sempervirens

[Sempervirens]

Hello , has anybody else had problems with blowing air into the spirometer? I was told that my lungs age was 90 and I am 74 . I lead a very active life, so I was very shocked .

Maybe I didn’t blow well into the spirometer?

[sassy59]

I’m sure you did your very best and you’re keeping active which is good. Pete was told he had the lungs of a 114 year old which is ridiculous. This was a number of years ago but he’s still here so don’t worry. Pete is 72. Xxx

[Sempervirens in reply to sassy59]

Thank you! That's very encouraging! I am not even a smoker. That's why I was so puzzled, but I have been a passive smoker for years ( my husband who died of lung cancer 4 years ago ). We also have 2 wood burning stoves in the house and often a bit smokey. Maybe that? Is Pete a smoker? Xxx

[Donald_1931 in reply to Sempervirens]

I don't bother with such nonsense. I was told I had the lungs of a 90 something years old donkeys years ago and now I am 90 something years old and still ongoing! (Same lungs). I thought they had stopped giving those ridiculous predictions.

[Sempervirens in reply to Donald_1931]

Thank you Donald! You have cheered me up a lot . All the best to you 🍀

[djbctla in reply to Donald_1931]

Good man as usual Donald, top of the class ❤️❤️BERNARDINE

[sassy59 in reply to Sempervirens]

Passive smoking isn’t great and maybe the wood burning stoves don’t help either. Sorry for your sad loss though.

Pete is an ex smoker and gave up over 20 years ago. Xxx

[Sempervirens in reply to sassy59]

Yes, the wood burning stoves aren’t great in some ways but we live in the country and we have plenty of wood .

Electricity is so expensive!

Maybe I need better stoves, though .

Well done Pete to stop smoking .

[SkyGazer177 in reply to sassy59]

So Pete must be the eldest person on the planet, now. LOL

[sassy59 in reply to SkyGazer177]

Pretty much 🤣 xxxx

[hypercat54]

Oh I was diagnosed in my mid 50's and told my lung age was in the 70's. 15 years later am at the most in stage 2 so don't worry about it.

Not sure how healthy wood burning stoves are for dodgy lungs though? You might want to do some investigation into those.

[SkyGazer177 in reply to hypercat54]

Can you tell from being stage 1 to stage 2 the difference in how you are feeling, does it mean that you have become more breathless.

I was told I have mild emphysema. I been told to stop with the obsession of asking when i going to be a stage 2.

[Patk1]

If you've not done it before,perhaps it wasn't Yr best shot.u will know what to expect nxt time.Perhaps consider an air purifier with having log burner x

[Sempervirens in reply to Patk1]

Yes , you are right I need an air purifier! I am going to look into it !

I shall practice to blow out before next time.. ☝️🍀

[SkyGazer177 in reply to Sempervirens]

I found it difficult blowing into that thing, especially with those pegs on my nose.

[djbctla in reply to SkyGazer177]

🤣😂🤣😂I’m short of pegs, what do u think ???!!!

[Alberta56]

I've a feeling my lungs are in their 90ies too. I'm gradually catching up with them. 😂😂😂

[Sempervirens in reply to Alberta56]

🤣I certainly started feeling that I was 90 after that test 😘 but now I am relaxing a bit . It has helped me hearing other people experiences with the spirometer.

[garshe]

I never can blow for spirometry test. I can't blow a balloon up either. I dismiss them and don't even ask for result. Xx.Sheila 👍💕

[Sempervirens in reply to garshe]

Yes, you are right ! I also used to struggle blowing ballon’s even when I was young 😘

[Patk1 in reply to garshe]

Hi Sheila.have they adjusted Yr thyroid meds x

[garshe in reply to Patk1]

Still very ill Patk1. THYROID SHOWING NORMAL. Also kidneys ,liver etc. Did pick up a very nasty infection for which hadn't cleared so given more antibiotics and steroids. Waiting on appointment for echocardiogramme at hospital..

Still extremely breathless with low oxygen which is baffling everyone. On 24/7 although told didn't need it when I came out of hospital in September. Seems I never recovered.

I have Respiratory team calling daily and Liam oxygen nurse calling today..

Very weak my weight used to be 8st 4lb. Now it is 7st 8lb..but I did lose my appetite , so trying hard to eat everything fattening at the. moment.

Having blood tests repeated 11th December. And hoping the heart test appt will not be too long .

Thanks for your concern. I was convinced it was my thyroid but thats normal on 50mgs so no change.

Fingers crossed its this nasty infection and will clear up soon.. also I was very unwell going for blood tests even collapsed as had this infection. I then had flu jab which maybe was a mistake.

