I think I’ve asked this question before but I would be grateful for clarification. I usually take a peak flow reading before my combo inhaler and about 1 hour after. Last night I was at 76% which increased to 89% post combo inhaler (no other meds taken). Which reading is the best one to judge how well my lungs are? Obviously there is a big difference between the readings.
Thank You JC x
When tracking PF what you want to do is just stick to the same time. Ie either always before or always after meds. Or you can do what you’re doing and track both.
I tend to track pre (cause then can do at same time of day even if haven’t done meds yet) and shows where I’m at most of the day (esp on my bad days) but know others who do post cause shows what’s happening with meds in system (which is what I did when I was more stable)
Hope that helps...
Thanks Emma. Really I’m just wondering if I should be concerned at the 76% even though the Seretide is taking me up to a reasonable level. Does that show an underlying inflammation that needs to be dealt with or does it just show that I need to be vigilant about taking my Seretide regularly? (I always am anyway) x
It basically shows that the seretide is working as it’s meant too. Even pre seretide you’re not dropping too badly with the PF (still in green zone for the majority of asthmatics) however we all know that PF does not necessarily demonstrate what’s actually going on. If you’re feeling well and aren’t symptomatic pre seretide then it’s fine, if you get symptoms pre inhaler then it’s worth chasing up and talking to a doc. Hope that helps
That’s great, thank you. The last few weeks I’ve been feeling a bit off which seems to have escalated over this week. My GP wanted me to trial just controlling with Seretide and stop all the add on med but I think the experiment has failed. I’ve been doing some household chores this morning,nothing dusty just laundry and washing up. My heart rate felt a little fast, starting coughing and SOB. Just had some salbutamol and my chest feels less tight and heart rate has slowed. PF gone up to 92%. I’ll just keep monitoring it and if needs be see GP.
My pulmonologist told me once it's good to do first thing in the morning before taking any controller meds just to get a baseline read for the day
Thanks Hilary39. I think I’ll probably do it that way
I do morning and evening (pre and post med as mine is very unstable at moment), but I also do an additional reading if things don’t feel right about as that can help alert you to any changes. You can then visually see on any graph any trends which can be very useful when discussing your care with a clinician.
Peak Flow doesn't always drop despite being symptomatic. 
If my peak flow has always been low what will spirometry reveal?
lateral flow test at Christmas 
When to take emergency pack?
