Looking for a bit of advice please? I was recently referred to a lung specialist as the past 6 months I find myself frequently short of breath and not being able to get a full breath. I’m 41 and smoked on and off since I was 16. In currently doing a 2 weeks worth of spirometer readings. The doc said I should be reaching a target of 480 but everywhere I look it’s showing for my height (167cm) I should be at 420-440. I’m currently at 410, does anyone know what I should be reaching? I’m scared to death I have copd and don’t think I can mentally take another weeks wait to see the doctor again.
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Sarahhelenm
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I don’t know how COPD is diagnosed, but lots of others here will. But I am wondering how the doctor has reached their target of 480...as in, I’m wondering if it’s a generic scale based on height and age etc, rather than you as an individual person?
I know, waiting is one of the hardest things I think! Your mind plays all the worst case scenarios over and over. Like I say, I don’t know about COPD (I have severe asthma) but lots of others do here and I’m sure there is lots of treatment options!!
I’m guessing a big thing would be to stop smoking...there’s a support group on health unlocked I think...maybe one of the others will know.
Bless you! I know if I say try not to worry, it won’t help, but once you’ve done your readings and seen the doc again, they’ll be able to help you know where you stand and help to treat you as best they can!!
Aww don’t beat yourself up!! Self hate is never constructive!!! Only destructive! All of us have regrets but we can’t change the past! But we can try and do what we can to help ourselves from here onwards!!! Well done for giving up!! I hope you have some support because I imagine it can be quite hard at times! But you can do it!!!
I have no good advice in regards to the spirometry test, but send you a hug and hope when you see your doctor they’ll get you up with the help and treatment you need!
Hi I have severe asthma and also work in a lung function lab. My Peak flow should be 400 and I’m 160cm and it is calculated on gender and height. In terms of COPD you would need a spirometry test to check your lung function to see if your airways are tight which is a 15 minute test. Great to hear you have given up smoking. That’s the best thing you can do 👍🏻
Congratulations on giving up smoking, as an ex smoker I really do know how hard it is to give up. 4 years on there are times of really bad stress that I would like to have a cigarette but know the damage it has already done so I would never have another one.
Keep up your resolve that you are an ex smoker.
Take care and best wishes.
Sounds like you are using a peak flow for asthma. (not spirometry). I don't have asthma but I do have COPD, I only ever have peak flow tested at GP surgery or hospital, last time I measured at 350 so I would say yours is pretty good and I wouldn't be scared to death because of your measurements.
Congratulations on stopping smoking the best thing you can do to preserve lung health and health overall -- from here on avoid passive smoking and any other exposure to any kind of smoke would be a good way forward.
I think all of us who smoked wished we hadn't! Well done on giving it up. I was born into smoke,everyone smoked . I smoked in the 60s and 70s and managed to give it up in 1983. It's easy to say but try not to worry.Theres a lot more treatment out there than previous times. Concentrate on getting yourself as fit as you can, the human body has remarkable powers to heal itself given a chance.
Hi don’t worry as you will find all the help and advice you need here . I’m an ex smoker and use a tiny nicotine tablet tucked up under my top lip which with a no nicotine vape which I puff occasionally but don’t inhale seems to work. I have a rather lazy and unpleasant doc who doesn’t understand how hard it is to give up which it is , but you will as I’m almost there now and walk a fair distance every day too. So with the wonderful friends on here and the blf foundation you will have all the support and advice you need even in lockdown 👍🏻😊
While peak flow measures can be related to an average bell curve for age and sex, over time we get to know our own normal peak flow results, those of us who take them. I have COPD and mild asthma. My peak flow has been between 240 and 350 for at least five years now, which is quite low. But with singing regularly (and a lot of other healthy lung choices) my spirometry shows my lung capacity is at the low end of normal. When I sing, people cannot tell that I have lung problems because of the control I can exert over my breath.
Yes, it's a great shock to be given such a diagnosis, and well done for using that to give up smoking. Keep coming back here and trying out the suggestions others make about the ways they've improved their conditions: keep those that work and leave those that don't. And keep taking the meds. All the best.
Well done for giving up smoking it's the best think you can do. My peak flow is about 320 to maybe 340 at it's best I was diagnosed with COPD 2 years ago having not smoked for 16 years sadly. Such is life it caught up with me.
I walk every day take my inhalers as prescribed and am not overweight so doing the best i can. I am also a member of a local choir. Have avoided the breatheasy groups because none of them are near enough to me, but would have loved to join one.
I very much hope you are lucky enough to have dodged the bullet this time, but even if you have keep up the not smoking it will do you good
Hi Sarahhelenm, I know it's easy to say but it strikes me there is nothing to be fearful of. To have a peak flow rate of 410 sounds excellent to me! I would give anything to have that! Mine is around 150. Mind you I am 72 but even so, it should be at least double that. I was diagnosed with COPD some years ago and often struggle with my breathing. Have oxygen at home. Any respiratory practitioner would be pleased with that result so please don't fret. Just stay off the fags! x
I can't offer any help with the diagnoses but I can say what everyone else has said: well done with stopping smoking. It's probably the hardest thing to do.
I stopped _loads_ of times and then beat myself up for weakening and starting again. In fact, my Third Year registration form at school bought me a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches, with a note saying "Will you please go and have a ciggy? You're driving us crazy with your bad temper".
Eventually I did manage it -- when the vet said my little orange kitty had chronic bronchitis from secondary smoking. There's hope for us all. If you fall off the wagon, climb back on and carry on from where you left off. It's not failure: it's a practice run.
I don't know if this will help, but ALL these results (peak flow, FEV1, FVC, etc - you'll get that from the spirometry) are based on AVERAGES. Since there is no such thing as an average person, you will undoubtedly be below some average readings, and possibly even above others [BTW, the range you quote is for the 95%ile population, so there are always 5% outside the range, and you could be one of them]
The important thing with all this is that you get the right treatment - any tests you get should be aimed at that, and not treated simply as an academic exercise. If your GP thinks that you should have a PF 60 l/min above what it is at the moment, s/he would be shocked at mine which is more than 200 below the average, and I had virtually no symptoms - so there's hope for us all yet!
Thanks, you’re right it’s so hard to know what’s normal, I just know I don’t feel right but also the anxiety of it is prob making my breathing a lot worse
Hi Sarahhelenm, welcome to the forum. It is quite possible to live a good life after a diagnosis. Don't be scared, keep healthy- brilliant you've given up smoking. I imagine you'll be taught exercises to improve your breathing, which will make you feel much more of control of your health. Good luck.
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