Guest guest Posted December 16, 2001 Report Share Posted December 16, 2001 Belinda, We have the exact same situation with Lucas. Our doc told us that it is not based on age but size. I know that each time in the past that we have used a good long course of steroids that Lucas had a significant increase in peak flows like the inflammation had been reduced so that he had more capacity. I also wonder if at times there is hyperinflation due to air trapping. I have seen his chest get very hyperinflated especially if we have a long period of frequent treatments. A peak flow is useful to see what there normal are when they are not having problems. The question then becomes what is there O2 saturation level. We go into the doc and do a pulse ox reading as well as a PFT on the computer that we compare his large and small airways to his usual readings. This is both reassuring or gives us an indication that he needs more help. Hope this helps. By the way. Lucas will be six tomorrow and his normal peak flows are 210-240 when he is well. When he is not we are in the 170-180 range and below that we are on pred. He also uses Servent 2 puff and Flovent 110 1 puff 2x day. when he is well and we increase the flovent to up to 3 puffs 3x day depending on how he is doing. We have tried singulair but he is allergic . We also do albuterol and atrovent neb treatments increasingly as needed sometimes for weeks. I guess what I am saying is that it is an ongoing process and low peak flows and coughing is a symptom that may need more management but atleast needs to be checked out. Hope this does not confuse you but is an example of what one doc does for my son. BARBIE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2001 Report Share Posted December 16, 2001 Belinda - We go by the personal bests. When Macey first started doing a peak flow we had a book that came with it with standards for age and height. But the one that would be for Macey was so far off that I thought she was surely headed for ICU. Mine wasn't even near what I do (when I occasionally have to). So, we found a time when things were calm, and we charted 5 days of personal bests, twice a day every day. And we use those to go by. She's 6 1/2, 47 " and 55 lbs and runs a personal best of 170. Ursula Holleman Macey's mom (6 yr. old with CVID, asthma, sinus disease, GERD, kidney reflux, Sensory Integration Disorder, Diabetes Insipidus,colonic inertia) http://maceyh.home.att.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2001 Report Share Posted December 16, 2001 Barbie, Happy Birthday to Lucas!!!!! Thanks for your response. This whole asthma thing is about to drive me nuts. If you don't mind me asking: What does a hyperinflated chest look like? Is it sticking out? I notice Cassie will sometimes keep her shoulders higher (almost shrugged) when she is having significant problems. And, if she cries, it gets a whole lot worse quickly. We had a pretty bad attack at Piper Pizza because she started crying that she did not get her way. It almost scared her too much to cry anymore. Hope Lucas has a wonderful day tomorrow. Belinda Rose, Mom to Allyssa (9) and Cassie (7), igg immunodeficient, asthma, sinusitis, IVIG for 5 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 I've been wondering about age-related peak flows also. Autumn has just started doing them in the past 2 weeks & she averages around 120-130. Her personal best is 150. Since she's not sick right now, I'm guessing that these #'s are ok for her??? I'd ask the ped but he's on vacation until after Christmas. Ray, mother to Tabitha (age 6), Autumn, age 3 (IgG Def., asthma, chronic sinusitis, and allergies), and Duncan Avery, 7 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Autumn weighs 39 pounds (give or take). Ray, mother to Tabitha (age 6), Autumn, age 3 (IgG Def., asthma, chronic sinusitis, and allergies), and Duncan Avery, 7 months > Ray, > Another thing that factors into what the peak flow threshold > should be > calculated against is the childs weight. > > > ( mom to 9 yrs asthma, allergies, hyper IgE syndrome) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 First off....I would like to thank and I believe it was Addy for the wonderful glossary!! I can SO relate to all of these terms. On another note, I did my Peak Flow this morning (have been using it religiously since going/staying on pred since November 2005). I BLEW 450 THIS MORNING!!! This was upon wakening, before bronchiodialators and using no Ventolin during the night. I have NEVER blown this number before! I can only assume it is relation to Xolair (just had my 3rd shot last Thursday...receiving 1 vial once month). Yeah for Xolair and this wonderful group! I use the Personal Best PF handheld meter...have had it for about 10 years. It is square shaped. When I went to the hospital last November they gave me a round shaped one (and chastised me for not bringing my PF meter in with me!). I do not like how it feels, had a harder time blowing and as a result had lower PF than using my other meter....hmm....don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I think consistency is the best. My normal BEST range is 375-400 after bronchiodialators and I would be happy blowing anything over 325 prior to breathing treatments. bye for now Pamela (who is down to 9mg evil candy and hoping to get down to 8mg in a couple of days!) Kingston, Ontario __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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