confused

Hi!

After several weeks going back and forth to the surgery, the practice nurse has just diagnosed me with asthma and has prescribed me a blue ventalin inhaler. I have not been given a peak flow monitor, or a brown inhaler - does anyone know why this might be?

Thanks!

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Hiya!

If your newly diagnosed they will try you on a blue one first (step 1) and see how your symptoms are, if still not helping then they will only put you on a steriod inhaler (brown) if you asthma is not controlled by the blue one (reliever)

If you want a peak flow to manage your flow readings you can get these on prescription from your doctor.

any ques feel free to PM me or post back!

Take care

kel xx

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Hey spancakes!

Welcome!

Just to agree really, the GP/nurse should start you on the lowest medication hence just the blue inhaler to see if you are well controlled on that, then they will start adding meds if your not controlled.

Not being controlled is when you have asthma symptoms such as waking up in the night, needing your blue inhaler 3 or more times a week, coughing in the night ect. If your experiencing any of these, you need to go back to your GP/nurse and tell them, this is probably when they will step up your medication...and the next stage for you would be adding a brown preventer inhaler.

If at any time your symptoms are not relieved by your blue inhaler then you must get further help, if you look around this site theres so good info for newly diagnosed people, including clear instructions on what to do in an asthma attack. Another idea might be phoning the auk helpline on here 08001216244, they give super advice and it might put your mind at rest.

As for the peak flow monitor, there does seem to be a tendency from gps not to prescribe them straight away for asthmatics, but having one would probably be a good idea, as they play a very important role in testing your symptoms and seeing if your asthma is controlled, so maybe ask next time you go to see the asthma nurse or gp.

I hope that helps, and questions feel free to ask, and some one will be along to answer I'm sure

ally