I know I've moaned a lot on here about the difficulties I've had in getting the right care since diagnosis, but I had an annual respiratory review this week and it was really good - so thorough, and the nurse really listened to what I was saying and was working with me to keep the asthma well managed, whereas before it's too often felt like 'well call an ambulance if you're struggling' and no advice on how to avoid needing one in the first place!
Also, she picked up on my very high peak flow without my saying anything and stressed "it's really important whenever you go to hospital you tell them that this is your normal peak flow. Otherwise, they'll go by the charts and think you are fine when you are actually in serious trouble." This is something I've been aware of myself (having been dismissed from hospitals for just that reason pre diagnosis!) but it's the first time a medical professional has ever flagged it up as a potential issue.
So having whinged a lot about my local surgery, I thought it was only fair to redress the balance!
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Mandevilla
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That’s good to hear Madevilla. I also have a high peak flow when I am well. When I first hit it my GP said it must be a mistake! (I later had a review with a very asthma nurse who said it was a lot of mistakes and that it was perfectly possible and I should record that as my personal best.)
So glad you had a positive review! I also have a sky high personal best peak flow (630 vs predicted of 450), and I have to keep on and on saying that every time. I think they get it when I'm admitted but it doesn't seem to make its way into permanent records even though I once hit it in clinic. Doesn't help that I only drop so far even when I'm having a severe attack -the one time I was below 50% personal best it wasn't that bad an attack, needed A&E and a bit of time but not my worst.
I also had a good asthma review at the GP surgery with the primary care paramedic a few months ago, and when I told him my best peak flow, he told me he was entering it in a field where it wouldn't be ignored instead of just in notes, which I really appreciated! He also seemed to understand what was normal for me and didn't mind when I ended up bitching about the hospital team (his review was way better than most of the ones at the tertiary clinic). He did ask me if I wanted a referral elsewhere though (not currently but I told him I'd take him up on it if I thought it would help).
I think it's the first time I've ever actually had a face to face asthma review with that surgery lol, I've been there 10 years but we both used to not bother beyond an ACT and some med reviews over the phone, because I was under the hospital, plus I didn't approve of their old habits of getting the HCAs to do them. Asthma reviews should be done by a properly trained nurse or similar level at least, not an HCA with a questionnaire (no shade on HCAs, they do a valuable job, but asthma reviews should be with someone who has more overall training and asthma education).
Glad to hear you had a positive experience. I usually do too. Interesting what you said about peak flows. My normal peak flow measurement is 500 much too high for my age and sex. I am always asked if I am ever in A&E what my best is.
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Asthma review
