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Lung Function Test

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Kazal | 17:41 Sun 19th Jun 2016 | Body & Soul
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My OH struggles to do the Lung function test due to a lung disease. However he has been told that there is a new drug for his condition but he has to be able to achieve over 50% doing a lung function test and the nurse at the hospital told him to practice at home before his appointment next month.
He has to go in a plastic booth but cannot remember what he was supposed to do. Does anyone know the actual method he is required to perform and which part is crucial to passing the test?
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He has to go in a plastic booth at home to practice at home?
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Not too helpful Anneasquith. The reason I mentioned the booth is because they don't use one at GP's surgery and perhaps the test is done differently. I need to know the actual instructions given to the patient i.e. blow slowly or as hard as possible?
Sorry. I dont know, but will be interested in any information you get.
I am going to guess that the drug is Nintendanib
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta379?unlid=5674432272016217205330

and therefore the lung function test is Forced Vital Capacity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry#Forced_vital_capacity_.28FVC.29
Greatt information woof. Thanks.
Hi Kazal,

You don't say what disease he has, but I have COPD.

I had the lung breathing test about 3 weeks ago at Papworth Hospital, plus other test, Chest X-Rays & a Heart Scan.

I went in a glass booth, like a small telephone box, sat down and you put a rubber mouthpiece (like a divers) in your mouth, and follow the instructions given by the doctor.
I had about 3 different test, breathing in/out, then when finished had another 2 test in the room breathing into a kind of graph machine/computer.

I have to go back next week for the results, and to have a chat what the next move is, if there is one, but have been told by my family doctor that my heart and X-Rays were OK.

What medication does your husband take now?
I have 2 oral sprays to take daily and 1 for general out of breath.
I also have what they call a flutterer, which helps vibrate the lungs to loosen up any mucus, and a glass tube to blow in that measures the strength of your lungs.

From time to time I have steroids, which help very much, but my consultant wants to try and get me off them for good.

Hope this helps, and if you want to know more, just ask, but if its for any other lung disease, I wont know.
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FAO trt I saw your reply but did not reply as my husband does not have COPD and is not on any inhalers. He has IPF and is on Pirfenidone and oxygen 24/7. Thank you for your reply though. I just needed to know the actual procedure/method used in lung function so that he could practice before he next goes for LF. eg does he blow softly and then as hard as he can or does he blow softly all the time etc?
Hi Kazal,

I would expect that your OH will do a similar test as to the ones I did, which is to see how strong/weak your lungs/breathing is.

Mine was in 3 parts, you insert the mouthpiece & nose clip and are given instructions to breath in and out, one is soft, the other is hard, and the last one they cut the breathing pipe off in between breathing.

It didn't work for me at first, which she says never does, but after a couple more time I succeeded.

Is your OH doing any exercises at home, I don't mean heavy ones, but deep breathing as much as he can. I find the flutterer (on prescription) helps a lot.

I have been looking at 2 apparatus I found on line, one is a salt pipe, and the other a breathing device, but going to ask my Doc before I spend the money.
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I will give anything a try to feel more comfortable on a daily basis, and sure you & your OH feels the same, so good luck and try and let me know how you get on.

sorry here is the other one

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