Originally Posted by alice md

Annie,

there are many different ways to test the function of the diaphragm. some are relatively invasive (where they put a nasogastic tube with a balloon to directly measure the force generated by the diaphragm), and some are just blowing into something.
Any one of those tests if done correctly will give you a relatively accurate answer.

telling you that overnite oximetry is unreliable is like telling you that the results of a blood test are unreliable. every test has its limitations, but we still use them to guide us.

A good physician knows the strengths and limitations of the tests he uses and knows how to correlate them with the entire picture. a test in itself is useless, but can give you a lot of information if you know how to put it in the context of your patient's illness.

It sounds to me that you have to find the way to go back to that pulmonologist in Mayo. your local pulmonologist sounds like an excellent physician but he doesn't have the tools to treat you. you need someone that does.