For reasons I won't go too far deeply into I am left without access to (or registration with) a GP. There is absolutely no practical possibility of my accessing an alternative pracice to the one I've just de-registered from, and I know of no drop-in NHS access either near where I live in West Lothian or in Glasgow where I work.
This effectively leaves me with NO access to prescription medication of any kind. And to all practical purposes I am cut off from NHS services. This, I feel, is a completely unresolveable issue; and not what I hope to address here.
Previously my Asthma (diagnosed over 20 years ago) was extremely well controlled with Pulmicort. Having been 'forced off' this I've turned to a saltpipe which IS helping though (give it time) not as effective as the drug... My difficulty is of course that I've now no access to Ventolin either. And, having had a few attacks over the past few weeks am depleting what little 'stocks' I have left...
I am wondering then what (other than call an ambulance) can one do to relieve an attack when for one reason or another there is no access to Ventolin? A situation that could happen to anyone though forgetfulness, inhalers failing or issues with repeats.
If I forget medication when I am at university I just register as a temporary resident at whatever GP surgery is nearest and they are normally more than happy to provide me with the medication that I require. Is this perhaps an option for you?
x
Fone nhs 24. There is an option for emergency prescriptions. Pluus they mite advice on resolution
of gp problems. Worth a phone call
Sadly it's getting time away from work to get to a GPs surgery that's at the heart of the problem... My old GP has gone down the box-ticking cost-cutting route. I suspect they get paid for everyone they drag through the door for a review. And they expect me to compromise the hygienic use of my Pulmicort inhaler in order to 'eek' it out a bit longer!
My peak flow, doseage or attack rate hadn't varied in over a decade; and for me to be away from work for a day literally costs my company hundreds of pounds. Still the local GP insists on wasting my time and theirs on reviews that aren't needed and are a waste of everybody's time... All I need are my repeat meds! In fact I would settle for just access to Ventolin as the saltpipe seem to be working!
Really I need to find a way of dealing with this on the basis that access to a GP is a closed option...
Matt, I think you need to look at your attitude towards asthma reviews. They are an excellant way to check your medication is correct, that you are using it correctly they may be able to step down or you may need to step up. It is a chance for you and the nurse also to see if there is any ""trend"" to your asthma by looking at the times of day you need your reliever. I am under the Royal Brompton and have admissions every 4-6 weeks but I still toddle along to have my annual asthma review. We mainly talk about changes the RBH have made, they don't attempt to mess with my medication however they did pick up I needed a script altered to make sure it lasted it the month. Asthma reviews are not boxes to tick, it has taken many years to get GP's to have nurses trained in asthma care and to do reviews as they are very important. Each day 7 people will die of an asthma attack, many of these deaths are preventable one of the ways is to ensure you are on the optimal regime for you as an individual. Please find yourself a GP and please make time to have your asthma review they are worth it.
In the mean time try your local out of hours GP many A&E departments have an out of hours GP service attached to them and I am sure they will give you a script for a new releiver.
Bex
Ur employer must give you time off to attend a dr or medical appointment. I'm glad your asthma is well controlled but someday it won't especially when compromised when your medication runs low or out. Gp service have a right to review your medication and would be negligent if they didn't. The sooner you register with a new gp the better for you.
HI,
Phone NHS24- 08454 242424, but also local police will be able to give you details of how to get emergency medications, but since you have no registered doctor the A&E may be the best option. I agree with Bex that the Asthma reviews are not a waste of time if carried out by a fully trained asthma nurse. I'm self employed so it costs me money to drag myself along to them, but I do it because it's cheaper in the long run not only in time but also my health and quality of life. You really need to readdress your priorities. So your company losses money while you're not there for a few hours, big deal what if you have an attack and are not there for days/weeks. Also many GPs now do extended hours and and evening appointment with a GP is possible but not usually with the asthma nurse.
Chris
Thanks for the input... It's appreciated.
Having lived with the condition for over 20 years I feel I'm well-enough in contact with the issues surounding my own circumstances. There is of course rather more 'background' to this than I'm giving away here; including a doctor, without the benfit of a review or even reference to me, cutting back on the amount of medication per script (the activations per inhaler went from 200 to 120) thus increasing the necessary frequency of re-issue... At which they baulked; apparently unable to grasp the simple mathematical implications of their own actions!
