How reliable is spiromtry?

[Calmcat]

Was diagnosed with asthma about 5 years ago after an RTI but never had spiromtry before today. Went in for tests today and they were NORMAL - despite me being obviously unwell (currently on clarithromycin and nearing the end of second consecutive prednisone short course and still little improvement v breathless). Virtually no reversibility after 3 puffs of ventolin. Also pulse ox gives low ish pulse (late 50s to mid 60s) and low O2 (92-95)

Have l been misdiagnosed?

[Superzob]

The spirometry result will be correct at the time it was taken, but it is the diagnosis, based on ALL your symptoms, which is important.

[Calmcat in reply to Superzob]

I think maybe I just stumbled into a diagnosis on the back of an respiratory tract infection 5 years ago and then it was never properly investigated - just stronger inhalers and short courses steroids after each cold. I’m in the middle of my worst flare up ever now and I think the doctor was quite surprised that spiromtry had never been done. She ordered the tests then was surprised that the results were normal (despite wheezing so much I struggled to complete the tests and so exhausted had to lie down on the surgery couch for 15 minutes). She’s made an appointment with the practice specialist for me on Monday... Hopefully they’ll work it out because I’m very confused.

[Troilus]

Did you take your normal meds on the night before and on the day of your spirometry?

[Calmcat in reply to Troilus]

Yes. I took my fostair the night before and in the morning. Also ventolin several times in the night. But the nurse said that was ok because the tests were at 4pm and i hadn’t had any inhalers since the morning. I’m also on 40mg prednisone daily at the moment. She didn’t ask about that though.

[Troilus in reply to Calmcat]

Don’t take this as gospel but I think this test was for monitoring not diagnosis. I say this because when I had it done for diagnosis I couldn’t take any of my preventers for 24 hours and I was asked not to use my blue if I could help it and definitely not within 4 hrs of the test.

Now, the last time I had it done was for monitoring purposes and on that occasion I could take my meds as usual.

Because you have had your preventer in the morning, I suspect that is why it came back as normal.

Hopefully the practice specialist will be able to shed some light for you.

Hope the antibiotics and prednisone kick in soon.

[Calmcat in reply to Troilus]

Thanks 😊