Confused......

[Bucketlist]

Confused? Yep.

This is further to my post 4 days ago. So after seeing the Asthma Nurse on Friday I have taken the course of Prednisalone and am on Montelukast. I had another appointment yesterday as a follow up. Update is that the Pred haven’t kicked in, peak flow has improved, still coughing, but chest is clear. Trip to Italy planned for today. So, nurse said that I should see the Dr as the steroids hadn’t worked, I might need another prescription and the Dr would do a letter about the walking holiday for our Insurance Company as I am so exhausted and can’t even think about getting ready for a holiday, let alone getting to the airport and spending a day travelling.

So. Doctor listens to chest and it’s clear, says I seem to have a virus, so no more Steroids. If I don’t want to take the Fostair then stop, ditto the Ventolin. (?)

No, he won’t do a letter for the Travel Insurance as the trip will do me good! Take the inhalers ‘just in case’ , at least you’ve got Insurance he says and off you go.

FHS! So I’m at home, exhausted just by breathing, with no recourse to get the cost of the holiday back. Do I stop the inhalers? Is is Asthma? Is the Virus unconnected to Asthma. I was out of his office before I had a chance to get my head around it.

I’ve just had to use the Ventolin so I guess I’ve just answered one of the questions.

[Thompson_2009]

If your peak flow has improved then the steroids have most probably worked. If you are going on holiday,take your meds including steroids, that's what i would do even though i hate taking them.

I am still getting over a second chest infection, been a total nightmare. I still have a chest infection and still cough and wheeze a bit but my peak flow is where it should be so now iit's just time for it to clear.

[Bucketlist in reply to Thompson_2009]

Thanks for the reply, I was due to go away this morning, but as I can’t even get off the sofa, I’ve had to cancel it, maybe if it wasn’t a walking holiday I would have gone and lazed around. Never mind. I’d rather be ill at home than abroad.

[Thompson_2009 in reply to Bucketlist]

That's a real shame hope you get better soon. Asthma is still so misunderstood,my doctors still have no clue what starts it off.

[Bucketlist]

I know, Nurse seemed to understand , Dr, not so much. Never mind.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I can't help feeling 'it's a virus' is the modern medical equivalent of 'probably due to bad air'. I have noticed it's a favourite of doctors who think asthma has to wheeze and have been told mid-attack that it's a virus and no asthma. Err a virus would set off my asthma so it's very unlikely that there is no asthma at all...

This must be very frustrating for you. The dr could at least have agreed you were not fit for your holiday- I don't think a walking holiday would be a good idea with a virus that makes you feel that rubbish, even if he were right about no asthma!

Could you ask another dr re the insurance? The GP seems excessively unhelpful. Hope you feel better soon.

[Bucketlist]

Thanks Lysistrata, I might give them a call on Monday, to be honest I’m too pooped to think about it at the moment. I’m now wondering if the Montelukast that I was prescribed on Friday is making me feel the way I do and that , if I came off of it, I would get back to normal?

Well, normal before the ‘virus’ or uncontrolled Asthma or whatever the hell it is.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

[Abc64]

If your doctor told you you’re ok to fly, ask him for a letter saying it. If you’re not well, your insurance may not pay up if you go away. If the dr says you can go, even though you feel ill, they shouldn’t mind writing a letter for you to take with you. If you are taking additional meds e.g. antibiotics or something you are prescribed like steroids, tell your insurance company. Failure to do so may invalidate your insurance. Hope this helps. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

[Bucketlist]

Thanks for replying, I was so confused when I was with the Dr, that I just came out and my husband drove me home. Possibly the Montelukast is the problem. I have contacted the Practice Manager and will ask her why he wouldn’t give me a letter, when I was obviously not with it and was due to fly in less than 12 hours time. I’ll see what happens, if no joy then I will write a letter of complaint to the surgery.