4 replies to this topic

[1maggie1]

I just had my PFT breathing test and have the results but need help understanding the numbers!
the "interpretation" reads "There is a severe obstructive lung defect. The airway obstruction is confirmed by the decrease in flor wate at peak flow and flow at 24%, 50% and 75% of the flow volume curve. An obstructive lung defect is confirmed by an increased RV and an increased TLC. There is a moderate decreate in diffusing capacity. FEV1 changed by 8% FEF 25-75 changed by 36%. This is interpreted as a mild response to broncodialator".

My oxygen level after oxygen was 94%, but he didnt measure it prior. My heart rate was 67.
My earlier visit with my Pulmo doct oxygen was 91% and heart was 75.

The RT said I should be on, he thought, albuterol 4x a day, the laba/sterod 2x a day, and either atrovent or spiriva; but I didnt need oxygen yet.

I an relieved the test is over, even though I don't see my pulmo doc to interpret it for me until mid November, unless he calls me in sooner. I need bloodwork done before I can schedule a visit to my regular doctor.

Meanwhile, if anybody can help me understand .....the test....I will offer what is on paper,

Spirometry REF Pre meas Pre %ref Post meas Post % ref Post%change
FVC LIters 2.66 2.59 98 2.54 96 - 2
FEV1 Liters 2.17 0.86 40 0.93 43 8
FEVl/FVC% 84 33 37
FEV25-75 L/sec 2.30 0.22 9 0.30 13 36
FEV50% L/sec 3.07 0.26 8 0.30 10 10
PEF L/sec 5.33 3.09 58 3.13 59 1
MVV L/min 91

Lung Volumes
TLG Liters 4.28 5.54 129
RV Liters 1.61 2.94 183
RV/TLC % 38 53
FRC N2 Liters 2.75 3.67 134

Diffusion
DLCO ml mmHg/min 14.9 9.3 63
DL Adj 14.9 9.3 63
DLCO/VA 3.80 2.05 63
DL/VA Adj 2.05
VA Liters 4.54

Maximal Respiratory Pressures
P1 max cmH20 73
Pt Volume Liters

end of story.

This is all greek and ....he said I did the test well, except instead of doing my normal breathing, i misunderstood him and was breathing very deep............he said it didnt matter and that my pulmo doc would go over it with me......

.......
What can I say? I feel better that it is over, and though it doesnt sound great, I am relieved oddly........
I did ask about rehab and he didn't think I needed it, that the patients who go here to it are in much worse shape than I am, and he told me I should just use more albuterol when I am exercizing .......

Any information/advice/deciphering this encoded message would ge greatly appreciated. I am beginning to feel that this whole process of doctoring and testing, is very complicated and shouldn't be for any patient! There should be some sort of in-depth explanations given, in laymans terms......so that part of it is certainly frustrating to me. I also asked if i should be using a peak flow thing and he said no. He did, however give me a thing to attach to my MDI's to use to help get more medicine into my lungs, and told me not to wash the dulera or atrovent MDI's which I had already been erroneously doing!

One last question, do you think I would benefit from the rehab? Or is there a site where I can find info on what exercizes I should be doing/

amen
simon

[Tim]

Please remember that any information you get here is for informational purposes only and you should always consult
your Dr about your medical condition and care....

That being said:

Take a look at This Link The information is from COPD Canada and was put together by COPD Patients for COPD Patients.
It explains The PFT Test line by line.

http://www.copdcanad...pft_numbers.htm

If your interested in some more in depth reading, take a look at This link.

http://www2.nau.edu/...lecture/pft.htm

Read, learn and start a list of questions to ask your Pulmonologist at your Appointment. It's always good to keep a list
of questions going for your next Dr's visit. That way you don't forget to ask something.

I hope this info helps you to better understand The PFT.

Tim

[1maggie1]

Tim,

Many thanks for directing me to the two sites for info on the PFT, I have cut copies and will be digesting as much as I can.
This is often like learning a new language, all the medical jargon is very very confusing.

And yes I completely understand it is for "informational" purposes......and will give me a better idea of what questions I need to ask, and make me better prepared. Since doc's have so little time to spend, I really need to learn this new language quickly!

What do you think about the rehab decision by the RT? Or, is there a site on that also? I am ready to rock and roll with eercize but would prefer to do those that would be most beneficial and I thought the idea of rehab was to explain more in depth the mechanics of the dis-ease of COPD, sort of mini short cut information.......

About the DULERA......now that I have been on it for a little while, it seems to affect my feet and lower legs, as in they tingle alot, and I am nearly constantly hungry on it! That didn't happen on the Symbicort. In your experience, do the laba/cortosteroids make you more hungry as in gain weight, is that an anticipated side effect as well? I would much prefer it if it made me grow taller, if I had my druthers!

Again, I sincerely appreciate all the help I have been getting on this site! My panic sessions are nowehre as intense and I am learning how to pace myself and have added all the recommendations, i.e., fan, musinex, etc. There really should be a short pamphlet the docs give you that explain some things that seem helpful to patients. Most of what I have learned about COPD has been primarily from reading on this wonderful site!

And, while my PFT test results don't seem )if I am reading them correctly) as high as I would have liked them to be, I feel confident that I can still buy green banana's!

I'd like to share one of my favourite quotes with you:
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can" john wooden

shalome, santi santi santi
maggie

[Jane M. Martin]

This Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) thread has been moved to the "What do you want to know?" forum so more of our visitors can find it and benefit from it. If you have comments or questions to post, please scroll down and post on that forum.

Thanks. See you soon!

Jane.

[1maggie1]

JANE,

Thanks for the re-direction on where to put my questions!

maggie