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Peak flow meter
chrisii2011
Posts: 2,694 Forum Member
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Could use some advice if anyone has experience with these. ive been told to use one as i get out of breath a lot. ive just taken mine for the first time.
The three readings i got were:
230
250
280
I am a 22 year old female im about 4ft 3
Is this good or bad? i cant find any useful info on the net
The three readings i got were:
230
250
280
I am a 22 year old female im about 4ft 3
Is this good or bad? i cant find any useful info on the net
0
Comments
I did it this week and it was 450 which they though was really good.
Hope that helps
Now I am a man so I should have more lung capacity than you... my numbers are between 450 and 500.
Who advised you to use the meter? Was it a Dr? Nurse?
They should have given you an idea of what a healthy reading should be?
Have a look here -> http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/fammed/outpatientmanual/PeakFlowTables.htm
I think you should be closer to 320 / 350
So mine must be quite low
It was my GP. Was never given any info just told to use it and record.
Really deep breath and seal lips around tube and blow has hard as you can.
Your reading seem a bit low but i'm sure Doctor will give you an inhaler which will improve things after you have got a few days worth of readings.
For your age and height a normal would be in the 430 - 490 range.
Were you instructed how to use this properly?
Nah, not at 4 ft 3... I think Justabloke's estimate is more likely...
Has your GP made sure your technique is right? I know when I first had a peak flow test, the GP got me to do it several times, because I wasn't blowing hard and sharp enough. She also told me off for leaning forward when I exhaled. There's a knack to it!
Is it mini-Wright? There should be a chart inside, for you to monitor your results, and a table showing what values are considered normal for your height, weight, and gender.
Ultimately, if you are concerned, you need to speak to your GP.
That seems very poor practice - the practice nurse should have shown you how to use it.
Hi, I was told the 200 is the danger level.......280 is only slightly better. I suggest you see your GP at the earliest opportunity.
Hi Chris...don`t leave it for 2 weeks, try to see the GP or the Asthma Nurse this coming week cors 250 peak flow is not good.
Try having a black coffee...I find this helps a lot, but you really should get to the drs asap!
Have you looked up Asthma and peak flow on tinterweb?
Op if your GP prescribed you the monitor, he or she must have told you what they were monitoring for. Did they mention a heart condition?
Did they even do a test at the surgery? If so, what reading did they get?
It really would be unheard of for a GP not to do a peak flow test at the surgery, and yet ask you to monitor things yourself. With you saying you'd followed the instructions in the pack, it seems like they haven't shown you what to do.
I just can't see it happening, but if it has, it sounds like bad practice from your GP. Did the GP say how long to monitor for, and when to come back with the results?
The results may not even be accurate, if you haven't been shown properly. When I first did one, the GP had to keep telling me to blow harder and sharper than I thought I needed to, until I gave a proper reading.
Did you buy it yourself from the pharmacy? If so, then you will only scare yourself. You really need to go to your GP or A&E if you are really worried.
Edit - sorry if my post seems harsh OP. Do you have general anxiety about your health?