Please click on the link if you wish to print off the instructions for your Spirometry/COPD Review appointment Spirometry/COPD Review Leaflet
Information for your Spirometry/COPD Review
In order to make an accurate diagnosis and achieve best treatment for your respiratory condition you have been asked to attend for lung function testing.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment and collect a token from reception to use the machine in or lobby to record your height, weight and blood pressure. Please take the printed results into your spirometry appointment as the nurse will need them to interpret your spirometry results.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will be asked to blow at least three times into a tube connected to a machine, which will record your lung function. You will be asked to breathe in to fill up your lungs with air then blow as hard and as long as you can to get the best results.
To obtain the best possible results from your test please follow the instructions below prior to your appointment.
Avoid taking your reliever medication for at least 2- 4 hours. E.g. Salbutamol (Ventolin), Terbutaline (Bricanyl), Ipratropium (Atrovent), Combivent.
Avoid taking your long acting reliever medication for at least 12 hours. E.g. Salmeterol (Serevent), Formoterol (Oxis).
Avoid taking your Tiotropium (Spiriva), Ventmax SR, Bambec, Neulin SA, Slo-Phyllin, Uniphyllin 'Phyllocontin Continus' for 24 hours.
Avoid taking Seretide or Symbicort or Fostair for at least 12 hours.
Avoid smoking for 24 hours.
Avoid alcohol for 4 hours.
Avoid vigorous exercise for 30 minutes.
Avoid a heavy meal for at least 2 hours
Avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing.
You can take your brown, red or orange steroid inhaler as normal prior to the test.
If you have had recent abdominal or eye surgery or a heart attack, please phone to arrange another appointment. If you develop a chest infection and need antibiotics or steroid tablets before your appointment, please make another appointment for at least 4-6 weeks after the infection.
If you would find it too distressing to follow these instructions please do not worry. Do what you can and we can take things into account when interpreting the results.