update on me

hi all. Just a little update on my situation. Been back to the drs to day had an extra 5 days of preds they want spirometre done first time ever before - yes im one step closer - seeing a consultant. Am in shock dr i saw was shocked i had no consultant

[angievere]

You should have been referred a long time ago. I had to ask for a referral for my son about 8 yrs ago. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Result! Do you know how long it will be till you see the consultant? You may have to be a bit persistent about ringing the department if you don't get your letter - hope it all goes smoothly and comes through quickly but if not feel free to ask me as I had a bit of a struggle getting mine and might be able to give you some tips.

As Angievere says you should have been referred a while ago, glad you found a doctor who thinks this - can see him/her from now on as GP? Sounds like a better bet than the one before who wouldn't refer you.

Let us know how you get on!

[Annista]

Finally! I really hope that this means that things will start to improve for you now.

[yaf_user681_8101]

Thats good news

[Hidden]

well it was my gps i went to. All i kno is the asthma nurse who also does the spirometry at my gps will go up the wall when i go on wednesday for it. Hopefuly can see a dr after i get the results and do choose and book so get one quicker

[Hidden]

Why will asthma nurse go up the wall Amanda? Is she in the 'you don't need a referral?' camp? Hope that goes well for you and you get the referral straight after.

Should work on Choose & Book - my first referral was very quick and straightforward - but if you're in a busy area C&B sometimes run out of space for ones they can book then they have to pass it on to the department so they can run an extra clinic or something - that's what happened with mine but they didn't keep me well informed so I kept having to ring them. I hope yours is easier!

[Hidden]

Nope she not in that camp she said that the gps should do the referal as she had done all she can for me.

I will let everyone know how it goes on Wednesday

[Hidden]

Oh right, a good going up the wall then.

Yes please let us know!

[Hidden]

yeah always the good kind when they on your side

yeah dont think i will do to well on it but i just dont know what spirometry is as i have never had it done before

[Hidden]

So glad your getting help and going see a consultant soon xxx

[Hidden]

This might help though finding it a bit confusing - lungs not too happy today and seems to be affecting brain!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiro...

I've done spirometry aka lung function tests before at the hospital, it's ok but can be pretty exhausting especially if you're short of breath to start with. I'm pretty rubbish at doing the tests tbh (had to go in twice last time because the first set made no sense!).

Feel free to ask anything about it if you want, though not entirely sure if it's the same at the GP as at the hospital.

[Hidden]

thank you so much for that. i will look it up in a bit.

my brain is fried had to get paras out twice this week once for me then today for my mum

[Hidden]

Hope your mum is ok!

[Hidden]

That's good. Hope you're ok in the meantime while waiting.

Believe me, I know the feeling. First GP (now on mat. leave ) at new practice when I moved mentioned referral if ENT for sinusitis didn't help. Seen them a lot in the last 6 months with 4 courses pred. in 5 months and keep getting don't know what to do with you next.

Saw diff. GP that I'm actually registered with recently and he was surprised never had spirometry (appt soon at practice), also had chest x-ray to check all ok and bloods. Referral done by asthma nurse at the end of May and signed off by GP I think. Had a Choose and Book letter in a few days, had choice of all clinics in Somerset and have appt in local hosp. for beginning August. *edit also given atrovent inhaler which seems to be helping so far :)*

Anyone know if you get results straight away with spirometry?

[Hidden]

Brill news, wont be long and they should sort you out instead of suffering like you are. Sounds like you've got a decent gp which makes life easier. Write any questions or points you want make so you have it all to hand when you go. Cos when you get there you'll forget. Best of luck with the appointment. Do you have a date yet?. Look on asthma site for the asthma review chart as this might give you a few ideas to start you off.

sj xx

[Hidden]

My mum is fine - thank god she scared me though

Thank you for that got spirometry on wednesday which i know i wont be able to do. Having extended course of pred making it my 1st 10day course. have to wait till after that for a referal then think i just want it over now as every attack is getting worse

[Hidden]

Glad to hear your mums ok. The spirometry test are various breathing exercises without and

then with reliever. I found it really difficult as i very quickly ran out of puff and the tech, kept telling to keep blowing :< It doesnt take to long to do either