Peak Flow Meter Chart

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Mike Dobony - 12 Jun 2005 04:05 GMT

I just got my PiKo-1 peak flow meter and have set up a spreadsheet to chart
my readings. I cannot find a standard chart for people without breathign
problems to compare to. Does anybody have a web site that would have this?
The American Lung Association site talked about it, but didn't have one.
Thanks.

Mike D.

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Nancy - 12 Jun 2005 04:39 GMT

> I just got my PiKo-1 peak flow meter and have set up a spreadsheet to chart
> my readings. I cannot find a standard chart for people without breathign
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Mike D.

Hey Mikey -

The only thing you have to measure against is yourself. There is no
real "standard". You do your peak flow when you are feeling great and
have no wheezing or tightness at all. Blow three times, and see what
the most consistent number is, and that is your "best". From that
number you can determine your green, yellow and red zones. What you
have to realize is that what your best is could be either way above or
below what mine is. That doesn't make either of us sicker than the
other, it is just a very individualized process. For me, my best is
350, my yellow zone is 280 and my red zone is 250. You and your doc
should have an action plan in place for these. Again, for me, green I
just continue on with my regular course of meds, yellow I give the doc a
call, and red I take a 40mg dose of prednisone and go to the ER, do not
pass Go, do not collect $200. I do my peak flow in the morning and at
night, and I find my morning numbers better than evening, not sure why.
It's also very interesting to look back on the spreadsheets after you
have been sick, either with asthma or with a cold or something. I find
that a lot of the time, my peak flow begins going down slightly every
day. It's amazing to see the numbers.

Definitely talk to your doc, see where he wants to put your zones and
develop that action plan. Good Luck.

Life is uncertain.......eat dessert first!
Nancy Caivano
Chefchk@aol.com

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Mike Dobony - 12 Jun 2005 20:52 GMT

> > I just got my PiKo-1 peak flow meter and have set up a spreadsheet to chart
> > my readings. I cannot find a standard chart for people without breathign
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> The only thing you have to measure against is yourself. There is no
> real "standard".

Per the Anerican Lung Association there is a chart from those who do not
have breathing problems to compare to as a baseline.

You do your peak flow when you are feeling great and

> have no wheezing or tightness at all. Blow three times, and see what
> the most consistent number is, and that is your "best". From that
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> pass Go, do not collect $200. I do my peak flow in the morning and at
> night, and I find my morning numbers better than evening, not sure why.

Outside or work related irritants?

> It's also very interesting to look back on the spreadsheets after you
> have been sick, either with asthma or with a cold or something. I find
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Definitely talk to your doc, see where he wants to put your zones and
> develop that action plan. Good Luck.

Other than 2 -4 eposides in the last 2 years (1 or 2 work related, but then
again, doors open in summer) I doubt I would have been into the red. My
symptoms are pretty mild most of the time, just tired. Otherwise a few
other episodes fo noticably difficult breathing. The inhaler rarely does
much, a little, but not much. The nebulizer, OTOH, *usually* does a good
job of bringing me back to normal. Next investment, portable nebulizer!

Mike D.

> Life is uncertain.......eat dessert first!
> Nancy Caivano
> Chefchk@aol.com

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Alison Chaiken - 12 Jun 2005 21:56 GMT

> Per the Anerican Lung Association there is a chart from those who do
> not have breathing problems to compare to as a baseline.

Did you find it on the lungusa.org website? I've struck out although
I did find a blank chart for keeping track of peak flows.

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Alison Chaiken "From:" address above is valid.
(650) 236-2231 [daytime] http://www.wsrcc.com/alison/
Notions and scruples were like spilt needles, making one afraid of
treading, or sitting down, or even eating. -- George Eliot

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Mike Dobony - 13 Jun 2005 11:15 GMT

> > Per the Anerican Lung Association there is a chart from those who do
> > not have breathing problems to compare to as a baseline.
>
> Did you find it on the lungusa.org website? I've struck out although
> I did find a blank chart for keeping track of peak flows.

No chart, just a statement to compare to such a chart. Guess I should email
them to request where the chart can be found.

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00doc - 14 Jun 2005 03:32 GMT

> I just got my PiKo-1 peak flow meter and have set up a spreadsheet
> to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Mike D.

http://www.ncemi.org/cgi-ncemi/edcalc.pl?TheCommand=Load&NewFile=predicted_peak_
expiratory_flow-males&BlankTop=1

As others have pointed out it really is of limited value - next to no
value.

I can blow 130% of predicted on a good day. If I walked into an
emergency room and some doc was foolish enough to use it he would send
me home when he should be admitting me to the ICU (hopefully the
bluish tinge would clue him in that something was amiss). I've seen
many people where the reverse situation applies and they would be
admitted on the best of days.

The proper use is just to track your own numbers and measure
percentages of your best and variance.

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00doc

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Mike Dobony - 15 Jun 2005 00:53 GMT

> > I just got my PiKo-1 peak flow meter and have set up a spreadsheet
> > to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> >
> > Mike D.

http://www.ncemi.org/cgi-ncemi/edcalc.pl?TheCommand=Load&NewFile=predicted_peak_
expiratory_flow-males&BlankTop=1

> As others have pointed out it really is of limited value - next to no
> value.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> many people where the reverse situation applies and they would be
> admitted on the best of days.

I am only 10 points under the standard. Have not had any suspected episodes
or confired episodes yet to compare to.

I would suspect that an oxygen saturation meter might be best for you. If I
get an auto-PAP to replace my CPAP it would have one on there. Nice
combination, mild asthma and sleep apnea. Some nights are very interesting!

> The proper use is just to track your own numbers and measure
> percentages of your best and variance.

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00doc - 15 Jun 2005 03:31 GMT

> I would suspect that an oxygen saturation meter might be best for
> you.

Why?

Oxygen saturation does not take a noticable dive until there is a
large drop in oxygen levels (it is an "S-shaped" curve). It is not a
sensitive indicator of respiratory distress.

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00doc

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