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Raising PFT's

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anonymous

New member
Okay, my pft's have been going down for like 7 years now, (I'm 25) but much more since 03. I have steadied them that past year or two but they are still low. I'm really on a mission to try to raise them, hopefully 10 percent (FEV1) by my next appt. in May. I've gained weight, as adding nutrition should help, I'm also doing airway clearance 3-4 times a day (flutter, pep, vest). I also exercise about 20 minutes a day (aerobic) and am trying to start with lifting weights. I don't feel well enough to try the OO, and I know my doc wouldn't approve at this point. I've never been able to gain weight and with hard work I'm doing that now. My next goal is to raise the pft's. I'm just looking for some suggestions. What has worked for you?
 
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anonymous

New member
Ask your doctor about inspiratory muscle trainers. If you use this every day you will have more energy when you exercise and your pft's might increase. Risa
 
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anonymous

New member
I do not know exactly what the therapep does. Is it like a pep mask? If so, I believe the therapep is working on the exhalation and the inspiratory muscle trainers works on inspiration. Both are probably good but I would not do it all at once. Perhaps at different times of the day?

it is worth asking your doctor about it. I remember trying out for the pulmozyme study back in 93 and I made it by one percent. They told me I needed to get into the study by one percent so I went outside and worked on my pep mask and a few minutes later I improved and made the study. So glad I brought in my pep mask

Saved the day in a big way.
 
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catboogie

New member
ditto on what amy said for me.

the saline and exercise have "let" me be able to actually do less therapy than i was before, while simultaneously raising my PFTs!! my lungs just don't accumulate the gunk like they would before.

the oregano oil and monolaurin have helped a lot.

oh, and of course not skipping treatments.

laura
 
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EnergyGal

New member
An inspiratory muscle trainer helps you create resistance on the inspiration therefore helping you to increase your lung capacity by helping to strengthen your intracoastal muslces. When your muscles are stronger your airways can work better.

There are various settings on these devices which range from easy to advance. I would do a search on google under inspiratory muscle trainer and see what comes up.

They vary in price and you need a doctors prescription. Health Scan makes one and they are not that much. The average price is about twenty dollars.

They all have a loaded spring inside that drives the resistance mechanism.

health Scan makes one for inspiration and for expiration.

Exercise is important and with doing both you are really working out your lungs
 
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anonymous

New member
You can order some of these with out a prescription. Goto amazon and search on PowerLung. Just for one example. There are others as well.
 
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CowTown

New member
Hello,

On PubMed web site: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11421512&itool=pubmed_Abstract
">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/en...itool=pubmed_Abstract
</a>They talked briefly about doing studies on whether these devices work or not. They didn't sound too hopeful about them, but then again I'd rather hear it from you guys who have used it. Although the function of the little thing makes, has it really helped you?

Thanks.
 
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thelizardqueen

New member
Does anyone know if there are clinics in Canada using the hypertonic saline? I've never heard of it being used before reading about it here on the forum. I'd be interested in trying it if its available to Canadian patients. I think I'll definitly have to ask my doc on monday when I see him for my check up.
 
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