being referred to Respiratory consultant, what to expect?

[Poshcards]

Hi, my yearly asthma review today, I asked a bout 'emergency' kit, was told no longer used and she wasn't happy with my breathing and coughing again, so I am being referred to a Respiratory consultant for the forst time, and I was wondering what to expect please xx

[KnPoa]

I was referred to one a few years ago. On my first appointment, I met with the hospitals asthma nurse and discussed my symptoms, peak flow, current medication. She did a couple of breathing tests, spirometer and another one (I can’t remember what it’s called). Then we met with the specialist, who went through my symptoms etc again, completed a new asthma plan and I was sent for further testing (Lung CT, in-depth blood tests, heart scan, chest X-ray) over the next few months.

My experience was the first appointment was information gathering.

[Poshcards in reply to KnPoa]

hi, thank you so much for replying, it has helped me to understand it more xx

[Emaych61]

Not so much an answer to your question but more some additional info which might be of use:

Make notes of how your symptoms have changed, what causes you problems etc. It’s also useful to have a short history of your asthma to hand.

Make notes of any questions you might want to ask

Reason for this being that when you get in the room it’s amazing how many things you thought of disappear if you’ve only made mental notes. The result is that you find yourself thinking “Oh I forgot to ask about/ mention that” the moment you’ve walked out of the room.

Hope it all goes well for you.

[Poshcards in reply to Emaych61]

Thanks, I will make a list xd

[peege]

My daughter 24, came with me as 4 ears better than 2, it was all information gathering and discussing the letters from GP. It was a teaching hospital so there was a medical student in the corner taking notes.2nd visit I had allergy tests (aspergillosis was suspected by gp as aspergillus fungus had shown in all my sputum tests) then full lung function tests in a specific room with a technician. If I remember rightly LFTs were done twice, the second was after a dose of ventolin to show the difference. At a later appointment I had a CT scan which thankfully didn't show pockets of aspergillus. Diagnosis was taken from the CT scan.

[Poshcards in reply to peege]

my hubby comes everywhere with me, as he is my carer x

[Homely2 Administrator]

I normally used to get asked questions re my asthma that I was unsure of.

So I normally keep a peak flow and symptoms diary for a couple of weeks pre appointment.

[Poshcards in reply to Homely2]

Thanks good idea xx

[runcyclexcski]

I would also ask how you can contact her/him (or their secretary or a nurse in their department), in case you are having difficulties with the new medication, or if you need urgent advice. Do not bug them all the time, but it helps to be able to reach them when needed.

[Poshcards in reply to runcyclexcski]

I have written this one down x

[Lol1944]

make a complaint in writing about the change to not supplying emergency packs. It is imperative that you have one. Exacerbations work much longer hours and days than your gp. Send a copy to your consultant