Rescue pack's

I have a rescue pack on the way but can only use in an emergency. I have only started them when I am told to. Under the circumstances can doctor's do this. Sorry for asking I have never had this problem before. Thxs for your help

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Have you been given any guidance when to start the pack? And why does your pack contain? Steroids or both steroids and antibiotics?

Usually GPs don’t like giving out rescue packs without clear guidelines because people may then over or under treat their asthma, so if you do start the pack you should always inform ASAP.

Usually the pack should be started if it’s at the weekend/after hours and so can’t access your GP (you then call and tell them you’ve started ASAP). If you’re thinking you should call a doc because of your asthma, then you are usually at the point of starting steroids. Most people (but not everyone) are advised to start steroids when their lungs are ‘wanting’ to be in yellow zone (ie waking/being in yellow all day and not getting out of it without reliever, rather than waking in green and dropping to yellow because of a trigger that is easily resolved with 2 vent if that makes sense) or if they have dropped to red zone at all, but if you haven’t been given any advice then you need to ask your team when you should use them.l as part of your asthma management plan.

Hope this helps

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

I had an extremely bad coughing fit believed to be caused by the weather so I think I am getting a rescue pack of steroids to use in an emergency

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Does your asthma feel like it’s flaring?

Now you’ve got past the coughing fit, has everything returned to normal? If it is back to normal then hold off and talk to your GP when you can for advice (probably tomorrow now), if not and you feel like your lungs are irritated and asthma-ry then start the steroids and call your GP tomorrow to inform them you have done so and why and double check you acted correctly.

I’m not sure if PF is an accurate measure for you, but that can help decide yay or nay on the steroid front if it is.

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

My asthma has calmed but still upset. I am going to write until I get the prescription and call my doctor's for confirmation if I don't understand the prescription.

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you for your assistance with my question

[twinkly29]

Hi Kamilla,

I'm not sure what you mean - do you mean can they only give them for emergencies? Or when you should take them? Or something else?

(Didn't realise Emma had replied, sorry!)

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

I have oral steroids and start them the day I am given them but in this case it is for emergency only. I have never been through this before so I am looking for advice

[twinkly29 in reply to Hidden]

In that case I'd use Emma's advice above, going on a combination of peak flow zones and symptoms. I wouldn't start it for a single case of worsening (eg a temporary coughing blip that seems to resolve itself, especially if ventolin helps). I'd go with the "when would I normally go to the GP because of my asthma". If they're open and you think you need to start them, maybe give them a call to ask if you should. Another idea is to call anyway and sat you're not sure when to start them and coukd you have some advice or guidelines to follow for using them.

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your assistance with my question