Spirometry Test Not Good News

[irenec]

I had my Spirometry test last week. It was FEV1 29%. Two years ago it was 45%. I haven't smoked for 4 years. My consultant said it would not get worse if I didn't smoke.

I was very disappointed.

[Swerv]

It is a progressive disease and as such will never get better. When you quit smoking you slowed the progression down but the Dr. stating it won't get worse is wrong. But, if you are not already doing it exercise and diet is the way to slow it down. I use cannabis oil, which reversed my condition but i know in the future it will probably get worse but at a slower rate. Something else will probably get me before COPD does.

[Hidden]

Good Morning - I can fully understand what you are feeling. My husband had similar results two years ago. We felt completely deflated. The positive thing is that he has not worsened since then. BUT more importantly I think you have to look at your life - are you still able to have a good quality of life? I took the view that the numbers only matter to the medics - it doesn't mean much to me. My husband has been involved in a trial and had to have a spirometry test which, within two months, had increased from 27% to 39% - the difference none that I could think of. When I mentioned it to the nurse running the tests she said that the spirometry was used to confirm COPD and the numbers did fluctuate.

Has anyone spoken to you about Pulmonary rehab - fantastic course of excercise (monitored by nurses) and information. You need to be referred but it made a big difference to my husband - he felt back in control.

Take good care and bloody well done for giving up the fags. Lots of love xxx

[PastMeBest]

Hi irenec sorry to hear that your condition has worsened over the past two years. You did the best thing to help yourself by stopping smoking so congratulations for achieving that.

I don't know why your Consultant told you wouldn't get worse if you stopped smoking because you just can't predict at what rate progression takes place. By stopping smoking you will have certainly slowed it down but lots of other things also have an effect as well. If you have any infections, they always seem to leave a bit more damage behind when you are over them. All you can do is to look after yourself as much as you can.

Regards. John

[Cynthia12345]

Seems the damage is already done according to doctors. I am 77 and have smoked since I was 14. My advice would be to youngsters NEVER START. We were not told in the early 50's that it would eventually kill us. I now have to wait for results of a pet scan to see what damage has been done to my body. I have been fast tracked and just pray they can help me..... It has only been just over 2 weeks since a scan showed a mass on my lung.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to Cynthia12345]

Cynthia12345, wishing you all the best with your test results.

[Cynthia12345 in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Thanks I need to keep positive.

[2malinka]

I was told the same thing by a GP back in 1992 when I quit smoking. My FEV1 is now 15%. Yet I still manage to do stuff. I refuse to let numbers define me. I have heard of people's lung function actually improving.

Keep exercising as much as you can and of course, lots of veg and fruit. I

Take care

Malinka

[Cynthia12345 in reply to 2malinka]

Thanks Malinka.

[Watfordgirl]

Hello, I had an almost identical experience last week, and can understand your disappointment.

How you feel is as important, if not more so, than numbers which fluctuate anyway. Do what you can to look after yourself and enjoy life, even if it's not quite what it used to be.

You're with friends, Sue x

[Cynthia12345 in reply to Watfordgirl]

Thanks for your comment.

[jackdup]

Keep in mind that FEV1 can vary throughout the day and from day to day so if you were tested again today it might well be better that what it showed last week.