Need some quick PFT tips!!

[LindseyRose]

I'm in the process of trying to get a job with the city. I've passed everything I need to except for the friggin' spyrometry test for my physical!! I went in last Friday and did it, results were 44% and they had to be at least 75%. They are going to let me go back in today and do it again. I at least want to see some improvement - I know 75% is a long shot.

Besides doing an extra good breathing treatment before hand, do any of you have any helpful tips to increase my numbers? I only have a few hours before I need to go.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I can't think of any tips that would allow your PFTs to go from 44% to 75% in one day. All I can say is go in relaxed and try your hardest. There is no short term way of increasing your PFTs. Long term I would suggest exercising. ITs the best thing you could do for your breathing.

 

[EnergyGal]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=9876&highlight_key=y&keyword1=improving%20pft%20technique
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I posted this a few months ago. IT works for me but it is best to use this method each time (that is if it does improve your score)

If you do improve the most you might get is five percent.

 

[anonymous]

i make sure to do a good run before PFT's.

often times it takes around 2 hours after you wake up for our lungs to fully expand. a way to speed this process up is to exercise rigorously.

This can help expand your lungs.

Exercising on a regular basis (4 weeks or more) prior to PFT's can also help PFT's.

But as far as a quick fix - if it was out there, we would all be doing it. Increasing PFT's from 44 to 75 might be unrealistic

 

[Scarlett81]

oooh, I wish you the best.
As was mentioned, (I'm saying this while making an icky, 'i feel so bad' face...) it is impossible to get that high in one day, one week, even one month probably. You're talking several courses of IVs and other changes too.

Mind you, I think its an awesome goal!!

Its funny you said those #'s in particular b/c thats what I <i>was</i> (45ish) and with my new doc and new regimen I got to 75! It took me 1 1/2 yrs.

Don't want to burst anyone's bubble. Keep that goal anyway, job or no job.

 

[LindseyRose]

Guess I should have given some more info before because you guys all think I'm crazy now!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

My PFT's are usually around 70%. I'm in the middle of an exacerbation right now, that's why im only at 44%. I'm on IV meds and I feel like I'm getting better. Usually right after I'm done with my course of IVs Im at about 80-85%. Like I said before, I know that going up to 75 is a big jump, but all I'm really looking for is to improve a little bit. The department already knows about my CF and it didn't stop them from doing my whole background investigation, so I just want them to see that I'm capable of improving.

Thank you for replying!

 

[Scarlett81]

Well get on that treadmill! Spit spit spit. Force the mucus up all day, that's what will get those PFTs up. Try to do more therapies a day-maybe 4? Drink lots of water to help loosen the mucus. Try inhaling warm steam to loosen it up.

I don't know, I'm jsut brainstorming. Thinking of what I do when i'm on that last week of IVs.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Die you sit or stand durning the test? If you sat, try standing, this is usually good for a little boost.

 

[princessjdc]

Maybe when you blow you could try and put your hands or just one hand on your head to try and get a little bit more out.

 

[Ender]

Ya it's not impossible to increase it to that much.

I would clear yourself as much as possible the night before. Go for a run, get your heart moving. After the run, do some HS, along with some sort of physio. Drink plenty of water.

That morning, do some more physio. I would say skipp on the HS, but maybe still do some bronchodialator. Make sure you are very relaxed in the office (take a valium if you have one hehe). Keep your back straight (stand up if you want as suggested) and blow the hell out of that thing.

Good luck.
Kiel

 

[Ender]

Never mind, didn't read the fact that you only had a few hours hahah..

Well, hope it went ok!

hehe

 

[LindseyRose]

Well, the personnel department wanted me to go in today and retake the test, but I told them I had to work, so I get to take it tomorrow morning. I'm going to do a few really good treatments with my vest and take a bike ride tonight to hopefully get more stuff up.

Kiel, why do you say to skip the HS before I do it? I would've thought that would help me. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[Ender]

I just think that is can cause your lungs to tighten up a bit. You want them as open as possible. Perhaps if you do it with salbutemol or whatever it will help. It's up to you.

And for your bike ride, go hard! Get as much up as possible hehe. Come back, do the vest with HS...maybe even the vest and a pep or autogenic drainage hehe.

Good luck tomorrow. Lets see what you can do.

Rooting for you

 

[CowTown]

Good luck tomorrow!!!

 

[LindseyRose]

I got a 70%!! I am so proud of myself for going up so much, but still so disappointed because I'm still 5% short of passing the physical.

I remember in high school I got an award in PE for being "most improved". I thought "What a bunch of BS, that just means you sucked really bad, but now you just suck". If ever there was a time in my life where I wished "most improved" would do me some good, now is the time <img src="">

I did a few things that I think helped a little bit: I increased my neb and vest treatments, drank lots of water, didn't eat cereal in the morning like I usually do so the milk wouldn't make me congested, stood up during the test, and took a few shots of my Combivent inhaler before I went in. I also tried not to take such a deep breath in as fast and blew it out a little slower so that I wouldn't start coughing. It worked!!

 

[anonymous]

That is awesome Lindsey.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Sorry though about not reaching 75. Will they let you take the test again?

I am curious if you feel any different now that you have a FEV of 70 as compared to 2 days ago when you were 44?

 

[LindseyRose]

I don't know if they will let me take it again... I have to wait for the results to be sent to the personnel department and they will decide. I think it could go either way. They may see it as improvement and see that I'm trending upwards and let me take it again, or they might say "well, we've already given her two tries and she failed both times..."

I definitely feel better! There were actually five days in between tests (Friday to Wednesday). And I'm on IV meds for an exacerbation, so I'm sure that helped the most!! I just like to think it was all my man power that got the number up...hehe!!

 

[anonymous]

Thanks for answering my question. YOU are very inspiring. I do hope they hire you but if they don't it' their loss. Keep up the excellnt work. I think I'll go exercise now.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">