To have or not to have

[Lady11]

I wanted to have another breathing test done. My doctor basically said no that I didn't need another one. I have not smoked in 14 months and wondered if any numbers have changed .. Should I insist on another one. How do they know it would be the same??? Or do they know it is not going to change my diagnosis???

[casper99]

Hi, everyone has a yearly Spiro. If you haven't had one in the last 24 months, yours is overdue.

Try making an appointment with the respiratory nurse at you surgery.

Don't expect massive improvements this early, mine didn't improve in the first two years and then, shot up. xx

[Kristicats in reply to casper99]

I think mine actually dipped a bit before it started going slowly up.

[Lady11 in reply to casper99]

👍🏻

[Kristicats]

If COPD or a lung condition is diagnosed you should be offered a spirometry test .blood test and a cholesterol test yearly at minimum. I actually bought a hand held tester ( the same as the COPD nurse uses and the hospital) to check in between my yearly one.

[Healthy24680 in reply to Kristicats]

Can u share the devise details

[soulsaver]

Kristicats Are you happy with the spirometer you bought? What make/mode? How much was it?

[Kristicats in reply to soulsaver]

Don’t think I should really recommend or name it here but it’s very good and accurate it cost around £80 and is used in hospitals/ clinics it’s the Vitalograph COPD 6

[Kristicats in reply to Kristicats]

I’ve always got the same results as when I see the COPD nurse when I go yearly.

[James48]

You should have a spirometery test and a review every year as advised by NICE. It's usually done by the COPD nurse at your practice - have you got one? or your local COPD team.

Ring up the practice and arrange a spirometery and ask why you you don't automatically get an appointment sent to you.

[Lady11 in reply to James48]

👌

[casper99]

Yes, your supposed to be retested yearly. xx