FEV1

My Piko meter gives a FEV1 result - but what's normal?

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Shadz - go to patient.co.uk/showdoc/40002... and put in your values. If you don't know your FVC just put in a number around 4 (as long as it's bigger than your FEV1) and obviously ignore the percentage predicted for FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio.

I've just got a Piko-1 too... was hoping that FEV1 would be more predictive of the onset of an attack than peak flow. So far not much variation though... not sure about my technique, keep getting a little exclamation mark!

Anyone else got any Piko-1 comments?

Em

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Thanks that was really helpful

I get 2.90 as FEV1 result frequently, the calculator predicted it should be 3.55

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hey emh the little exclamation mark means your blow was to short have you programmed your predicted pf into it yet or watever your norm is you do this by pressing the button quickly four times then selecting the number you want and then holding the button till it beeps. you have probably read the instructions so no doubt you know how to do it already lol!!

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Hey,

I thought you got an exclamation mark when the figure was low? Thats what I was told at RBH anyway. They also told me not to worry to much about FEV1 whether it was just because its me and its always going to be low or not I don't know.

Tks xxx

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Hey,

I thought you got an exclamation mark when the figure was low? Thats what I was told at RBH anyway. They also told me not to worry to much about FEV1 whether it was just because its me and its always going to be low or not I don't know.

Tks xxx

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Hi Tks,

That may well be it, rereading the (tiny!) information leaflet that came with it. I think if you are in the red zone it assumes it may be poor technique. On the occasions that I manage to get into the orange zone, I don't get the exclamation mark unless I have done it wrong by blowing too hard and fast or something.

I *think* my technique is okay, having read a bit more on the internet - it seems to be sort of in between the fast sharp blow for a normal Wright PF meter and the longer blow required for spirometry. I don't think I get quite as high PFs as I can on the Wright, but the difference is not great.

Em

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Can you get a Piko on prescription???

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Yes, Hops, you can get them on prescription - that's how I got mine.

The BNF cost is only around £9 which is cheap compared to, say, a Seretide inhaler, so if you can make a reasonable case to your GP that it would be useful to you to measure your FEV1 then they should prescribe one for you.

If they won't, buying one is not that pricey - I have seen them on the internet at around £20 but I'm sure you could get one more cheaply if you hunted around.

Em