Rescue pack

[Lilmix03]

I was recently informed that I should have a rescue pack of steroids and antibiotics for my Severe asthma. Does anyone know if this is true and if so how can I go about getting one

[Bevvy]

It is up to your gp (or consultant if applicable) to agree to this. Some GPs will but unfortunately some refuse! The idea is that if you become unwell, you can start medications straight away rather than having to wait, contact gp, pick up prescription and so on.

I do have rescue pack and am grateful to that. I also have replacement packs on my repeat prescription so can order more if required. I have had instruction on how to use my meds. Plus the antibiotic is a very broad spectrum one, so if still feeling unwell afterwards I would contact gp to have stronger one prescribed.

[Lilmix03 in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks! I've got an appointment coming up with my consultant but I'm concerned because I've been feeling a bit breathless and coughing a bit which I assume is because of pollen so just wondering

[Bevvy in reply to Lilmix03]

If you think it’s pollen have you tried taking some antihistamines?

Don’t know if you are playing it down a bit but certainly I would have to be significantly worse than “a bit breathless “ and “coughing a bit” to start my rescue pack. It’s helpful having the medications but it is important not to overdo the meds and they should only be taken when necessary.

[Lilmix03 in reply to Bevvy]

I wasn't planning on starting any steroids. I do suffer from pretty bad hay-fever, it just came up in conversation with a fellow asthma sufferer who has a rescue pack and said that surely because of how bad mine is that I should have one too. I've been on and off steroids and antibiotics since November 2019 and only this year have managed to get it under control

[Salsalady in reply to Bevvy]

Hi Bev, I don’t touch steroids, I always have an emergency pack of antibiotics. This is as recommended by my doctor.

[Bevvy in reply to Salsalady]

As you will have seen by different comments, a rescue pack (IF issued) seems to vary with regards contents. Most have both steroid and antibiotics but a few have only one item. Seems strange to have such variations but that seems to be true with regards lots of treatments. For example it was on this site recently about some people being refused nebules for nebuliser, if indeed these are prescribed in the first place, whereas others not affected.

[Muldrew]

I have one of antibiotics and steroids So I can start them when I get another chest infection

Very helpful as I don’t have to wait to speak to the GP

(I get 5-6 chest infections a year)

Good luck!

[CallysMum]

Hi, I too have a rescue pack. It is as you have said, steroids and antibiotics. When you get a chest infection, and/or exacerbation, you don't have to wait to see a GP (which is quite a time now) but start dosing yourself. It is a good idea.

[Dizzart]

Yes you must have a rescue pack and your doctor/ asthma nurse should have done that immediately for you , also I have a spare inhaler which was advised by my bright pharmacist so I asked and got one as they can get lost or just break down. Good luck 👍🏻

[HBaaBaa]

Yes, I have a rescue pack of steroids only (no antibiotics) and this is on repeat prescription so that I can replace them when used. I have instructions to contact the GP for an appointment within 2 days of starting the rescue pack but it means I can get them started asap if I have a flare up. It’s especially useful at weekends/holidays etc!

[Andymcrr3]

Very easy... Speak to GP. They should have been informed that you have Severe Asthma, and will act upon this. If you use it inform them you need a replacement. My GP is great at this they allow my wife to call and tell them I am starting the pack, and will need a replacement pack. But you don't always need both medications! Only take antibiotics if you really need them. Otherwise you will become used to having them and when you really need them they won't work! Easy guide for antibiotics, if producing lots of phlegm them it's OK. If producing green'ish phlegm then definitely take them.

Just my humble piece.

My specialist advised always have next months medication ready.

I also take Montelukast daily which also helps with hay-fever.

[Thomas45]

When my asthma wasn't well controlled I had one. Now it's well controlled I don't need one. The last time it was bad, a very sudden tightening of the airways causing chest pains, without any infection, I had just entered a pharmacy. I was taken by ambulance to hospital. After 2nights there I was fit enough to go home. That exacerbation was deemed to be a rare side effect of a beta blocker which I was taking for a heart arrhythmia. I was taken off all beta blockers.

[Rostom]

Another with a 'rescue pack' . My asthma nurse suggested I have a supply of both Prednisolone and Amoxicillin in case I flared up at, for example, 9.00 pm on a Friday evening with the surgery closed until Monday morning etc. I find this very reassuring and although I have have used this pack, even knowing it is in the cupboard is helpful (nothing worse than knowing one is 'going downhill' and being unable to gain help).

