Bit of an update and a query

[LeiLey]

Hi all, hope you’re doing good.

So I went to back to the GP after a week of prednisolone, peak flow diary and ventolin and he thinks from the steroids and ventolin helping me and the ups/downs of the peak flow that I may benefit from a preventer inhaler and to see an asthma nurse.

He said I will need to book in with the asthma nurse but I’m not sure when he meant, I will have to check. It’s a clenil 100 2 puffs twice a day. He has put query asthma in my notes but said I will need further lung function tests to confirm.

I will keep taking the preventer (and blue one when needed) until GP says otherwise. Possibly phone the asthma nurse.

Just wondering if anyone knows if I need to be regularly asking when I can do the lung function tests or will they get in touch with me in the future?

Thanks LeiLey

[twinkly29]

I think I would ask the GP in a "how long should I give it before I ask again" type way. Many places seem to be saying "oh we're not doing...." at the moment - which is rather vague!

Definitely keep up the clenil as prescribed, with ventolin as needed, and the twice a day peak flow measurements too as these will help to show if the clenil is helping and to what extent.

Sounds like your GP is sensible - hope the asthma nurse is too.

[LeiLey in reply to twinkly29]

Yes he seems like he is on the ball! That’s a good idea with still doing the peak flow diary, will do that.

I wonder if they will get back to doing the lung function tests in the near future for the likes of me to confirm a diagnosis...who knows with this pandemic!

I will keep on with the inhalers in the mean time and speak to the asthma nurse.

Thank you for your reply 👍

[twinkly29 in reply to LeiLey]

Lung function isn't actually always helpful anyway - sometimes yes it's an obvious asthma tick, but if it's a good day or meds are working well it can be normal/good. So it should only form part of a picture anyway. The best things are peak flow (if a good measure, which it seems to be for you) and symptoms, both before and after treatment.

[LeiLey in reply to twinkly29]

Yes I imagine the lung function tests aren’t that straightforward for everyone..as you say the person might be well controlled on the day or the meds have done their job lol. Its good that my GP has initiated treatment as he thought it’s almost certainly asthma, but as yet doesn’t want to officially diagnose it.

Thank you

[Fruitandnutcase]

I was speaking to the asthma nurse last week - annual review. I decided I’d do it by phone this year.

Anyway, she decided I should go on a list for spirometry - I’ve only been using an inhaler for over 25 years and I only got a peak flow a few years ago too.

She finished by saying that ‘they're’ not doing spirometry at the moment, unfortunately I didn’t think until too late to ask who ‘they’ were.

She said ‘they’ would contact me when ‘they’ start again but gave no indication when that would be either and again I didn’t ask. It’s a bit different for you though isn’t it as your doctor is still querying asthma for you.

I take the same as you 1 or 2 puffs of Clenil 100 daily depending on how I feel / weather / atmosphere etc.

I have a Ventolin inhaler too - I carry it with me because I was told to do that by a different asthma nurse many years ago!I have never needed to use it probably because I use my preventer properly.

Hope you hear soon and all is good for you.

[LeiLey in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Ah really, wonder why she decided to do one after all these years, pleased you have a peak flow meter now though. I’m pleased you are doing well with using your preventer inhaler to help you. Does it have many side effects?

My GP said he is quite certain I have asthma but he said he doesn’t want to write it for definite yet until I do the lung function tests. They might end up coming back ok though if I’ve been on Clenil a while! I’ll get there

Thank you for your reply

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to LeiLey]

I think it’s good that your doctor wants to be sure before writing it up as definite. When you consider how long it’s taken for me to get a peak flow meter and now spirometry, I kind or wish I’d had your doctor all those years ago. Hope all goes well for you in the future 😊

[LeiLey in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you, he does seem very knowledgeable. I will take on his advice and hopefully get some good advice from the asthma nurse as well.

Hope all is well for you too, thank you