a way that patients understand, which is different for different people - but they could at least try! And not leave you in the dark about what the results are, what they mean, what they're planning - so annoying.

With the four litres, the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and FVC (forced vital capacity) which are the main basic things they look for in spirometry (though not the only ones), are both measured in litres. It sounds like this nurse had an idea that you 'should' be able to reach a certain level for either FEV1 or FVC, based on what your predicted level is (this is based on height, sex and age, though it is just a starting point and individuals can vary). This is a bit crazy though because the point of the test is not to 'pass', it is to measure what your lungs are capable of at that moment! If you should be able to reach 4 litres and currently can't, then that's something they should be taking note of - not pushing you to try and reach it when you can't!!

I have encountered healthcare professionals like this though, especially when doing tests. THey seem to lose sight of what the point of it is.

Have you heard anything back from the hospital about all this? Can you ask the hospital asthma nurse, or are they not very communicative? (Mine aren't).