The 6MWTs also see how the blood oxygen saturation varies with mild exertion. Plus over extended time, the distances and blood ox readings of several 6MWTs show progress or lack of progress. Some pharmas and/or insurance agencies will ask for 6MWT results before authorizing some meds or therapies.

The clinical trial I am debating participating in would have me do no less than 8 (EIGHT) of them over the course of the 6 month trial to use as a measure of any improvement.

Thanks Beth. The University Hospital where I go for the 6MWT is huge and it's a long walk just to get to the pulmonary department. Part of the way is uphill on a long ramp. They put orange cones at opposite ends of a hallway and you have to circle around them multiple times which slows you down. There must be a better way to do this test. By the time I got home I already had 5,000 steps on my watch.
I hope you do well on Tuesday. 🫂

I started Uptravi January 2024 in combination with Tadalafil. On February 10, 2025, I had my first 6 minute walk since 2023. In 2023 I had to keep stopping every minute and my oxygen was titrated up to 6 liters per minute. This week, after having lost over 40# since January 2024, I completed the walk on 2 liters for 480 feet. I had left my home on 2 liters and left the doctor's office still on 2 liters. It was definitely a red letter day for me. My specialist was very pleased and has cleared me to resume pulmonary rehab. I am looking forward to going to movies, symphony performances and travelling once again, confident that I'm on the best track for managing both polycythemia Vera and idiopathic PAH.

Hi Beth. I have osteoarthritis and it's bothering both of my knees now. I got injections a week before the test and it helped a lot. On my last test I only got 460 meters because my left knee was hurting then. Let me know how it goes please.

I have only done the 6 minute test. By two minutes, I was wheezing and gasping so bad that the tech begged me to stop. By sheer will power I made it to 4 minutes before I sat down and consented to oxygen. My O2 was something like 84. I guess I scared her.