Constant pressure to change medication

[Anniecath]

Well, have just endured another annual review, with a nurse (not an asthma nurse), pressing for me to change to another treatment, ie combined inhaler. Then took my blood pressure which was sky high (well, it would be , wouldn't it ?)

One, I was given an appointment with a nurse I didn't want to see because she does this every time

Two, when I did change my medication in the past I reacted to it really badly, had palpitations and was very out of breath

Three, my last check up was with a really nice clued up nurse, who, when I explained that I had been asthmatic all my life and that it had taken roughly half my life to find a drug regime that worked for me, said thats fine we'll leave it as it is.

What criteria is used to recommend a change, especially after all the questions are answered favourably ? eg No I do not have disturbed sleep patterns because of asthma. Yes I can do everything I need to do and want to do. No, I am not wheezing or short of breath. The only downside is my peak flow which is around 375 which isn't great, but is as a result of me being on the wrong asthma medication for years. I have lived in Cornwall for 9 years now and not once have I seen a qualified asthma nurse.

[HungryHufflepuff]

What inhaler do you have, and what do they want to change it to? I had Serevent for several years which worked really well for me. That was then taken away and since then I’ve had an ever changing series of inhalers trying to find something that works. Or that at least doesn’t make things worse. I had Fostair for a few months which made me really ill and I was put on Pred. Currently I have Seretide and Spiriva plus Ventolin.

[Anniecath in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi Hungry Hufflepuff, (love the name)

Spent most of my childhood and early teens fighting for breath until the inhalers came in. Ventolin, then Becotide, then Becotide and Serevent + Montelucast tablets which stopped me getting chest infections every winter, Plus the Ventolin as a rescue inhaler. Then the Becotide was replaced by Qvar. Before these I was on a powder based inhaler which I can't remember the name of. The Qvar, Serevent and Montelucast + Ventolin works for me. I think it was Fostair which they switched me to which I reacted badly to. Had to fight tooth and nail to get back on the old regime. Grrr.....If its working it don't need fixing does it ? Down to cash I think !!

[K8ty25 in reply to Anniecath]

Hi. I am a severe asthmatic diagnosed around 5 years ago. I am like you in that i am very reluctant to change my medication regime. For one thing in the most part it works well for me and secondly i have what's known as drug sensitivity which means i can react really badly to medication changes and have twice needed medical intervention after my medication caused horrendous reactions. Generally when i have my medication reviews if there is a new treatment that my asthma team think will help they will suggest it to me however i have the final say if i want to make changes or not. If you are happy and your asthma is well controlled then there should be no reason to force a change of medication.

[Anniecath in reply to K8ty25]

Yes I agree. I still think its down to finances, but how economical is it to treat someone who's had a flare up because of medication changes ?

[Myrtles_Missus]

I was also pressurised to change to Fostair because it's cheaper, I then got an acute allergic reaction to it, needing high dose steroids for ten days to keep the reaction under control. I am now on Seretide 250, which doesn't cause allergy, but doesn't control my asthma either.

[Anniecath in reply to Myrtles_Missus]

That sounds appalling. It seems to go against everything that is supposed to take place, ie that the patient has the last word after being fully informed and discussions having taken place about proposed changes in medication.

[Myrtles_Missus in reply to Anniecath]

I suppose the NHS has to try to reduce costs? and they weren't to know I'd react badly .. but it cost them a lot more in the end. I had been on Becotide for years with no side effects.

[bookworm]

Hi I am afraid I can't help with someone of what you are going through. however the Drs did try to change my inhaler to a cheaper one, once was promised that I would be shown how to use it and I never was, it left me with a foul taste in my mouth for hours afterwards, i went back and spoke to the receptionist about the problem and was put back on my previous one. Have you ever been given an asthma plan. Do your Drs have an asthma nurse ? Have you spoken to asthma uk maybe they can help. Good luck take care.

[Anniecath in reply to bookworm]

Thank you,

I have booked another appointment with the nurse I can talk to and trying to work out how to tackle it. Never been given an Asthma Plan. The nurses are not asthma nurses. I was spoiled for 30 odd years, where I lived previously, by an excellent GP and a fantastic asthma nurse who was more clued up than the doctors.

Once more into the fray......