Using a peak flow meter for CHF

[Nancy]

To all you CHFers-

Joe suffers from CHF in addition to lots of other things. I have a peak flow meter which I use for asthma. I thought it might be useful in keeping a check on Joe's breathing situation. I'm going to try it out for a while. I'll monitor him everyday, just like I do for asthma, and see if it can also track his possible lung edema.

I already keep track of his temp. and weight each day. I write that down in a notebook.

Just wondered what you think.

 

[JimL]

What is a peak flow meter?
When my GP was misdiagnosing me last fall with bronchitis instead of CHF, he did a breathing test, in which I blew as hard as I could, and demonstrated that my lung capacity was drastically reduced. I have often wondered what it is now, since breathing is so effortless.
Might that be the same machine?

 

[Nancy]

A peak flow meter is a simple device, a tube with a measuring gauge and a mouthpiece. You blow into it to measure your lung volume. I have asthma, so I use it every day just to check on my asthma. It really does show small changes before you can actually feel them. I don't see why it couldn't be useful for all lung problems.

I'm trying to find a way to keep track of Joe's CHF before it goes to the breathless stage.

You could probably get one at the pharmacy. You would have to ask the pharmacist. It's not out on the shelves.

 

[NancyMVP]

Hi, I recently bought my son a peak flow meter. He been having problems with his asthma lately.
The condition I have can lead to CHF maybe it wouldn't hurt I used it to. ( I have MVP with moderate to severe regurgitation).
What do you think?

 

[Nancy]

Hi Nancy-

Joe's been using it every day, 3 times a day. He's also been using his spirometer. He had a litle spell of tough breathing, probably a little fluid in his lung. I've been writing the results down in a notebook for about a week or so, and so far it's helping him keep track of how his lungs are functioning. It showed a reading of 350 when he started out and yesterday a reading of 550. During that time I kept him very low salt. So far I'm pleased with it's ability to track CHF bouts.

It surely can't hurt to use it. Try it for a while and give us a report.

By the way, I also have him take his temp. and weigh himself every morning. I'll be taking his BP every day also. This all gets written down in the notebook too. None of these things can hurt and will give us some peace of mind.

 

[NancyMVP]

Nancy as far as water retention goes with CHF.
How much weight gain is too much?
Sometimes I notice I can go up as much as 6 pounds from lets say 7 am to 7pm. Then drop those 6 pounds by the morning.
Also someone said that with Mitral Valve Regurg. your more likely to get the swollen belly. By 7 pm I look like I'm 6 months pregnant sometimes. In the morning its flat and ready for bikini wear. I know I didn't eat a big breakfast or lunch yesterday for example. I did drink alot of fluds. But by dinner time I had the bloat.
My aunt recently had a problem from some meds she took. She had her aorta replaed 25 years ago. She gained 11 pounds in a short time. About a 2 week period. She ended up in the hospital.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Nancy-

I can only go by what Joe's cardiologist said to him. Any weight gain of 3 pounds in a 24 hour period, requires an adjustment in his diuretics. If you have CHF, you must be on those, right? A lot of people gain weight during the day, from eating and drinking fluids. And then the body eliminates them. Joe weighs himself each day at the same time, early morning, so he can compare without food showing a false positive result. So at that point, if a sudden gain showed up, then he would know it's his CHF.

His body is very sensitive to sodium, so he has to watch it very carefully.

prior to his mitral valve surgery, he had edema in his feet, legs, stomach, lungs and neck veins.

He takes a combo of Aldactone and Lasix. That has worked the best for him.

 

[Ross]

I could probably use one, but I'd be afraid of the results.
Mr. Paranoid was here.