FEV1 Validity

[stillkicking]

Thanks everyone for posting this. It has been really interesting. My PFT's have been steadily declining for the past 5 years. I was always mild till that point. Last time I checked they were at 25-27%. But I'm not on O2, I still work full time. Granted, I tire alot quicker and get SOB walking around. But I don't feel sick, I don't act sick. The docs say I look great for someone with severe lung function. My thoughts have generally reflected this post, are PFT's accurate? I did have a private CT scan of my lungs after my last PFT test because I wanted to see if there really was any damage, and it was there, but still I feel like I could live forever! Thanks all for sharing your thoughts and advice. Bytheway, I don't have any asthma issues, never have, thank heaven.

 

[stillkicking]

Thanks everyone for posting this. It has been really interesting. My PFT's have been steadily declining for the past 5 years. I was always mild till that point. Last time I checked they were at 25-27%. But I'm not on O2, I still work full time. Granted, I tire alot quicker and get SOB walking around. But I don't feel sick, I don't act sick. The docs say I look great for someone with severe lung function. My thoughts have generally reflected this post, are PFT's accurate? I did have a private CT scan of my lungs after my last PFT test because I wanted to see if there really was any damage, and it was there, but still I feel like I could live forever! Thanks all for sharing your thoughts and advice. Bytheway, I don't have any asthma issues, never have, thank heaven.

 

[stillkicking]

Thanks everyone for posting this. It has been really interesting. My PFT's have been steadily declining for the past 5 years. I was always mild till that point. Last time I checked they were at 25-27%. But I'm not on O2, I still work full time. Granted, I tire alot quicker and get SOB walking around. But I don't feel sick, I don't act sick. The docs say I look great for someone with severe lung function. My thoughts have generally reflected this post, are PFT's accurate? I did have a private CT scan of my lungs after my last PFT test because I wanted to see if there really was any damage, and it was there, but still I feel like I could live forever! Thanks all for sharing your thoughts and advice. Bytheway, I don't have any asthma issues, never have, thank heaven.

 

[stillkicking]

Thanks everyone for posting this. It has been really interesting. My PFT's have been steadily declining for the past 5 years. I was always mild till that point. Last time I checked they were at 25-27%. But I'm not on O2, I still work full time. Granted, I tire alot quicker and get SOB walking around. But I don't feel sick, I don't act sick. The docs say I look great for someone with severe lung function. My thoughts have generally reflected this post, are PFT's accurate? I did have a private CT scan of my lungs after my last PFT test because I wanted to see if there really was any damage, and it was there, but still I feel like I could live forever! Thanks all for sharing your thoughts and advice. Bytheway, I don't have any asthma issues, never have, thank heaven.

 

[stillkicking]

Thanks everyone for posting this. It has been really interesting. My PFT's have been steadily declining for the past 5 years. I was always mild till that point. Last time I checked they were at 25-27%. But I'm not on O2, I still work full time. Granted, I tire alot quicker and get SOB walking around. But I don't feel sick, I don't act sick. The docs say I look great for someone with severe lung function. My thoughts have generally reflected this post, are PFT's accurate? I did have a private CT scan of my lungs after my last PFT test because I wanted to see if there really was any damage, and it was there, but still I feel like I could live forever! Thanks all for sharing your thoughts and advice. Bytheway, I don't have any asthma issues, never have, thank heaven.

 

[AnD]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've talked with my doc about how the PFT's are a performance test and therefore, may not be an accurate measure. No one has ever told me how to do the test; they just say, "deep breath in....and blow it out...keep going, keep going, keep going..." that's it. No bronchial dialators either.</end quote></div>

Are you blowing out as hard and forcefully as you can in that first breath, and then squeezing out whatever air is left until there is no air left? If you aren't doing that, then they may not be accurate. Also, have you done the "box"? Most clinics require it once a year (or should- mine doesn't, and I hate it, so I don't ask for it, I admit-bad, bad- but if my dr. brought up transplant with me, I would be demanding it to get a better idea of where I stand <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ). It is supposed to be a much better measure of actual lung function than the regular pfts. And like Skye said, if your doctor recommends it, go ahead and get evaluated (especially if you are doing your tests right and have done the box evaluation).

