Lung function test

[tiredofmoaning]

I have been sent an appointment fora lung function test at an hospital, I usually have one at my GP which is usually just blowing into the tube thing.as I have to know how long I will need to hire a dog sitter for. Is there only one kind of. Lung function test it onl usually takes 15 mins.

[Aingeful]

I had one last week, I was in there a couple of hours. I had to wait a bit in the waiting room and also saw the consultants assistant afterwards to discuss the result. Its hard to tell.! They also tested my blood pressure, listened to my chest etc.as well. You could always ring up and ask what's involved?

[tiredofmoaning in reply to Aingeful]

Thank you, I will ring them and ask.

[sharoon]

Hi, I have recently had a lung function test at my local hospital and it took roughly 2 hours. This was because I struggled to get acceptable readings but I was told it can take longer and some people just cannot reach the desired readings to work out the lung capacity, this depends on your breathing ability. You do breath into a mouth piece attached to tubes etc and a monitor and the readings are taken as you breath in/out etc and you can actually see the the monitor. I found it very tiring which sounds silly but you are breathing in, out, holding your breath, panting and when you struggle to breath it is not easy. I had two lots of tests, the first without my inhaler as I had not to use it 4 hours prior to the test and the second following the use of ventolin. I was surprised at how long it took but the tests at the docs is totally different. I hope this helps.........Sharon

[tiredofmoaning in reply to sharoon]

Thank you for answering my questions. Stay safe and well.

[Suzie42]

Im going for one tom and they say allow 1-2 hours

[tiredofmoaning in reply to Suzie42]

Thank you for replying. Good luck with your test.

[Suzie42 in reply to tiredofmoaning]

The lung function test is nothing like you had at your GP. Good luck

[Sops]

It does take maybe 2 hours, depends how well you adapt, I had to have the mouth piece removed and then it was a lot easier. Good luck at the hospital.

[tiredofmoaning in reply to Sops]

Thanks for replying, had the mouthpiece removed, that's scary, what's a mouth piece?.

[Bevvy in reply to tiredofmoaning]

None of these tests are scary. Some may be difficult to do and others easier. I have one test I simply can’t master the correct rhythm to do 🤷‍♀️. You may be tired afterwards because have to make effort to complete tests but that is all.Mouth piece is simply a thing at top of a tube to place your mouth around. Again shouldn’t be any issue.

[Sops in reply to tiredofmoaning]

Jus the bit on the end of the ‘blowing ‘ tube. My mouth would not fit on so after some failed results they took it off and i did a satisfactory test.

[Katinka46]

Morning tiredofmoaning, a lot of us on the forum regularly have lung function tests in hospitals, although for many of us they have been postponed until things ease, Covid-wise. The test has three parts: the first part, spirometry, you will recognise this as it is very like the test you have at the GPs. There are two more parts: one looks at total lung capacity, and for this you may have to sit in a clear kiosk thing, but you can see the physiologist all the time, and the other part looks at gas exchange. The instructions are always very clear. The computer does all the calculations and I always get the printout at the end, but not all hospitals do that. If you would like that then ask the physiologist for it. I got my consultant to contact the department to say that I could have it. (I posted a cartoon about it a while back.)All the best

Kate

[Kimlu]

Hi! Please don't worry too much, I've had loads of these and although not painful, are tiring I find. I have more tomorrow as I have hospital so will be thinking of you x

[Karenanne61]

Funnily enough we have bern talking about this on Pokermon's thread. We all have different experiences of this test.

[Debs_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation]

Hi tiredofmoaning

Here is some information from our lung function pages on the website I hope you find useful.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Take care

Debs

[Alberta56]

Good luck. Hope the dog doesn't miss you.