I had my asthma review yesterday by phone. I have been on the mart regime (fostair 100/6 and spriva 2.5) for a little under a year. Yesterday I was told that having a rescue packet of prednisolone at home after having an asthma attack to use isn't the standard treatment any more.
This was changed last year because people have been using them unnecessarily e.g. having a cold. I was also told that you should not have more than 5 courses of prednisolone in your lifetime. I have used more than that in treating my asthma in the years I had it. They don't want people getting side effects from using them i.e. diabetes.
However when I went for a replacement packet of prednisolone last month (after having covid and having two asthma attacks) I found out they were not long on my prescription list. I told the receptionist that I have had it many times in the past. The GPs did write me a prescription and pick them up a couple of days later at my pharmacy.
Now the doctors said that I would only have them prescribed to me if my doctor wrote to the consultant (who treated me in hospital for pneumonia.) and ask if I can keep a rescue pack at home.
So I have been told that if I have a flare up of my asthma and use my inhaler to its maximum dose over 2/3 days then ring the doctors for an urgent same day appointment or ring 111 out of hours. Then they will see me and decide what treatment I need. Has per my mart asthma plan.
Has anyone else been told they can't have a rescue pack at home?
Written by
elanaoali
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
“you should not have more than 5 courses of prednisolone in your lifetime” opps I’ve probably had that many just this year alone and what about people who are on constant low dose pred? That very much seems like a blanket statement without taking into account respiratory conditions which are very variable.
I’ve not had a rescue pack for a while but that is because my asthma is not controlled and my consultant wants me seen either by my GP or at A&E to make sure I don’t need admitted.
Are you still under the consultant at the hospital? It might be worth contacting them for advice
I think this is yet another example of how asthma treatment in the UK is a postcode lottery!
I picked up a rescue pack of pred on Monday after catching some viral cold last week.
No problems from my surgery and all on my repeat prescription.
I am under a tertiary centre on biologics and have been admitted with asthma 4x in the past year.. so there doesn’t seem to be any logic either in who is ‘allowed’ rescue steroids and who is not!
It’s just a complete chance as to whether your GP allows it or not…it’s their own personal opinion. I don’t feel that there is any official regulation to it at all.
🤷♂️ sorry but I would like to see some hard and fast rules so that we all know where we stand.
My consultant and GP practice do not allow rescue packs.
In theory you are meant to ring for an immediate appointment with the part time GP asthma nurse if you need prednisolone. The theory then says, if the GP Asthma nurse is unavailable you ring hospital respiratory team ansaphone, then if that fails 111.
The theory does not work very well in practice where I live.
That's terrible! Why won't your GP or consultant prescribe you prednisolone? I going to still keep my rescue steriods to hand. If I have an asthma attack at home (usually happens evenings after GP is closed or weekends) then successfully manage it at home I will still want to start taking my rescue steriods. I will ring 111 for an out of hours appointment. It will probably a long wait to get a call back. Then go and see a doctor be checked out then they would allow me to take my rescue steriods. I don't understand why I can't treat myself at home like I have always done. E.g last year cold then asthma attack 1 course of prednisolone then chest infection 1 course of prednisolone and then coming down with pneumonia unbeknownst to me. Asthma attack prednisolone started went to A&E diagnosed pneumonia admitted to hospital.
The GP practice and consultant want to check my asthma when it is bad, so the theory that I should go in and see them when I need prednisolone is fine and correct. When I do see them they are happy to put me on prednisolone.
The trouble is, that when my asthma is bad, I cannot get an immediate appointment, so the theory does not work, and a rescue pack, as a safety net, would be lovely.
How utterly mad grrrr. I can understand that rule for ordinary people and people incapable of managing their condition but definitely not patients with dodgy asthma. Should be at GPs discretion imo.I've not been allowed a rescue pack since I moved to Gloucestershire ten years ago from Wimbledon where I did have one & used it wisely.
I agree I try to reassure the urgent care practioner I didn't take prednisolone willy nilly but took it when I really needed it. Justba simple cold can set off my asthma and this is my worst time of year for my asthma. I work presently working with a reception class (TA) and they are bug factories. I love small children but not their bugs.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Request different antibiotic in rescue pack?
What to do after prednisolone rescue ended?
Asthma UK's update on "no longer needing to shield" texts
