New asthma nurse

[elanaoali]

Yesterday I had my asthma review at my doctors surgery. I was really happy to find out that it was a trained asthma nurse. I have had practice nurses before this in the last couple of years. I had a really good one two years ago but she left.

So she asked how I have been, did my height and weight, checked my inhaler technique for my Ventolin. My spaces got condemned as needing replacing as getting residue of the Ventolin. I use a Volumatic Spacer Device ie. big one with tidal breathing to use my Ventolin.

As for my asthma happy with my lack of symptoms overall. I did use it last week a few times on one day. Trigger was the dusts from my daughter clearing out her room.

Told to stay on my Fostair nexthaler 200/6 2 puffs twice a day and monkelaust tablet. I was also given a steroid card (as I on such a high dose inhaler). This was the surprise of the appointment as I kind of new if you were on long term steroid tablets you needed one of these cards?! (current inhaler I been using since November 2017)

The plan forward is to stay on my Inhaler and come back and see her in April. If my asthma has been controlled then she will be thinking of reducing my dose down. I think she wants to reduce it to just a preventer for spring/summer ( reducing down slowly of course) . I not sure about that as if I have been able to reduce it (not last year on advice of consultant). The 2017 still on seretide 250 reduce to seretide 125. However I think that that there is a fostair 100/6 so I think that will suit me.

I spoke to asthma UK after my asthma review as there is always questions on I have. They advised to add an antihistamine (as I have post nasal drip, polytics and vitamin D (to help with my immunity because of the high dose of inhaler I am on) Asthma uk nurse said my new asthma nurse was really good. She said that I was the first person in 4 years to told I needed a steroid card.

All together I am very happy with my new asthma nurse.

[hypercat54]

That is good news. I am shocked that you have been fobbed off with general nurses in the past as you should always be monitored by a respiratory doctor or nurse. I always am. x

[elanaoali in reply to hypercat54]

In my doctors defence they used the most experienced practice nurse who has dealt with asthma patiences before. I have been under a consultation lead care from November 2017 to June 2018. I haven't seen much of them. So I think this nurse has probably started last year.

[Karjade]

You are so lucky to have an asthma nurse. My doctor does the asthma reviews and when I went to see him about something else he asked me if my asthma was keeping me awake at night. I said “no” and that was my asthma review! I did not realise I had one until I read my records online after my appointment and it said I had my yearly asthma review and he gets paid for that!! That is disgusting!

[elanaoali in reply to Karjade]

Hi Karjade I would talk to asthma UK helpline 0300 222 5800 open Monday-Friday 9am -5pm. They will help you with your Asthma questions and get a better idea how your asthma is now.

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I had my fostair reduced as I have a nurse practitioner who worked in a hospital and she is an asthma nurse. I am careful with my fostair as I have hayfever. My advice would be reduce it like your nurse advice but keep an eye out for your triggers and note them and what your blue inhaler does at that low dose. That way your nurse can see what is going on with your asthma

[elanaoali]

Thankyou Camilla for your advice. I have hay fever too, usually starting in February when I start taking antihistamine. Autumn/winter are my worst time so I hoping that the worst of my triggers won't be around. So reducing down the strength of the fostair nexthaler should be fine. However I won't be keen on dropping to a preventative