 

[AnD]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've talked with my doc about how the PFT's are a performance test and therefore, may not be an accurate measure. No one has ever told me how to do the test; they just say, "deep breath in....and blow it out...keep going, keep going, keep going..." that's it. No bronchial dialators either.</end quote></div>

Are you blowing out as hard and forcefully as you can in that first breath, and then squeezing out whatever air is left until there is no air left? If you aren't doing that, then they may not be accurate. Also, have you done the "box"? Most clinics require it once a year (or should- mine doesn't, and I hate it, so I don't ask for it, I admit-bad, bad- but if my dr. brought up transplant with me, I would be demanding it to get a better idea of where I stand <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ). It is supposed to be a much better measure of actual lung function than the regular pfts. And like Skye said, if your doctor recommends it, go ahead and get evaluated (especially if you are doing your tests right and have done the box evaluation).

 

[AnD]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've talked with my doc about how the PFT's are a performance test and therefore, may not be an accurate measure. No one has ever told me how to do the test; they just say, "deep breath in....and blow it out...keep going, keep going, keep going..." that's it. No bronchial dialators either.</end quote></div>

Are you blowing out as hard and forcefully as you can in that first breath, and then squeezing out whatever air is left until there is no air left? If you aren't doing that, then they may not be accurate. Also, have you done the "box"? Most clinics require it once a year (or should- mine doesn't, and I hate it, so I don't ask for it, I admit-bad, bad- but if my dr. brought up transplant with me, I would be demanding it to get a better idea of where I stand <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ). It is supposed to be a much better measure of actual lung function than the regular pfts. And like Skye said, if your doctor recommends it, go ahead and get evaluated (especially if you are doing your tests right and have done the box evaluation).

 

[AnD]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've talked with my doc about how the PFT's are a performance test and therefore, may not be an accurate measure. No one has ever told me how to do the test; they just say, "deep breath in....and blow it out...keep going, keep going, keep going..." that's it. No bronchial dialators either.</end quote>

Are you blowing out as hard and forcefully as you can in that first breath, and then squeezing out whatever air is left until there is no air left? If you aren't doing that, then they may not be accurate. Also, have you done the "box"? Most clinics require it once a year (or should- mine doesn't, and I hate it, so I don't ask for it, I admit-bad, bad- but if my dr. brought up transplant with me, I would be demanding it to get a better idea of where I stand <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ). It is supposed to be a much better measure of actual lung function than the regular pfts. And like Skye said, if your doctor recommends it, go ahead and get evaluated (especially if you are doing your tests right and have done the box evaluation).

 

[AnD]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I've talked with my doc about how the PFT's are a performance test and therefore, may not be an accurate measure. No one has ever told me how to do the test; they just say, "deep breath in....and blow it out...keep going, keep going, keep going..." that's it. No bronchial dialators either.</end quote>
<br />
<br />Are you blowing out as hard and forcefully as you can in that first breath, and then squeezing out whatever air is left until there is no air left? If you aren't doing that, then they may not be accurate. Also, have you done the "box"? Most clinics require it once a year (or should- mine doesn't, and I hate it, so I don't ask for it, I admit-bad, bad- but if my dr. brought up transplant with me, I would be demanding it to get a better idea of where I stand <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ). It is supposed to be a much better measure of actual lung function than the regular pfts. And like Skye said, if your doctor recommends it, go ahead and get evaluated (especially if you are doing your tests right and have done the box evaluation).

 

[sarabeth87]

I FEV1 was in the high 90s about 3 or 4 years ago and I really didn't have any problems except coughing all the time. Now that my FEV1 is around 67% I get SOB alot and I have a lot of chest tightness. I can get out of breath from talking or if I eat too much I feel really SOB. I also seem to be on ABX a lot more. I've never done my PFTs with a bronchodilator, but I guess my doctor and I just assumed I have asthma so I'm on advair.

 

[sarabeth87]

I FEV1 was in the high 90s about 3 or 4 years ago and I really didn't have any problems except coughing all the time. Now that my FEV1 is around 67% I get SOB alot and I have a lot of chest tightness. I can get out of breath from talking or if I eat too much I feel really SOB. I also seem to be on ABX a lot more. I've never done my PFTs with a bronchodilator, but I guess my doctor and I just assumed I have asthma so I'm on advair.

 

[sarabeth87]

I FEV1 was in the high 90s about 3 or 4 years ago and I really didn't have any problems except coughing all the time. Now that my FEV1 is around 67% I get SOB alot and I have a lot of chest tightness. I can get out of breath from talking or if I eat too much I feel really SOB. I also seem to be on ABX a lot more. I've never done my PFTs with a bronchodilator, but I guess my doctor and I just assumed I have asthma so I'm on advair.

