pulmonary function test
I have about 5 of these and in my opinion the results don't match up with the way I feel. The test requires the use of a rescue inhaler for the final results. It might be great as you are in the office but once outside the atmosphere changes. Any other comments on this?
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I have had the PFT test and actually going for another this coming Tuesday. I have never used my rescue inhaler for any part of the test. As a matter of fact, the tech scheduling the test, tells me not to use any inhaler within 4 hours before the test. So I am not sure what purpose requiring the rescue inhaler has for final test results. Of course when you go outside after the test, you are subject to whatever is in the outside air. It could be pollen, dust and dander, auto exhaust, etc. All these irritate your lungs, so it is not surprising it affects your breathing. I will take my rescue inhaler with me and most likely use it after the test, but that is just normal use for me. My test is done at our local hospital. So the air quality is clean as compared to outside. I am not sure exactly what you expect the results to compare to. My last test put me in the stage 2 category. But there are days when I feel like I am in the stage 3 or worse category. Having a hard to breathe day for sure makes you feel worse than what the test results say. I don't think that will change. Have you discussed this with your medical team? I ask all kinds of questions to my medical team and they always explain everything to my satisfaction. I am very grateful for that. Take care and God Bless!
Hey! 😀 I hope everything went okay with the test. Let us know when you hear back from them. -Melissa, team member
My complaint is that they can not get a true reading, as I said it is hospital air. The use of the inhaler shows the difference that your lungs can blow out. I am wondering what the true condition is. I realize that my getting older has a lot to do with it but the same readings for 6 years??
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I do understand what you are saying. I am hoping my readings are the same as they were 4 years ago or close. That would mean that I have my COPD under control and am able to keep it at bay for now. That might be the case for you and might not be. Have you talked to your medical team about that? Do you think if the test was done elsewhere it would be a different result? If so, then see if you can get it done elsewhere. I don't really have any other answer for you. I wish I did. Sorry. Talk to your medical team and see if you can get a definitive answer. If not, maybe try a different doctor? Let the forum know what happens. Take care and God Bless!
Thank you for your response, I have had it tested at another facility. I am not necessarily saying the results are not correct understanding that the air outside is different. That is why I feel the results are incorrect. Even the "unit" you are sitting in is definitely "climate controlled". Also realizing that they can not change the weather ....,
I feel that the test is just a good guidance for your medical team to use for the purpose of treatment. It would be very hard for them to know what the condition of your lungs are if the test was not performed under "climate controlled" conditions. I would hope that both of our medical teams realize that the results of the test were not a true indicator of breathing outside of "ideal" climate controlled conditions. I think that making the best conditions for myself for breathing in my home are my responsibility. Also if conditions outside are not good for my breathing, then I should not put myself in those conditions. These are just my thoughts and how I handle my COPD. I also think if the test results fall into a lower category, then chances are O2 will be necessary to have for your use. I don't have anything else to add to this. Hope things straighten out for you. Take care and God Bless!
I agree. 02 is necessary as I have been on it for 6 years, and I have need for 8 lpm in my home. That has increased over time. Thank you for comments.
I just saw this post after I left you a comment asking how the test went, ha. Glad to hear that everything is pretty stable, all told. So this is the first time you were given albuterol during the test? I took a look around and it seems like looking at bronchodilator responsiveness is a regular part of the process, at least nowadays. It's another good marker to track, especially if you don't feel like your meds are working as well as they used to. Keep taking good care of yourself, clearly the effort you've put in is helping. 😀 -Melissa, team member ,
This was only my second PFT test. I am 100% positive I never got an Albuterol treatment the first time around. That could have been because I was not diagnosed yet with COPD and was just out of ICU for mycobacterial pneumonia. I missed my second PFT test because I had pneumonia again at the time it was supposed to happen. I am not really sure about why not the first time and why the second time. I guess the bottom line is, it really doesn't matter at this point. I see my pulmonologist on the 28th for all the test results and the treatment plan for the future. I had the CT Scan, PFT test, full bloodwork, urinalysis, and an EKG. My medical team doing the whole kit and kaboodle for my wellness. Can't complain about that. I will post the result of the doctor visit and any changes to my treatment plan after I see the doctor. Take Care all and God Bless!
