Peak Flow reading!

[Andreajolly]

Does anyone know what our ideal (normal) peak flow reading should be. I've had mine done and was wondering if it's good or not so good. I usually ask but my Doctor was asking me other things and it side tracked me...thanks Andrea x

[Hidden]

You can find the Predicted Normal Value for your age & height here peakflow.com/top_nav/normal...

[Andreajolly in reply to Hidden]

Thank you .... Andrea x

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Useful, thanks Hanne

[andmikel in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, This information should be given out with the flow meter.

I have been using one night and morning for over 10 years since I had a Lobectomy. At least I can now work out a more sensible expectation.

It is good indication of trends and if it falls I use more ventolin and breath vapour from steaming water with drops of Tea tree oil or Olbas oil for about ten minutes of slow deep breathing before I go to bed. If the the fall is persistent repeat this 2 or 3 times a day and see your GP as soon as possible.

[Andreajolly in reply to andmikel]

I am getting a facial steamer as a few people I know in person with copd say this helps .... they also mentioned about olbas oil if getting a bath. Thank you Andrea x

[Fennella02]

Mine should be over 450 but never goes above 250. Only 100 or so on a bad day. I'm still pretty functional and able to walk my dog for several hours daily. What is your PF showing?

[Andreajolly in reply to Fennella02]

Mine was between 250 and 300 back on steroids but not working as well x

[Fennella02 in reply to Andreajolly]

I don't pay too much attention to my PF readings - I only check it every few weeks but I don't have asthma and that's where peak flow really counts. My spirometry tests show low normal results but my diaphragm & resp muscles are weak. It's no fun - I can walk but that's about it. It's not long until you see your Consultant now xx

[Andreajolly in reply to Fennella02]

I know I can't wait for the 13th April it can't come quick enough ... thank you Andrea x

[guytane]

am male over 50 had copd 5 years I can blow 500 on gd day I have ashma to

[Andreajolly in reply to guytane]

The peak flow I think went up to 500 but not 100%sure. I'm really struggling at the mo just counting my days downs to see my consultant on the 13the April ... Andrea x

[guytane in reply to Andreajolly]

you should try my breathing exercise it opens up your lungs gv you more air space x

[Burghy]

I have ashma and scaring of lungs I started off at 150 and after changing inhaler I am around 400 seem to stay steady

[Andreajolly in reply to Burghy]

Great to know this as when I get on right meds my quality of life fingers crossed will improve.... thank you Andrea x

[Foxy79]

Hello yes peak flow should be around 500 for normal person and for us with copd and other illness lower mines is 150 I'm 36 years old and have copd respiratory type2 emphysema broncecictsis with asthma I'm on Bibep and nublizer and 24/7 oxygen hope it answer your question

[Andreajolly in reply to Foxy79]

Do you go abroad flying? Are you ok doing day to day running of a house etc... thank you for telling me about yourself Andrea x

[Foxy79 in reply to Andreajolly]

Hi Andrea

My peak flow it's much better know its about 250 and I was worse cause if European came here and passed me a virous as they don't get medically checked as they carry diseases I was born here and never left the country feel angary sometimes over them how are you feeling and comeing honey

[Andreajolly in reply to Foxy79]

I really feel for you and this forum is a great life line. When my oxygen was very low and my head I thought was going to burst .... I'd shut my eyes and on several occasions wish I wouldn't wake up. Bird fanciers lung has effected my short term memory as unbeknown to my mum we had budgies when I was a child. I was always very poorly doctors said I had pluracy which I know know wasn't pluracy. My lungs have been badly scared with it. How are you know with you on the right medication how is your quality of life? Andrea x

[Foxy79 in reply to Andreajolly]

Hi Andrea

My quality of life is very good I have car family money etc house but I'm not sure for a partner don't take me wrong I'm good looking Asian man born and bought up in England but as I said someone cane from eroupe and past me disease and damaged my lungs scared it for life are you on Facebook or istagram you can see how I got back up from under 8 stone to 12 stone let me know how is your life style

[Andreajolly in reply to Foxy79]

Haha sence of humour ..... I'm kinda over the bitterness of why me don't get me wrong I do have low days when my lungs are so tight and just taking a few steps can be hard.... I've taken a back seat with my business. Lost what I though was good work colleagues but I guess that's business hey!!! I'm down sizing our house so I can give my 3 sons money and I'm able to see them enjoy/invest it ..... the drive I had for my business is a no no now my health has to come first... once I'm on the right medication and if I feel ok I will go back to my business 😀 x

[TwinklingStar]

My peak flow is usually 125. I am 60, female and 5 ft 5" and the calculator on the site from the link in one of the top posts states that I should score 393. I thought that seemed low for my age - seems strange.

I have a restrictive lung condition which has caused irreversible damage to my lungs. I nearly always score between 100 and 150. On rare days I score 250 but then I end up with pain from the straining muscles from the effort. I have Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonitis.

I hope you feel a little better soon.

from

Twinkling Star

[Andreajolly in reply to TwinklingStar]

Hi its still all new to me so trying to read up on things and the advice on here is fantastic. Been rough today tight chest so just had a relaxing day .... Yes I'm going to get on top of these kind of appointments with nurse/doctor who ever does these at my surgery once I see my consultant. I'm writing everything down that I'm wanting to know ..... I've just found a lump near my outer side left knee I'm on steroids so not sure if it's anything to do with the steroids or not. Have you had anything like this happen to you? I Will put a post up to see if anyone else knows if it's the steroids or not and I'm going to phone doctors in the morning ... how often do you do to have your peak flow checked? Andrea x

[TwinklingStar in reply to Andreajolly]

Was the Steroid you have been put on Prednisolone tablets? A few years ago I was put on Prednisolone of 60 mg per day which is quite a high dose but not unusual for people who have serious lung problems. Prednisolone can cause severe damage to the joints and Doctors who prescribe it should always put people on medications to protect the joints and bones.