 

[sarabeth87]

I FEV1 was in the high 90s about 3 or 4 years ago and I really didn't have any problems except coughing all the time. Now that my FEV1 is around 67% I get SOB alot and I have a lot of chest tightness. I can get out of breath from talking or if I eat too much I feel really SOB. I also seem to be on ABX a lot more. I've never done my PFTs with a bronchodilator, but I guess my doctor and I just assumed I have asthma so I'm on advair.

 

[sarabeth87]

I FEV1 was in the high 90s about 3 or 4 years ago and I really didn't have any problems except coughing all the time. Now that my FEV1 is around 67% I get SOB alot and I have a lot of chest tightness. I can get out of breath from talking or if I eat too much I feel really SOB. I also seem to be on ABX a lot more. I've never done my PFTs with a bronchodilator, but I guess my doctor and I just assumed I have asthma so I'm on advair.

 

[Lex]

My asthma is being treated with albuterol and advair. I also take allegra...but that's a fairly new thing.

My biggest obstacle is my environment. I remember about 10 years ago, I went through a really rough patch. I couldn't walk without feeling like I was going to collapse. I was otherwise "healthy"...if that makes any sense. The rough patch had a sudden onset so I highly suspected something in the environment.

Fast forward about 6 months of agony...and then my mom finally tells me that she's been using FEBREZE...but not to worry because it's hypoallergenic.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I freaked out because she knew I was in serious trouble and never thought to mention that she started using this product liberally throughout the entire house.

Conclusion...that dreaded FEBREZE was stopped and I "suddenly" felt normal again.

WHEW!!!!

 

[Lex]

My asthma is being treated with albuterol and advair. I also take allegra...but that's a fairly new thing.

My biggest obstacle is my environment. I remember about 10 years ago, I went through a really rough patch. I couldn't walk without feeling like I was going to collapse. I was otherwise "healthy"...if that makes any sense. The rough patch had a sudden onset so I highly suspected something in the environment.

Fast forward about 6 months of agony...and then my mom finally tells me that she's been using FEBREZE...but not to worry because it's hypoallergenic.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I freaked out because she knew I was in serious trouble and never thought to mention that she started using this product liberally throughout the entire house.

Conclusion...that dreaded FEBREZE was stopped and I "suddenly" felt normal again.

WHEW!!!!

 

[Lex]

My asthma is being treated with albuterol and advair. I also take allegra...but that's a fairly new thing.

My biggest obstacle is my environment. I remember about 10 years ago, I went through a really rough patch. I couldn't walk without feeling like I was going to collapse. I was otherwise "healthy"...if that makes any sense. The rough patch had a sudden onset so I highly suspected something in the environment.

Fast forward about 6 months of agony...and then my mom finally tells me that she's been using FEBREZE...but not to worry because it's hypoallergenic.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I freaked out because she knew I was in serious trouble and never thought to mention that she started using this product liberally throughout the entire house.

Conclusion...that dreaded FEBREZE was stopped and I "suddenly" felt normal again.

WHEW!!!!

 

[Lex]

My asthma is being treated with albuterol and advair. I also take allegra...but that's a fairly new thing.

My biggest obstacle is my environment. I remember about 10 years ago, I went through a really rough patch. I couldn't walk without feeling like I was going to collapse. I was otherwise "healthy"...if that makes any sense. The rough patch had a sudden onset so I highly suspected something in the environment.

Fast forward about 6 months of agony...and then my mom finally tells me that she's been using FEBREZE...but not to worry because it's hypoallergenic.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I freaked out because she knew I was in serious trouble and never thought to mention that she started using this product liberally throughout the entire house.

Conclusion...that dreaded FEBREZE was stopped and I "suddenly" felt normal again.

WHEW!!!!

 

[Lex]

My asthma is being treated with albuterol and advair. I also take allegra...but that's a fairly new thing.
<br />
<br />My biggest obstacle is my environment. I remember about 10 years ago, I went through a really rough patch. I couldn't walk without feeling like I was going to collapse. I was otherwise "healthy"...if that makes any sense. The rough patch had a sudden onset so I highly suspected something in the environment.
<br />
<br />Fast forward about 6 months of agony...and then my mom finally tells me that she's been using FEBREZE...but not to worry because it's hypoallergenic.
<br />
<br />AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
<br />
<br />I freaked out because she knew I was in serious trouble and never thought to mention that she started using this product liberally throughout the entire house.
<br />
<br />Conclusion...that dreaded FEBREZE was stopped and I "suddenly" felt normal again.
<br />
<br />WHEW!!!!