Peak flow reading of 200

[cansokeone]

I had childhood asthma. Haven't had an attack since age 10!

A grown adult woman now and 4 weeks ago I had what I remember very clearly as an asthma attack. It was extreme. Felt like I was going to pass out, very wheezy etc. Nebuliser and inhaler sorted me right out

Anyway, I was asked to come and see the asthma nurse at the GP surgery. She gave me a peak flow and told me to record my readings for 2 weeks and come back for my appointment with her with those written down (I got a chart with the peak flow)

My readings in the GP surgery were 340

I have just taken them this evening and they're 200.

Now, from googling a bit I know it's about what's normal for you. But even still. 200 seems really low?

Would appreciate some 'readings for dummies' advice

I have since taken it twice again whilst sat here and it's 200 again and then just under that afterwards

Also I know some people have those red, yellow and blue things set on the side of the peak flow but I wasn't told what to set those as etc, presumably as adult asthma hasn't actually been diagnosed yet

Same peak flow meter as at the surgery? If it's the same one then that's concerning, if it's not and you feel fine then I wouldn't worry. It's not the absolute value as much as the percentage change that you need to monitor.

I don't know. They look to be the same colour and shape

Just thought 200 was a low score generally (I know they're case by case). Googled and stumbled upon an old MN thread where someone said they'd be having a full blown asthma attack at 350 and need help, with their normal range sitting around 550+

Are you standing to give the reading? Same technique? That’s a very big difference

I would be concerned at 200. Can u try taking the peak flow test 3 times and see what your highest score is ?

Normally if I appeared at the doctors unwell with my asthma and chest infections and had a score that low I think they would debate referring me into a hospital. I do suffer quite badly with it but that's just me personally.

Please bear in mind it looks to have dropped from the 300s

How is your breathing just now ? If your not feeling well please get some help.

From memory it's a percentage change from your normal

So if you were getting 350 and now get 200 that's quite a large change but not less than half

Do you have a blue inhaler ?

Sitting both times

I'd say I am more easily out of breath in the evenings after a long day but no symptoms at all and don't feel at all that I'm struggling

Just interested to know what a red zone would be if normal is around 300 and I am sat at 200 here after 3 attempts

If only goes down to 100 so would it mean the red dot wouldn't even move if I was really unwell?

I have just taken a few puffs of my blue inhaler

I will test again in a bit to see what it says

Felt 100% normal like I said but somehow feel 'lighter' after taking the inhaler weirdly