I’m so confused! What do my results mean.

[Washin17]

This was my first test, I never thought of myself having problems with breathing ever to be honest. I was in for allergy results and he listened to me and didn’t like it. I did a spirometer test and I struggled so bad. Now that it’s been brought to my attention I feel the chest tightness on deep breathes.

All I was told was to do was use the inhaler he prescribed me the week before. But from what I read these results are not good. Should I go to a pulmonologist? Do I have copd?

Background, I’ve never smoked or been around smokers unless on a trip to Vegas or something like that.

Another note, I was given treatment for a few minutes after the guest test but ended up doing worse. I wasn’t given any additional time after the treatment, as soon as it was done I went right into the second test. By then I sort of felt worn out.

[corriena]

Sorry i cant read your test results. But what did the dr say did they say copd or anything elce. Go back and ask for a diagnosis. We are not medicaly trained to diagnose you sorry. I can advise you. Plenty of exercise. Eat healthy avoid infections this is going to help you feel better and improve the quality of your life. Also try breathing from your diaphram and not from your chest/sholder musels. I hope you get some info from gp soon and welcome to the forum😷

[Cloudancer in reply to corriena]

Great reply.Agree with your advice.

Wishing please go back and see your doctor with a list of worries you are concerned about and get a diagnosis and health care advice.

Wishing you well and do let us know how you get on.

There are many lung buddies on the forum with a wide range of respiratory issues who may have tips that they have found helpful which could help you once you have an idea of what the problem is.

Non of us are able to give specific medical advice as we aren't respiratory doctors we are however experts at living with lung diseases .

Good luck.

[Washin17 in reply to corriena]

Thanks! I’m uploaded my results again hopefully they’re more clear. I’m not really looking for a diagnoses more advice because I felt it may be more serious than I’m thinking. I’m also wondering if my test was performed correctly. I’ve never had one before but while looking at videos some exams just require you to blow as hard and as fast as possible where others wanted you to breathe longer if that makes sense. I didn’t have a nose clip and I wasn’t informed anything about my posture. I did struggle so something is there.

[Caspiana]

Hello Washin. 🙂👋I did look at your bio but there's not much information as to your age etc. I can't pretend to be an expert on your results but I did see "moderately severe". If you are able I do advise you to see a specialist. You really need to find out what is going on. I know this is scary but believe me it is not the end of the world. Oh and by the way, not all lung issues are caused by smoking.

Cas 🙋‍♀️🐕

[Washin17 in reply to Caspiana]

Hi! I’m sorry there’s not enough info on my bio. Im 38 years old, African American female

[Caspiana in reply to Washin17]

Please see a specialist Washin and do update us if you'd like. Very best wishes to you. xx

[Morrison10]

I.agree.Need.to.see.specialist,Also.not.knowing.your.age.etc.makes.it,more.Difficul.to.comment.

[Washin17 in reply to Morrison10]

I’m a 38 year old African American female

[corriena in reply to Washin17]

Have you had a alpa one antitripsin deficancy test ? simple blood test. You are young for copd but not imposable. Also the speromatry test has several bits to it but if you are struggling they may stop it so as not to make you unwell. The same advice works for all lung problems. exercise, eat well, avoid infections,

[Washin17 in reply to corriena]

no right now I was just told I have obstruction use and inhaler. That’s what my GP said

[corriena in reply to Washin17]

Would be worth asking your gp for one along with a clear diagnosis. Dont leave untill you understand what they are saying is wrong with you

[Alberta56]

I'm no expert so can only agree with the other posters, but welcome to the forum, Washin.

[Karenanne61]

Hi and welcome to this funny, friendly and informative forum. Like the other posters I can't help with your results, they are just one part of a huge jigsaw puzzle, numbers, scans, symptoms, lifestyle etc that a professional uses for diagnosis. Even then numbers can be misleading, some people seem to manage better than the numbers would lead you to expect. Please try and get a diagnosis then we'll all pitch in where we can. Also, treatment and care seems to vary county to county and country to country.

[Superzob]

I notice the “pre” and “post” readings are only 24 minutes apart, and your lungs don’t deteriorate that quickly! Normally, the “pre” reading would be taken before you are given an inhaler (eg, salbutamol) to test whether you have asthma at the “post” test. That should actually be a better reading, so it’s possible that something went wrong during the “post” test and the machine just churned out the standard response. If someone was concerned about the result, then they would have repeated the test and/or referred you to a respiratory consultant.

I think you might have to refer back to whoever did the test in order to clarify the result and next steps. In the meantime, I wouldn’t worry about it as all these diagnostic tests are designed to get the treatment right, which is the main objective to getting you better.

[Washin17 in reply to Superzob]

Thanks! The times are probably correct because I was given the treatment and immediately started the test again with no breaks given. Also while I can admit I struggled I think I was more concerned with trying to last 7 seconds than browsing as hard as possible. I don’t know if I should seem a pulmonologist now or use the inhaler a month to two then try.

[Superzob in reply to Washin17]

Always try what you’ve been prescribed because you are likely to get some benefit from it anyway. In the meantime, you can try to find out more about the spirometry readings

[peege]

Hi, welcome to the forum Washin!

Just to add there are quite a few breathing exercises on youtube to help lung stamina, ie the deep diaphragm breathing & pursed lip breathing which helps when you're a bit breathless. As others said, it's quite important to be as healthy as we can in other ways. Healthy diet, healthy weight, practice good hand hygiene to avoid bugs/colds/coughs, have flu/ covid vaccinations. Lung diseases are very often worse in polluted areas or work environments. Mine have much improved since I moved out of London - I've got asthma and Small Airways Disease, in polluted areas I either quickly don a mask or hold my breath a few seconds .

Good luck, its a bit of a learning curve in knowing what you've got, how to manage it and the right questions to ask of the medics.

There are two types of inhaler one is a preventer which must be taken regularly everyday - some take 2 or more weeks to work and a rescue inhaler (usually blue in UK) rescue one is for emergency when you're breathless & are supposed to work instantly. If you have to take more than one puff you must wait 30 seconds between them.

Read the leaflets to ensure you take the inhalers properly.

[Washin17]

it’s been so hard getting Into a pulmonologist but I finally have an appointment. The GCP was no help with getting the inhaler I need and insists on me taking the rescues inhaler which I honestly don’t understand. I haven’t had many issues, none when working out but the past week or so I feel my chest is a little tighter when doing nothing. Not sure if it’s allergies or not