Sore throat getting worse, asthma getting more out of breath.

[becky3344]

Hi.

Been on steroids nearly 2 weeks, got sore throat for week, it's now travelling down my throat, and my breathing is getting worse. I thought GP surgery might be open this Saturday morning, but looks like it's not.

I could phone 111, had a bad experience with the doctor on call at the time, and it's putting me off phoning me back. I did go to A and E in the end but my stats were good and they didn't nebulise me.

So i'm wondering if i'm wasting everyone's time if i called 111 and if i was able to go to A and E what if they say i'm fine. Even though i've been on steroids for nearly 2 weeks and my asthma still isn't under control.

Advice welcome. I think it's a no brainer really, i should phone 111 and speak with them.

I'll phone local community A and E which i always go to. Or did before 111 came along. See if they answer the phone instead of having to go through 111. Time is 8.30am Saturday morning. They open at 9am, i'll wait.

Or maybe i should i phone local pharmacist as they helped me alot last week, maybe i need something for my throat instead.

I just phoned 111, and the answer phone message sounded like the voice of the doctor i got through 2 weeks ago, with who i hung up on as was expecting me to talk very calmly while in was having an asthma attack wanted me to answer a million irrelevant questions. So i hung up i really don't want to speak with him again. Agghhh.

Becky

[emmasue]

You could try going to a different A&E. I did that in September. I suppose it depends on how far you have to travel. It did help though. At our local A&E, I have been turned away (after going through 111) on several occasions as they didn't think I was too bad. So in September I went to the University Hospital in the city. I ended up getting better care through A&E and was admitted, but the consultant wasn't very good. Still, if I was bad again, I would want to go to the University Hospital because I think the care was better. Good luck and I hope you get seen soon!

[Hidden in reply to emmasue]

That's a good idea..I was between Charing Cross Hospital and the Chelsea and Westminster, I went to either really just that my bus was direct to the Chelsea and West, especially if they released me in the middle of the night!

[becky3344 in reply to emmasue]

Thanks Emmasue for your reply and info. That's good you have found a good A and E and university hospital. I spend 12 hours loosing my mind in A and E in Swindon today (yesterday now..) It wasn't fun.. But least i was seen and they gave me an Chest X ray and did my blood test. And gave me some new meds. They don't really know why my chest is still bad after nearly 3 weeks on steroids. 'Tough virus' one doctor said maybe the case.

[emmasue in reply to becky3344]

At least they treated you. 12 hours is a long time though! 😟 It could be a particularly bad virus. I have been bad for a month now and can't seem to kick it completely. I hope the weather turns soon. I hope you feel better too. x

[becky3344 in reply to emmasue]

Yes least they treated me, some relief for the very long wait. Yes bad virus seems the logical reason doesn't it.

Sorry to hear you've been bad with a virus for a month which you haven't been able to totally kick yet. Nasty. Yes Spring is around the corner...

[Hidden]

They have a whole list of questions they have to get through for triage..like are you coughing blood? euh..not yet^^ still it is worth it if you can get a doctor's appointment through them at your local hospital..saves you waiting hours in A&E..

[becky3344 in reply to Hidden]

I went to community hospital first , they checked my stats, chest a little wheezy so she nebulised me, also gave me an ECG (clear) then they rang A and E in Swindon, and she said i need to go there and get some more tests done, she said i might have to wait awhile. ( I had no idea how long her 'little wait would be...) She handed me the letter to give to the medic.

So i did with her letter to give to them. 4 and half hours later, i was finally seen, then i was out of hospital 12 hours after that. One Chest X ray (clear enough) , and blood test (pretty good ). And 11 hours sitting on the floor loosing my mind slowly. It did feel like prison. Nurses and doctors where busy doing there jobs, just all the waiting around, it was enough to drive me mad.

Anyway no real conclusion for a result, got some more meds.. Clarithromycin tablets, ( used to treat bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system) more Prednisolone tablets (doctor said you can't just stop taking them at once, you have to wind down on them.) I took my last 6 this yesterday now Sunday. But he's given me a load more of them now. And i have some Ventolin Nebules to put in my new unused Nebuliser machine.

People where going in before me when i was there alot earlier than they got there. I asked the receptionist is there a system to why this is happening? She said if you are referred to A and E by a nurse, you usually have to wait longer to be seen, than if you were referred by a doctor. I said 'oh, i was referred by a nurse...'

[Hidden in reply to becky3344]

Yes I always used to get dished out loads of clarithromycin and prednisolone when I was living in England..then they write long articles about antibiotics resistance and protest in Parliament etc..

If it doesn't improve you can ask for a sputum test because they study which bacteria it is and give you an appropriate antibiotic, usually they swap for doxycyclin..

At least you found a nurse who cared..unbelievable that hospital hierarchy..

All the best Becky and let us know how you are getting on xx

[becky3344 in reply to Hidden]

Yes i found that out the hard way today, yesterday. I'll remember that for another time.