When challenged (in writing) they inferred that a regime of use be put in place that would compromise the hygiene practices I had been previously told (over a decade ago) to adopt in order to help mitigate one of the side effects of my Pulmicort... Practices that have served me well over that period.
Clearly the only concern here CAN be a financial one... And I think it's a measure of the 'professionalism' of this particular practice that they resorted to simply ignoring my written protests (I had only written twice; my first letter met with an arrogant and bullying response my second was ignored) and allowed a chronic asthmatic to effectively cut themselves free of the NHS...
I've literally no time or patience for faffing around in doctor's sugeries. And on that note, from my own financial point of view I simply CANNOT afford to waste time on reviews carried out by people who don't know me, are seeing my data for the first time and where very often it is I who am pointing THEM to the key historical points in my clinical notes...
One incident comes to mind where the Doctor I was seeing attempted to prescribe Pulmicort in the dry-powder type inhaler as opposed to the normal aerosol... Something that had in the past proved not only ineffective for me but caused some fairly unpleasant throat problems. This was clearly recorded in my notes; and I had to physically take them off her, leaf through them and point out where this was all a matter of record!!
Unfortunately the place I was registered at is far removed from the 'ideal' GP practice where the doctor knows the patient and their immediate family better than they do themselves!!! And on the few occasions where I attended with other ailments their performance was very poor indeed.
I fully accept that any change in my condition would justify further monitoring. But (call it a form of OCD if you will) I keep very accurate records of my own daily peak flow and useage. These have not varied by more than 1%-2% in over ten years. Or at least they hadn't 'till I came off my Pulmicort...
In your own case Bex your condition is apparently (and unfortunately) far more 'active' than my own. And I can well-see the value in maintaining close contact with these people. But I'm afraid in my own case I remain convinced was simply a financial unit on a spreadsheet. It's rather the case that my cat, my dog and even my car receive better continuity of care than myself or any of my family!
Unfortunately I'm not aware of nor can find any information on any form of drop-in GP service either here in West Lothian or in central Glasgow where I work; out of hours or otherwise. Perhaps arrangements for such things here in Scotland are different from the rest of the UK?
So it seem still the old brick wall....
Gussy / Woody...
The particular circumstances I am in mean that if I'm not there a substitute needs to be found at a rate somewhere in the region of £120 per hour; and they're hired by the day, not the part thereof...
As I own the company that pretty much comes directly out of my pocket... So I've effectively to shell out nearly a thousand pounds to sit for two hours waiting to be seen by someone who doesn't know me, doesn't know my condition and is only going through the motions to satisfy some vacuous statistic dreamt up by accountant somewhere...
On an average day I'm out the door at 6:45am and not back 'till past 7pm... I just don't have time for this nonsense!
And it's only in the past two or three years they've started with this claptrap! It's not been 'necessary' for the best part of two decades.... So it ain't necessary now!
Thanks for the input folks; It's obviously a stonewall situation....
I don't mean to be rude but you came looking for advice. Some gave it hoping it may help. tho you don't have to take the advice no need to be rude. As controll of asthma can change very quick don't count that cos it been well for twenty years it will remain the same for next twenty. I've been there good controll then 1 episode no control. I hope your asthma remains well and nhs 24 will be able to help with a replacement prescription
In order for your Dr to know you you have to make an effort to build a relationship and visit them regualry and attend asthma reviews otherwise they will do what they want as they dont know what works for toy and what dosnt
Gussy... I came here asking basically what people did before there was such a thing as Ventolin, what alternatives to landing in A&E are there and what did people do in the past... I didn't come here because I require attitude adjustment or a lecture on how serious Asthma is... Lived with it for 20-odd years, been there, done that got the T shirt!!! In fact I've lived with it longer than the so-called GP who's at the root of the problem has been out of school!
I made it very clear in my original post that there were no walk-in services available to me (at least not that I can find) and that likewise re-registering with an alternative GP wasn't an option either.
With all due respect to everyone that has responded none of those issues I sought guidance on have really been addressed. I appreciate people have responded in good faith, some are trying to be helpful and am grateful for that. However as you say I came here asking for help and advice; NOT to be patronised.
I don't believe I have been at all rude in any of my responses. However; I DO seem to be hitting a brick wall here; and that Is quite frustrating...
I'm not a foolish or ill-educated person. And have enough first-hand experience of living with Asthma to know all about the 'swings and roundabouts' than you describe...
