Different peak flow meters. - Asthma Message Board

dolphins · 07-12-2004, 07:54 PM

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone knew how much 2 pfm's could vary +/-. I had a dr appointment yesterday, asthma review - blew 310 (for me is borderline starting pred - which I am now on) on the pfm - best is 510, thought I'm usually 370-420, depends if its am or pm. Anyway, I had only had decreased air entry but I felt pretty good, most of the time I can predict what I'll get on a pfm, and I was sure I'd get at least 400+, especially since it was evening at the time.
Anyway, considering I felt fine is it possible to pfm was waaaayyy off (-), though I have heard some asthmatics are not great at predicting just how bad they really are . . . . . .

Thanks.

jerrie97 · 07-13-2004, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolphins

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone knew how much 2 pfm's could vary +/-. I had a dr appointment yesterday, asthma review - blew 310 (for me is borderline starting pred - which I am now on) on the pfm - best is 510, thought I'm usually 370-420, depends if its am or pm. Anyway, I had only had decreased air entry but I felt pretty good, most of the time I can predict what I'll get on a pfm, and I was sure I'd get at least 400+, especially since it was evening at the time.
Anyway, considering I felt fine is it possible to pfm was waaaayyy off (-), though I have heard some asthmatics are not great at predicting just how bad they really are . . . . . .

Thanks.

Two PFMs could vary, but not by a whole lot. For the PFM I have, on the package, it says that if you're going to be switching PFMs, you should keep using the original one in addition to the new one and compare the readings. I think it'd be the same deal in your case.

On the other hand, you could just be off in predicting it. That happens with me a lot - I blow into it and it doesn't move, when I'd expect it to go up to at least 150.

Peak flow meters are used exactly for that purpose, though...predicting when your asthma will take a turn for the worse. Be prepared.

dolphins · 07-13-2004, 07:21 AM

Thanks for explaining it. There have been a few other times where a dr has heard wheezing or decreased air entry but I've felt fine.
Actually noticed my breathing hasn't been the greatest today + coughing a lot. Though I should be fine while on pred anyway.

strbay · 07-14-2004, 08:40 AM

Don't you bring your peak flow meter with you to the doctor appointment?...Yes, peakflowmeters can vary greatly. To obtain an accurrate/consistant result you need to use the same peakflow meter. As the meter wears out it can either become sticky or to loose, so again, it is important to use the same meter if possible. My son has asthma and we check his peakflows AM and PM daily. We take his meter to the doctor's office and he blows levels with his and the doctor's so we can see how close the two meters are reading out.

Knowing where youir peakflows are at on a daily basis can often give you heads up. My son's numbers will often drop days before he starts wheezing or coughing. Sometimes it is a virus brewing, other times it has been exposure to an irratant. Those levels and numbers are a visible way to tell just how serious a problem is and head it off.

Good luck....just a note... since going on Singular his peakflows have been a lot more stable. One of his worst allergies is grass which sent him running indoors when he heard a lawnmower running outside. This summer he is cutting the lawn with no real changes in his peakflows. Again, Singular combined with discus Serevent has been a God send.
Renee

dolphins · 07-14-2004, 06:04 PM

Nah, I never bring my pfm to the Dr appointments with me. Normally the meter at the doc's office has corresponded with how I feel or what I've been blowing in the last 12 or so hrs.
Only time I took my pfm with me was to A&E b/c I knew the pfm they used gave lower readings.
I am on Seretide (advair in USA) 250/50 - even though I take it everyday can't be sure what has triggered this one, had probs with a really bad blocked/stuffy nose at night = allergies --> asthma for, when I have allergy sysmptoms my asthma gets a little worse. My Mum thinks it's the cat sleeping on my bed or dust mites.