tight chest

[lindmat]

i wonder if anyone can help me. i have been suffering with a tight chest and varying difficulty in breathing for a week. has anyone else been suffering this. i spoke to my doctor on the phone he did not offer an appointment and gave me a prescription for steriods but said not to take them unless i really needed them. has anyone else experienced this?

[Emmajayne75]

Have u started taking the steroids? If not it might be advisable, if ur worried about the symptoms though could I suggest either going to see ur gp or giving the asthma UK helpline a call, hope ur feeling better soon xx

[lindmat in reply to Emmajayne75]

the problem I have at my surgery is that last time I asked to see a doctor about my asthma I was told I had to see the asthma nurse as they know more bout asthma than the doctor.

[Emmajayne75 in reply to lindmat]

Ok so can u make an appointment with ur asthma nurse? At my surgery the asthma nurse just does the asthma clinic but can not do prescriptions etc so I find it easier just to go straight to gp, hope u manage to see someone today hun xx

[sharshy]

Yes I too have a tight chest and am Asthmatic also have a hiatus hernia. Get checked for Asthma asap.

[snoubelles]

It seems unusual that if you described chest tightness & breathing difficulties your GP wouldn't see you, and especially that they'd prescribe steroids without seeing you - unless you've had asthma a long time, had frequent courses of steroids & your GP is trusting you to make the call - but even then they should see you if your uncertain or worried. Asthma exacerbations are not something to take chances with!

Do you have a written asthma plan? They can be helpful at giving guidance that if you're in a particular zone you need to see a doctor/asthma nurse within 48 hours, or that day (& can be helpful to tell receptionist that's what your plan says when requesting to be seen).

Once you've got your written plan it also makes it easier to know when you need steroids - usually if you're in the amber zone and increasing you maintenance/reliever for 48 hours hasn't helped, or you're in the red zone.

The other reason it's good to get checked out, is to check you don't also have an infection triggering your asthma (e.g. if you have a fever, dark sputum, or if the doctor can hear 'crackles' in your chest).

If in doubt - insist on being seen & in the meantime the asthma UK helpline is really useful.

Hoping you improve soon,