Lung function tests

[Barbz1]

Hi All

I've been having lung function tests at the hospital, I thought, because of my lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis & emphysema. I've done various breaths blowing & inhaling into a spirometry machine. The last one I had to go into a cubicle & air was cut off for 10 seconds. I haven't been on a running machine, like others on here, should I have been? Does everyone with COPD have the tests done at the hospital? Or at their GP's? Come to think of it, do all GP's have the equipment? Where would patients go? Info for the people out there who it seems are 'just left to get on with it'

[Caspiana]

Hello Barbz1 .

I have never been tested on a running machine either. I have however, walked up and down a hall for six minutes (six minute walk test 🚶) . I could not run on a machine or on land, I'd very quickly pass out I think. 😟

Unlike the U.K. in Japan we don't have our own specific GP that we go and see. We do have small clinics and many people go to these clinics for minor issues like a cold for example. It is common to go straight to a specialist for more complicated issues. So, I have only experienced having a lung function test in a hospital setting. It's hard to imagine a small clinic being able to afford such complicated machinery, but then my gynaecologist has a small clinic and has a Mammography machine. So really I'm not sure.

Sorry I'm not much help. Someone more informed will be along soon I am sure.

I hope you are having a good day.

Cas xx 🌷

[Barbz1 in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Cas

Thank you for your reply. It's nice to hear from you, whether you can help or not. I don't think I could cope on a treadmill either! Walking can be difficult for me. Interesting to find out how people abroad cope, doctors, clinic's etc. Do you have insurance schemes for healthcare? Is it fordable? Are you able to get to see consultant's quickly? Could I ask what your diagnosis is?

The sun is shining here today which always picks me up & it's a little bit warmer : ) I'm going into the garden for a bit , to move my spring bulbs into the sun.

I hope you are having a good day too

Best wishes

Barbz xx : )

[Caspiana in reply to Barbz1]

Hello Barbz1 .

We have universal healthcare which gives everyone equal access to healthcare with fees set by the government. We are all required by law to have health insurance coverage Our healthcare is not free. Most Japanese pay 30% of our medical fees and the government shoulders 70%. But low income families can pay as little as 10%. As I have a rare and chronic illness my medical fees are capped. So, I pay a set fee every month no matter how many times I see the doctor or the nature of treatment I receive.

Patients are free to choose medical facilities of their choice and cannot be denied coverage. Hospitals, by law, must be run as non-profit and are managed by doctors. For-profit corporations are not allowed to own or operate hospitals. Clinics must be also be owned and operated in the same manner.

Most first visits to big hospitals do not require appointments. Consequent follow up visits do. Small clinics are mostly walk in clinics. In most cases, CT scans, MRIs and many other tests do not require waiting periods. We get the results the same day .

Our system though is not perfect. There are many flaws. But we are very lucky I think. I get to see my doctors every six weeks.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which in turn has given me a lung disease called Bronchiolitis Obliterans . This disease basically destroys the tiniest airways. It is irreversible so I am waiting for a new lung. 😊

I hope your spring bulbs are sitting happily in the sun now and you have a nice cup of tea. Enjoy the sunshine. 🌞 🌱🌿 xx

[Ergendl in reply to Caspiana]

Really interesting to hear how the health system works in Japan, Cas.

[Caspiana in reply to Ergendl]

It's so different from country to country. xx

[Badbessie]

There are a number of variables to the test depending on the individual. My stress test on the walking machine was more to test my cardiac function rather than pulmonary. I have now been discharged from the hospital unless there is a problem and my tests are carried out by my GP. Your local medical centre may have a respiratory nurse specialist for help and advice. Also there is the BLF help which can help. There are many helpful booklets that you can get from this site on everything from exercise to diet.

There is in some cases a feeling that we are left to get on with it but the information is out there. As any one mentioned pulmonary rehabilitation to you? As I feel it would benefit you.

[Barbz1 in reply to Badbessie]

Hi Badbessie

What a great name! I should have been more inventive! Thank you for your reply. Good news you have been discharged from hospital.

I was really wondering what was out there for others really. I have seen a couple of comments from members who have felt they've been left to get on with it. I felt that too at the beginning. I had an awful, emotional experience when I was first diagnosed, or misdiagnosed as it turned out (but that's another story). I was told to give up smoking & see my GP if my breathing got worse. It was only when I had pneumonia & in hospital did I get referred to the respiratory clinic & to see a consultant who was experienced in my lung disease DIP (it's a rare one). I do have a consultant now & have regular function tests. But had wondered why they may differ. But as I have now read some comments from other members, I know that my function tests are the same.

I am under the repository clinic & have been in contact with BLF. I did start pulmonary rehab a year ago but due to some other separate physical problems which I was going to have treatment for (osteoporosis, fractures & slipped vertebrae in my spine, there are more but wont go on!) I couldn't continue at that time. I was hoping to go back but unfortunately I had another year of physical problems & hospitalization. I moved home also! I have an appointment with the R team on the 9th March, hoping that they will explain latest lung f test results & maybe the rehab again, even if it's just for the talks & some of the exercises I can do.

Hope you are having a good day

Best Wishes

Barbz : )

[Hidden]

Hi Barbz,

I haven’t got the same lung diseases as you but I haven’t even seen a running machine in the spirometry department at the hospitals I have attended..same as Cas I do the six minute walk..I think it would kill me if I ran 😃😃 last time I ran was to catch a bus and that was a mistake 😊

I must say I walked on the treadmill at pulmonary rehabilitation for 15mn twice a week, nowadays at the gym I have increased to 20mn, 4km/h and 2% slope. I am 66 and there was this teenager next to me running like if she was flying, it was lovely to watch.

Good luck with the results xx

Fran

[Barbz1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Fran

Nice to hear from you again : )

I haven't been asked to do the six minute walk. Perhaps because of my physical problems but I'm going to mention it to the respiratory team. We don't have a treadmill at the ph class. It's great that you have been able to increase your time. At 66 you're doing well, I'm falling apart at 56. I have just phoned the council leisure centre & for £2 a year (April to April) disabled members have free swimming (not sure on that one yet) & £3 per session for the gym. So maybe other councils have a similar scheme. Worth a shot!

Take care XX

[Hidden in reply to Barbz1]

Hi Barbz

Yes the 6 mn is a standard test. You walk with a monitor as fast as you can really. The physio or nurse measures your heart and oxygen rates as well as the distance covered.

I have always enjoyed exercising like walking, swimming but forced myself to do it regularly 3 to 4 times a week rain, snow or shine!

Sounds like a great scheme. Hope it helps xx

Fran

[Hidden]

Hi barbz1 i do most of my tests if i have any done at the hospital i do have a copd nurse but to ssy shes useless would be a under statment asked her for a breathing machine like breath easy nope havent got one but got one simular have i got it nope guess when she went on holiday dispite the reminder im not worth given that too havent heard from her since so my advice stick to the hospital soz for another rant but chest keeps hurting im fed up with place looking like a pig stye being lazy and struggling to breath dosent help either lol hospitals do more thougher (not spelt that right ) but they do more so see them excuse rant but good luck 😊