I was put on AdCal which is a combination of Calcium with Vitamin D. You need one to enable you to absorb the other. I was also put on another drug but I cannot look it up right now to see what it is called. I remember I had to wake up very early in the morning to take it and was expected to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.

I did have to take myself off the Steroids (something that you should never do without supervision by a Doctor) because of having life threatening side effects of "Secondary Cushing's Syndrome". Basically I had put on five stone in weight during the first three weeks of being on Prednisolone. Much of this was round my neck and it was like having a massive snake round my neck strangling me. It was a life threatening situation so I was forced to very gradually reduce the steroids - SLOWLY but urgently and as soon as possible. Of course, most people do not suffer such severe side effects.

I have never heard anything about people getting a lump at the side of the knee. However, symptoms should never be ignored so I would advise you to see your Doctor as soon as you can. I would not wait until you see your Consultant. This sounds like something your GP should be able to know the cause but do point out to your GP that you are on Steroids and ask whether it is connected in any way. If you are on Prednisolone and were not prescribed medications to protect your joints I would question your GP on this too - Calcium, Vitamin D and one other drug (your GP should know what it is).

When I was on Steroids my legs blew up to a massive size and both went as solid as rocks. Then I developed very itchy blisters and fluid began to pour out of these pustules - so much fluid that I had to tie bin liners round my legs - above the knee - to catch all the fluid so that I did not ruin the carpets. The amount of fluid was far more than a litre from each leg. I phoned NHS 24 and went to an emergency hospital (not the main A&E) where I saw a very kind and experienced man who I think was a GP. After this two nurses came to my home twice a day to check my legs and re-dress them twice a day. I was very well looked after.

If you have any further questions just post them in the relevant group and I am sure others will be able to help you - hopefully people who did not have such drastic side effects to Prednisolone/Steroids as I did.

Take Care.

Love from Twinkling Star

WARNING:

NEVER STOP PREDNISOLONE OR OTHER STEROIDS WITHOUT SUPERVISION FROM A DOCTOR - THIS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN BE LIFE THREATENING

[Andreajolly in reply to TwinklingStar]

Thank you yes my legs are quite sold below the knee. I just don't feel right I was put on white tablet steroids now on red tablets steroids. I feel so I'll as though my lungs r pumped up and I can't breath properly. I'm allergic to a lot of things so I'm hoping steroids isn't going to be added. Thank you for your message and so sorry to hear what happened to you and thank you for sharing this info with me.... greatly appreciated 😀 x

[TwinklingStar in reply to Andreajolly]

If your legs are hard below the knee and they are so solid that you cannot move the ankle joint then this is a medical emergency and you should be seen at A & E straight away.

If your legs are hard below the knee but you can move your ankles easily then you must see a Doctor urgently. Make an appointment early tomorrow morning or go to your local out of hours emergency GP.

If they just feel tight and little more solid than normal keep your legs elevated and make sure a GP sees you tomorrow.

In the meantime make sure you sit with your legs elevated and if this becomes worse you must obtain urgent medical attention.

Do you feel like you can't breathe properly or are you unable to breathe properly? I think either way you should ring to speak to the NHS 24. They will then decide whether you need to be taken to A & E. I would contact them straight away for some proper medical advice. You should not leave symptoms like this unchecked. I am not a Doctor but it sounds like you need to be checked URGENTLY. There is nothing wrong with ringing NHS 24 for advice - please make sure you do this straight away.

Take care. Don't worry but never delay seeking help when you are feeling it is difficult to breathe.

from

Twinkling Star Xxx

[Andreajolly in reply to TwinklingStar]

Thank you so much for your text x

[Andreajolly in reply to TwinklingStar]

It's below knee that are tight my partner is calling NHS helpline now for me. X

[TwinklingStar in reply to Andreajolly]

Good it's always best to seek advice. Xx

[TwinklingStar]

I forgot to answer your questions about the peak flow testing. I have a peak flow meter at home but this was not prescribed. With the condition I have there is little point in checking my peak flow readings regularly. The reason I got it was because I was not able to attend my hospital appointments and I just wanted to make sure it didn't get any worse than what it already was.

I get it checked accurately at the hospital when I am well enough to attend appointments. I am supposed to go every 6 months and sometimes every year to see my Consultant. However, I am not prepared to go during the winter months and mix with people who are spluttering and coughing all around me. I know they cannot help it but I do not wish to get into the rut and endless cycle of getting myself well, attending an appointment and becoming ill again, and then needing to go to the hospital more frequently. If I expose myself to these risks and become ill there is now no treatment that I can have to help me. The last two and half years it has been impossible for me to get to any appointments. I am hoping to be able to go during the summer months as soon as the weather improves.

It is important for people to keep to appointments but as there is no treatment available that I can take, other than antibiotics, I don't really consider it a high priority. I can always call out my GP if I need antibiotics but as long as I keep away from people I rarely need them.

At first you should be checked at LEAST every 6 months especially while you are on Prednisolone or other steroids.

Best wishes to you from

Twinkling Star Xx

[Andreajolly in reply to TwinklingStar]

Yes I see your point x

[guytane]

I am wondering if I have copd at all I am male very young 60 but can blow 500 plus on peak flow and have had copd ashma for over 4 years