Asthma/covid

[Oldandgray]

At this time of year I always have an exacerbation of my cough variant asthma. I also have a rescue supply of prednisolone. However I am supposed to phone the surgery and let them know what I have used in terms of ventalin and that I’m starting prednisolone.

I know what will happen this year in that the surgery won’t let me leave a message, won’t believe it’s my asthma not COVID ( I mean to say I’m coughing) even though the cough is relieved for two hours be ventalin. I don’t know what to do as I will get “told off” if I phone or don’t so I struggle on.

[Sparkywoo]

I’ve been in the same situation. I was able to tell them I had not been anywhere so it could not be COVID. I did have to do a test though but they were happy for me to take the pred before the result. Guess it depends on your GP and where/whom you’ve been near

[Oldandgray in reply to Sparkywoo]

That’s what troubles me I don’t want need a COVID test but if you cough these days it must be COVID.

Just as an aside spoke to GP yesterday for the results of an X-ray and she said it was a long report and she didn’t understand it !!!!!!!!!

[twinkly29 in reply to Oldandgray]

Well that's always helpful 😅🤦🏼‍♀️

I've spoken to my GP many times coughing and they're not concerned it's covid (but he does trust my knowledge of my asthma....not all GPs etc are so keen for their patients to have their own thoughts I don't think). Have also spoken to a dentist and started coughing and he wasn't fazed when I said it was asthma.

But it must be hard when you know you've got that battle. I guess if you've started your rescue pack, you're telling them my asthma is.... therefore I've done this. So at least you've already got the drugs. Do you measure your peak flow? A drop in readings along with symptoms might help prove it's asthma? Again depends on who you're talking to - just trying to think of the key to avoid their assumptions!

[Sparkywoo in reply to Oldandgray]

Oh no, that wouldn’t fill me with confidence. Is there another gp you can speak to about the report?

[Oldandgray in reply to Sparkywoo]

I have asked for a referral to a consultant. Won’t happen until the new year now. My GP SURGERY used to be excellent but since COVID have totally changed.

[Carriejen]

Touch wood i havent needed steroids since last December but I also have CVA and have real concerns about winter. I've been lucky so far and long may it continue but I did have an exacerbation in March and it took 6 weeks and 3 GP's, an NHS24 call (and my aunt whose a nurse) to get me started on Piriton (and eventually fexofenadine) for really bad hay-fever! Wish they wouldn't assume everything lung related was covid at the moment 😕 definitely don't hold back on contacting them though if you need it. Asthma is too risky