When I got there they couldn’t do it as I had taken my inhalers this morning 😳 I did t know I wasn’t supposed to so got to wait another week now 😳
Well went for my spirometery - Lung Conditions C...
Well went for my spirometery
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cales
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42 Replies
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Your surgery should have told you or given you a leaflet.
"Preparing for your test
When you’re going for a test, you may get a leaflet or an appointment letter with specific instructions. Read them carefully before your test. For some tests, you may be asked:
to wear loose-fitting clothing, or suitable shoes for a walking test
to stop smoking for 24 hours before the test (if you smoke, this can alter the results of some tests)
to avoid eating for some hours before
to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks (like coffee, tea, cola or energy drinks) for some hours before
not to take your medication for some hours before
to bring along your medication, such as inhalers
If you’re unsure how to prepare, get in touch with the person who made the appointment for you."
Oh what a shame as PMRPete says you should have received a pre brief as you are not a regular customer so to speak,i expect you are disappointed but well prepared for next week now.
Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's x
I was diagnosed with COPD in 2006. And have never been told not to take my inhalers before a speromitary test either at my GP or hospital. Surely it the blue inhaler you shouldn’t take before a test.
I've never been told not to take my meds let alone the other things.
Is this a regional thing/ postcode lottery thing?
No idea Boudica1 my dr just told me to book in for spirometery never gave me a leaflet or told me not to take inhalers 😳
Well hopefully I will get it done next 😊
Oh I have a spirometry every year but have never been told not to take my inhalers beforehand. x
Oh, how annoying for you! I have to say that I've never been told not to take my inhalers either but I believe they do that so they can distinguish between asthma and COPD when making an initial diagnosis. In all other circumstances, I thought it was FEV1 post-bronchodilator that counted. Good luck next week anyway!
She said something about a reverse test 😳 or something like that ..... I was disappointed just wanted it over with really 😳 she also said that I shouldn’t be on a steroid inhaler said the duoresp spiromax is more for people with asthma not copd do she’s probably going to change it to a combined one 😳 anyone got any ideas on that ??
• in reply tocales
That sounds right. Reversibility testing can distinguish between asthma and COPD (mostly). Duoresp spiromax IS a combined inhaler (steroid and LABA). If they don't think you have asthma then probably you'll just end up with a Ventolin-type inhaler (SABA) and possibly a LABA inhaler too. (LABA= Long acting beta agonist, SABA= short acting beta agonist). Steroid inhalers are usually reserved for asthma and more severe COPD where inflammation is a bigger issue.
What ever it is it’s going to replace the spiriva and the duoresp so I hope it doesn’t make things worse 😢
If you have an asthma element as well then you'll need a steroid. Asthma untreated often turns to fixed. Like COPD is. I think a lot of my fixed airway is because I took just ventolin for a couple of years. Was never tested or checked. I had one initially as I was occasionally getting a little tight. Then I just kept getting them on repeat prescription. No one ever asked why I had no preventer ( steroid inhaler) as dumb as it sounds I had no clue about asthma or COPD back then. I would have a couple of puffs of ventolin followed by a cigarette. How dumb was that. Lesson learned a little late.
Never been told this either and been going every year for it.
Granted test is usually done a good few hours later but still......
Does say everywhere MAY be asked .....so if your not asked then obviously will just do normal morning routine.
Ah well will know for future now .
I was told not to 12 hours before test
I have only ever been told not to use inhalers before a hospital based lung function test, never before a spirometry test carried out at my GP surgery.
I don't think I could get to the doctors without taking mine but I haven't had one for years anyway think they've given up on me
To be honest I am concerned about how I’ll be without them , first thing on the morning is always the worst time anyway , if I get there I’m not hopeful at having enough puff to give them a reading anyway lol ....,,this is my first one for 7 years just think some gp practises don’t bother as much as others xx
Hi,
I’ve always taken my normal inhaler, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to struggle up to London. The technician asks me if I’ve taken it, so I suppose she makes allowances for it.