Equally well, having grown up with an S.E.N. Mother ( A former Matron and Nurse-Tutor) and at one point lived with a G.P. as her partner I've enough personal experience of the medical profession to know that 'all the answers' aren't at their fingertips... The latter having left the country to return to her native land to practice (because the NHS was turning into an cash-obsessed sausage machine in which she felt they were no longer letting her be a Doctor) I also know enough not to cow-tow to box-ticking bullies. Especially when I have no faith that their actions are driven by anything other than the practice balance sheet.
With that I'll let the matter rest and hope the topic is closed. With thanks to all who have responded so far I'll obviously have to seek out the answers I need elsewhere.
In order for your Dr to know you you have to make an effort to build a relationship and visit them regualry and attend asthma reviews otherwise they will do what they want as they dont know what works for toy and what dosnt ""
Bizkid... Even if it were necessary; you CAN'T build a relationship with somone from a practice where you never see the same doctor twice, are discouraged from specifying what doctor it is you want to see, and when you DO see somone they don't even take the time to read your notes properly...
As I say; I've actually been registered with this practice for some ten years or so. It's only relatively recently this has become an issue. and NO they WON'T 'do what they like'. NOT with me at least... I would rather go back to where I was before diagnosis rather than be treated as a guinea-pig... Especially when the motivation is entirely mercinary.
If they want to know what works and what doesn't all they need to do is read my notes...
As I say; topic closed as far as I'm concerned...
Matt why don't you phone one of the nurse Advisers on this web site they will have up to date information on asthma and treatments available. No one wants to see anyone becoming unwell with no or little treatment available that's why we stressed the importance of a gp. Where getting medical supplies is the urgency....
Matt, I'm like you in keeping very good data on my asthma, PF, FEV1, medication, symptoms, even humidity what exercise I do etc and all on computer, then I take this with me to the GP/Asthma nurse.
At first they do treat you like they know best, but BizKid's post about building a relationship is the cornerstone of good care, and that's a two way process of being reasonable and listening to them and then politely putting your point across.
At first my GP was a bit 'I know best' but now it's more me in control and he listens and basically does what I want, I don't treat him like a 'Know it all' and he doesn't treat me like and idiot, if you can present them with supporting data.
You asked a question 'What did people do before ventolin' simple answer...they died if unlucky, as it is now with modern medicine and care one person still dies from asthma every 7 hours. You seem to now your asthma well, and I do mine. In the summer I'll quite happily leave home without my ventolin, this time of the year no likely as it's this time of year for me where I have problems.
Think if you want the medicine, and the doctors do have a legal requirement to review it with you every 12-18 months, you're just going to have to make the effort to find a GP somewhere and go see them, yes it will cost you money, as it does me but how much value do you put on your life. When I don't go to work, nothing gets done and I loose money same as you, but your attitude seems to be one of I know best, and my asthma doesn't change, well it may not have but it might.
Hi Matt
Having had a quick glance through this post i have come to the conclusion you have unregistered yourself from the doctors because you were dissatisfied with the service they are providing, therefore you have taken yourself away from having access to medication?
You have also taken yourself away because you do not want to have time off work to keep your own health in check and under control.
Personally i do not see this as a sensible thing to do as asthma can be life threatening as can other health concerns if you do not get yourself checked out every few years.
So why are you asking us how to cope without access to medication when you could have access if you hadnt taken yourself away from it?
Plumie
P.S if i have the wrong end of the stick i am quite ill so am quite prepared to be wrong with this post but felt i should say what i thought incase i was correct.
Hi ,
I live in the lothians and I can assure you there are plenty of ways of getting hold of medication if you need it. It is possioble to go to a chemist and show a repeat script you may ahve from your practice that you are now no longer part of and they can prescribe for you or you can call nhs 24 or go to any of the various hospitals around the lothians or even in scotland and get medication if needed.
It is very unwise to de resgiter from a practice at all even if you didnt ahve asthma jsut incase something were to happen.
if you need details feel free to PM me I can give you ways to get prescribed medication or find help from medical practioners to assess you if you need it like in out of hours etc.
Olive
Dear Matt,
Not withstanding all the other comments, The very first reliever treatments were coffee and Chocolate.... Caffiene and Theobromine. Theobromine is distantly related to Theophyline, and can act to help asthma. I personally have suggested these as treatments to consultants over the years, and while they believe that they can have some effect, It was not believed that they represented real alternatives.
