Question:
Has anyone had pulmonary function testing done?

I am posting this here in hopes that it will help others who are scheduled for pulmonary function testing and don't know what to expect. <BR><BR> I went thru the pulmonary function tests and also saw the critical care doctor yesterday. I thought I would post what transpired during these appointments just in case any one else is asked to go thru them. This will let you know what to expect. I always want to know what to expect and finds that helps to calm any case of nerves I may have.<BR><BR> I saw the pulmonary technician (don't believe it was an actual doctor) as they introduced him to me as Rudy. (Everyone in this dept was great). I first had to sign in thru the admitting dept as this was considered an out patient procedure at the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital on 16th Street. This is the same admitting office that I will use for my surgery with Dr. Sawicki. Then they gave me paperwork to go up to the 4th floor. Rudy explained that the first thing they would do is take blood to check the blood gases for me (oxygen in the blood). I was concerned because they take the blood sample from the wrist thru a main artery and I had heard it was very painful. I had it done years ago thru the upper arm, but Rudy said there is a greater chance of problems when they do it that way. UCLA's policy is to use the wrist. He said that I had a very strong heartbeat so felt he would find the vein easily and he did on the first try. It hurt a bit but not any worse than a regular blood test. He said for some it is painful, but most it is fairly easy. I told him I was sure it was because I had loaded up on water the day before. He said he had never heard that and how did I feel it had helped. A few years ago Hal was asked to give blood before surgery. It was done thru the Blood Donation center at Kaiser. The first time they had a hard time finding a vein and the nurse questioned him on how much water he had drank the day before. He said hardly any. She explained that a hydrated body was much easier to draw blood from. So the next week he drank lots of water especially the day before and his 2nd blood donation for his surgery went smoothly. Since then we both drink lots of water especially before having blood work done. Rudy said he had never heard that but it definitely made sense. He processed the blood sample right then, took just a minute or two. He was not allowed to discuss any of the results of any of the tests with me.<BR><BR> Then he took me into testing room (small office with breathing machines in it). There was a tall glass box with a chair in it. If I was small enough, the tests would be done in there otherwise on a different machine in the other office. I fit (with the door shut on the glass box your arms or elbows cannot touch the glass, there has to be air room around them and you can't bring your arms over your chest area). The majority of the testing was done with the door open and me just sitting on the chair inside the box/chamber. He gave me a nose clip to close off the nostrils while the testing was in progress ... in between I could take it off. When the testing is done they have you put your mouth around either a plastic tube or a rubber type mouth piece (kind of like a scuba mouth piece) making a seal with your lips. The tubing was set up to a machine that measured all my responses. The testing was easy but did require concentration. Rudy talked me thru the whole process. First he would demonstrate how he wanted me to inhale, exhale, pant, etc then we would do the test. There were 5 steps to the testing, each just took a couple of minutes. I did a lot of deep breathing, holding and blowing out as fast and as hard as I could. Sometimes the machine was set to put pressure against my breathing and they tell you to continue to empty your lungs as deeply as you can. The last part of the test was done with the door closed. The box was totally sealed with glass so I could see Rudy plus there was a microphone so I could hear him and he could hear me. He also assured me that if at any point I wanted out, just to open the door. During the closed door part, again we did breathing patterns with my mouth over the mouth piece but the first part is done in the box/chamber just sitting and breathing normally so the machine can measure my normal pressures. It took maybe 3 minutes for this part so went quickly. He took less than 10 minutes to have all the results which he immediately faxed over to the critical care doctor and gave me a copy to give my doctor at Kaiser. Suggestion: Take a bottle of water with you and some lifesavers. There was no water in the room and at one point I got a scratchy throat. Rudy was great and went and got me water and luckily I did have a lifesaver in my purse. <BR><BR> Critical Care Doctor (Dr. Smith) was right across the street. They got me in right away. The nurse came in and did vitals. Then an intern who was working with Dr. Smith came in and went over my medical history with me. They had sent me a questionnaire to fill out and bring in. They were thrilled that I had also brought my medical records, current EKG, Cardiac release from Kaiser for surgery which included a thallium treadmill test results, my gall bladder surgery and anthesiologist notes, and copies of special blood work the surgeon had requested to determine if I might have a problem with blood clots. This paperwork was not required, but I knew it would help them see the overall picture of my health and also possibly prevent additional testing. The intern also checked my heart, ankles, neck, ears, eyes etc. Then Dr. Smith came in. He also asked some questions then checked my heart etc. Then he asked if I was able to walk at least a flight of stairs. Told him I felt I could but I did have arthritis in my hips and knees so couldn't guarantee it until I tried. They put a clip on my right pointer finger that was attached to a small hand held device that measure oxygen in my blood. They got a reading with me just standing. The doctor held the device and walked right beside me, the intern behind. We then walked down 1 1/2 flights (3 sets of stairs) and then walked back up. I was allowed to walk at my own pace. My levels stayed the same so that was great news. He did do a small amount of blood draw for an additional test and said his report would go to my surgeon the next day. He said that he didn't feel there would be any problems for me during surgery.<BR><BR> Overall the testing was easy, no pain involved except for the blood work and that was minimal and quickly over. I spent about an hour at each office and the staff was wonderful.<BR>    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on October 16, 2003)

October 16, 2003
I have to admit, I did not read your entire post. But to answer the main topic... a PFT is easy. You just blow into a tube and a machine measures your lung capacity. I am asthmatic and I had this done. The doctor told me if showed a low score, I might need a sleep apnea test. Mine turned out ok, it just showed what we already knew - I have asthma :-) Best wishes -
   — M B.

October 17, 2003
My hospital did it a little different. The tech first injected my wrist with a numbing medicine (just a small pin prick) before finding the artery for the blood draw. He also told me that using the wrist gives them a more accurate reading.
   — MarjN