The big glass box.: Yep, yesterday was... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,227 members65,999 posts

The big glass box.

Symes profile image
28 Replies

Yep, yesterday was lung function test day at the hospital.

Stuck in that big glass box for what seemed a age. Blowing in and out, in and out. Nurse on the outside saying 'yes thats good', or 'I'm not happy, you didn't blow hard enough, do it again'....

My chest hurt after a hour of tests, and from what I can gather from the nurse my lung capacity is slightly down from the last time I sat in that box. Not great, but to be expected I guess.

Ho hum.

Written by
Symes profile image
Symes
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
28 Replies
Nottobad profile image
Nottobad

Hi is this a new thing I was dx with COPD in 2006. But I have never had a lung function test done in a glass box. Just in a room

Symes profile image
Symes in reply to Nottobad

I don't know if it's a new thing, but I was diagnosed in 2013, and lung function tests for me while not always in the box, have quite often been done in the big glass box, by the local hospital respiatory team.

They have a tube thing hooked up to a computer on the outside that they use to get you to do all sorts of spirometry tests.

See added photo.

Nottobad profile image
Nottobad in reply to Symes

Thanks for the photo. I must say that's the first time I have ever seen a lung function test done that way. None of the hospitals I have attended have that. I think I would feel very clostrafobic in one . Have a nice day xxx

B0xermad profile image
B0xermad in reply to Nottobad

Hi Nottobad I have had 6 spirometrys all done in the respitory dept at hospital and always in the glass box,its odd that some places do not use them

Nottobad profile image
Nottobad in reply to B0xermad

Yes it is very odd I have had spirometry tests since 2006 and have never been put in a glass box. And have never seen them in any hospital I have attended.

Inamoment profile image
Inamoment

St Richards in Chichester have one. The technicians are keen to use it, because they think it quite cool but don't get many opportunities

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

I've had 2 lung function tests at 2 different hospitals in NW England, both included sitting in the box for the final test. It isn't at all clostrafobic.

PenelopeS profile image
PenelopeS

I had the tests earlier in the year in a very similar looking box. I did not find it at all claustrophobic but the technician showed me a big button I could press in case I felt the need to "escape". Very few of the tests were done with the door closed. It took about 45 minutes in total & less than 5 minutes was spent with the door shut.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

Most hospitals have these Symes. I think they measure diffusion but happy to be corrected on this. Just one test was in the glass box, the rest out in the room with big computerised machine.

Nottobad profile image
Nottobad in reply to O2Trees

I have been attending two different hospitals in Scotland since 2006 for different tests and have never been put in a glass box like this.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to Nottobad

It's a particular test Nottobad. Fev1 and fvc don't require it.

Nottobad profile image
Nottobad in reply to O2Trees

Thanks 02 what test is it for.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to Nottobad

Well I think it's called diffusion or gas exchange but we need someone like Stone to put us right.

Patriciapotts profile image
Patriciapotts in reply to O2Trees

Correct O2trees plus other info

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to Patriciapotts

Thanks Patricia :)

Symes profile image
Symes in reply to O2Trees

I did 4 different tests yesterday, all in the box - 3 with the door open, the other one with the door closed.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to Symes

Yes, the compartment is only required to be sealed for one test but it seems that some places just leave you in there, and maybe the equipment works for the different tests.

B0xermad profile image
B0xermad in reply to Symes

thats so they don't hear want to listen you wheezing when they close the door .it gets quite steamed up in there.

onamission profile image
onamission

I bet you felt like saying you come in hear and bloody blow 😄 I go blue when I do mine and the nurse just says keep blowing when I finished I asked her if she was off the day they did oxygen training she just laughed and said see you in 6 months I said and in the mean time keep breathing 😆

mmzetor profile image
mmzetor in reply to onamission

how you feeling today hope your a bit better or you still in bed milking it , oh isn't it your wedding anniversary today happy anniversary ,

onamission profile image
onamission in reply to mmzetor

Thank you mr GB thought you were being nice shame it couldn't last at least 2 sentence's.

Don't think it's the flu I think its a bug going round but I think I would rather have the flu.

Where have you been all day you have been very quiet how's your mate still scamming his electric from the cleaners cupboard LOL

mmzetor profile image
mmzetor in reply to onamission

had a mate round this morning then been gardening this afternoon and had to take dawns youngest over to his dads so been a busy day , so your not celebrating tonight then

Shona68 profile image
Shona68

Ninewells in Dundee have them ,i done my Fev1 test in it ' thay leave the door open 👍

Billiejean_2 profile image
Billiejean_2

Why is the tag 'cocaine' under your post Symes ? I certainly didn't see any reference to cocaine in your post. Is HU reading between the lines ? :)

Symes profile image
Symes in reply to Billiejean_2

I have no idea Billie! Maybe something to do with the link I got the photo from?! lol

B0xermad profile image
B0xermad

Oh the joys of that glass box,I have to go in 2 weeks for my spirometry so i can sympathise with you symes

fran58 profile image
fran58

I attend a hospital in Glasgow, I have had this twice.

Patriciapotts profile image
Patriciapotts

I hope you meant a physicist who did the testing and not a nurse!!!!

You may also like...

kindle App and Borrow Box

pointed out already. For those who don’t own a kindle. You can download the Kindle and the Borrow...

Transplant box ticked..👍👍👍

What a journey.. After 3 years on the list i finally received 2 shiny new lungs on St Patricks day...

Boxing Day Walk- Me Too

daughter came out of hibernation to came with me. I wasn't sure how far I'd get, because, what with...

Ground glass opacity.

waiting for the results of a recent scan . What is ground glass?

Ground Glass Opacity, PET Scan and Biopsy

PET scan, CT biopsy and lung function test as soon as possible and to expect these through in the...