Pulmonary Function Test

[tqpannie]

So I got the results (not the actual FEV numbers or anything) just a call from my Pulmonary doctor today say my lung capacity is dimished by 1/3. So since it was the nurse I ask what that means and she said well it's not awful--You are still above 65 percent lung function.

Had anyone else had this test and had their results given to them like this? I just started pulmonary rehab and I did feel great. I am working on quitting smoking but I'm curious as to thoughts about the lung function test results so if anyone has any input I'd be grateful.

[Lugus]

I have always done what I called shallow breathing not realising that it was not normal. I went to the pulmonary doctor for a lung function test when they found a lump in my lungs (benign).

They stuck me in a sealed chamber and did all kinds of weird tests which exhausted me. It turned out my capacity was at 47% of where it should be. They put me on Advair 500/50 and Singulair with an emergency inhaler just in case. The medication helps but it is a long way from perfect. They told my family doctor I had COPD then retracted the diagnosis and claimed it was asthma (that was an interesting few conversations). I have never smoked and can only assume my reduced function is from living in a coal mining area for the first 20 years or so of my life or from being to lazy to use my lungs fully.

66.66% seems low but there are a lot of variables including age/weight/general fitness etc

[greatunclebill]

my fev1 is 75%. i have asthma and copd (asthmatic bronchitis and emphysema). you are already seeing the lung damage that smoking has done to your lungs and it only gets worse as you age. not being able to breathe is a horrible thing. lay the cigarettes down permanently before they lay you down permanently.

[avi123]

Isn't expiration into a Spirometer regarded as a lung function test? If yes, then I did it last year after I had a bronchitis and I went to a walk-in medical clinic and did an X-ray of my chest. Then the radiologist asked me if I ever smoked. I said ,YES, but I quit 40 years ago. Then he said that I might have a slight COPD. When I told this story to my Internist MD, he went to another room and came back with a Spirometer. He told me to take a deep breath, hold it, and next blow the air into the Spirometer. I repeated it about three times and every time the ball inside the Spirometer went higher. The result: NO COPD!



An incentive spirometer - used to help patients improve the functioning of their lungs

[LSAT]

Isn't expiration into a Spirometer regarded as a lung function test? If yes, then I did it last year after I had a bronchitis and I went to a walk-in medical clinic and did an X-ray of my chest. Then the radiologist asked me if I ever smoked. I said ,YES, but I quit 40 years ago. Then he said that I might have a slight COPD. When I told this story to my Internist MD, he went to another room and came back with a Spirometer. He told me to take a deep breath, hold it, and next blow the air into the Spirometer. I repeated it about three times and every time the ball inside the Spirometer went higher. The result: NO COPD!



An incentive spirometer - used to help patients improve the functioning of their lungs

A pulmonary function test is very detailed and takes over an hour with a trained technician. I have had one done twice and have another scheduled for this summer. My pulmonologist schedules an appointment with him immediately after the test to review it with me. My last test I was at 125% of normal for my age.

[greatunclebill]

An incentive spirometer is a device used by a patient either in a hospital setting or as prescribed by a physician that measures how full your lungs inflate with each breath you take. While typically used to assist in keeping the lungs clear after surgery, it can also be used to assist in regulating breathing for asthma as well as helping someone strengthen and exercise their lungs.

i have one i used in the hospital when i was treated for pnuemonia. i definitely have some lung disease and i can send the little ball to the top every time.

there is no place in a pulmonary function test for an incentive spirometer. it's an apples and oranges situation. if there is any concern about the lungs, see a pulmonologist.

i don't recall the exact order of things, but the pulmonary function test involves breathing in and blowing out room air, medicated air and straight o2, before and after a six minute walk.

[Lugus]

My Pulmonary Function Test involved no walking. I was sat in an airtight chamber and had to breathe through a special mouthpiece. They would make various alterations between each test including the pressure of the air, the length of breath etc. When I went in for the test I though I would be running on a treadmill but the office staff giggled and said they were a little more advanced than that.

[kteague]

I've had pulmonary function tests a few times. I have interstitial lung disease. If I remember correctly there's more than one issue. There's air volume and then there's what your lungs are able to do with that air. Different lung diseases present differently. Back when my shortness of breath was at its worst, I was miserable. All lung problems aren't forever or irreversible. Take this time to become fully informed and do everything you can to help yourself. You won't regret it.

[Dreamingofsleep]

I have episodes of feeling short of breath. On x-ray I show COPD. However, I had the pulmo tests done too. I also consulted a pulmonologist. He did a CAT scan, and looked at the breathing tests. Now, I had been on all kinds of meds before the test because I had had an ER visit a month and a half or so before and had used the spirometer and could boost the thing into the acceptable range. Dx was bronchitis, anxiety, and COPD.

So, when I went to pulmo doc and had quite a few breathing tests in the booth..I came out fantastic! Also the CAT scan was fine... Pulmo doc said I had no COPD and that xrays are an antiquated way to detect the disease. He blamed breathing issues on anxiety. Now, I know it is not just anxiety....BUT I will gladly accept the free and clear dx. Breathing issues still come and go and are triggered by smoke, etc. but for now I am hoping for better health.

I do have to say I saw somewhere in my reading that someone diagnosed with COPD and very inactive began an exercise regime and built up to run a marathon!! We still have to keep trying.

All the best to you
Dreaming

[tqpannie]

I had my first visit with pulmonary rehab and it was fabulous. My blood pressure was lower after the work out. I have been inactive for a very long time--fear of not being able to breathe has made me so anxious that even thinking about working out makes my breathing worse. I feel like I'm in a safe environment to workout now and I was able to do more than I thought I could do.

It gives me a little hope that things will improve.