Home Peak Flow Meters

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84Penguins

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I have issues blowing into the mechanical meters...it seems that it triggers my coughing. I have read in the book "Asthma for Dummies" that if you keep daily readings on your PFM results, you can tell when an attack is building before you feel the symptoms.

I have ordered a digital PFM and hope it's easier to blow into. using the zones from two years ago, I am in the green, but I don't know if that neeRAB to be updated.
 
Asthma for Dummies is a good book if you want to learn about the basics about asthma.

If my asthma is flared, blowing into the PFM's always triggers more coughing.

Personally, I found the peak flow meters useful when I first developed asthma, but I don't use it so much now. I often find I have other symptoms before my peak flow readings get lower.

I did find the peak flow meter useful in the beginning. Using it when I'm not having problems, I can find my own personal "normal". I typically do this in 2 week increments of daily readings about once a year for my Pulmonologist. That helps me determine my red, yellow and green zones. I don't rely on it anymore though. I usually feel the problems coming on and begin treatment without just looking at the reading nurabers.

As I said above, I've come to recognize other symptoms of pending asthma problems as well. In my case, I often get runny eyes and sneezing before the coughing sets in. Sometimes days before the flare.

I'm not sure about spending money on a digital meter. I just use the plastic ones they give you in the doctors office. They are free and work well enough.
 
Im with MR on this. I've found after all these years that I know best when something is starting up. I think also that if your normal isn't what the insert says it should be that people get freaked out. I'm a petite female and there is no way my normal is going to be in the ranges listed. But I do know how I feel and how well I go about my life. That's what tells me I'm OK or not.
 
I agree. When I'm not feeling well, using the PFM is just going to irritate my lungs more. And I've found that how I feel is a more accurate guide than the meter.

The meters might be useful for people who seem to have severe symptoms "sneak up on" them, however.
 
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