Contradictory ? Lung Function Results.

[Suz01]

Hi Everyone! I've been looking at previous posts where people have requested help in understanding their lung function test results but can't see any that seem to be similar to mine. I will make an appointment with the doctor for next Monday to get the full story however in the meantime could someone please tell me if this makes sense....

Centrilobular emphysema to upper lobes was picked up in a CT Scan (ordered for other reasons prior to surgery) 15 months ago. I was told the damage was slight/mild but the area significant and that stopping smoking was my best chance of hopefully stopping progression and or maintaining the level of fitness I had.

I immediately stopped smoking (cold turkey and now wished I'd never had one in my mouth) and after recovering from the surgery started a walking regime for exercise. I'm not a couch potato and my day is fairly active and busy anyway. All was good till about 3 months ago when I had a sinus infection that then went to my chest and stupidly I didnt go for anti biotics to clear it quicker. After this infection I noticed I would become somewhat breathless doing things I usually do with ease. I dont use any inhalers or medication though I have been prescribed Seebri breezehaler. (Ventolin showed no amount of improvement in the post LFT so that would rule it out)

In the past few weeks I have had palpitations and a visit to the cardiologist. The halter monitor showed 2,000 extra beats in 24 hours but these were not "sinister" the echocardiogram treadmill effort was rather lame and embrassing but showed no structural heart damage so the cardio said he thought the problem was the lungs and sent me off for a complex lung function test. I did tell him about the emphysema.

The results of this (I asked for a print out which I cant follow anyway duhhhh) have me confused. If anyone can enlighten me I would be very grateful. I thought the stage of COPD related to FEV1 mine is 95%, then it goes downhill I guess, FEV1/FVC % 61 FVC 132% Pred, Diffusion (this looks scary so how can the FEV1 be so good?) DLCO 47% pred. I'm trying to keep my cool but thinking does this low gas exchange figure mean I'm going to expire quicker than I had planned? Can it be improved with medication or specific exercise? I feel like a total howler when I have read how many of you have such low FEV1 and are in severe stages and I'm in a state of panic even though I can still walk (briskly but huffing and puffing) 3 miles most afternoons after a fairly busy day!

Thank you and happy weekend to all Suz xx

[Hidden]

well you got the worst part over with stopping those dreadful fags took me a long time too then one day I just said to myself s** this and have never smoked since. As for an understanding into your results the best thing is to ring up the British Lung Foundation (just click the balloon at the top of the page for the number and they may help.

[Suz01 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ant64 and Eyes. Thank you both for taking the time to reply! Im in Australia not sure if we dial up the BLF so I will wait it out till I see the GP for some answers.

[Hidden in reply to Suz01]

you do have an organization in OZ called Lung Net email addy lungnet.com.au best of luck

[Hidden]

yes please ring BLF - they will be able to talk you through the numbers tel [phone]. and well done on stopping smoking

[Offcut]

patient.co.uk/doctor/spirom...

throw the figures in here as you hight, age and weight are all factors to the assessment figures.

Be Well

[Suz01 in reply to Offcut]

Hi Offcut thanks for this. Very interesting. The pred' % figures were different to what is on my result print out after adding the age/height/gender data. Most were to my favour just the DLCO thats doing my head in. Sorry I'm a whinger (fearful) I think it shocked me because Im thinking rather ignorantly "It might be time to start taking something like the Seebri inhaler etc" Gas exchange hadn't entered my head" So when I saw those results panic set in. I cant help but think there is some mistake. My colour is good, Im on the go from daylight to dark and then some. I get 10,000 steps in most days. I become puffy on inclines or lugging anything heavy but so do friends who have no lung damage and its not like I have stopped any activity to counter sob. With 47% of predicted DLCO wouldnt one be pale/grey and become very easily breathless with activity or do I have some confused picture in my mind of what that indicates? Many thanks for your help and input. Suz

[Offcut in reply to Suz01]

I think we all want it to be as simple as that. One of my GP's will put a oxymeter on my finger after I have sat in the waiting room and also out side his room. Which will show between 92% and 95% and reply with "I see nothing wrong there to worry about?" I tell him what the Consultant has told me I recover well but it is obvious that only a small amount of exercise will drop me down to low to dangerous levels. Now the winter months are coming I am dreading it. Once it gets to 3 Degree C I will walk 6 steps to the car and spend 10 mins or more getting my breath back.

Our figures can only be a benchmark as a million other things can make you better or worse. Giving up is the worst thing you can do, PMA.

[Suz01 in reply to Offcut]

I need to get a grip! You walk 6 steps in the cold and need 10 minutes to recover. I have not a thing to whine about. Your discomfit and struggles put my current situation in perspective. Can you up and off somewhere warm? I cant imagine the cold of your winters but I can imagine how much of an impact it would have on anyone with breathing issues and how much more cautious you would need to be. I'm not giving up! Put in a hectic day then headed outside an hour before dark to put in 6,000 steps around the paddocks. How long have you had to cope with your levels dropping so quickly and dangerously with effort? Praying for a mild happy winter for you. Hugs

[Offcut in reply to Suz01]

Trouble is if I go to warmer climes it then would cost me a fortune if things go astray? i only go out if I really have to when its cold.