Hello everybody, New here today.
Just looked at my test results ....
FEF 25-75 = 58%
Peak flow = 328
FEV/FVC Percent = 50%
Predicted FEV1 = 39%
They just did the test, said its COPD and come back in 4 weeks giving me this website to look at and some Anoro,
I've read about stages, how do I work out what stage im at?
Thanks for your help.
No idea, mate. How do you feel that’s the important thing? 😉 We have members here who will give you the information you ask, welcome to the forum. 😀
Hello Don, Thanks for the welcome, My son asked about the stages and I said I didn't have a clue!, I called the hospital and the receptionist just said the numbers were complicated.
Generally speaking the important figure is your Fev 1. Medics seem to disagree about the figures, but based on what I was told you would would come in the middle of the moderate range. 30 to 50 pc is severe and under 30 pc is very severe.
What is more important is how you feel, so don't stress too much about the numbers. x
Thank you hypercat54, I'm not to worried about the numbers tbh, just to understand them. Just took your advice and looked up FEV1 and most sites are saying (if i got it right) the FEV1 predictive gives you your Gold stage,
GOLD Stage of COPD Percentage of predicted FEV1 value
mild 80%
moderate 50%–79%
severe 30%–49%
very severe Less than 30%.
So if I'm right my FEV1 predicted is 39%, Severe?, Defiantly feels severe sometimes lol.
Got the above info from here, healthline.com/health/fev1-...
Probably got it all wrong but at least its giving me something new to learn. Thanks again for taking the time.
You are very welcome. Our oracle is stone-UK so hopefully he will come in with his vast knowledge. x
Saw the nurse today, and she confirmed it was severe, stage 3, but said its just a label to put on it as everyone is different. The hospital put on the report I had severe smokers damage, I haven't smoked in 20+ years! Looks like all them roll ups are coming back to bit me lol.
I have had severe COPD for 10yrs and in all this time I never look at the results as I was told by my Consultant they are numbers. Every individual differs. I know some who are moderate COPD and are in a Wheelchair and on oxygen . I am perfectly active and living life to the full. Every time I have a spirometry test tge results are different. Somedays you struggle as have rushed up a corridor before test Other days your performance is better. As my Consultant tells me I do not look or act like a person with Severe COPD , just goes to show it's your attitude that counts. Why would you want to know about a bunch of figures which can vary every time. Just be Positive and exercise well you'll be here for a long time to come. Sheila
Thank you Sheila, Some nice advice there. I've had progressively worse breathing problems for 10 to 15 years now and I always put it down to being unfit! lol
I read your comment and I wanted to hit the like button multiple times! It's so true, attitude is key. 😏🕊
My Consultant has given me the right attitude. Be Positive. When I see some at the hospital not even trying looking for sympathy I feel sorry for them. They are losing out on life giving in. Life is precious be grateful for every day and know there are some that dont have this privilege. I was scared when diagnosed 10yrs ago but here I am and grateful I gave up smoking when diagnosed. This is the main factor, if you carry on smoking then I believe you will deteriorate much faster . Sheila.
I gave up smoking 25 years ago! I'm 49 now, Amazing how it comes back to bite you, I only smoked for 10 years, I think it also had a lot to do with all the stuff I breathed in when I was a Carpenter in the 80s-90s as well, but to be honest with you, I have other conditions to worry about before I even think about tackling this one, Lol, I Sound so old!
Can never understand the importance of these totally arbitrary stages. The important thing is to get the right treatment and Anoro seems a good way to go, but there are plenty of other similar inhalers on the market if you find it doesn't suit you.
Thank you, Just learnt there are other inhalers to try!, The nurse at the time did mention steroid tablets at my next visit but didn't say anything about alternative inhalers!, Do they come in different dosages incase I need to up or down my prescription?.
Im not to worried about the numbers tbh, I would just like to understand them and the stages.
Thanks for your help.
You are usually given an emergency pack of steroid tablets and antibiotics in case of an exacerbation.
I tried 5 inhalers before I found a suitable one and, as a result of using it, my FEV1/FVC ratio improved from 50 to 63%, and my peak flow from 300 to 350, so it definitely works for me!
Thanks, I just got off the phone to the nurse, and she said 39% puts me in stage 3, but she also said it was just putting a name to it, she knew people with stage 3 that had no breathing problems at all!, I have notice my daily peak flow has gone from 280-300 to 300 to 320 ish in the 2 weeks ive been on Anoro, I'm seeing the nurse tomorrow as she wants to give me a pneumonia jab so I'll mention the inhalers, Thanks again for your help and advice.
Thank you all for taking the time to reply, it is very much appreciated.
healthline.com/health/fev1-...
Thank you, That's where I looked it up, it's a good easy read page.
Reading that and no doubt ir is correct. With correct treatment you could move back up a stage. I have been severe and am now moderate, I also use my Green Inhaler as a reliever as well or instead of Salbutamol - COPD rather than Pure Asthma can benefit more . I told my Dr What i was doing and it was OK - Don't follow my example without doctors permision - I find Salbutamol only helps a bit.. Anyway good luck and hope your stats improves, results are never cast in stone.
Thanks, Didn't know it could move up, I just thought it was a progressive disease.
COPD is a progressive disease. - Point being it's progress can be slowed down by healthy living and medication if needed. yes you can move back a stage then forward, it depends on tests at any given time. I have had it for many years and still here. another example I have chronic Stage 3 kidney disease - It is measured by my (GFR) and there is stage 3 a and stage 3 b - It alternated between the two. No Chronic disease can be reversed like and acute disease, but can be controlled.- RedSox hit the nail on the head "but honestly the numbers are important" - The numbers do matter as that is what your doctor/nurse has to go on to provide the best treatment.
Thanks for that advice, makes a lot of sense to me.
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