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Hostess Risé
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 17846
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 05, 2013 - 04:39 pm: | 
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I was curious how you all take your PFT test?
Do you have a special technique that you believe works?
Most recently, I discovered how to increase my FVC without too much effort. I increased the number by forty percent.
I have been told forever that I do not take the test accurately. I actually create without realizing my own bronchospasm. It is all with my throat.
I either forget or I am too eager to get the air out that I force the air out too quickly and close my throat during the exhalation (not good).
I think I found a solution but time will tell.
Last week- at home, when exhaling, I pulled in my stomach muscles
then paused when I thought there was no air left I then pulled them
in some more until I got tired and blew my highest ever FVC even prior to my first tx which resulted in a forty percent increase.
Every single time I practiced this technique- I got the same number for the FVC.
Now if I can only learn a better technique for the FEV1.
I thought if I stacked my breath and then on the inhalation took in another breath
that I would get a better FEV1 score. So far no improvement with the FEV1 so I will stick to my normal inhalation and practice my new exhalation each time for accuracy.
I believe it was Jack that shared that someone at his center said to exhale all the air first before drawing in another breath.
Please SHARE your technique.
At home- I can sit or stand I always get similar numbers.
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Jack
Forum Leader
Username: Johnhollenbach56
Post Number: 606
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, October 05, 2013 - 04:58 pm: |
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I was given two things for my home PFT's - the first a Voldyne 5000 (available through Amazon fairly cheap - under $10) which measures volume of the inhale. I use this to keep my lungs fully expanded. The other is a MicroPlus Gold Standard CE120 which I use to record my FEV1 (volume not %), FVC, FER & PEF.
First, using the Voldyne, I do several inhales keeping the ball within the better range - usually will record about a 3500 ml. Then I try to peg the float. And yes I can do this most times.
Then I am 'warmed up' and ready. To check my PFT's I use an adjustable office chair, feet flat on the floor. Inhale as deep as possible and blow as fast as possible to empty my lungs as much as possible. I have had good results fairly consistant with those I get in the clinic.
Jack Hollenbach
Received double lung transplant August 2 & 3, 2007 for COPD at UCSD Thornton Hospital, San Diego, CA
Live each day to your fullest, for it is a gift to be treasured |
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Hostess Risé
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 17848
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 05, 2013 - 05:04 pm: |
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Hi Jack
Great technique
Thanks for the tip.
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Tamara
Member
Username: Heppygirl
Post Number: 108
Registered: 05-2011
| | Posted on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 07:46 am: |
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Risé, I also use the technique you´re using, already prior my transplant. Because I had singing lessons and know that those muscles help with controle your outgoing breath (important to provide a good solid note) I also use it with my pft's. It's only helping with the fvc, not with the fev1 unfortanately with me. That's because when I blow the fev1 I get (like you) a spasm in my lungs. I recently learned from a friend of mine who also sings, that you have to pretend to yawn during that because than the spasm should go away.. Didn't try it yet but going to..
Tamara
26y/o, from the Netherlands
Cystic Fibrosis, Dxed at birth
Bilateral lungtransplant, September 2010
http://muffinmeetsworld.blogspot.com
Anywhoo... |
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ajs
Forum Leader
Username: Ajs
Post Number: 789
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 12:52 pm: |
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I always do my first blow sitting, because every few times, I will actually see stars on the first blow. Never after. Then I stand up and do three tries. Usually the 2nd standing one is the highest. I also so completely empty my lungs after a few normal inhales, then draw in as much as possible before blowing out. I can't imagine a scenario where I could increase my FVC by much, it's already at about 85%.
But as has been said before, you can't really go by the percentages anymore after transplant, because they are still basing the predicted number on YOUR height, weight, race, gender, etc. Technically, the numbers should be based on your donor's statistics. Especially for people with IPF, as I had, your lung cavity tends to shrink such that smaller lungs than your original equipment are used. And someone smaller might bring me up to 100% of THEIR expected. I was told this early on at Duke.
Double-Lung transplant at Duke on 10/27/08
Pulmonary Fibrosis with traction bronchiectasis
http://healthierlungs.com
Live each day as if you were living forever, and live each moment as if it were your last.
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Tamara
Member
Username: Heppygirl
Post Number: 110
Registered: 05-2011
| | Posted on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 01:15 pm: |
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Funny you're mentioning it because I'm " stuck" on 72% and my doctor told me that I had actually lungs that were really samll for me. Not tóó small but smallish. If they were actually made for my size, and from a younger donor I would reach more. I also think that my donor was probably asian because of her small size. If I putt al my donors measurements in when I blow my pft's at home I would actually reach 100%...
So I'm satisfied because I know I have, although they're not perfect for my, good lungs ;)
Tamara
26y/o, from the Netherlands
Cystic Fibrosis, Dxed at birth
Bilateral lungtransplant, September 2010
http://muffinmeetsworld.blogspot.com
Anywhoo... |
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ajs
Forum Leader
Username: Ajs
Post Number: 790
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 01:44 pm: |
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Tamara - I honestly think this is a change that should be made in lung transplant protocol. They should record your donor's stats (shouldn't be considered a privacy issue), and make THOSE your new 'predicted' numbers. What they are saying now is, 'Hey, we know this % figure really means nothing accurate, but we'll use it anyway.' Seems odd for Drs. who are so exacting about other things.
Double-Lung transplant at Duke on 10/27/08
Pulmonary Fibrosis with traction bronchiectasis
http://healthierlungs.com
Live each day as if you were living forever, and live each moment as if it were your last.
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