Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with COPD last August. My spirometry results were FEV1 2.81ml. My doctor told me it is mild

[majasus]

I went back today for another spirometry and it was 2.54 ml. I am very concerned since the dropping seems significant. Can it be possible to go down from 2.81 ml to 2.54ml in just 8 months?

[Puffthemagicdragon]

It can fluctuate quite a lot on a daily basis depending how you are on certain days.

[majasus in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Thanks for your answer. I am still very concerned. I really don't know why the numbers are so down from the previous test. I was feeling fine. I read that if you do not smoke and keep active you should not lose more than 40 to 45 ml a year. My results in 8 months are almost 300 ml. If it continues at that rate I will be very sick in a few years.

[camping-girl]

Hi maj, new myself & I only understand the fev %...that reminds me I was at GPs this morning & meant to ask him for a printout of spirometer test...doh! Mine was 78%, just going out of mild to moderate. I'm sure someone will be along to help you soon,

take care,

Kay

[O2Trees]

Puff is right, there is variation from day to day. Its highly unlikely you would deteriorate at that rate over time. Keep with the exercise and check with your GP/consultant that you are on the best medication. You could call the BLF helpline office hours 03000 030 555 and talk to one of their nurses if you are still worried.

[majasus]

Thanks! I will see my doctor in two weeks. I will talk to him about this. How is your Fev1? Does it change a lot every year?

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I only know my FEV1 percentages. It normally hovers about the 23% mark but the following day it could be down to 18%.

[majasus in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

I need to find out what my percentage is when I go to the doctor. Thanks

[soulsaver]

Several things can influence Fev1 - if the weathers warm, what/whether you've eaten (better on an empty stomache), whether its afternoon or early morning, whether you've got/recently had a cold or other infection.

I find the other big difference is who the operator; our hospital specialist is way better than the nurse at coaching the best results from you.

Pedantic maybe, but Fev1 is measured in litres per second, not 'mls' (millilitres) (1stPost)

[majasus in reply to soulsaver]

Thanks for the reply. Does that mean that it is possible that my actual FEV1 is still in the 2.8 L or 2.7L? How do I really know what my actual FEV1 is?

See I fixed it. I used litres.

[soulsaver]

Only you can tell - optimum would be warm summer day, empty stomach, lost weight (not too much) since the last test, afternoon appointment with a good experienced operator. You can ask them what their opinion is too, I don't know the usual limits to variance, but I suspect it varies

Have a chat with the BLF helpline if worried. Let us know what they say, in case we can learn something, too.

PS Still says mls on mine; you need to click the 'edit response' button (on left) AFTER you edit it, otherwise it stays unaltered.

[Offcut]

It is not uncommon to have low or high days. It is always how you feel is the most important in my opinion.

My last obs they put down I was 95% and while they were chatting it dropped to 89% all on it's own?

Be Well

[Hidden]

Hi I agree with the others. It's how you feel that's most important. I don't know your age but I was diagnosed with mild copd at 54 and now 61. My doctor told me not to worry about it coz something else would get me before the copd! Unless I lived to 100+ x

[majasus in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I try no to worry. I am learning to accept what I have but still in the process of learning many things about this condition. I am more concerned about the decline of fev1 in the last 8 months. I am 48 years old and worry that if the decline continues at this rate, what could happens in 10 years from now. How are you managing your COPD? What are your numbers? How has your Fev1 fluctuated from year to year? It would be great to hear what you have done and how you keep positive.

[stilltruckin]

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