Dismissive Doctor

[garfunkel]

Hi all,

At the end of May 2020 I had several severe asthma attacks and have been having ongoing issues since then, including greatly restricted mobility that's effectively left me house bound. I'm currently on relvar and montelukast, having previously tried sirdupla, fostair and clenil (I was on this prior to the attacks). On a good day, I can walk around for 7 minutes without needing my reliever inhaler (ventolin) afterwards, although there's some discomfort afterwards (a tightness or pressure in my chest).

When I'm able, I try to do this daily to build up my fitness, although I haven't seen any benefits from this. I've tried to push myself to do more several times, but it's always led to considerably more discomfort, the worst of which lasted for several days. I also try do stretches and occasionally yoga, although that is sometimes too much.

I haven't been seen in-person at my GP surgery at all since the attacks; everything has been over the phone. For the past while I've been largely dealing with my GP's breathing nurse, rather than a doctor, and we've been working through different medication options. I called the GP surgery today to speak to my doctor and I felt pretty frustrated by our conversation. I updated him about how things had been for me and he seemed genuinely surprised about where I was at. After explaining my symptoms, his main advice was to exercise more and to be mindful of anxiety, which I found to be rather dismissive suggestions; as mentioned above, I've been trying to exercise when I can, and I definitely know the difference between anxiety issues and this. I know he means well, but to be told that after all this time really wound me up and left me feeling almost like I hadn't been believed - as if it was in my head.

Has anyone else had issues like that with their doctor or a medical person? I'm speaking with my breathing nurse tomorrow to review things and decide on our next steps, but I felt like I needed to vent somewhere...

[twinkly29]

While anxiety and breathing pattern disorders are very common alongside asthma, it's also not definitely that just because someone else decides it is because it's easier for them.

This post might be worth a read in case it's helpful to you especially as breathing pattern issues can be present when, like you, someone has suffered for a while:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

but it might be useful to ask the GP if they will refer you. Even a wait at the moment while on a list would be better than not being. If the GP doesn't know then they should seek specialist advice.

Speaking to people over the phone is often better than being seen in person (in person doesn't really add anything other than listening to chests which is only useful if one wheezes and, even then, only if it's happening at that moment). Furthermore, the respiratory nurse should actually be good to talk to so I'm glad you've had that input - if you find her better maybe raise the subject of a referral with her and she can recommend it to the doctor?

[twinkly29]

I think I might have given you that link before, sorry!

[ChrissieMons]

Why do doctors think it is unreasonable to be anxious when you are ill and not getting better? This always defeats me. I wish I had something new to offer you, except to keep going. The exercise is excellent so keep at it.

[ros15]

Hi garfunkel. I hope that things may have started to improve since you posted. I have been asthmatic since age 4 and was diagnosed with severe asthma 3 years ago. Yes, like you there are times when I have felt that I have not been believed by various medical professionals and it is very upsetting. I have found the asthma nurses (on the whole) to be very good, understanding with useful advice. You mention the exercise - just a thought. Do you do all your exercises in one go, or break it down into a number of sessions during the day? You say that if you push yourself you suffer over the next day or two. If you are doing the exercises in one session, I wonder whether it might help, to shorten the session (either in terms of effort or time taken), but then do another shorter session again later in the day. This is what I was advised to when I attended pulmonary rehabilitation classes and I found it helpful, because firstly I didn’t exhaust myself and secondly I found it an easier way to build up my exercise resilience. The other thing I wonder Garfunkel is whether you have reached a point where you should be asking for a referral to see a respiratory consultant ? I don’t know how long you have been under the care of your GP for your breathing difficulties, but it is at least 8 months since you had the asthma attacks and they still haven’t got the situation under control. Perhaps specialist help is needed. Hope things improve soon. Best wishes. R.

[MrsCMK]

My 2 year journey to treatment was very similar. Because I don’t appear with typical asthmatic symptoms, I was told time and time again that I was anxious and had a hyperventilation disorder. I knew that was not the case as at that time, I had zero stress and lived a completely stress free, happy life.

The thought of dread when needing to be seen but having no energy to put up a fight is one I won’t forget- I really feel for you 🙏🏽

It will get better, you will find a doctor that understands your condition more. It took every ounce of energy in me to stand my ground. I was one day seen by a local GP at my practice who happened to have written a paper that year to recognise what I was suffering with. He’s my hero!

5 month later I was on Xolair!