In answer to your question, you should have access to an asthma nurse who should see you at least annually to check on your asthma and provide a script for a rescue pack. . If you do not, perhaps you could contact your surgery and ask if they have someone in this position to give you a check up.

Wishing you good breathing!

[hoven]

Yes, I always have a rescue pack. I find it reassuring to have it

[Itswonderful]

Over the (many!) years rescue packs, or stand by medication, has gone in and out of fashion. I always had standby antibiotics in the 70s because I had a lot of chest infections. Every time I’d catch a cold it would turn into a chest infection. Then it fell out of favour and for about 20 years I struggled and when I saw the GP or AN they would put off giving antibiotics and steroids until I was really poorly. Then an enlightened AN from the BLF came to work at the surgery and she prescribed a rescue pack which was easily refilled as needed. After she left the ANs reverted back to not giving rescue packs and being stingy with inhalers. It was terrible. However, since being under the care of an Aitways Consultant I have had no problems with having a rescue pack of antibiotics and prednisone because he kindly wrote to my surgery and advised that this should be the norm. So, hopefully it also will work well for you. It also reduces the stress and anxiety when you know things are pear shaped and if needed, you can start treatment without struggling to get a GP appointment, especially as things stand now with the lack of available appointments and the wait to be seen. An added bonus is less stress can improve health. I hope you get it sorted.

[Lilmix03 in reply to Itswonderful]

Thanks! I’ve not got the best relationship with my GP surgery and for some reason my surgery doesn't have an AN so I'm under the care of a respiratory consultant and hospital AN. I get an awful lot of chest infections and I'm always made to feel like a nuisance when I call my surgery because they're reluctant to give me any antibiotics without a sputum sample but I have trouble getting up any sputum when my airways are very inflamed. I'm trying to get my consultant to prescribe Ipatropium bromide and a mucolytic for my nebuliser.

[Itswonderful in reply to Lilmix03]

Yes I can relate to feeling that you’re being a nuisance when you present with a chest infection and struggling for breath. Isn’t it awful! As if by being dismissive of your symptoms will magically cause you to stop wheezing and coughing! Sounds like your consultant and hospital AN will help with rescue packs and it is extremely unlikely that the GP will go against the consultant’s advice. Good luck.

[Lilmix03 in reply to Itswonderful]

My one GP actually accused me of making it up. I ended up going into hospital by ambulance a few days later

[Itswonderful in reply to Lilmix03]

Frightening isn’t it? I became tearful in GP surgery when seeing the AN about 15 years ago. She was being very kind but because all my observations were normal she said I was fine. I said “I can’t breathe. I can’t get enough air in and no one will help me”. She fetched a doctor and he gave me prednisolone. I sometimes think that some clinicians become exasperated with us because we don’t fit neatly into a box of symptoms and we don’t always respond to the usual treatments. I think it’s only recently being acknowledged that asthma isn’t a “neat” condition.

[Lilmix03 in reply to Itswonderful]

This is exactly how I feel sometimes. Like I can't get any air in but no one believes me because my O2 Sat's are normal and I'm not wheezy. My last constant dismissed it as anxiety 🙄

[Itswonderful in reply to Lilmix03]

Have you tried any breathing techniques? I was referred to the physiotherapist and speech and language therapist and I learned to breathe in a different way. It helped no end.

[eachy]

I always have a rescue pack in the cupboard and for when I go on holiday. Still phone the Gp or OOH before starting it so it’s recoded in my notes and for advice but means I don’t need the hassle of appointments, prescriptions or visits to the pharmacy when I’m heading into an exacerbation. Seldom saves an admission to hospital but take out one hassle!

[martin_1972]

I also have both Steroid and antibiotic rescue pack which goes with my action plan reviewed by my consultants at the Royal Brompton and i have severe Eosinophilic steroid dependant asthma. I need to use them at least 8 times a year but also on biological injections. me personally if i did not have a rescue pack at home i would be in hospital more times than i am already which can be anything from 5 to 14 times a year.

Every doctor and consultant is different but it's always worth having the discussion as they can mean the difference between a bad episode and a not so bad episode and being able to start then before you can get a doctors appointment which can be difficult dependant on area.

But all the best and hopefully they will give the the best outcome for yourself

[Terryalan]

Hi, I do have a rescue pack of steroids and anti-biotics. I am supplied by my surgery , whenever I have used these in an emergency. Talk to your doctor, it is important for you to feel safe , especially trying to get an appointment these days. I am chronic and brittle asthma also copd.