Guest guest Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hi, I haven't ever done a 6-minute walk test but my pulmo suggested I get my own portable pulse oximeter (around $50 for one that had good reviews on amazon.com). I got one, and I record my pulse ox. and peak flow every morning and show my pulmo at appointments. It gives me piece of mind and my pulmo's happy! Meagan > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > tightness and shortness of breath. > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > even thinking sometimes. > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > progressing with a treatment plan. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 No it is not common for asthma patients. They do use it in COPD to determine the extent to which lung disease is compromising activities of daily living. You might need to be on home oxygen if you are desaturating with such simple effort. The symptoms you are feeling, like being dizzy and loopy are from having low oxygen levels (normal people are above 92% at all times). The problem could be cardiac in nature as well. Desaturation is a late sign of resp distress and generally is only a feature in asthma when the patient is in major resp distress. There are other lung diseases eg fibrosis etc that can cause similar symptoms of asthma like the chest tightness. Please let us know what the pulmo says! ________________________________ From: instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@...> Sent: Fri, December 17, 2010 2:18:12 AM Subject: [ ] Six Minute Walk Test Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic tightness and shortness of breath. It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and even thinking sometimes. I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before progressing with a treatment plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I've had it. It was done the same day that they put me through all the breathing tests. When my GP and my asthma/allergy specialist sent me to a pulmonologist, the pulmo was shocked that no one had ever sent me for those tests before. Including the walk test. She also sent me for cardiac tests, because apparently a prolapsed valve can have the same symptoms. I didn't end up have the cardiac test (it was outside of my comfort/modesty range). But, based on my failure with the breathing tests, she was confident that it was my lungs and not my heart. The point is, the walk test is done for asthma patients. > > No it is not common for asthma patients. They do use it in COPD to determine the > extent to which lung disease is compromising activities of daily living. You > might need to be on home oxygen if you are desaturating with such simple effort. > The symptoms you are feeling, like being dizzy and loopy are from having low > oxygen levels (normal people are above 92% at all times). The problem could be > cardiac in nature as well. Desaturation is a late sign of resp distress and > generally is only a feature in asthma when the patient is in major resp > distress. There are other lung diseases eg fibrosis etc that can cause similar > symptoms of asthma like the chest tightness. > > Please let us know what the pulmo says! > > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@...> > > Sent: Fri, December 17, 2010 2:18:12 AM > Subject: [ ] Six Minute Walk Test > > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > tightness and shortness of breath. > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > even thinking sometimes. > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > progressing with a treatment plan. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 I had 4 minutes on an extremely inclined treadmill two weeks ago with my cardiologist. I walk 30 minutes every day and thought I was in shape. That thing bout killed me. I was having a hard time breathing especially when they injected the nuclear stuff. After I recuperated, I could breathe fine. Cardiologist said I was just out of shape. My tests went great. I passed with flying colors. Update on my mother in law: Her Pulmo said that she had " non smokers COPD " and kept her on a neb of albiuterol/atrovent mix and added Quvar. I told him I was a trained patient speaker for Xolair and the first xolair patient in the state of Arkansas. He about flipped out. He has been the local speaker and didn't know I was around. Next time, he will call me to speak to the doctors in the area. Most doctors except pulmo's and allergists still do not know about Xolair. If I had a dime for every time a doctor has asked me " What's this? " I could retire LOL. Good grief, it's been on the market for over 7.5 years now. Doug Group founder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Doug, did they check your oxygen levels while on the treadmill? My Respiratory Therapist indicated that my level was very dangerous and would not let me walk. It was a flat surface in a professional building. I flunked with flying colors. What is Quvar ? My asthma and copd meds aren't doing as well for me now. Suspect I've built up a tolerance. And, by the way, I also have NON smoker COPD. Totally unfair! (smile) > > > > > I had 4 minutes on an extremely inclined treadmill two weeks ago with my cardiologist. I walk 30 minutes every day and thought I was in shape. > That thing bout killed me. I was having a hard time breathing especially when they injected the nuclear stuff. > > After I recuperated, I could breathe fine. Cardiologist said I was just out of shape. My tests went great. I passed with flying colors. > > Update on my mother in law: > > Her Pulmo said that she had " non smokers COPD " and kept her on a neb of albiuterol/atrovent mix and added Quvar. > > I told him I was a trained patient speaker for Xolair and the first xolair patient in the state of Arkansas. He about flipped out. He has been the local speaker and didn't know I was around. Next time, he will call me to speak to the doctors in the area. > > Most doctors except pulmo's and allergists still do not know about Xolair. If I had a dime for every time a doctor has asked me " What's this? " I could retire LOL. Good grief, it's been on the market for over 7.5 years now. > > Doug > Group founder > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2010 Report Share Posted December 22, 2010 My pulmo left a message ... will be working with the assistant to make arrangements. She wants to find out why my oxygen level goes so low. Looks like I'm having a cat scan of my chest to rule out interstitial lung disease and pulmonary embolism. (I have trouble with iodine so I'm a little fearful about that part.) Also having a cardiac echogram. And, they're getting oxygen for me. The oxygen thing is all new to me - wonder what it will be like? I had it during an MRI because I had to lay flat on my back for 40 mins and can't breathe right in that situation. I noticed at the time that my mind was sharper at least in the sense of recalling some events and words. Now I'm a little afraid about what they will find! > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > tightness and shortness of breath. > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > even thinking sometimes. > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > progressing with a treatment plan. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I had an echocardiogram and chest cat scan last Wed. aftn. Still haven't heard back from the doc but the echo tech said that she thought my heart looked essentially ok. As she pointed out, it still had to be read by a cardiologist. She also said there was fluid in my lungs. Is that normal? I thought she said everyone has it but quite possibly I misunderstood. They were going to have me do the inhale-blow-out-hard-and-fast sequence in the cat scan but never did. Just brief (up to 8 secs which is all I can do) breath holding. I started coughing and was extremely miserable. The oxygen equipment was terrible. The plastic tubing reeked of plastic odor and with my multi-chemical sensitivity it made my severe vertigo and sinus headache re-intensify. Also, the cannula that goes into the nose was too big and irritated my nostrils. They sent me a tank on a 2-wheeled pushing device that's way too big for me to wrangle and drag around. The other machine - a concentrator I think - is the size of a carpet shampoo machine that you would rent from a grocery store. I was supposed to drag 30 feet of tubing around the floor so my hubby, myself, and our 2 dogs could trip over it. Sometimes I couldn't even reach the bathroom with it on. Obviously I'm not using it. I was so sick at the time I didn't remember the directions and they didn't even give me a pamphlet. The garbage man comes next Friday. Is anyone else on the board using oxygen or have someone close to them who's using it? In reading recently I see there are much smaller lightweight portable devices but I'd like to get feedback from real people. Thx, everyone and comfortable breathing in 2011. > > > > No it is not common for asthma patients. They do use it in COPD to determine the > > extent to which lung disease is compromising activities of daily living. You > > might need to be on home oxygen if you are desaturating with such simple effort. > > The symptoms you are feeling, like being dizzy and loopy are from having low > > oxygen levels (normal people are above 92% at all times). The problem could be > > cardiac in nature as well. Desaturation is a late sign of resp distress and > > generally is only a feature in asthma when the patient is in major resp > > distress. There are other lung diseases eg fibrosis etc that can cause similar > > symptoms of asthma like the chest tightness. > > > > Please let us know what the pulmo says! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@> > > > > Sent: Fri, December 17, 2010 2:18:12 AM > > Subject: [ ] Six Minute Walk Test > > > > > > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > > tightness and shortness of breath. > > > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > > even thinking sometimes. > > > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > > progressing with a treatment plan. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 After some scarey days of waiting I was able to talk to the pulmo. She doesn't believe I have pulmonary hypertension because there are certain things they look for (sorry, she said a lot and used terms and I couldn't keep up!) that either I don't have or don't have them significantly enough in combination with other test results. However, she does not know what I do have! My PFT shows I'm getting all the carbon dioxide out of my lungs and have normal lung volume although it also indicates asthma. The results of the tests tend to contradict each other although she did look first hand at the films for echo & CT. The feeling has always been that I have allergic asthma and although Xolair helped I was never able to get off Advair 500/50. Nonetheless, other docs have noted my fingers turning blue and what seem to be obvious problems with getting oxygen to extremeties and possibly other areas. I'm scheduled to have complete PFT next week in plexiglass booth (ugh - I'm not going to let them " kill " me doing it this time) and another 6 minute walk test. The echo said I have normal LV systolic function, normal wall motion, limited endocardial definition, mild mitral annular calcification and insufficient amount of TR to allow estimation of PA pressure. (WHAT IS THAT?) The CT said (as 4 yrs ago) minimally patchy groundglass pattern on expiration within bilateral lung bases, Minimally increased diameter of the right and left main pulmonary arteries. The pattern was thought to be the result of frequent upper respiratory infections, I thought. Something common to asthma, is it not? Anyone else run into contradictory tests with their asthma/lung diseases? Thx and have a great week-end everyone! > > > > No it is not common for asthma patients. They do use it in COPD to determine the > > extent to which lung disease is compromising activities of daily living. You > > might need to be on home oxygen if you are desaturating with such simple effort. > > The symptoms you are feeling, like being dizzy and loopy are from having low > > oxygen levels (normal people are above 92% at all times). The problem could be > > cardiac in nature as well. Desaturation is a late sign of resp distress and > > generally is only a feature in asthma when the patient is in major resp > > distress. There are other lung diseases eg fibrosis etc that can cause similar > > symptoms of asthma like the chest tightness. > > > > Please let us know what the pulmo says! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@> > > > > Sent: Fri, December 17, 2010 2:18:12 AM > > Subject: [ ] Six Minute Walk Test > > > > > > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > > tightness and shortness of breath. > > > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > > even thinking sometimes. > > > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > > progressing with a treatment plan. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'm willing to use oxygen except that ... the gases from the plastic give me a horrible sinus headache and infection and I think even affect lungs. There must be hypoallergenic medical tubing for people like us somewhere. I don't believe I'm the only one who has trouble with plastic! It seems incredibly absurd that I was on Xolair for significant allergies yet it doesn't occur to the provider that cheap plastic could make me sick ... as in multiple chemical sensitivity. Still waiting on that .... Is multiple chemical sensitivity the same as allergies? > > > > > > No it is not common for asthma patients. They do use it in COPD to determine > >the > > > > > extent to which lung disease is compromising activities of daily living. You > > > > might need to be on home oxygen if you are desaturating with such simple > >effort. > > > > > The symptoms you are feeling, like being dizzy and loopy are from having low > > > > oxygen levels (normal people are above 92% at all times). The problem could > >be > > > > > cardiac in nature as well. Desaturation is a late sign of resp distress and > > > generally is only a feature in asthma when the patient is in major resp > > > distress. There are other lung diseases eg fibrosis etc that can cause > >similar > > > > > symptoms of asthma like the chest tightness. > > > > > > Please let us know what the pulmo says! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > From: instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@> > > > > > > Sent: Fri, December 17, 2010 2:18:12 AM > > > Subject: [ ] Six Minute Walk Test > > > > > > > > > > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > > > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > > > tightness and shortness of breath. > > > > > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > > > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > > > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > > > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > > > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > > > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > > > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > > > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > > > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > > > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > > > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > > > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > > > even thinking sometimes. > > > > > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > > > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > > > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > > > progressing with a treatment plan. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 As usual, things seem to be on the fast track to no-where, breathing-wise. The 6 min test was re-run a week ago and this time they told me to walk slower (I know it was when the tech noticed my oxygen was going down). At a little over 3 mins I was told to sit down because my heart was beating erratically although the notes say my heart rate was 146. My oxygen this time did not go below 95. Prior to this 6 min test I had a PFT that had indicated FEV1 as 72.4% of predicted and FVC as 73.2% of predicted. DCLOSB was 95.2 of predicted. Allegedly this is normal although the FEV is only about 5 or 6 points above what I've had for the last 2 years. I have no idea why it improved for this test. Therefore, per the pulmo, the oxygen goes back (couldn't use it anyway to the noxious gases in the plastic tubing) and I have allegedly MILD asthma. Big joke. The next morning (Wed. this week) I spent two hours trying to get an asthma attack under control with Advair and Albuterol. The Albuterol doesn't make much difference and I think I'm building up a tolerance to Advair. Actually, when I was on Xolair my FEV and FEV1 were in more like the mid 80s which was supposed to be great. Does anyone ever have an FEV or FEV1 in the 90s? I can't walk far without my chest tightening up and my heart beating hard and being definitely short of breath. The pulmo gave me the " normal " walk test notes but not the desaturation notes. My point: I desaturated on the first 6 min walk test so no doubt I'm desaturing a lot of time. How can she ignore the first test results, especially when it doesn't all add up as she claims? This seems potentially dangerous. > > > > > > Today I had a six minute walk test as I often feel like my test is > > tight. Fortunately, the NP suggested it when I complained about chronic > > tightness and shortness of breath. > > > > It's relatively simple - just walked down a hall and back, supposedly > > for 6 minutes. Right after I hit 2 minutes and was feeling a bit loopy > > and dizzy and like my stomach was pushing into my chest, the Pulmo > > Therapist (something like that) told me to stop and sit down. It turns > > out that just sitting in the chair, before starting to walk, my oxygen > > was at 100% but it went down to 82% which she said was dangerous. She > > advised me to walk slower and sit down often. Goodness, I've had this > > for YEARS and haven't really had any help for it other than Advair, > > Albuterol, Spriva, and at one time, Xolair. However, none of these > > treatments (can't remember for sure though about Xolair) controlled that > > feeling of tightness. I do believe the tightness and shortness of > > breath are having a bad effect on my heart, strength, endurance, and > > even thinking sometimes. > > > > I'm waiting to hear the official result - had hoped the pulmo would call > > me this afternoon but alas nothing. Is a 6 min walk test typical for > > other asthma patients? From what I've read it's sometimes done before > > progressing with a treatment plan. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 > > Actually, when I was on Xolair my FEV and FEV1 were in more like the mid 80s which was supposed to be great. Does anyone ever have an FEV or FEV1 in the 90s? > With maybe 5 exceptions (I get shots every 2 weeks) in the last year, my FEV/FEV1 has been at or above 100% of predicted. I've been on Xolair now for 6 years and my PFT's are greatly improved. Of course, a nasty case of bronchitis messes that up for several weeks but all in all my lungs are downright fabulous lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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