However for poor people in some parts of the world coffee is the only treatment that they have
I remember when Ventolin first became available, and it was/ is a real life saver.
Best
RI
Matt, I find your attitude to the people on this board who have tried to help you repulsive. You are responsible for your health and if you come here asking for advice and then turn your nose up at it then that is your choice but please do not think we don't understand. There was a time when I earned a lot working in the film and TV industry. I was self employed and could be away from home for long periods I also had no choice about my hours of work and often did 16 hour days if you include traveling too and from and I earned a lot more than your £120 a hour, factor in time lost travelling or the cost of sub contracting the whole days work, my asthma review was very costly. At the time my asthma was very very mild and all I needed was a review and certificate that allowed me to SCUBA dive. I did get a bit annoyed that I could not simply go through the review over the phone as never had my inhaler or PF technique questioned, however bottom line I valued my life too much to not bite the bullet and pay the price of a days lost work.
Find yourself another GP even if you need to travel to see them, at the initial registering request a mini asthma review and ask if assuming your trends don't change ask if you can not do asthma reviews in the future or ask if they can be every 2 years rather than 12 monthly.
One other point of reviews is that there are sometimes new drugs around which might suit you better, if you don't go you will never find out.
Take responsibility for your asthma and do the right thing even if it does hit your pocket, you only have one life and no-one can put a price on that.
Bex
I have to say i compeltley agree with Bex here. Your not willing to put yourself out of pocket, but in the end, by you not attending asthma reviews or getting repeat prescriptions you run the risk that at some point you may suffer a life-threatening attack, which could require a long stay in hospital and in severe cases ventialtion. This will literally cost thousands of pounds to the NHS, and untold problems for you.
Look at the bigger picture for both yourself and others, no one enjoys going to the doctors and we all miss things for it but in the end its a small price to pay.
welcome matt
you must know by now you need to take more care of your self
and after a rocky start you will get alot of support and make friends also on here so stay safe,
and put your self first and look into all the help around near or not so near you.
Good luck and stay well Glynis xxx
Hi Matt,
I don't want to get too bogged down in some of the sentiments expressed below. I did however want to sympathesise and tell you want works for me.
I'm not self employed but do work long hours plus regular nights. I also have an hours commute so I leave home at 07.00 returning at around 18.30 for my shorter shifts. I find it almost impossible to see my GP unless I'm unwell enough to be off work. Leaving work early or starting late is simply not a feasible option unless it's a hospital appointment.
Luckily I have an understanding GP. Medication reviews are done by telephone in my lunch hour and he let me opt out of the annual asthma review several years ago. As I see a hospital specialist this is not a huge issue. When I absolutely have to make an appointment I do so during my nights or annual leave- not ideal,
I hope you can find something that works for you,
Best wishes,
ST
Matt,
if you are *worth* £1,000 per day to yourself then surely, financially speaking, you are in a position to go private for your health treatment. Or can atleast afford private health insurance- a basic scheme almost every company boss takes out, even my self employed father does that and he earns less than my primary school teaching mother!
Pulmicort costs less than £15 an inhaler. im sure you could stomach the cost of that if you find the NHS service so infelxible. You can pay through the nose, find a nice private dr who will see you out of hours and prescribe you as and when required- although im sure you will still be required to have periodical reviews as it is unproffessional to prescribe medicines without making sure they continue to be the correct medicine.
the change from 200 to 120 doses is a brand issue, not a Dr's issue. The people who make the inhaler have changed the doseage- you can no longer buy then im 200 dose inhalers.
I find you attitude disdainful. The NHS may well have its faults. its systems may be a hassle to you, but they are not made to suit you and your lifestyle. If you want a personalised service you have to pay for it. Be thankful you don't have 6 medical appointments a week to attend, or worse, like many people here, spend the majority of your time fighting to stay out of hospital. I may get frustrated with NHS staff and their sometimes ridiculous administration, but your arrogance leaves me agast. Asthma is a serious medical condition which can surprise anyone- the majority of asthma deaths come from mild patients who do not expect the worst to happen. It may be a minor inconvenience to your otherwise hectic life now, but it may not always be that way. Once or two 'annoying' medical reviews a year is not a high price to pay for your life, or heavily reduced medication costs.
