Started a new job three weeks ago. There was no physical required before starting. However, they do have annual Pulmonary Function Testing in order to qualify for wearing a cartridge type respirator. According to the gang and boss respirators are seldom used so this appears to be a Safety Dept./ Management requirement.
Bottom line, I came up short on the spirometer single blow test. 70% required IIRC, my best was 60%. AFAIK I could retest in 1-4 weeks but it's managements call as to when. If I fail again it could lead to termination. My boss and co-workers all like me and my work, this decision would rest solely w/ the Dept. head.
About six weeks ago at my last job I was exposed to enough Aluminum Oxide media (even in a blast cabinet) that it thoroughly kicked my butt. Had watery eyes, sinus, muscle/ joint ache for a week and hacking bad E36 M3 outta my lungs for an additional two weeks. I still feel that my lungs are not back to where they oughta be, still feel like there are residual effects from it. Moderate smoker for 20+ years, at least 25 pounds over my comfort weight, still on the CPAP machine, haven't done cardio in way too long. E36 M3 adds up.
I have found w/ weight loss, smoking cessation and cardio I don't require the CPAP at all. I believe I would pass the PFT w/ no problem. Not enough time for all that now.
Any short term ideas to improve my wind to pass the test? I'm scheduling a doctor exam, maybe an inhaler?
I absolutely love this job... once in a lifetime opportunity.
Whattya got
cardio.. get your lungs working.
You have a month to fix some of the accumulated damage done by decades of abuse and neglect. You can do it but you'll have to work on it starting NOW. Contact a Respiratory Therapist and get going on whatever exercise program you are assigned.
And get a spirometer of your own so you know that you've improved before taking the test again.
Good luck.
And no more smokes. Do you want to work or smoke?
Serious answer: lots of exercise.
I'm trying to think of a way to fudge the number, but coming up with nothing that won't kill you. Can you hide a small gas canister in your lungs during the test?
A month is significant when building lung capacity. Lots of easy gains to be had in the first part of any training program. Get yourself breathing really hard-almost gasping for air, slow down until you are breathing almost normally, repeat. Doctor approval required of course.
Inhaler will probably help.
Scheduled an appointment w/ my MD in two days. A few weeks ago I had a routine physical w/ my MD, told him about my exposure and effects w/ aluminum oxide, was sent for chest x-rays which were OK. I'll still most likely need a Respiratory Specialist but I think the MD referral will get me in much quicker than me just cold calling. Cop a Chantix script there as well, worked well for me before.
This was supposed to be my year of reclaiming my life from that hell-hole of a job of four years that ran my ass in the ground. I'd lost forty pounds (nobody wants to hire an old fat guy), was getting my shop and projects cleaned out and basically getting my life back in order. I let diet and exercise go in lieu of the shop and home work during nice weather figuring I'll get back on my physical regimen in due time. Well, I was wrong there.
Started walking my old route again tonight. Need to water up too, been dehydrated. It's a start.
run/jog/walk AWAY from your house until you cant go another step. then turn around and go home. do this every day.
-J0N
Just ask your self, "What would VW do?". 
Seriously, good luck and listen to the docs and do what they tell you!
Lots of good info already.
I'm reaching way back in my memory, but I think you can request a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR). Those may not require the PFT because they are positive pressure. It's trying to suck air through the filters (negative pressure) that puts the strain on your lungs.
Why do you potentially need to wear a respirator?
CGLockRacer wrote:
Just ask your self, "What would VW do?".
Seriously, good luck and listen to the docs and do what they tell you!
I would like to suggest not doing exactly what they tell you not to do. 
They usually are pretty poorly educated about exercise, but they should be pretty good at giving you advice about how not to kill yourself (getting them sued) while exercising.
The respiratory specialist can do a pre and post inhaler test to see it is effective. Please don't use a successful result as a reason to not change your behavior though. You have great incentive to continue improving your health right now, it would be sad to loose that momentum.
spitfirebill wrote:
Why do you potentially need to wear a respirator?
Good question. The gang and my boss claim the respirator is rarely used or maybe even needed. When they open up the boiler for cleaning they usually just use a 3M paper mask I've been told.
The two older guys in my gang both failed their PFT... but they have 30 plus years each, nothing was said. I only have three weeks in. There's been a lotta ta-do over these tests and respirators. Some bearded guys flat out refuse to shave for the respirator fitment and are then not respirator qualified.
PFT and fitment requirement comes only from upper management and the safety dept AFAIK.
If you're already done walking, then you are off to a good start. Walk more tomorrow. Get your arms moving too.
cdowd
HalfDork
11/19/15 2:53 p.m.
look at getting one of these spirometer. it will help getting deeper breaths.
Dr. Hess wrote:
And no more smokes. Do you want to work or smoke?
Truer words were never spoken.
fasted58 wrote:
This was supposed to be my year of reclaiming my life from that hell-hole of a job of four years that ran my ass in the ground.
Still plenty of time left in this year. You can do this.
An incentive sprirometer http://www.amazon.com/Medline-Incentive-Spirometer-4000ml/dp/B0070P2TFM
or this exerciser http://www.amazon.com/TELEFLEX-Voldyne-5000-Volumetric-Exerciser/dp/B0030CHUF8
AND QUITTING SMOKING will go a long way to getting you there. And maybe an inhaler shot just before the test. You know, for luck. And a good prescription inhaler from your doc at that.
fasted58 wrote:
Started a new job three weeks ago. There was no physical required before starting. However, they do have annual Pulmonary Function Testing in order to qualify for wearing a cartridge type respirator. According to the gang and boss respirators are seldom used so this appears to be a Safety Dept./ Management requirement.
It's OSHA. 29 CFR 1910.134, to be specific. Assuming general industry, not construction.
In reply to slantvaliant:
That's it exactly. It's a government facility, so yea... compliance, doubly so for this particular agency.
Met w/ my boss and the dept. manager this morning. New hires have 60 working days (probation) to pass the PFT, company policy. That leaves me up to 7 weeks from now to pass, probably be sooner rather than later though.
They made it clear that they like my work and want to keep me, that was very reassuring. The rest is up to me to pass. I absolutely love this job... best job I ever had, I'll do whatever it takes to pass.
Anything short of that, what is an acceptable dollar amount for bribes these days? 
In your down time you can also practice breathing properly. While sitting breathe in and out while trying to keep your shoulders and chest from moving. Your belly will move in and out as your diaphragm forces everything to move down there.
Work on technique for a few days until you get used to how it feels and then start stretching how big a gulp of air you can take. Hold your breath and your belly in the extended position and work on making that overall amount of air pulled in as large as possible.
Eventually you will be able to get a good deep breath without moving your chest or shoulders at all and be comfortable with it. The last step is to then take one of those deep breaths, hold it, and then instead of exhaling take another deep breath by allowing your chest and shoulder to move. Figure out how that feels and try to exhale and take one breath with as much volume as the two you just crammed in. With a little practice you can get the hang of it and you will have effectively doubled your lung capacity for nothing more difficult or expensive than paying attention.
Combine your new larger lung capacity with anything else you are going to do and you will pass the test with flying colors.
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