Thursday, September 16, 2004
Lung tests are tiring!
Did the pulmonary function test this afternoon. Basically, I sat in a booth that resembled a shower stall and breathed into a series of tubes. This measured both incoming and outgoing air depending on how it was set up.
Turns out that I'm NOT imagining things. I do have a bit of a problem. When I exhale, about 30 to 40 percent of the air in my lungs stays there....that would explain why my chest feels so heavy.
Luckily, I seem to have no problem with air getting into my lungs. They had me inhale a medicine that I guess asthma patients use to see if it would help me be able to breathe out completely, but it didn't have any effect. I know next to nothing about lung function, so I have no idea if I have a problem that warrants further attention or not.
I do know one thing, though....that test was EXHAUSTING! When I was done, my chest hurt and I wanted a nap soooo badly, but I had to go to work. I still feel like I got an extra workout today.
I'm sure I will hear from my rheumy if I need to see a specialist or do anything about this. In the meantime, if I can find the time, I will see what I can find about Sjgoren's and lung function.
Pain level: 8
Fatigue level: 9
Turns out that I'm NOT imagining things. I do have a bit of a problem. When I exhale, about 30 to 40 percent of the air in my lungs stays there....that would explain why my chest feels so heavy.
Luckily, I seem to have no problem with air getting into my lungs. They had me inhale a medicine that I guess asthma patients use to see if it would help me be able to breathe out completely, but it didn't have any effect. I know next to nothing about lung function, so I have no idea if I have a problem that warrants further attention or not.
I do know one thing, though....that test was EXHAUSTING! When I was done, my chest hurt and I wanted a nap soooo badly, but I had to go to work. I still feel like I got an extra workout today.
I'm sure I will hear from my rheumy if I need to see a specialist or do anything about this. In the meantime, if I can find the time, I will see what I can find about Sjgoren's and lung function.
Pain level: 8
Fatigue level: 9
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