I'm just curious. When members on this site talk about their fvc %, are these the number before, or after the medicine they give you .

[Batbara]

[Parvati]

In COPD the figures that matter and determine your degree of severity are your post- bronchodilator figures (after medication). In any COPD testing whether a spirometry test or walk test, you should have taken all your medication as usual unless specifically told not too prior to your appointment.

[Parvati in reply to Parvati]

..sorry - a quick 'PS' as I misread your question As regards members on this site and which number they give in their posts, one would hope they use the numbers showing their real situation - ie. their most recent post med spirometry numbers. However, if a post mentioning someone's fev1 / fvc is of particular interest to you, you can always double check by politely asking the poster whether they are using pre or post med figures. A pre med figure has little real significance - for example when it comes to prognosis clinicians using the BODE Index or similar always use the post med figures.

[Batbara in reply to Parvati]

Thank you Parvati, now I know!

[Riverbank]

I'm a bit confused here, I have had emphysema for 8 years now, when I have my yearly lung function test I am told not to take my medication until after the test..........................

[FarmerD]

When having a full lung function test,in the big plastic box,it,s done without having taken the mornings inhalers and then possibly trying new medications.The spirometry test is done as one would be normally e.g. having had ones inhalers.D.

[peege]

Hmmm I get what Parvati means....... However, this post has reminded me that when I had my last LFT the technician said wow, that's a 45% improvement after taking their medication (presumably salbutamol). When I mentioned this to the registrar she said " I don't know why they said that, the before & after were exactly the same.

I guess I should just go by how I feel