Question:
Pulmonary test done?

I had my pulmonary test today. Did fine until the very last test where I had to breathe normally, "pant" into the tube, take a very deep breath, and blow hard. We did it 18 times, and still I couldn't get it. The technician wasn't overtly rude, but she made me feel that I wasn't doing my part and that I wasn't following instructions which bothered me. Finally we both gave up. It was starting to take a lot out of me and it took a few hours to feel "normal". Has anyone else "failed" this? I'm afraid this will affect my test results. My surgeon is out of the country until 4/30 and my surgery is 5/10. Will this be a problem? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.    — Paula G. (posted on April 19, 2000)

April 19, 2000
Yes, I failed.. I have interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and asthma when I tried to exhale all I accomplished was wheezing... I still had surgery and with no pneumonia, because I was prepared, I knew what I wanted and what was needed. I think the epidural rather than other pain control helped in that I was wide awake at the appropriate times so I walked, walked, walked... which kept me off my back (lungs) lying flat tends to cause fluid accumulation in and around lungs...So I went into surgery with an attutude of "I was not going to just lie there and let that happen" I did my part walked, breathed deep etc.... Good Luck with your surgery..
   — Victoria B.