Very confused

Hi everyone, hope you all had a fab Christmas, and are keeping well. I'm writing this message because I am very confused (as my title suggests!) about my recent visit to my GP. I had an emergency appointment booked in as I couldn't get a normal appointment when the phone line opened at 8.30am, an by the time I got through at 8.50am, all appointments had gone...does anyone else have this trouble? Anyway, I struggled through work all day; taking my ventolin constantly. I had taken all my usual meds and done my PF that morning..it was 290 (my personal best is 390) so I know something wasn't right. At 4.30pm I had my appointment, and by this point I was constantly coughing in the waiting room, had got out of breath just walking across the car park, and I just felt very 'weird' like something was brewing.

When I saw the GP, she did my PF which by then was down to 240. She also did my oxygen levels...this was 94% and listened to my chest (which was apparently clear). She said she thought I would be worse than I was for making an emergency appointment...hang on those scores are quite low aren't they? Well, she told me to up my Seretide to 4 puffs a day, continue taking my ventolin and gave me some pred (which hasn't helped). She told me to come back if I feel like I need to. I left feeling very worried and scared. Am I making a fuss over nothing? I was awake early this morning with a tight chest and been coughing again all day. Looks like I'll be back at GP again Monday morning.

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Hi Jenna,

What a rubbish Christmas present! How long ago was your appt? I don't think you're making a fuss over nothing at all with those figures; did the GP say the scores were low or was that what you were thinking?

Because it's pretty ridiculous for them to say 'oh I thought you'd be worse for an emergency appt' - umm no, if you were worse then probably you shouldn't really be at the GP at all, it's not actually for real emergencies as they should know. If you were really struggling you should be at A&E, so I think an emergency appt was perfectly reasonable in your circumstances. I'm not a dr but I have an idea 94% is lowish, at least if you're normally more than that - am sure I've read it should be over 95% - but as I said not an expert at all. So I would defo go back asap if the pred and extra Seretide aren't helping. Obviously it's the weekend, so if you're really struggling don't wait for the GP, go to OOH or A&E.

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Hi Jenna!

havent got much more to add but am defo seconding what Philomela said. obviously if you had been much worse than what you were it would have been AandE that saw you. also 94% sat is getting low as should be over 95% (it says so in my medical secretary course textbook ;-)). also if you do get too bad dont hesitate to make a fuss with the appropriate people when you feel its needed. as my mum has often said you can live with some nasty comments from uneducated staff but you cant live with having not got help when its needed! i do hope things improve for you soon.

Rose xxx

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When I saw the GP, she did my PF which by then was down to 240. She also did my oxygen levels...this was 94% and listened to my chest (which was apparently clear). She said she thought I would be worse than I was for making an emergency appointment...hang on those scores are quite low aren't they? Well, she told me to up my Seretide to 4 puffs a day, continue taking my ventolin and gave me some pred (which hasn't helped). She told me to come back if I feel like I need to. I left feeling very worried and scared. Am I making a fuss over nothing? I was awake early this morning with a tight chest and been coughing again all day. Looks like I'll be back at GP again Monday morning.

I agree with the others. Sats of 94% aren't great and a pf of just over 60% is well into the yellow zone so meds shoud be increased and/or pred adding which I'm glad to hear that the GP did do that. It's exactly what emergency appointments are for too, so don't let her make you feel that you have to be worse to be worth seeing. You say pred's not helping though, did she give you 30mg? I used to be given this, but the recomended dose for an adult is 40mg or more, so this is what I get now, as 30mg didn't have enough umph. Sometimes when I'm coughing my chest sounds clear, so don't let that bother you. My GPs know me well enough to know that sometimes I'll cough (and chest sound clear or not too bad) and others I'll wheeze/crackle well.

I agree that if things don't improve then go back to doctors on Monday morning, or if things get worse then you should go to A&E.

I hope you're feeling better soon. x