I'm wide awake as not slept for weeks but yesterday laid on my sofa at3pm and slept until10pm .I really needed it, but up like a lark this morning.ill keep you up-to-date if I'm well enough as somedays too weak.lots of love take care .xx.Sheila ❤️🙏👍🤞

[Patk1 in reply to garshe]

Oh Yr having a tough time of it.hope u soon shake infection off.its certainly lingering.Yr not using 24/7 o2 again??

Have u put specimen of sputum and urine in for testing? Also,if you've mucous,read up on lung clearance on aluk to get the infected gunk out.

Have u thought of supplements?

Hope u soon pick up Sheila.we are here 4u.im willing u on xxx

[garshe in reply to Patk1]

I'm being well looked after by respiratory team calling daily. Checking I'm OK on oxygen not retaining 02 at present. Had all checks done with blood test. This is a bad infection as hasn't cleared when finished last antibiotics. Taking its time to clear up praying this will soon go. Have to have more antibiotics tomorrow for week end. My team will get them for me so I'm OK. Take care . Just washed my hair .what a struggle but at least I did it. Oh yes and gained a 1lb in weight .lol 🙌xx🤣💕🙏

[Patk1 in reply to garshe]

Well done,washing Yr hair.ive had some nasty infections requiring antibiotics+ steroids for 12 wks continuously.so I know how u feel.id ask bout supplement drinks, lots of glamour these days.get well soon xxxxx

[garshe in reply to Patk1]

Thanks will def ask about supplement drinks. I'll try anything. Grateful for any advice. Lots of love ❤️ xx.Sheila

[Ergendl in reply to garshe]

Hope you get better soon, garshe. Lots of virtual ((((hugs)))).

[garshe in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks needed that.🙏 Sending a Welsh cwtch back 💕💕xxSheila

[Sempervirens in reply to garshe]

Cwtch from Pembrokeshire to you 🍀Xxx

[djbctla in reply to garshe]

All the best Sheila 🌹🌹🌹BERNARDINE

[garshe in reply to djbctla]

Still unwell Bernardine on 4th lot of antibiotics. Can't shift this damn infection. Liam oxygen nurse from respiratory team calling 10am checking as I'm not allowed too much oxygen but struggling and causing panic attacks .I've not been well since September so really fed up now . Hope you are well. Lots of love xx.Sheila ❤️

[djbctla in reply to garshe]

Ah Sheila, keep your heart up, things have to improve with all the care u are getting.

How about custard and banana, try a small bowl and see how it goes along with the supplement drinks.

Try stewed pears or fresh.

Plain Sponge fairy cakes or iced. Try anything to get your digestive juices going.

John West tuna toppers with a microwave baked potato or on toast. The range is quite diverse.

Get those choppers chopping.

Best wishes BERNARDINE ❤️

[Biker88]

A spirometer test is just a method of measuring if your lungs are getting better or worse, I know a few people who struggle to blow into the device. They have a habit of comparing figures with an average for your age, but as we are all different I don’t see much relevance in that. I have been having these test for several years now and one one has ever given me an age comparison just a percentage figure based on the average for my age group. I’m 73 and have a lung function of about 35% but it hasn’t changed much in the last two years which tends to indicate that my condition is stable

[MoyB]

My lung age was rated at about 120 ten years ago. I'm 72 now and feeling better than I have for years.

Things can sometimes improve with the right treatment.

OR we can learn the technique for blowing into the damned machine! 🤣

Xx Moy

[Sempervirens in reply to MoyB]

🤣just what I wanted to hear! Thank you !!

I bet you too were in shock when they rated your lungs at 120 ! I was and suddenly I started to feel 90 years of age 🤣but now with all your answers I am feeling much better!

[MoyB in reply to Sempervirens]

👍😁Xx Moy

[Numptybrain]

don’t worry I’m 61 and I was told my lungs are 109 but here we are, I struggle taking deep breaths anyway so I’m useless at that thing.

Take care

Wendy x

[garibaldon]

I’m pleased to say that my surgery Asthma nurse relegated the spiro machine into the cleaners cupboard. I believe most COPD people on here have day to day variations on volumetric capacity, depending on weather and environmental conditions.

[jackdup in reply to garibaldon]

I believe you are right about that variation and my Respirologist said they can vary at different times of the day. I have a hand held spirometry and mine varies quite a bit and can be dependent on what I did the day before. When quite active I find my results are less than normal the next day and believe I may have a little inflammation in my lungs from over exertion, but as you say weather and other factors can also affect the results.

[jackdup]

Numerous things can affect the results including technique blowing into the spirometer and the guidance given by the person administering the test.