I find your suggestion of calling for an ambulance because you are too stubborn to attend a medical appointment to renew your medication prescriptions selfish and pigheaded. Whilst you're busy asking if they can provide you with a ventolin inhaler someone else may be dying from lack of available services. This is a totally avoidable situation. If you are above the NHS practices for prescribing medications then you should seek professional medical help via other channels, not rely on emergency services to be at your beck and call. Had you been close enough to a walk in centre to attend one they would quickly realise by your pattern of attendance and computer records that you were only attending for routine medications and would eventually refuse to supply you with this service.
Times change, medications change, your condition changes, medical practises change. Your expectations are far from realistic and you will never get the answer you are looking for here until you except that.
Hello Matt,
""What DId people do in the days before ventolin?""
In the days before ventolin asthma people were prescribed drugs such as Franol plus tablets. These tablets contained two active ingredients, theophylline and ephedrine. They were both medicines called bronchodilators and were used to open the airways.
Theophylline is still used today for asthma control. I remember the Franol tablets as a small child when suffering from severe asthma attacks, over forty years ago now. The drugs cut short many severe asthma attacks. It was all that was available in those days.
Later on I was one of the first people in the UK to be prescribed a becotide inhaler, containing a drug, beclomethasone, that was initially rejected but which then went on to become the most actively recommended drug for controlling inflammation. This inhaler allowed me to live an asthma controlled life for more than twenty years to the point where the use of a SABA or ventolin drug inhaler was only necessary during times of overwhelming allergic triggers. During this time I also competed in sport at national level Everything was hunky dory.
One day a few years ago when I was still ‘totally controlled’ with just the use of a ventolin and becotide inhaler I suffered from an asthma attack which is described on my hospital notes as a ‘near fatal’ with all the baggage of intubation and a long recovery. None of the doctors at that time would have ever considered me as an asthmatic who could descend into that level of severity after being so well controlled and over so many years.
Since that time my asthma has become rather unpredictable to include a permanent loss of lung function (30%) but with good – so they tell me – reversibility.
So what is the point of my asthma story in relation to your original email?
Firstly, that during my lifelong - forty year plus and still counting – relationships with doctors, the ones who have helped me most of all were, and are, those with whom I built a relationship based upon trust and mutual respect. Some of the best doctors are ones I had and still have the most heated discussions with, concerning where to go next with asthma control.
Secondly, I would love to have complete autonomy from my dependence upon all those in a medical and by association with my little problem a ‘controlled environment’ mostly because I know best and always like to be in complete control!
But and a big BUT… SOMETIMES a little humility goes a million metaphoric miles into maintaining the status quo, or saving face, or, just to put it frankly, able to breathe and continue the quality of life you want to…
It’s not necessary to go ‘bare fisted’ against the hardest obstacles, nor is an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ gung ho approach recommended.
Like you maybe (?) my priorities are to get to work, do the best I can, enjoy and love my family and friends.
.There’s a scene in the film Crocodile Dundee where the main (Australian) character ‘Mick Dundee’ is trying to explain to his American girl friend ‘Sue’ how he comes to terms with his problems ( unlike her individual relationship with a therapist).
“ I tell Wally ( a barman) then he tells everyone else. Then I don’t have a problem anymoreâ€
It’s absolutely amazing to get support from people who know what it’s like to suffer from a breathing problem and who can offer advice from the perspective of ‘the same boat’
Everyone on this board including me will probably have a story to tell about unsympathetic doctors, administrators or just the system.
So please listen to the advice of others, all of which is meant well and to help rather than hinder a way forward.
Mia
Matt I don't think anyone can give you the answer you want to hear. I know I didn't need to know how much money you make per hour as that doesn't make your life any more important than mine when it comes to treatment for asthma . I work also but make sure I'm able to attend dr appointments a little more frequent than yearly reviews . The private option does seem a practical one for you. Suit your want to be social status but would you be willing to spend money when making money is more important for you ......
Firstly, to all those who find my attitude 'distasteful' think I'm a wannabee <LOL if you only knew!> , earn more than me or whatever... It's actually YOUR arrogant judgemental assumptions that are distasteful; Because I happen to be stuck in a pivotal role you imagine this gives me an easy ride or huge financial clout? Quite the opposite! OH for a nice regular wage, days off, regular holidays and the opportunity to spend a few hours with my kids!!! >
In case you hadn't noticed we're in the midst of a recession. I'm responsible NOT just for the income of my own family but for six others; those of my employees (and yes; as it happens I DO happen to work in TV) ... For who's benefit (as well as my own) I'm struggling to keep the business going and get through this recession...
