Peek flow test.

[1968]

Hi I know a peek flow test is designed for asthma however I've been using mine for months now, morning noon and night, even after exercise, I am always about 370 mark. I was informed that's the same as having lungs of an 80 year old?

[Sohara]

I can only do 200...so I must be well over 100 yrs old!!!!

EEEEEKKKKKKK

[tatteka in reply to Sohara]

My reading is around 150 so i must be about 150. I have had this reading now for about 10 years so i must be doing something right

[Hidden]

Hi I do around 300 so not too bad. x

[rubyred777 in reply to Hidden]

HI Cough a lot, I see you do 300 on peak flow also.If you dont mind me asking-- how old are you, how long have you had copd and whats your fev 1

[Hidden in reply to rubyred777]

Hi Ruby. I am 60 and was diagnosed around 5 years ago as mild. As of last December (peak and flow only) was just over 66%. You? x

[O2Trees]

350 moi

though currently about 250 with flare-up.

[John119wards]

Hi,

That's not to bad mines is 125 to 150 but keep on checking it'll give your lungs a wee workout. It's alway hard having to deal with asthma or c.o.p.d but there's always new medicine coming out & if lucky enough there'll be something that will work for u..

[Hidden]

Morning, I can blow 250 on a good day so not often average bout 200 normally. X Sonia x

[bwp91]

It's best not to get too hooked on this age thing. I've had bronchiectasis most of my life and on the few occasions I've been told my results it's always been in the eighties. I guess now I'm in my early seventies I'm catching up but, though I've never been able to run a mile, it hasn't stopped me getting on with a full life.

[Sohara in reply to bwp91]

SNAP BWP91 I have had Bronch since a baby...told at age 15 that I would possibly reach the age of 30 !!!!.....( same age group as you now) NEVER give up I am still going strong..and have no intention of not going on for years & years yet

[Shirleyj]

I have asthma and bronciectasis and my peak flow is usually 350 can get up to 375, my asthma nurse has always been quite pleased with that. I'm in my fifties now and still the same numbers for the last twenty plus years, I'm quite active, so I think that's pretty good and so is yours x x

[Hidden]

Have u checked your peak flow @ Gp mine was reading wrong Gp changed meds now a lot better

[dunmow1]

I have never smoked and my peak flow is never over 200, have COPD and asthma since I was a small child. am 79 years old

[rubyred777 in reply to dunmow1]

Hi dunmow 1,

( interesting name. How you come up with it? ) I was wondering how you managed all these years with such bad lungs. Are you on oxygen?

[Fennella02]

I am 47 with a PF of 250 max however, PF taken from lung function tests is much nearer to normal. I don't do mine anymore unless I feel things are worse than normal.

[Sohara]

I had to smile reading this thread this morning

Did ANY of you EVER think that one day you would be comparing Peak flow results with others !!!!!!

Anyway doing a quick check I declare 1968 & Shirley the WINNERS

( For they are jolly good fellows)

[Hidden in reply to Sohara]

lollol

[derrylynne]

Sounds like a good reading to me. Stop bragging. lol. Seriously - I wish mine were anywhere as good as yours. So anyway. London marathon next year is it?

[racey14]

The peak flow test is not just for those with Asthma it is used for all lung problems, the one thing missing is the details of your gender, age, height, as all these things determine what your reading should be, for me i should if a healthy person hit around 550 but my readings are around 200 at my good times, if i could get 370 i would be like a 20 year old.

the important thing is not so much your volume but how well your lungs can process the air you take in, it is how it gets the oxygen through your lungs in to your blood stream, just keep up with those exercises, push your lungs hard and don't take it easy.

[Hidden in reply to racey14]

Good advice racey14, problem is when I push my lungs the rest of the body suffers, muscle aches and pains around the chest, headaches, end up feeling worse to be fair. But hey that's the rules so I'll keep going at it. X Sonia x

[Hidden]

I am 170 in the morning and best evening as now been 230

[Offcut]

To throw a spanner in the works because I have RLD when I blow 350 that is all I have. My consultant has told me not to look at the figure as the lose of elasticity in the lungs will blow a far better reading but I will be empty! One of my GP's does not want to agree with this and still thinks I only have asthma! Despite what the hospital have told him from the tests they have done? (I do not see him any more)

Be Well

[Suz01]

I often give my peak flow meter a whirl to. I find the morning reading is always just a tad under the usual 350. On a good day 360/370. Whether 370 would be a good reading for you would depend on your sex/age/height. My brother had an exacerbation recently and had his first LFT and was told he had the lungs of a 120 year old. This after being told he had asthma for years (which was actually copd / emphysema) He went into such depths of despair being so ill and hearing ridiculous things like this. A dr who saw him following these tests said these comments (from a respiratory nurse) should not be made. And really how many bloody 120 year olds have they tested lately! x

[ditowler]

Hi all, I am 60 years young and according to my age and height I should be blowing 450, I currently blow 380 in the morning and 400 In the evening. I stay active and dont stress about my copd. I do my peak flow every day, dr thinks I am doing well, so I will just caery on with it.

