Some progress with referral? 🤞

[TeachKat]

Well, after the gp said that my asthma was still uncontrolled and increased the uniphyllin, I had really horrible side effects and no significant improvement. So the uniphyllin has been reduced and I have been put on steroid tablets ‘for as long as necessary ‘ with the dose to be tapered when the asthma is stable. I really hate how I feel on steroids and the potential side effects are alarming but the uniphyllin was unbearable.

The gp has also (finally) agreed to refer me! He said that I ‘shouldn’t hold my breath’ for an appointment - great advice for asthma 😂!

[twinkly29]

Yes yes yes!!

I actually hope you get a quick appointment just to spite your GP because he annoys me 🤣 but you'll never get one if not referred so being referred is brilliant.

P.s. it's quite likely the Uniphyllin was too high lately because he increased it without even knowing your levels (which is ludicrous and dangerous) - so when you are seen or speak to a consultant and discuss previous meds, it might be worth mentioning the Uniphyllin involved no levels checking. Ok it might not be right for you, but equally not being given it properly is a good way for a drug to be unnecessarily ruled out!

[TeachKat in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you for your support! It does feel like a step in the right direction. My next battle will be to get a blood test for the uniphyllin levels 💪

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

🎉🎉🎉

I’m so happy for you (and like twinkly wish you a speedy appt)

Definitely tell them about the theo fiasco cause what GP did was just silly and dangerous 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[TeachKat in reply to EmmaF91]

And thank you also! The support helped me to keep persisting!

[Wheesy in reply to TeachKat]

Good Luck and |I hope that you get an appointment soon and who ever it is will be as good as the care ,|I receive here in Doncaster. I would also change my GP

[Dogruff]

Well he is being silly and naive! I was referred in the first week of December, had my lung function test last week and consultant appointment next week. The appointment is now going to be over the phone (which I’m relieved about as I’ve just moved across country so didn’t fancy the 6hour round trip!).

At the lung function test I was told the content of the referral which was pretty darn bad. As in “asthma with a history of chest infection and foot pain.” Even with a dodgy referral like that I think my appointment was rather quick given how under pressure respiratory teams are.

So your GP should get a bit of egg on face....

[TeachKat in reply to Dogruff]

That’s encouraging! I’m glad you got appointments so quickly- hope you’ll get effective treatment!

[Dogruff in reply to TeachKat]

Thanks! I reckon I’ll be swapped from Montelukust to Theophylline, and my maintenance fostair increased (can’t get back down to what I should be on). Also the move seems to have unblocked my sinuses and my heart rate is lower.... think there is an aspergillus issue in the building I lived in as the downstairs flat had a lot of black mould in their windows and the smell of mould outside it was very definite, so I’m wondering will they give me some anti fungals for a few weeks.

Hopefully you won’t be waiting long.

[TeachKat in reply to Dogruff]

Thank you! 🤞

[madonbrew]

Yay!!!Not before time though TeachKat is it!!! Really hope it’s not too long before you get an appointment! 😊

[Autie1]

I hope you get somewhere with your referral. Ive had 3 since November and our specialist doctors just keep sending letters back with new ideas.. Im hoping for 3rd time lucky.. fed up of having no control, needing multiple doses of salbutamol everyday just to keep my peak flow about 300 (normal is 480) and feel for my poor gp and asthma nurse having run out of ideas. ..