My FVC was 2.25 liters 66% and FEV1 was 0.94 liters 35%. So, yours are MUCH better than mine! :)

FEV1 2.78 and .82 liters; so I am at 29%. Considered Very Severe Emphysema; or some call it "End Stage". Wish I had numbers as high as yours? Best wishes.

87% is relatively good.
Try http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/gold-criteria-for-copd
It'll give you the current accepted standards for your measurements. Numbers ain't the whole story - attitude is...

Breathe easy,
Dennis

I was at 78% back in January but I have a feeling my numbers have dropped. Doc wants me to start monitoring my o2 sats so I am purchasing a pulse oximeter. You might want to get one and test yourself. Do a six minute walk with the kind that clips to your finger and see what your sats drop to.. That will give you a better idea of where you stand. My exertion pulse o2 is 88% which most say is not bad however anything below 90% is not good for you as your organs need at least 90% or better to function properly if I remember right.

Roseypeach, is that a brisk 6 min walk or just a regular walk?

The 6 minute walk is to see how far you can walk in 6 minutes (I know, that sounds dumb) without any respiratory support (no O2). You can walk as fast as you can, rest for a moment (standing) if need be, then walk again. They check your O2 levels and external physical appearance during the test.
The first 50 feet were a piece of cake...
http://www.thoracic.org/statements/resources/pfet/sixminute.pdf
gives the full scoop.

dogman, your numbers are pretty good. I haven't seen those numbers since my diagnosis. but as Denny said, attitude is a big part of this too.
Actually, I can tell when my numbrs are not so good but then the next couple of days, they are a little better.

On the 6 minute walk. I just walk at the pace that I do everyday. I figure these numbers will be average of what I can do on any day. I had a doctor tell me today that a vestibular therapist that I am having to use for vertigo had sent him a report that said: "This patient does exactly what she is instructed and gives me excellent readouts as to a normal day".

What I read into that is that I still have some cognitive ability. Yipee.

Just asking if you go to do the walk test are you allowed to take your meds as usual on the day?

They asked me not to take any breathing meds within 6 hours of the test (for me that is just the nebulized albuterol ). Other meds and vitamins were OK...

DennyGene. you have really turned into our "Go To" person! : ) Since I know mine is coming soon , I went to that web site and printed out the material. I know I am going to fail that one!! Dr. Sanchez said my last one, which was long ago, was terrible, I barely got a few feet before I had to stop.4 min. I was trying . And of course my Fev is so low all the nurses and doctors just shake their heads. But I am still here!!! So he said we would do another 6 minutet walk soon...not that I made the last 6 minutes....Also all that was done while i was still smoking and not exercising reguarly. So there is hope on the horizon...

bjrpapp....

Have you had pulmonary rehab? This may help improve your 6 min. walk, especially if you've quit smoking.

I was given the test before and after using my inhaler (I imagine to see how effective the meds were) - my concern was the person giving the test was a physical therapist, who was a very brisk walker - it was like...."Slow down, please!".

bjrpapp....

Have you had pulmonary rehab? This may help improve your 6 min. walk, especially if you've quit smoking.

I was given the test before and after using my inhaler (I imagine to see how effective the meds were) - my concern was the person giving the test was a physical therapist, who was a very brisk walker - it was like...."Slow down, please!".

bjrpapp....

Have you had pulmonary rehab? This may help improve your 6 min. walk, especially if you've quit smoking.

I was given the test before and after using my inhaler (I imagine to see how effective the meds were) - my concern was the person giving the test was a physical therapist, who was a very brisk walker - it was like...."Slow down, please!".

bjrpapp....

Have you had pulmonary rehab? This may help improve your 6 min. walk, especially if you've quit smoking.

I was given the test before and after using my inhaler (I imagine to see how effective the meds were) - my concern was the person giving the test was a physical therapist, who was a very brisk walker - it was like...."Slow down, please!".

bjrpapp....

Have you had pulmonary rehab? This may help improve your 6 min. walk, especially if you've quit smoking.

I was given the test before and after using my inhaler (I imagine to see how effective the meds were) - my concern was the person giving the test was a physical therapist, who was a very brisk walker - it was like...."Slow down, please!".