Just starting PFT's in a 5 yr old

[fourkidsmom]

In July our 5 yr old will have his first PFT done. What exactly will he have to do and what are some things I should expect? I am really nervous about this, I am afraid this will be really depressing to find out the numbers.

Fourkidsmom

 

[anonymous]

Do you have a peak flow meter? If so, practicing with that will help. Or, just have him practice blowing out as hard as he can.

Our dr uses the software that shows a birthday cake full of candles. THe kids just take a deep breath and blow out as hard as they can for as long as they can. There's also software that shows you blowing down houses. The first few times, your ds probably won't do very good so don't put a lot of stock in the #s. He'll get the hang of it<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

Its very strenuous. He will have to take as deep of a breath as possible & blow out as fast & hard as possible until there is nothing left (he might feel lightheaded/weak from doing this) & if the person doing the pft's with him is anything like my office they will be yelling/encouraging by saying:

QUICK & HARD, BLOW, BLOW, BLOW KEEP GOING, THATS IT, MORE MORE MORE TO THE LINE (for me its that for a 5 year old it might be a candle picture of something), GO GO, ALMOST THERE GO etc

BTW....for the adults I AM referring to the pfts during all these comments. As I am typing I kept thinking of my husband LOL! OMG!

 

[debs2girls]

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0"> @ JazzysMom's comment...lol...
Cheyenne has a clinic appointment this afternoon and she is supposed to "blow on the computer" as her dr said last month. She is scared to death to even go there let alone do something new. Fourkids mom I am in the same boat as you, I too am scared to know the numbers.

 

[dyza]

I had this done last week for the first time, checking me out, its a long story, anyway ,I thought I was Going to pass out. The tech who did the test was great and put me at ease and I'm sure your son will be fine....

 

[MOME2RT]

Reece has done pfts about 4~5x. His best was 67%. Worse like 29%. BUT his doc always says..."well he is ONLY 3"... Sometimes she even throws out the bad ones. We pinch his nose sometimes so NO air escapes. He is easily persuaded w/ bouncy balls or stickers to do his BEST!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>MOME2RT</b></i>

Reece has done pfts about 4~5x. His best was 67%. Worse like 29%. BUT his doc always says..."well he is ONLY 3"... Sometimes she even throws out the bad ones. We pinch his nose sometimes so NO air escapes. He is easily persuaded w/ bouncy balls or stickers to do his BEST!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!</end quote></div>


Speaking of pinching the nose....I wear little nose clamps. They dont hurt at all, but its to help the air not escape!

 

[2005CFmom]

lol~ Melissa you made me laugh!

Another thing to remember is that the device they blow through has a large opening...it's more like blowing through a piece of pvc pipe than through a straw. This is much harder to do than just blowing through pursed lips. If you are going to have him practice, you may want to get something (such as a small section of pvc pipe) for him to blow through.