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Real members of MyCOPDTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Should A Patient Be Symptom And Medication Free, In Order To Get Their First- Ever PFT Test?

A MyCOPDTeam Member asked a question 💭
Annapolis, MD

I've had to take antibiotics and prednisone for severe allergies and nasal polyps and am taking them once again now. My first ever PFT has been rescheduled for 2 weeks away because of it. Is this a common occurrence? Do doctors often have to schedule PFTs around their patient's symptoms, etc... This is all new to me. I guess I am concerned that the meds I am taking could give false overly optimistic results and if tested in the midst of a flair up, would the test results indicate worse problems… read more

September 12, 2022 (edited)
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A MyCOPDTeam Member

Some common definitions, if this helps:

September 15, 2022
A MyCOPDTeam Member

FEV1 = Forced Expiration or Expiritory Volume (i.e., the speed and volume of air you are able to blow out during tht PFT test), @A MyCOPDTeam Member. I’m not @A MyCOPDTeam Member, but happy to butt in and answer, LOL.

September 15, 2022 (edited)
A MyCOPDTeam Member

I realized that I hadn't really answered your question about whether you need to be symptom free when you have a PFT done. I suspect that your doc recognizes that if you aren't at your best, they may not get the best results, but they will be able to get a snapshot of your lung issues based on today. That will give them something to start with in treating you. Once you get over whatever it is that is causing you problems and are at the top of your game, you might consider asking for another PFT. That would show any improvement that you've made and also inform your treatment plan. When you see the doc for an explanation of the test results, get a treatment plan together, you could ask about when it would be prudent to have another PFT. Part of that will probably depend on how well you respond to treatment and it may take some experimenting to find the right meds and other treatments, so it's not something they're going to want to do next week......maybe in six months to a year. But at least you will have planted the seed and YOU know what YOU have to do to make it happen.

September 14, 2022
A MyCOPDTeam Member

Thank you thank you thank you. I did not know any of these terms!

September 16, 2022
A MyCOPDTeam Member

Give it time, @A MyCOPDTeam Member, and make sure to request written copies of all test results. Hugs to you.

September 14, 2022

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