Help,re: pulmonary funct. test

Hi all. I am so frustrated and confused. I went to the hosp. to have the test done and was told that it would take over 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I think there must be a mistake, as everyone here *****sponded to my queries a few days ago said the test would only take a few minutes. Even the info in the library here said about the same thing. In trying to clarify if I was being given the correct test I asked for the costs involved. The complete pulmonary function test costs over $1000.00 and that doesn't include the report from the pulmonologist. There is a simpler test - spirometry and MVV which costs $349.00 plus reading. So I left the hospital w/ having the pft - came home and sent a fax to my surgeon asking him to clarify which tests I need. Except for this one test all my preop testing is done. I am just awaiting the results to to my pcp. Any thoughts?

Mine took about 45 minutes to an hour. That included the arterial blood gasses. I don't know what the cost was. Rob - the caboose

Maybe they were counting waiting time???? I think I'd be on the phone with the surgeon. My daughter had a radioactive test done a couple of weeks ago and the lab did do the wrong test, so that is not out of the question... Joy (3/1)

Louise, I've had it with know-it-all medical techs (They are not all that way.)! My pulmonary test was part of an all day test a thon. I believe it was about 45 minutes long, if I don't count my coughing fit,etc. Try getting a written order from your doctor's office, preferably his surgical nurse. You have the right to turn down medical procedures. I hope they didn't try to bully into taking the more expensive test. Don't let them pull you off course, Jewell

Whoa, cheez, Louise! (how many times have you heard THAT?!?) Maybe they wanted some other kind of PFT than the "standard" one we've all taken. Even Rob's 45 minutes was an extremely long time (unless he's including waiting in the waiting room for a half hour...normal, eh?). I've had several PFTs done in the past 10 or so years...I used to get bronchitis or pneumonia every winter, so at times, they'd run a PFT to see how debilitated my lungs actually were. The ones (several) I've had in my WLS "jumping thru hoops" were identical to those in years past - the blowing-in-the-tube thing. When I went to my PCP with my sheet of pre-ops, we went right down the line...labs drawn by venapuncturist, down to the x-ray room for chest x-ray, across the hall (all in his office) to a sort of "utility" room where the spirometer was located, blow into the tube, then back to room where they wheeled in the EKG machine. All done. Everything was done in under an hour. Have your surgeon write out a PRESCRIPTION for what he wants, and take it with you (or have him fax it in). The PFTs I've had done never cost me over $100, and I have 'average' insurance coverage. Hope that helps...hang in there. Just a few more hoops to jump 'n you'll be on the straight track... Kimmer Done Jumping Hoops Zero-minus-12 and 6 workdays!

Thanks everyone. I sent a fax to my surgeon before I posted here. Today is his surg. day so I expect I will hear from him tomorrow. Kimmer I have no idea if a PFT is different from state to state or hosptial to hospital. And I am a nurse!. I did have a prescription from my surgeon's nurse that said PFT. But that was for NY then I got a script from my pcp for a PFT in Florida. I'm thinking that they might be different. For whoever encouraged me not to allow anyone to bully me. If you knew me you would laugh - no one would think to bully me. I am too self confident and self assured for that. BTW, no one tried to bully me they were just surprised that anyone would ask the cost of tests and procedures. They encouraged me to reschedule once I had contacted my surgeon. The nurse in my surgeon's office is a waste of time. She cannot think out of the box. The fact that I am doing preop testing in FL has her totally befuddled. I try not to talk to her as, she just rambles on and on, and I don't wish to hurt her feelings. I simply fax the doc and await his faxed reply. Thanks again Marchers for the support. Louise

Louise, There is one that is quite involved which sounds like maybe what Rob had done. It involves a stress test, pulmonary function and cardio function all rolled into one long session. You are hooked up to the breathing machine, to cardio monitors and then have to take a walk on their treadmill for about 20 minutes or so. That maybe what your doc has ordered. Hope this helps, Happy thoughts, Va 5 sunrises until my new life begins Offishal Paper Monkey and Secretary Extraordinaire Offishal Squirrel Wrangler (willing to share this title) My Angels ==> Whitney Lori My Angelettes ==> Whitney H & Lori A

I can't help you out here...I don't think I am having that test....at least I haven't heard it mentioned yet. I have one pre-op appt next Wed with my PCP and they were getting all the requirements from the surgeon's office faxed to them...so I will have more info then. Hang in there, Louise....it will all work out fine.

When I went for my PFT test, I first had the arterial blood gas test, which took only a few minutes, then I went on to the breathing machine. That took about 45 minutes. My husbands took the same amout of time. Kelley

OWIE!!! How bad does the ABG hurt? I hae heard that this is a horrible test!!!! I simply am a whimp when it comes to needles anyway. I break out in a sweat when they try to draw blood or start an IV (and I decided to have WLS What was I thinking ) I don't know for sure if I'm having this done, but do know that I am going fo rulmonary function tests on Monday and it does say "tests" plural. Whitney Angels Baby Lori Mommy Va Angel to Lori and Va Offishal Marcher Sunday School Teacher