Re: Re: Spirometer Results + Bruce

[Guest guest]

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the info. I am jealous that everyone else's spirometer seems to have come with instructions and a chart- but you are right, as long as I am holding steady that is good news no matter what a chart says. Also, my lung scarring is all at the top of my lungs and the bottoms are clear, the exact opposite of almost everyone else, so the charts might be different for me. How is the house hunting coming along? I have always had great luck finding places on Craigslist. When I moved in with my son, I went from a small 2 bedroom apartment/condo to a large house and I had forgotten how nice it was to have all the extra space ( though the space is somewhat crowded by four extra bodies (lol). God bless you Bruce- R. (53)

Sarcoid/PF 3/2006 Carlsbad, California

Subject: Re: Spirometer ResultsTo: Breathe-Support Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 6:46 PM

Well, if you mean keeping the ball in the zone at the same time, I can'tdo anything on it. So, as told to, I just inhale.I've heard different numbers but never seen anything such as a chart,although I know there are some. The most important thing is maintaining.If you can improve great. But as long as you're reaching 1500 each dayyou're maintaining and holding ground. Without it, you might not be.Breathing habits are important. The real key to me in addition toexercise is avoidance or early treatment of pneumonia. Approximately 10%of all hospital admittances are estimated by one site I saw to bepneumonia. I was told the high risk level is 1000 or below. In fact,post VATS they would not have released me until I got out of that range.The spirometer is also a key tool in the recovery from pneumonia if youdo get it.So, to me its an exercise but also another measurement. Not

againstothers but against ourselves. I know post VATS and once since then I'veexperienced lung pain that while I didn't need any pain killerapparently my lungs did. They were resisting. I have high paintolerance. So, I was told to take pain killer at that time and withinhours I was out of the 1000 area and up to 1250 consistently and a few1500's. By the next day regularly 1500.> >> > I saw pulmodude this morning...> > I have 16% less lung capacity than I did last Nov. Also he says I> definitely have clubbing...gave me a pneumonia shot (last one was 5yrs> ago).> > He will wait 2 wks and see if I'm feeling better....kinda flu-like> symptoms and if> > not he wants to start a short series of prednisone. He knows I donot> want to take it..Lord knows I don't need any wt. gain. I'm afraid if I> get on for any reason I won't be able to get off again for whatever> reason.> > Historically , progression will happen....> >> >> > Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!> >>