Anyone had a breathing test?

[obrigada]

Have an appointment on 12th August for breathing test, anyone know what that entails?

Spirometry?
Peak flow?

At the GPS or hospital?

There are many different lung function tests available.

Do you know what they are looking for or trying to rule out?

Hi 8thplace, not sure what type of test it is, googled after I posted thread and realised how many types there are. Test is to see what damage I have done to my lungs, am a long term smoker (currently on Champix to give up).

Probably spirometry then. Not too hard to do.

You will be asked to take a really really deep full breath and then blow it out as hard and as long as you can untill your lungs are empty and you will probably cough alot. Ususally three attempts and they will be able to look at your FEV1 and FVC to see if there is long term damage to your lungs.

If it is this test it is used to diagnose COPD. And will grade the results into mild moderate or severe.

Have a look at the British Lung Foundation website for more info ( blf) lots of good info on there.

Hope you manage to give up the ciggies.

I've had all kinds of breathing tests. Sometimes they're simple and you just blow into a small machine called a spirometer - the person giving the test will give you instructions on how they want you to breathe. You can have this either at your local surgery or in the hospital.

Some breathing tests are more complicated and take place in a hospital environment. With some you sit in a unit with a closed door. It looks a bit like a shower cubicle. You are given step by step instructions and must do it exactly as you're told. You have to replicate the results a couple (few) times for it to be accurate. Sometimes you breathe in oxygen and sometimes carbon monoxide. For this you have a clip on your nose and you breathe through a long tube. It's not frightening, but it can be a bit hard work. They give you plenty of time to complete it though. There is a technician sitting just outside the cubicle at a computer monitoring things and giving you instructions.

Sometimes you have a blood test taken from your earlobe to check oxygen levels. Before this is done you get some cream put on to numb the area. It's not very painful, just a bit tender after where they squeeze it.

I've also had cardio-pulmonary function tests which are more complicated than the above and involve an exercise bike and heart and blood pressure monitoring. In this one you have blood from your earlobe before and as you're just finishing exercise. It's probably unlikely that you would have those tests before the simpler ones were carried out.

I hope this helps.