Peakflow - improvement? Response to Spiromax

[Annilou76]

Hope you're all having good day You've all been so helpful as I've been going through the am I/aren't I asthmatic phase...

So, over the last month I've had an inconclusive spirometry test (GP says it's because I was well on the day), and clear chest x-rays. Went back to the GP last week fully expecting to be signed off as fine, but she'd shown my peak flow diary to an asthma specialist in the meantime who thinks I am asthmatic based on my response to Ventolin. So I've been taken off the Clenil, and put on Spiromax which seems to agree far better with me. Within a day, my PF increased from 320 to 370 and it has pretty much stayed there at that level. I'm not seeing any variability between my morning and evening readings though - is that a good thing? It's flatlined 370 for the last 3 days.

I'm back at the GPs in 5 weeks time. I know it will still take time for the steroid element to begin working properly, so I'm hoping the PF will increase even more over the next few weeks.

I'm still a little dubious about the diagnosis because my spirometry was normal, and I don't have a wheeze. However, my breathing does feel so much easier since starting on the Spiromax, and I feel able to properly fill my lungs.

Thank you for any of your thoughts re: the flatline PF. I've lost track of what's good and what's bad in this world haha!!

xxx

[green881]

PF depends on you, there are charts to show you what is normal for your height and weight I believe with some individual variance. If you do a lot of sport your PF may be higher. Did you never try it when you were completely clear? That is when you find your true max PF.

If your ventolin use is down to maybe <3 puffs per week then you are controlled. The steroids in Spiromax will kick in after about a week. Once you are controlled maybe you can change to just the ICS and gradually reduce. Classic asthma is a wheeze in my book I don't know about non-wheeze asthma. My spirometry also came out inconclusive recently because it was masked by ICS but I know I have asthma since childhood, I know what it is. So that doesn't mean much.

Bottom line I am glad it is working and you are feeling better.