pulmonary function test

[troublein56]

I took a breathing test today and this is the results before an inhaler
I do not have the numbers after the inhaler

FVC    37.5
FVC1   27.0
FVC1 % 71.3    after inhaler was 73
FVC 6  28.6
PE 24.3

are these signs of copd or just asthma     oh i am 53 years old  5'1.5   140 lbs  smoker

[dmeaust]

I suffer from COPD/Emphysema as diagnosed 18 months ago after mentioning my ever increasing shortness of breath on very short exertion. I am not far past 60 years. I commenced smoking in my mid 20's. My GP -  local MBBS as they are known in Australia resisted prescribing the inhaler and two puffers  until I ceased smoking. That has occurred now finally. He will NOT give me O2 (Oxygen treatment) and further stated there was not a chance for a lung transplant, even one lobe. I understand females are more vulnerable than males, I am female.

Medication, Spiriva Inhalation 18mcg daily, Salbutamol and Seretide puffers q.i.d x 2 puffs daily. After about 6 months on these medications, I actually feel no ease or improvement.

Recently as broadcast on our free to air television, a medical program of surgery and chronic conditions, two males early 60's, received one lobe each of a transplanted healthy pair of lungs from a deceased person.

I  have seen a Respiratory Specialist and he also advised that those with COPD.Chronic Emphysema rarely get a look in on the transplant recipient list. The surgery was performed at one of our major teaching hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

I don't know what the situation is in other countries other than Australia, incl US and UK, but for a second opinion could a medic advise me on this forum, kindly.

[teko]

There is a doctor answering questions here but this is not the one. Check out the other Copd forum and you can ask that question to a real doctor.

[dmeaust]

Thanks for that, what is the link?

[teko]

Right here on these forums. This one is support forum and the other is the ask a doctor forum.

[little_weed]

I think you have made a mistake with your results as you've typed them.

Asthma is one of the conditons that comes under COPD, which is an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and a couple of others.

If your doc didn't give you any feedback, or even if he did, ask to see a pulmonary specialist for Pulmonary Function Test, or PFT. These will be more specific in identifying between the different conditions, which in turn can be either Restrictive or Obstructive.