The average "lung capacity" as you call it for people on this board is impossible to say. You have to think about it as a standard bell curve, with people whose lung capacity is really low on one end and people whose capacity is really high on the other end and everyone else scattered along the line. I would say in the general scheme of things, your mom is at the lower end of the bell curve, but there are people who are functioning relatively well with FEV1s at 12 to 16%. They are definitely the outliers, but they are there. By the same token, there are people with lung function well into the 70s who are having significant difficulty breathing and who use O2. "Average" is a word that is very hard to use with COPD. We just don't know enough to be able to demonstrate discrete differences yet. We know they are there, we just haven't identified the correct variables.

@It does depend on your sats. Mine would drop to 90 so I was out on o2 for sleeping. When I had pft and walk I dropped to 79. That's when I had to use for any activities. Just sitting in my chair I star about 93. Just depends on the individual.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member...Just had mine 2 weeks back after a Bronchial Tube Blockage....Dropped 4% from 22 to 18%....and NOT on oxygen....%%%%% is not what oxygen is about...It is about Oxygen Blood Saturation...If it falls under 88% only a fool would risk not using it even as a suppliment.. .MY OPINION..

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A MyCOPDT...

We were just discussing a similar topic on our Support Group as to why some people with ''High'' Lung Capacity figures find the going so much harder than others, who are much lower in their Fev.1 %, that it should logically not be possible to walk from bedroom to kitchen, without struggling to breath... yet seem to live fairly active and functional lives..

In my case, I fit into the ''ABLE TO''....I kept going down from 36% after Intubation in 2012, to 25% in 2014 because I was on no Meds except Ventolin. Once i got the correct Inhalers etc, i remained constant at 22% till Feb this year when i dropped 4% after a near Respiratory Failure.....So now i happily occupy the under 20's at 18%..and getting a bit Paranoid cos i think the next time my Fev.1 will Flatline...

But .I am fighting to get somewhat back to baseline....I know others who have increased their capacity through better Inhalers, more aggressive exercise routines and are capable of still out shinning people who boast a 40% upwards Lung Function Reading....Not on Oxygen as i have a Gas Exchange Issue, so i have adapted to the things i need to alleviate that...

Chronic Hyperinflation Pleural Diaphragm Pain is a totally different kettle of fish that has me on the ropes at the moment LOL..........

Bettina, you are a lady after my own heart. I push too . BLessings and breathe easy but please rest when needed .