My work situation is such that I literally haven't had a day off since New Year; I can't afford one! And that was the pattern all last year too... I had a total of SEVEN days off out of 365 in 2009. Most days I'm lucky to get an hour to sit down and watch TV and eat before I have to get some sleep to cope with the next day's work... 16-18 days are the NORM for me.... Such is life; I'm not complaining about that!
So NO! I CAN'T affors to shell out £1000 willy-nilly.. It's not every year or two years .. but every three of four MONTHS. Nothing happens in these reviews that couldn't happen over a phone! No chest sounding... No blood pressure taking... No examination or physical contact of ANY kind... Just a long wait in a room full of sick people and NOTHING except a bunch of stupid questions I've answered over and over again and some glorified clerk filling out a form... Tranferring the data I'VE gathered onto their paperwork!!! I could email them the damn stuff and save them the writing!
And there is no prospect of developing a 'relationship' or even opening up any kind of dialogue with these people... As I said; you never see the same one twice and unless you tow the line they don't even reply to correspondence...
If I'm actually ill then the expense of being off isn't a problem; but this? Funny how they went for seven or eight years with barely a nod to these 'reviews' now they want to get as many bodies through the surgery door as they can...
YES I know the change from 200 doses to 120 was the manufacturer's doing. But I'd expect a ten-year-old to be bright enough to work out if you reduce the pack size of something by 40% and your useage of the product is constant then you're going to get through more packs. For the 'geniuses' at my local practice this piece of simple maths is beyond them; and their stepped-up harassment (that lead to me telling them where to go) is based on my ordering repeats more frequently as a result...
Registering with another practice would solve NOTHING. There isn't one within many miles and surgery housrs there are no different... Going private? Again; I just don't know how I'd find the time... Though that's an option I'll need to explore. IF I could walk into a pharmacy and buy ventolin OTC at £30 a pop (never mind £15) I would!; I'd even happily order it from elsewhere in the EU and pay whatever...
I didn't 'suggest' calling an ambulance WAS an option 'Selfheal' THAT is what I'm trying to avoid and your perverse spin on what I wrote says more about you than it does me. I could pick holes in your own and other's attitudes but will refrain from personal abuse as I believe it's SUPPOSED to be against forum rules...
I don't intend logging in here again... There's obviously very little in the way of real support to be had and there seems to be more than a smattering of a certain victim mentality whereby a few people are determined that their Asthma remains a reason to abdicate having a life and dependance on an increasingly mercinary NHS the 'official rubber stamp' to that abdication...
If someone can suggest an OTC reliever, a practical alternative to Ventolin, where I can get supplies of ventolin online or some other practical option great... email me. to those who genuinely HAVE tried to help I do thank you...
For the rest? Well I leave some to you judgemental attitudes and your self-pity...
so does this mean you expect to be supplied any inhaler you ask for from any pharmacy on the nhs with no proper checks being made to see if ANY healthcare professional is actually involved in aftercare of your condition?
perhaps this is a new way of saving money for the nhs with no need to see any healthcare professional!
PAX!!!
May I say that I am quite frankly appalled at some of the venom that has been shown by some members of our forum to a guy who for whatever reason cannot access his medicines through the usual channels. There must be loads of folk in the same boat. My own husband used to drive 35,000 miles - that made it difficult to attend for check-ups. Fortunately in his case it wasn't asthma but high blood pressure can leave you on a sticky wicket too.
So please, lets climb off our high horses and get real! Is there any way in which one can access meds without going through a GP. What do travelling people do? Or actors in travelling rep companies. Used to be easy to lodge with a temporary GP if need be, on holiday in the UK. Do not know if this still applies.
So folks, thinking caps on and lets get back to being the friendly people, I know you to be deep down.
GrannyMo has spoken.
HI granny mo/ matt
Yes you can still register wtith a temporary GP or go to a nhs walk in clinic i have done it a few times while being ill in the UK when on holiday. As someone also said you can take an old repeat prescription slip in to a pharmacy and ask them for the said medication if you have run out and cannot get to the GP as long as you are willing to pay the going rate for the inhaler, i know i did it with some tablets i ran out of and it was £17 for 6 tablets and that lasted me till the monday.
So there are three options you can do. I quite like the NHS walk in clinics.
