Ventolin

[RD23]

Unfortunately, I ended up in A&E again last night, had to have nebs, hydrocortisone and magnesium again.

The doctor told me to use my ventolin every four hours last night and today, every six hours tomorrow and then every eight on Sunday. He said this would help to stop my asthma from flaring up again and was surprised I'd never been told this before.

Just wondered if anyone else has been recommended this before as he said it was standard practice for asthmatics?

[Mjenningsss]

Yes, this is the times and amount I've been prescribed since I was a child. 2 puffs every 4-6 hours of albuterol (my insurance covers the brand ventolin, so thats what I use). I do this every day of my life. Sometimes I need it less, but it seems to keep my symptoms at bay.

[Hidden]

Hi RD23

Sorry to hear you were back in hospital. I asked the Asthma UK nurse team about this practice. They said every Hospital should have a protocol they follow and these can be slightly different.

If you are on steroid tablets with the reliever inhaler then the dosage is not a concern at 4 hourly today. If you are only on reliever inhaler then that would be a worry as the inflammation in the airways has not been treated. The blue inhaler is only a temporary measure

. We always suggest setting up an appointment with your GP as soon as you can after an attack or being in hospital. to discuss how you manage your asthma and why you needed to stay in hospital and going through your written asthma action plan with your GP or asthma nurse and making sure it is up to date and possibly keeping a peak flow diary and a symptom calendar to monitor your recovery.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[RD23]

Hi Dita,

Yes thank you.

I'm just on the ventolin so will look at booking in with my GP, although more often than not because I am under a specialist the GP is understandably reluctant to change any advice I have been given by the specialist.

I've tried contacting the appointments team to get in with the specialist sooner but no joy yet! Will keep trying.

Thank you.

[Hidden]

Hi RD23

Do book in with your GP, even for people under specialist care, the BTS guidelines and our nurse team say that your GP review should within 2 working days

to monitor symptoms and peak flow, check inhaler technique, update your written asthma action plan and modify treatment according to guidelines for chronic persistent asthma and address potentially preventable contributors to admission. Our nurse team suggest that the guidelines don't specify the type of healthcare professionals to support you so your GP should be able to support with the actions above.

Hope that helps - do call the Asthma UK helpline to clarify anything. You can reach them on 0300 222 5800 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Take care,

Dita

[RD23 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I've been to see my GP and spoken to the specialist team so hopefully I can get something sorted soon.