Anyone out there using peak flow meters. I have stage lll copd and asthma. Wondering what readings people are getting with this device. Thanks
Peakflow meters: Anyone out there using... - Lung Conditions C...
Peakflow meters
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Batbara
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Hi Barbara. I did mine yesterday and the average of three readings was 170. I have emphysema and I am very severe on the Gold scale. Hope this helps
Bobby xx
Hi Batbara...I was given a peak flow meter a few years back cos of asthma. I now have copd (severe) Started taking peak flow readings again more recently and am getting between 250 - 300. Not great you might think but I'm chuffed 
as I had dropped down to just 200 for long enough and hadn't expected to improve on this. What's yours?
Batbara• in reply to
Mine is pretty low compared to yours. I have stage111 copd and asthma. I'm wondering if I'm not blowing the right way into device.as you said you have severe and are getting much higher readings. Mind is about 120 before medicine, and the highest it's gone after symbicort is 171.
I'm stage three and my readings were same as yours. Haven't done it recently. Decided to just keep active and not worry. When I read people were achieving 200, 250, 300 etc. Frightened me and thought scrape heap here I come. Put it back in its box and there it can stay.
Thanks suzy6. I'm trying to find out what meds are working best for me. The symbicort works pretty good, but when I went for pulmonary function test 12days ago it was lower than the last so doc put me on tudorza. It worked for the first 5 or 6 days. Saw an improvement in readings, and then all of a sudden it changed,and the numbers dropped, and I was feeling more sob. This whole thing with trying to find the right meds is so frustrating, and turning into a full time job. What do you take for your copd, and asthma?
Hi Barbara, I'm not been bothering with the peak flow since Christmas, Doctor decided not much point, I was never very good anyway, asthma and severe COPD (emphysema) readings, in between exacerbation, rarely above 200.
Hi i have very severe copd gold scale, asthma hay fever, and my peak flow for the past couple of years has never got above 140 xx
I'm very severe emphysema. Mine's about 200. It's been like that even before I got diagnosed 3 years ago. As far as I know peak flow is use more for asthma but I like to play anyway.
Hi, I check mine every so often before and after exercise. I average between 350 and 375, I have stage 1 very mild (boulis emphysema).
David1968
Hi to be honest I cant be bothered with the peak flow as it only depresses me. If on an odd occasion I do do it it is generally around 150 before meds unless I am not well then it drops down to around 120 at that level I find it difficult to work or do much at all. I dont think it means much really it only represents how you are that day. any way be positive and take each day as it comes and do what you can. best wishes irene
I have severe copd and asthma and can only ever blow as far as 150 , so we are all very different .
My best peak flow is 400-450 winter it drops down to 200-300 with average 200 . I keep an eye on it during the year just to keep check on my normal through out the year xx
I don't know what stage my COPD is at. I have Emphysema and my recent Spirometry tests showed I had 42% lung usage.
I do use my peak-flow meter though. I usually average around 350. However I invested in a Power breathe device and can now reach as high as 420.
If you're having problems with your peak-flow Power breathe may well help and improve your well-being. Cheers.
Hi Doublecee,
I was reading your post from 7 mos. ago. I see your lung function was 42 %. Do you mean your fev 1 ? Do you still use powerbreathe?
~ Ruby ~
Hi Ruby, Yes my fev 1 is/was 42% I haven't used my power breathe for a while as I recently had an Exacurbation.
I have a review of my condition this coming Wednesday.
Anything you'd like to know don't hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers,
Cyril.
Hi doublcee,
How are you? I hope all is well with you. How did your review go?
~ RUBY ~
Had to put my review back to 29th of this month. thanks for asking. Cyril.
I have mild copd and asthma my peak flow is usually around 300 I have spiriva in morning and symbicort am and pm . X
Hi Barbara, I used to take my peakflow mornings and evenings, 250 200 300, but never over that. (I have severe COPD and want to live!). A peakflow measure is particular to the individual. The doctors have charts to classify patients statistically into little categories. it may be useful for them, but for you, as I learned for myself, the essential is to exercise to prevent much of the progression and give you confidence.
The first thing that is advised is to go on Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Ask your GP or consultant for you to go on this. The doctor consults his charts and gives you medication. The pulmonary nurse team are down to earth and deal with the nitty gritty of lung problems. They give you ample explanations, give you the range of medications, the sort of tricks to overcome shortness of breath and after an assessment, they put you on an exercise programme for 6 weeks. this with other people affected with lung problems.This is the good bit, because it helps you with your breathing, gives you confidence and indeed lead you to a better management of your condition. Ask for this and you will have taken a big step towards the management of your lung disease and will prevent it from accelerating. Keep your hope up!
Hi Barbara, My peak flow never goes over 120,Docs wonder how I can talk so much lol...Laura
I saw my pulmonologist and he told me to stop using the peak flow meter. He said it mainly for asthma( which I do have along with copd). I guess since I get low numbers it makes me anxious, and then I think my meds aren't working well. I'm still on tudorz , and symbicort. I only take it once in the morning because I don't feel I really need it in the evening when I'm just sitting around watching tv. Does anyone else cut their dose in half that way?I just feel that more meds aren't always better but I could be wrong. I have moderate to severe copd,and I'm still able to walk 2 miles on treadmill in about 45 minutes. The dr. Says the only reason I able to do that is because I've always been active. That scares me too. I have osteoporosis and have broken my hip and tibia over the last 10 yrs. now I'm getting older and worried that if I break another leg bone I will lose more lung function because I won't be able to walk. OH THE GOLDEN YEARS! I still try and stay positive, as I know that's half the battle. GOOD BREATH TO ALL! barbara
Some people are not good with peak flow - it's used more as an indicator of condition relative to previous readings rather than a measure of your condition - ie if you start to go lower its an indicator of a potential asthma attack, (Peak Flow Diary) for example.
Here's a conundrum; I blow 570+ consistently post inhaler (fomoterol, 520 ish before) consistently and am diagnosed mild copd (small airway obstruction & troubled with sputum over production.
My brother is taller than me, is only 18 months older (64) is well controlled mild late onset asthma, NOT copd, but can never blow over 400.. and doesn't affect him at all!
Not sure what my flow readings might be. All I know is I have had two tests with two devices.
First was at the doctors with the nurse.
Whatever that one was I could not do it hard enough to get a reading.
Next one was for the PIP assessment, pretty sure that was a spirometer.
I saw the results from that in a letter sent to the doctor, stating my lung function at 10%.
On ventolin as an when needed, symbicort 4 times a day and ceebreezi ? once a day.
Also have chronic arterial disease which does not help.
Get tired and breathless quickly but doing my best to adapt.
I usually average around 300 to 350. I've had Emphysema for 26 yrs.
Hi. I use my peak flow meter once a week, if I see any big changes I record them to show the Dr. I am early copd and am taking Spiriva mornings only. I blow 400 at the moment and for my height and age should be blowing 435. I stay quite active, try to ignore my lung problem. Having trouble giving up cigs
but down to 3 a day.😆I have had emphysema for 2 years.
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