Clinical Immunology

[Homely2]

I have an appointment with clinical immunology department on Monday at a tertiary centre.

Any ideas of what to expect, this is a new one on me.

[Patk1]

They'll take a detailed history & bloods initially

[flowerjunky]

I’m under Portsmouth tertiary centre and had my first appointment there last October. Mine also said it was with clinical immunology.

It was actually several different appointments all coordinated together over several hours ( I was told to allow 6 hours in the appointment letter).

First I had skin prick allergy test. Whilst they were “developing” on my arm I had FeNo and Spirometry (with reversal) and another breathing test that sent pulses through the lungs (sorry can’t remember what it was called).

Next I had to fill in a long questionnaire and then was called through to see the consultant.

I then had blood tests taken and was seen by a specialist asthma nurse who explained my new meds (from consultant) and finally I saw a respiratory physio who checked my breathing pattern etc.

I don’t know if this is the same at all tertiary centres but have to say that I was very impressed with how efficient and thorough it was.

Due to all the breathing tests I was obviously tired afterwards but came away with a different inhaler (which is a vast improvement and has reduced the side effects I was suffering from my previous ones) and actually felt as if I had been listened to and more proactive in my treatment. I’m now waiting for my follow up appointment.

I hope you have the same positive experience I did.

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to flowerjunky]

Thank you for this.

At my present hospital when I had my spirometry test, the appointment letter, just said I was coming for an appointment with a member of my consultants team. So I had my feno test and spirometry test while on all my inhalers plus pred.

So now I am being a little more cautious as to what a hospital appointment entails.

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi

I have been under a joint immunology/tertiary respiratory clinic for about 7 yrs now.

Although they work together, they look at different things.

Immunology keep an eye on my infections and have tested me for allergies but more importantly they looked at what antibiotics are best for me and ascertained that I have low antibody titres and lymphopenia. They mix my antibiotics and look after those areas. They also tested for immunodeficiencies and things like SCID etc.

My tertiary respiratory look after specifically my asthma, biologic and all the lung function stuff. They dictate my asthma and nebuliser meds.

I think if it’s specifically immunology that you are attending then you may have allergy and skin prick testing for common asthma triggers. I guess this will then go back to your respiratory team?

Hope you get some answers going forwards.

😊