I had my annual spirometry test at my doctor's yesterday. The appointment letter I received clearly states to take two puffs of my rescue inhaler shortly before being tested.
I used to be told no inhalers on morning of test. Then 18 months ago nurse said that they were changing their policy. For those with severe copd to take everything as normal so that they can compare like with like and see if we are stable. I am pleased as getting their"on empty" was pretty nasty.
I was once told during a hospital based lung function test that GPs prefer to know what a spirometry test result is after inhalers have been taken as normal so that they can judge how well your treatment is working. Conversely, hospital Consultants prefer to know the result of a lung function test without inhalers.
That said, the spirometry test I had done at my GP surgery 3 years ago was done after being told to take 4 puffs of Ventolin regardless of when the last dose had been as that was the latest guideline. The spirometry tests done for the past 2 years have been done without any extra Ventolin and no special instruction before attending for the appointment.
It all gets a bit confusing!
I have never been asked to not use my inhalers before a spirometry test but I have been asked to not have a large meal beforehand.
Yes I totally understand what you are saying Redsox but as previous replies show there doesn’t seem to be a set in stone standard , so I think we should leave it there 😊
I agree but then they may not on purpose as they may not want to use one of the listed items to skew the results in a way you may want if you know what I mean.
I think, Redsox, it's because bronchodilators will only have an effect on reversible airflow obstruction ie any asthma component. It's the obstruction that remains once the asthma component is sorted by bronchodilators that counts towards COPD. Reversibility testing (ie both with and without inhalers) is generally only done to differentiate a diagnosis of asthma vs COPD. Once COPD or other lung disease is diagnosed then post-bronchodilator results are used to establish the severity. All the guidelines, including NHS and GOLD, state that COPD is diagnosed and staged based on post-bronchodilator FEV1 and FEV1/FVC results.
Gazza01• in reply to
I have a friend who has COPD. He is certain he has never had reversibility testing. I explained about having ventolin or nebuliser and waiting for 30 mins or so etc. Nope never ever done that. They treated him for asthma for years without ever testing for it. He's going for spirometry soon I've told him to request it. Crazy.
I feel the other way. COPD is irreversible so the inhaler opens the airways to what your true state is as they can’t reverse the damage so to me the post bronchodilator is the true state of your lungs. I certainly could be wrong but it would see, the bronchodilator can’t open airways beyond the extent of damage your lungs have.
Some hospitals are much more professional than others. Mine doesn’t even ask about inhalers or tell me to omit beforehand. I think recent major surgery or illness is asked about 🤣🤣🤣
Every Respiratory Appointment Letter I have received has an Attachment later explaining "Not to Take inhalers for The Hours Stated against that Particular Inhaler, so I know in Advance not to Take them, It is a Struggle, Though I can have them As Soon as the test is over, also My Oxygen. maybe not all Hospital Admin are as Good as City Hospital in Nottingham. Hope your Ok now. xxx
Its unbelievable how we are all told different things before these Spiro tests. I had my 1st 1 a week ago. Just told to not use inhalers on the day. Wear loose clothing, which i thought might mean doing exercises, and if needed only eat a light meal before attending. Nothing about Caffein. Obviously depends how well the nurse reads the rules
I know a guy that actually takes a puff of salbutamol before he goes. Incredible!
I think this would possibly have made more sense had we all said what we suffer with. If ACOS it will possibly be different than just having COPD. No point in keep testing for reversibility if there's none to be had. And taking your meds won't matter as they only want to see you at your post bronch anyway. I do wonder though if you have COPD with a bit of reversibility if your test would be better if you took 8 puffs of ventolin before you go instead of 2.
Some say take it as usual some say don’t take it
What I think would be good if they do a spirometry before the inhaler then one after to see what difference it makes. Good luck.
Yes I understand. At my copd annual appointments I go for a spirometry test, and blood test. (take inhalers as normal) but I have to go back one week later to discuss results, perhaps another spirometry could be done then I. E. Without inhalers ( or vice versa) just so they/ you have on record the difference and more importantly to check the inhalers are working effectively?
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