Can anyone recommend a respiratory clinic

[Bearrules]

I live in Bristol. I’m 48 and have adult onset asthma. I don’t know whether I had Covid in January but my chest has been horrible since then. Wheezy, with bad mucous plugs. I spend a half hour every day trying to bring stuff up. My chest and throat are so sore.

I’m on seretide 375 bd but that’s not working very well anymore. When I increase to 500mcg BD I get a hoarse voice and side effects.

I tried Fostair for a bit but I think that didn’t work as well and made me get palpitations - not sure as I have been suffering from anxiety anyway.

I was wondering whether I may have the fungal infection people talk about?

The worst thing is the mucous plugging. I started NAC and it might be helping a bit. My GP cannot help much anymore and my NHS resp function tests were cancelled due to Covid

I’ve read about a specialist centre in London on here but cannot remember the name. Private is ok.

Thank you

[Ortho10]

Hi, I also live in Bristol.

Both large hospitals have a respiratory department, it is simply a case of getting referred by your GP.

Doesn't matter which hospital you choose as the same Consultants travel between.

[ninelives]

Good luck with your ongoing treatment hope you get referral to suitable hospital soon.

[peege]

I've often thought that on reflection, I should have gone private 10 years ago when my asthma took a downturn. It took several times pneumonia, endless chronic chest infections, antibiotics and xrays chowing 'clear" over 3 years before I was referred to a lung consultant. Result: damaged lungs and small airways disease (or bronchiectasis depending on which gp I speak to) plus total fear/horror of going anywhere near a gp.

I'm an hour from Bristol but I'm afraid I don't know of any private respiratory clinic. If I were you I'd look for a private gp who specialises in respiratory, particularly bronchiectasis. That way you can get referral to correct specialists and hopefully a CT scan.

Do you get the NAC from gp? It does a similar job - softening the mucus making it easier to expel - as Carbocysteine on prescription. Good hydration also helps with this, I expect you know that already 😃. Allergy testing and/or CT scan will help proving one way or another re aspergillus. Good luck. P

[Bearrules]

Thank you! I was starting to wonder re: aspergillosis :/ How are you doing and what treatments have helped you?

The NAC was via online research. I take 300mg (I dump put 1/2 of a 600) as it gives me bad reflux for some reason. The brand I was using (Holland & Barrett) tan out and the newer brand I purchased on Amazon doesn’t seem to be doing anything.

[Ortho10]

Please keep in mind that the Consultant that you see Privately will be the same as the one you will see with the NHS, with the same treatments.

You will be seen sooner though.

If you think that you have a fungal element to your asthma, I would recommend the Wythenshawe Hospital, as they are the experts.

Good luck.

[mylungshateme]

Hey I live Bristol too well south glos 😁 and under respiratory team at the hospital they seem very good. I mean I wish I could have answers and cures like now which is not possible but they're very supportive.

I've just come home from a 5 day admission. I'm waiting on covid-19 antibodies test results as I'm convinced I had covid beginning of year since then asthma been even more horrific lol. But chest xrays ct scans all clear.

I think I have post covid syndrome exacerbating allergic asthma and eosinophilic asthma. My gp did referral to hospital but after 2 hrs of jiggling different meds around. Been under hospital since nov. Have just been diagnosed with element of dysfunctional breathing disorder- which is also main complication of covid.... 🥴 I too asked about going private for the biologics but each injection is around £800+ 😱😱😱. But good luck. 🙂

[Pipswhips]

you might need to be referred by your gp for NHS and the not doing full clinics as I should of seen the consultant in July but appointment delayed and shouldve got appoiment this still delayed dont know when it will come.

If you can word with your dr se what they say and it depends if you got insurance or willing to pay quiet a large amount of money out if you can afford it. Sorry don't know any Respiratory consultants in london area.

If you having trouble getting mucus up see about garbocestine that suppose to help get rid of mucus.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

There are various resp centres around the country, but equally a lot of docs see both private and nhs patients. COVID really has put a spanner in the works aka waiting times for things, and I’m not sure if you’re on a waiting list atm but if not ask your GP to refer (that way if you do decide to go private, you can and then ‘transfer’ to NHS if needs be).

Regarding the mucus plugging. Have you tried carbocisteine. That’s what helps me (tho I usually only take when I have a cold now as I’m more controlled and so less mucus-y). Or the alternatives (mucus thinning drinks like pineapple/cranberry etc) if you can’t get the carbo from the GP. Also regarding asthma control have you tried montelukast or Spiriva? Monte you can definitely get from the GP (can’t remember if Spiriva is a GP or consultant drug for asthma... sorry 😅🙈).

Hope this helps and that you find more control soon!