Where are you from Matt? I will have a look for your nearest walk in clinic for you if you would like or you could look for yourself on NHS choices website please be prepared to travel for one of these because my personal nearest is an hours drive away from me but still handy at a push when i really need to.
edit: you could actually try the buketo method that is another thing to try instead of ventolin it only works if you are very very mild asthma but i guess reading your post as you are very desperate you would be willing to try anything there are some good books around about it, the author is Patrick McKeown, two titles are Close your mouth and asthma free naturally. Personally they didnt help me at all but there was once someone on this form that it had helped and cured there asthma. Cannot email Matt this as i dont know how too.
Hope that is some help to you
Plumie
Moderator Message
Phew, things got a bit heated there. Perhaps we should all just take a step back and not pass personal judgements - none of us on here really know each other personally (with a few exceptions), so we're not in a position to start making personal comments or judgements on anyone's situations with their relative merits or otherwise.
Matt, you're in rather a pickle. Your asthma's not really causing you much of a problem, but you obviously recognise that it could do at some point. Some of the guys here will get rather worried about folks because they know the potentially frightening and dangerous position that asthma sufferers can get into without medication (or even, sometimes, with it). However, you're also working the shirt off your back and have significant responsibilities to other people as well. It's not always easy to balance the two priorities. Your frustrations with your GP system are very evident, and I can see where you're coming from. I don't know whether you've already done this or not, but it may be worth having a really good chat with one of the GPs and thoroughly explain the situation. You shouldn't be needing reviews every 3-4 months. A well controlled asthmatic only needs a review annually, and this should be relatively productive (see some of the literature elsewhere on the site regarding asthma reviews).
Even if the receptionists aren't keen to book you an appointment with a certain GP, it's your right to specify which doctor you see (obviously depending on that doctor's availability). So pick a GP and stick to your guns - yep, you might need extra flexibility for when you're poorly and need to see someone quickly, but for routine care it should not be a problem. See if you can work together to resolve the issues regarding the reminders, reviews and prescription frequencies. It should be possible to set a ""flag"" or ""alert"" on your records to remind docs that you don't need constant reviews. There's obviously been a big breakdown in communication with your GPs, but with a bit of work from both sides (and it does have to be both sides) it can be resolved. I'm not sure if the same is true for Scotland, but a lot of GPs south of the border are now offering ""extended hours"" - i.e. later appointments in the evenings at at weekends, which may make things easier for you.
If all that sounds a bit patronising, I don't mean it to be. I'm a GP myself, so you can imagine the problems I have with going to see my GP - we work the same hours! I sometimes come across situations where people have been frustrated or angered by something that's happened at the surgery, but when they come shouting at me it's the first I've heard of it, and there are things I can do easily to rectify the situation to everyone's satisfaction. I hope someone can do the same for you.
CathBear
(Moderator)
Hi Everyone,
I'm glad to see someone has spoken some common sense as things were getting a bit personal there. Thank you cathbear for your reply. LIZ x x
Matt,
I think the best solution would be to find a doctor who you get on well with. There's a couple of GPs at my local surgery who are great at recognising my busy life, and do lots of stuff over the phone for me, regardless of where I am in the world. If you go into see a Dr for any other reason during the year, get them to do a whistlestop review, so the year-clock starts ticking again from that point. You need to go in with a really positive attitude though, I wouldn't go out of the way to help someone being rude or grumpy. You need a long term solution, because that will save time in the long run. And that means finding a GP, because overall going to walk in clinics will take much longer.
You can buy pretty much anything OTC in a lot of Asia, but I believe I've had 2 (out of 4!) experiences of fake antibiotics bought from pharmacies in Asia. I think you can get Ventolin OTC in the US, but that may have changed.
I am self employed, and sometimes have to turn down chunks of work over days to fit single appointments in. And then sometimes those appointments have no conclusion. But overall, it's definitely worth it.
Matt, pull a sickie (I work in a similar industry, and I know far too well how hard it is to call in sick. I even got excited about the possibility of getting Swine Flu in the height of nation-wide panic as I would have to be off!), you sound like you need a day off. Spend a few hours with your kids. Find a GP you get on with. I bet you'll be more productive the next day. I worked through feeling very ill recently, and the next morning a GP called an ambulance and implied he thought I'd end up in intensive care. I keep thinking about the look on his face, and him saying 'she's got no breath sounds' when the paramedics arrived. I'm never going to do that again - it was probably avoidable by walking out of work, which my colleagues would have entirely supported, but I felt I should stay. Sort out your priorities.
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