Wheezing with peak flow meter

[Beefull8]

Hi. I noticed that when I use my peak flow meter, a high pitched sound comes out when I’m blowing into it. I don’t ever wheeze, but this is the one time when it sounds like I’m wheezing. Anyone know why I’d only hear it when I’m measuring my peak flow?

[WheezyZebra]

It’s probably because when you are measuring peak flow you are forcing the air out quickly so any wheeze is more prominent even when it wouldn’t usually be audible with normal breathing. Also, if it’s the exact same noise every time then it may just be your PF meter because mine makes a strange high pitched noise every time along with my wheeze.

[Beefull8]

Thank you! I wish it was just the machine but I hear it every time I do it at the doctors office too. And my husband who doesn’t have asthma doesn’t wheeze when he uses it.

[Troilus in reply to Beefull8]

I sometimes bellow! You’d think there was a bull in the house!

[Beefull8 in reply to Troilus]

What does it sound like? I noticed if I’m coughing hard it comes out too like a high pitched whistle? I wonder if it’s from all the second hand smoke I grew up with.

[Hidden]

If it sounds like a "Harmonica"? My Peak Flow & Aero Chamber both have Harmonica like whistles built-in so that if you don't blow or inhale hard enough for the device to work properly, thus, "over powering" the whistles, they make a noise to tell you that your air stream is weak or you botched it and try again.

[Beefull8]

Wow what kind of brand do you have? Mines is a cheap one and thinking of getting a new one. Do they ever need to be replaced?

[Hidden]

I have a bunch of different brands that I have been given over the years. They all have the "whistles" which is a "training" tool to teach noobie users how best to use them. The last one I got that I am using now I got from an incredible Nurse at a hospital (that I ended up in due to negligence on the part of Pulmonary Team #16) who was great in stocking me up on tools and stuff to care for myself (since at the time my Drs had abandoned me) is an AeroChamber with Z-Stat (no static in the chamber) made by Monaghan out of Plattsburgh, NY. I have never had to ask or buy one. My new Pulmonary people, currently on set number 17, hand them out like candy.

Sorry for the (Rant) insertions. But that's the way I got the AeroChambers.

[Maryhart Partner Asthma Educator in reply to Hidden]

You are so lucky to get your chamber for free.

I know some whistle when you inhale too fast - others when it’s done correctly- always read the instructions or get online and watch video clips as how to use different devices. They may or may not always show you in the physician office

[Beefull8]

Thanks!