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Post by Lighthousekeeper on Jun 28, 2016 9:43:01 GMT -5
Let me start by apologizing for being away so long but I have been somewhat busy dealing with life's little adventures.
Anyways, the reason for my post today is I happened to be going through some of my paperwork and came across two older Spirometry test results when I noticed something and was hoping someone here with a little more knowledge could explain.
Test Result #1 - Feb 2014
FEV1 is 3.42L (81%) and FEV1/FVC is at 67%
Test Result #2 - Dec 2014
FEV1 78% and FEV1/FVC at 63%
I'm curious about the drop in my numbers over such a short period of time.... is that normal?
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Post by gerald on Jun 28, 2016 13:00:37 GMT -5
My readings have dropped like that if I have had an exacerbation and it has triggered damage to the lungs. My regular doctor ignored it, the specialist became concerned and switched to visits every 6 months.
Definitely something you want to keep monitoring. My respiratory specialist does a Spirometry on me every 6 months, to confirm inflamation etc is under control.
Does your test show the results after you took the Ventolin / Sabutemol?
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Post by Lighthousekeeper on Jun 28, 2016 13:40:05 GMT -5
Ok I think I have an understanding of everything now. Let me quickly explain my situation for you to get a better understanding of my confusion.
I live in New Brunswick, our only Bilingual Province, and there must have been some confusion when they translated from French to English.
My actual tests results show my FEV1/FVC as:
Test 1) 62% pre Ventolin and 66% post Ventolin
Test 2) 63% pre Ventolin and 67% post Ventolin
not much of a difference!
Now in the conclusion part of test 1 it indicates the Fev1 81% and the FEV1/FVC ratio at 67%
and the conclusion part of test 2 it indicates the Fev1 78% and the FEV1/FVC ratio at 63% (which I assume is the pre-Ventolin number)
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Post by David on Jun 28, 2016 19:32:51 GMT -5
I have had 3 test. In 2013 my FEV1 was 22%. In 2014 my FEV1 was 20%. In 2015 my FEV1 was 27%. It can go up and down. It mostly depends on how well you are breathing when you take the test. Actually can change from day to day. I haven't had the test this year.
I pretty much load up with medicine so I can make it to the Doctor office. I am sure if I did not do any medicine before the test it woul be much lower. I doubt I could make it to the Doctor office.
That's just the way it is with me.
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Post by gerald on Jun 28, 2016 23:48:34 GMT -5
David: My FEV has improved but the tests are always done with no medications, which makes it a massive challenge to get to the doctors office for the tests!!! My improvement with the Ventolin is about .03 so it does help a bit.
Lighthousekeeper : Those changes appear fairly minor. However, at your stage you might want to press the doctors for tests every 6 months to ensure the trend is not continually downward and the lungs stay stable. If you don't keep an eye on them the FEV can drop quickly and you need to stay on top of it. The doctors do not understand enough of the disease and sometimes are not cautious enough.
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Post by judi on Jun 29, 2016 14:09:54 GMT -5
I think it could just be normal variability or as you say a result of albuterol. You won't score exactly the same each time, there is a range and anything within that range is considered normal. I think it might be within 6% but can't remember for sure.
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Post by Lighthousekeeper on Jun 29, 2016 15:07:47 GMT -5
Lighthousekeeper : Those changes appear fairly minor. However, at your stage you might want to press the doctors for tests every 6 months to ensure the trend is not continually downward and the lungs stay stable. If you don't keep an eye on them the FEV can drop quickly and you need to stay on top of it. The doctors do not understand enough of the disease and sometimes are not cautious enough. I have a follow up appointment with the lung specialist coming up in regards to getting the Alpha1 Antitrypsin (AAT) test. My father passed away in 2013 from complications due to COPD and I want to see if it's something my children should be concerned with. |
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Post by lavishgail on Jun 29, 2016 15:08:26 GMT -5
Mine are different every time and I go every 3 months. But this last time I went he just said it was the same as last time, I didn't have to ask again bc it's bad period. But good luck. I'm on 02 all the time.
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Post by David on Jun 29, 2016 22:10:27 GMT -5
Lighthouse, everyone should get the the Alpha1 Antitrypsin (AAT) test just to be sure.
Doctors thought I had Alpha 1 deficiency because I got emphysema at 32 years old but the test showed I do not have the deficiency.
It's good to know.
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Post by gerald on Jun 29, 2016 22:26:29 GMT -5
David; I agree about the AAT Test. I had to fight with the doctor to get the test and finally got it. It removes one worry off the pile.
I have found the spirometry readings greatly depend on 1) how you are feeling that day and 2) the attention and care of the operator.
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Post by Lighthousekeeper on Jun 30, 2016 7:17:13 GMT -5
Lighthouse, everyone should get the the Alpha1 Antitrypsin (AAT) test just to be sure.
Yes I agree, that has been my thinking all along. |
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