[2malinka]

I must have the lungs of a 150 year old because my peak flow never goes beyond 150. Mind you I do have what is delightfully diagnosed as end stage emphysema. However, I still manage to work three days a week and lead some semblance of a normal life. So I tend to not get too obsessed with numbers. You sound pretty good to me.

Cheers

[rubyred777 in reply to 2malinka]

HI 2 Malinka,

I see you do 150 on peak flow and your still working part time. Are you on oxygen? How long have you had copd? You seem like you do very well. I'm glad to know you

[2malinka in reply to rubyred777]

Hi Rubyred

Hope you are feeling good today?

Well, I have had COPD for about 14 years I suppose. Not confirmed till about 6 years ago. I wasn't doing too badly until Dec '13 when I was hospitalized twice for a bad chest infection. I had never been in the hospital with this disease before. I am 64. Well, after my second trip at the end of Jan '14 I was prescribed oxygen 1/2 litre for 15 hours daily. Apparently I am also a CO2 retainer. As I mentioned I have an admin job. Now do three days a week. I don't use oxygen during my 7 hour day & sometimes it is a struggle getting in and out of the building to my car. My space is right outside as I have a Blue Badge. You know like everybody with this horrible illness I have good days and bad. I'm off for my 3 monthly COPD review at Watford General today. Will let you know how I get on.

Take care.

[rubyred777 in reply to 2malinka]

Hi 2malinka,

How did your copd review go?

Hope all is well with you.

~ RUBY ~

[2malinka in reply to rubyred777]

Hi Ruby

Well, according to the echo cardiogram, my heart is taking a bit of a beating but as yet no actually damage. I was also prescribed phyllocontin to help open my air waves. The consultant did warn me that they may upset my stomach. What an understatement! I was sick for three days, couldn't keep any food down. I felt really rough. Bad enough not being able to breathe now I couldn't eat either. I'm a bag of bones as it is! Also my pulse rate was really high so on advice from the BLF and COPD helpline I stopped taking them. In a couple of days I felt better. I am also using oxygen for at least 15 hours daily & increasing it from 1/2 litre to 1 when ambulatory instead of cheating. I also have a PIP Home visit booked for Wednesday-today.

Thank you so much for asking. Hope you are doing OK?

Take care

Malknka

[hallentine47]

I am 67 diagnosed COPD 10 years ago. Using the NEW scale I never reach 200, the old scale pre 2011 less than 300 so I must be getting on for a reincarnation!! Anyway it does not tell you how well the lungs are performing so my Doctor tells me,

[Louisiana]

Yike! I always have very low results so I get cheers at the surgery if I do 190!!! - it's almost become a joke . I will be 77 in January, but I have had a very low flow for years, so I'm wondering how many years over 100 I am being grouped in on my records??? As long as I am here and breathing I don't mind

[Hidden]

My average peck flow is from 150 to 175 180 but looking for air after blowing in to it

[Hidden]

My average peck flow is from 150 to 175 180 but looking for air after blowing in to it

[LF57]

I have been doing peak flows of 250 (170 if I get a cold) for the last 30 years! yes it isn't good and sometimes can be tough getting about. When I'm good I try to do some form of excercise and oddly blowing up balloons can help. I am 57, work full time and try mind over matter approach. Don't let it get you down you can live with it. I only do my peak flow when I feel particularly bad so I don't remind myself.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I'm mid 60's. When I smoked my PF was about 200. I got diagnosed with Stage 4 COPD just over 3 years ago. Now it averages 250. Work that out !

I'm similar to 2malinka and work 3 days a week and just get on with things as normal but slower and plan things out.

I only do my PF when I am reminded I've got one, like now !

[Dragonmum]

For what it's worth one of the asthma nurses said that they don't attach nearly as much importance to the peak flow reading as they did in times past.

[31m3aR]

What I always wonder about this PF business - what can you do about it - it is what it is - am I wrong?

[soulsaver]

peakflow.com/top_nav/normal...

Look here. Note PF varies throughout life, by your age, height & hugely different by your sex... so you could also have the lungs of a 15 year old...

One score doesn't help anyone much, it's used to measure your daily change and early predict attacks in asthma.

Early in the day your lungs less flexible after shallow breathing while asleep. You won't do your best blow until 3rd or 4th attempt. And you'll do better on an empty stomach.. on a warm day - I kid you not.. it is that variable.

So.. have another go, you may do better.

[katieoxo60]

Don't pay much attention to peak flow as mine is not what it should be if you take notice of the averages for age. I do not think peak flow is a true reflection of lung health or none health and can cause some people unnecessary concern. I would say follow your gut instinct if you feel ill check it and see your nurse or doctor.