Peak flow: Hi,I'm just wondering for... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,259 members66,030 posts

Peak flow

madonbrew profile image
29 Replies

Hi,I'm just wondering for some advice...the last few days my peak flow has been 250/270...I just have asthma NOT copd. It's usually not overly great...maybe 370-400. It generally gets up to 300/320 once I've taken ventilin. Do you think I need to see my go? I'm on lots of meds...montelukast,ventilin,elipta(relvar)& allergy tablet.

Thanks,Dee

Written by
madonbrew profile image
madonbrew
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
29 Replies
madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

See my GP...lol...not go

Hi Madonbrew..I've seen mine 150/200 at time and doc just up my meds if that helps but we are all different..respect,Ger

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew in reply to

Thanks Ger...I'll see how I am over the weekend. I am struggling a bit in general to get a good proper breath so maybe it's worth seeing her.

Superzob profile image
Superzob in reply to madonbrew

That's the clue! The issue isn't the peak flow itself but whether it is affecting your breathing. As it is, then you should see someone about it.

But don't mess around Dee if you feel it's different or your not responding to your meds as my respiratory nurse says "if in doubt get someone out"

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew in reply to

Thank you...I Will...if I need to over the weekend I'll make sure I see someone.I ended up in a&e about 8 weeks ago so will be careful!

Better safe than sorry

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Sounds like you do need a GPs advice especially if something is not as normal. Best Wishes

watergazer profile image
watergazer

hi if you're worried go to your gp or practice nurse . Do you have a medical plan(may be the incorrect term) if not I would ask for one. Mine says when to take my blue inhaler, go to my gp or straight to the hospital according to my peak flow.

tomc profile image
tomc

My GP, IS not so reliant on peak flow readings

Mine can be as low as 150 but also as high as 300 (without reliever meds).

If your PKs drop to 50 then get to hospital FAST!! MY ADVICE.... dont wait until the last gasp.. if in doubt, seek the doctor out.

Clamdigger profile image
Clamdigger

Have you been drinking your water not cold but hot water at least eight cups a day.. Try honey turmeric 1/8 with a slice of ginger.. It helps thin out the mucus...Medication dries things out but dries out your lungs one way good but you really need water to replac.. The pollen is up here and I have been fighting with everything .. Hope your feeling better...

Samwing profile image
Samwing in reply to Clamdigger

Hi Clamdigger, on the back of this discussion, I was interested in your hot water with honey & turmeric suggestion. Could you explain the quantity if honey & turmeric to water please.

Clamdigger profile image
Clamdigger in reply to Samwing

Turmeric 1/8 tsp ... good slice of ginger... honey ... I have a big mug fill with hot water let it sit for 5 min.... I keep adding water through out the day and just add turmeric and honey... Yesterday I coughed up a hard piece of mucus so I started doing this .. My mucus thinned out... I found out from the throat Dr that asthma medication causes acid reflux and the gases go up and settle into your lungs and can cause a lung infection.... I don't crab for the emergency puffer because of what he told me. Gloves and cinnimon with honey .. Last night I made some potatoes cut them thin add olive oil and some hot spices it makes your mucus thin,, When you lungs act up go for spices onion gloves .. It works .... Do it every day ... Add it to your food ...

peege profile image
peege

Yes, do see your GP. It happens that we change a little so present meds don't quite do it and need to be changed. I take similar meds as you, however, since being on Fostair I rarely need ventolin. (Asthma & bronchiectasis). I got quite ill a few years ago when my prescribed meds were no longer working. Good luck. P

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Thank you everybody for your good advice!!! I'll try see my GP/asthma nurse on Monday...or asap. Maybe the meds just need tweeking a bit.

Thanks again!I really appreciate your feedback!!

Dee

Johnem profile image
Johnem

I have severe COPD with chronic asthma. When with asthma I was getting similar symptoms to yourself, my GP arranged a Spirometry check and this showed up my COPD. If this has not been ever done for yourself, it should be and if you have developed COPD, then new medication will slow it down.

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Hi Johnem...sorry for my lack of knowledge...do people who have never smoked get COPD?

I have other other autoimmune diseases...IgG4 systemic disease...so I've got pancreatitis,causing secondry diabetes,chronic kidney failure. It might all be linked in. I'll ask though if I can have the test!

in reply to madonbrew

There's also the possibility of Bronchiectasis. None smokers get that. You need spirometry and a CT scan. I was treated for Asthma for 3 years before I got my Bronchiectasis diagnosis. Best get it checked out, although it might be your Asthma getting worse, especially during the heatwave we've just had. My peak flow is 250 but at best it's 300.

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

I'm nearly 40&have had asthma since I was 12 although it's getting worse as I'm getting older.

m0bnd profile image
m0bnd

Hi, I'm not so sure that peak flow readings are all that! My worst readings in hospital when I had 'exacerbation of asthma' were 450! My normal readings are well over 700. I'm still unsure that I even have asthma! If you have asthma, do you have a plan in place? What does this tell you to do?

Hope you feel better.

Andy.

m0bnd profile image
m0bnd

Do you have a blood-oxygen meter? These are great for reference, I'll start to worry if mine reads under 90 - then I get the ambulance out or go to A + E myself if I can.

garibaldon profile image
garibaldon

Yes as mObnd said blood oxygen meter, a useful tool. Cheap as chips off eBay about £10 had my check by the Asthma nurse. I was dead accurate.

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Will see if I can get hold of one! Will also try the water mix clamdigger!

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

It's a bit better this morning...300. I had to chuckle Andy...450...I've never got there on a good day! I always wondered in my record book if there was anyone who recorded 700 or more.

m0bnd profile image
m0bnd in reply to madonbrew

450 is the best that any of my family can get, and they’re ‘healthy’ with no other underlying respiratory issues! When I’m really good I can get mid/high 700s easily. It’s really confusing me about my whole ‘asthma’ diagnosis for me.

Maximonkey profile image
Maximonkey

Hi Dee, if your PFlow is this low you could be starting an infection. How do you feel?? Maximonkey

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew in reply to Maximonkey

Hi Maximonkey, funnily enough I have been feeling not quite right. I'm so exhausted I just keep sleeping&just generally feel a bit rough. I've still been working etc...

My consultant took a whole heap of bloods the other day so maybe something will show up.

I'll see if I can see my gp or asthma nurse this week!!

Maximonkey profile image
Maximonkey in reply to madonbrew

Take care Dee and always remember what my doc told me is your PFlow is below 220 you need to see a GP if it goes lower to half what your normal peak flow is then it is hospital. Let me know how you get on. Good luck Maximonkey

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Hi guys,I saw my asthma nurse today...just at the surgery. She asked my GP to prescribe me a double dose of Relvar...so now on 184mcg. She said see how I go and depending if it helps,they might refer me to hospital doctor.

Thought I'd keep you updated!

Dee

You may also like...

peak flow is okay but struggling to breathe

the peak flow doesn't drop much? My best is 550 on Symbicort plus Spiriva and I find that the peak...

asthma but good peak flow

anyone have a peak flow of 650 plus yet some days struggle to walk up stairs without being...

Oxygen levels/peak flow

who didn't seem that bothered. Sure enough, my peak flow is normal (560) and my oxygen was 98%. No...

Hi Flow cannula

of infections heart problems and general poor health. The Hi flow machine was installed the day I...

using a spacer for Spiriva

spacer for Spiriva Respimat. I use a spacer for Ventilin, which is great, but wasn’t sure if could...