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Real members of MyCOPDTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
December 25, 2021
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A MyCOPDTeam Member

Probably a spirometry or Pulmonary Function Test (spirometry is part of a PFT) and a six minute walk test to see if you need supplementary O2. The spirometry will require you to blow, blow, blow and can be tiring, but will measure your lung function and that's a good thing. The six minute walk test is just a walk with an oximeter to see whether you need O2. Be sure to get a copy of the test results for your records, so you have them. If you do need O2, please use it. You need the O2 to be sure that everything in your body receives the O2 they need to function properly. If you don't use it, you risk heart and brain damage and you don't want that!

December 25, 2021
A MyCOPDTeam Member

That’s about it!

February 6, 2022
A MyCOPDTeam Member

The other one is probably a 6 min walk test

December 31, 2021
A MyCOPDTeam Member

That was a lung function test.

December 30, 2021
A MyCOPDTeam Member

The PFT can take a while, depending on your effort and how consistent you are. That also depends to some extent on how good the person is who is giving the test. Several of the elements of the test need to be given multiple times to insure consistency. Part of the time should be spent with the pulmonologist getting the interpretation of the results, making a diagnosis, determining appropriate medications and developing a treatment plan. You may have questions you want answered. I'd bring a list of questions with you so you get answers. Most important question: What can I do to help myself? You'll be surprised that the life-style changes you can make will make more difference in the way you can function than any of the meds. The meds will reduce some of the symptoms; they DO NOT "fix" anything. Life style changes will reduce symptoms much more than meds.

December 25, 2021

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