I've done this myself. It isn't cheating. You will get a different (and most likely better) PF at the end of the day after all the meds have taken effect. This shows the meds are working. It is a good idea to know and verfiy your PFs, especially if you have some activity planned (a night out, etc.) It is really no different than a diabetic knowing their blood sugar and planning accordingly.

Good thought orsonwelz! I never thought of it that way. Oh, and yes, my readings seem to be better in the evenings. Very cool!

That seems like a major jump. I am not sure the norm but my peak flow never varies that much. I am always a 360-380. That means the medication must be working really well.

well i have to put up with that and that became just a response thing afterawhile so ull get used to it if you have any other questions send me a private email at codykills@excite.com

With peak flows it is important to remember that with certain types of asthma that you can ahve wide ranging peak flow readings. There can be great fluctuations in the reading and also taking a short acting bronchodilator will alter the results of the peak flow reading.

the peak flow reading should not be taken as an accurate reading of your lung functions. it is a giudline so a dr can tell roughly how you are doing. it is often neccessary to do fjurther lung function tests such a spiromerty which are much more accurate but very expensive and more invasive and difficult for the subject.

If your peak flow does fall however it is a guide to show that your asthma is not in very good control and you should be going to your dr to have a check or if it is incredibly low then you should be going to the er to get some emergency help.

because now i know my chest relativly well i can sort of judge how i am doing even if i dont take my peak flow. i can almost estimate what my pf will be before i ahve done it by telling how i feel. this has come with years of living with unpredictable asthma and years of doing pfs aswell.

olive

Agreed! Not cheating at all. When I was in the midst of the last exaceration, I was told to chart it. I would bring this into my doctor and he could see how i was doing.

I just took a peak flow at my asthma clinic and it was 380. Suppose to be 450. Then I took a spirometry and all the values were really good, so I agree results from the peak flow aren't always so concrete.

Forgot to consider the Bronchial dialator! Oops! I'm just so curious about how my PFs will be after I DC the Prednisone agian. Little worried though cuz I have had more chest pressure agian with reducing. I seem to be passing air OK so I wonder if I'm having a reaction to the Spiriva! One of the things it says is that You may have chest pressure after use, use your rescue, and tell your doctor about the "reaction". hmmm. But my Advair says the same thing! What do you guys think?