Hello, joined awhile ago, been a reader rather than a poster, recently found my Spiro test sheet from 3 years ago while tidying out old files, looked at it a few times but came to the conclusion I do not have a clue what it is actually telling me, the only bit I think I understand is that I have the lungs of a 94 yo. Can anyone enlighten me as to what it all means?.
Back in the day's of Covid my GP said I needed a spirometry test but they were on hold due to the pandemic, eventually I was given an appointment in July 2022, but around 2019/2020 my lovely GP went off sick, came back for a week then disappeared completely, never to return, as a result I never did get an explanation of what the Spiro test results meant, I was told I needed an inhaler and 1 was duly prescribed via a phone consultation.
Our old GP practice has gone downhill so we have moved to another practice, I have my 1st COPD & T2D annual review with them in a couple of weeks. I'd like to be able to ask some questions but as I don't understand the test results I don't know what I should be asking so hoped for some pointers from those with more knowledge of the subject than I.
I do get very breathless, some day's just getting dressed is too much effort, others I can potter along without too much difficulty, weather is a big influence on how good or bad I am on the day, I can usually go for a stroll and as long as I take it steady I can plod along for half an hour or so, I have a mini treadmill which I try to use when I can't get outside, stairs on the other hand are like tackling the North Face of the Eiger most day's, even the slightest incline = out of breath and rest needed, on the other hand I rarely have an issue with coughing or phlegm and don't get that many colds or catch bugs, maybe once a year or less as the norm. I do get lot's of cramp in my feet and legs, diabetic neuropathy apparently which come on when walking so can't walk too far or for too long either. I honestly don't feel like my COPD is that bad but how bad is bad?, I have no idea.
Thanks for reading, Blessings & Light to you all.
TheLegend
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TheLegend
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Sorry Legend but that image is so blurred I can't make out the bits that I wanna read, i.e. FVC and FEV1 and maybe FEV1/FVC [%]. The Lung Function Test I had was Spirometry with Reversibility. My sheet of test results certainly gives no assessment of my age, mind you I'm 80 anyway so maybe they've run outta digits. 😱
All that said I do have a written commentry which discusses my report. At the foot of this written summary are " My FEV1/ Predicted is 91%".
When I discussed all this mumbo jumbo with my GP she advised that I have mild (Stage 1 ) COPD, she prescribed an inhaler ( Easyhaler with Sabutomol ) and instructed me to get more exercise. I have begun this exercise, but, the winter weather down here at the pointy end of Cornwall is rather restricting. Another month and I'll be out and about - hopefully.
I sync my smartwatch to Strava and then get a recording on my Strava App ... at the moment I'm clocking about 3/4 of a mile in around 25 minutes. Like you, I don't feel my mild COPD is too bad, the very worst thing I experience is putting on socks and shoes while seated. That totally wipes me out - but I can recover from this exhaustion in about 5 minutes. This distance and time I've mentioned is more like a gentle amble along rather than a vigorous walk !! 😂😀
What does the FEV1, FVC, and the FEV1/FVC ratio say? As John says it's too blurry to read anything. I thought they'd stopped reporting 'lung age'. As I never had mine estimated. Guess not.
Write down notes of the points you've mentioned here and raise them with your doctor/ nurse. Ask about other forms of exercise for those who can't walk too far. And ask to be referred for Pulmonary Rehabilitation, where you will get lots of information about managing lung conditions, as well as exercise tailored to your needs.
While that is focused mainly on asthmatics, the basic ideas of having a clear statement of what to do when you have problems is useful for any person with a lung condition.
Morning, thanks to everyone who has kindly responded to my question. My apologies I had no idea the image is blurred, looked ok on my laptop so didn't think to check when I uploaded it.
Hi, I`m not a doctor so can only comment on what I have read. The results are not good, but it also depends on your actual age and whether or not you smoke or have ever smoked as to how they should be interpreted. You need your GP to explain the details and prognosis. Chris.
you can have severe COPD with mild symptoms which is what I have. Like you the weather can affect me and also my stomach! If I feel bloated it affects my breathing. I too have a mini treadmill which I try to use 3 times a week and I also go to yoga for seniors one hour a week. I can do stairs and don’t use my inhaler, yet I was told I only have 40% lung function which amazes my consultant! Exercise is important so it’s good you do it. I struggle a bit with hills and generally have to stop half way for a couple of minutes. I try to control my breathing if I feel out of breath to slow it down and get back to normal. Sometimes I think it’s best not to dwell on how bad they say you are but go by how you feel. Have a nice day x
Thank you Mopsey1897, tbh I'm so used to it that it really does not bother me as such, I get through each day in whatever way is necessary at the time, if that means lot's of little rests then so be it, especially when walking our hound who likes nothing better than to drag me along at speed if he can, lol, I am finding I have to use my blue inhaler more often though if doing something that involves bending or housework, stairs I cope with to an extent and I do try to use them if out rather than the lift. Yes feeling bloated certainly does have an effect on breathing, I hadn't actually realised until you made me think about it.
I don't dwell on how bad it might be, in fact I often think it's not as bad as the spiro woman said but no one actually explained what the numbers meant.
We lost our usual GP around Covid time, they started doing phone consults only with numerous locums & nurses we had never heard of before + it was almost impossible to get through on the phone but they wouldn't see anyone if you went to the reception, I found out later that another local practice had taken it over, problem was we had been with that practice some years ago, they were useless so we moved and got a superb GP till she disappeared.
We have switched to another surgery recently so it's a case of starting all over again, the one good thing is it seems that a few of the nurses, including my COPD/T2D specialist nurse, from our old practice have also left and moved over to our new one too.
So essentially I was just curious what numbers I should be looking at and what they indicated, I have managed to get an appointment on 24th so will hopefully find out where I'm at with it all.
Hi TheLegend. Glad you have an appointment. Might be worth asking about another LFT to see where you are now? You’ve certainly had a few gp changes but it’s good you have a nurse you know. What is T2D as I haven’t heard of it? Good luck and please update us x
Thank you. T2D = type 2 diabetes, it can make food choices fun, what is recommended/good for COPD/lung health is not always good for blood sugar levels,
It was diagnosed Covid time and again no GP input for a year so I enrolled in a distance learning Level 2 diabetes course so I would know how to treat it myself, actually enjoyed it and learned a lot, it's not always easy but so far so good.
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