Lung function tests

Teapot

Good afternoon everyone - Monday consultant changed meds to MTX and Folic Acid. I have forms for blood tests in 15 days and in 6 weeks. I had chest Xray also on Monday and he ordered a lung function test - cancellation came through for this Friday but I have another commitment so I am waiting for letter. Can anyone tell me what to expect at the lung function test so thatr I am prepared. Thank you and I appreciate all the help and advice I get on this site.

stickywicket

If it's like my annual asthma test you simply blow as hard as you can for as long as you can down a tube which then registers how hard you can blow. They usually do it three times to get an average. It's not at all painful or invasive.

DebbieT

Hi,

I usually take mtx & folic acid but I'm currently waiting for an scan so I'm not on it.

I had these breathing tests last Wednesday. As SW has said it's very similar to the asthma check up but with a bigger machine & a computer hooked up to it

I had to sit in a chair & take a large breath of air then blow it down a mouthpiece, it was like a scuba diving one. That breath had to be forcefully pushed out for as long as possible ... The nurse kept telling me to 'keep going'. It was repeated 3 times. I coughed quite a lot doing that one, it was like lung physio

The 2nd one was similar except it wasn't a forceful blow it was controlled. Wen I breathed all of that out I had to take in another big breath & hold it until she told me to release it again. That was repeated 3 times too. This one made me a little dizzy as it's basically causing hyperventilation.

I then had my oxygen levels checked using a finger sensor & had my blood pressure taken. It's not scary or anything

Good luck & keep us posted.x