RESCUE MEDS

[rambi]

My Doctor will not give rescue meds to anyone, he seems to be the only one in this area ( Kings Lynn Norfolk) that does this. I'm moving, so hope new Doctor will give rescue meds. Does anyone else have this problem?

[snoww]

my doctor always takes sputum or bloods before providing rescue meds or abs.

[rambi in reply to snoww]

mine never does, thanks

[Bealings48]

Yes my doctor is not keen although the asthma nurse at the surgery did in the past - but not now - they always want me to go in but as I dont have transport it costs me £20 to get there so I try to do without - not very helpful.

[rambi in reply to Bealings48]

Thanks for your input, I hope we both get rescue meds

[happyfeet59]

I think it depends what condition you have and what stage you are at within your condition. I never had a rescue pack for the first 55yrs of having bronchiectasis!

[ptliverpool in reply to happyfeet59]

I have only been dignosed with Bronchiectasis for 10 months but was given a course of antibiotics to keep at home right from day 1.

[rambi in reply to happyfeet59]

Yes that would make sense, but other Doctors there give them out.

[cofdrop-UK]

Bronchiectasis for 65 years and I have always had them as far back as I can remember - invaluable if a nasty infection raises its ugly head during a holiday period or even a weekend. If its during a normal week would get in a sample and sometimes see doc.

Has GP given a reason for his/her decision?

Good luck with new doc.

love cx

[rambi in reply to cofdrop-UK]

It seems to be a control thing, seeing the copd nurse on Monday maybe she can help

[linsabout]

At my surgery they won't supply an emergency pack until you move into stage 4 copd.

[PollyP]

Hello, good for you changing docs - my understanding is that each COPD exacerbation has the capacity to progress the disease, so the information given to me by the Pulmonary Rehab team is that is much better to treat these with a rescue pack ASAP! And you could check NICE guidelines as well for the care pathway for your condition. I just don't understand the medical staff withholding medication which can be such a clinical help-why would they do that? If in doubt speak the BLF advice line...and ask them their opinion. I always have a rescue pack with me, and I don't always need the antibiotics in there, sometimes just steroids. Good Luck, Keep Well.

[tigershay1]

I think it depends on your dr ...and also where youblive ...my daughter has severe asthma which went out of control from puberty luckily her consultant at rvi in newcastle was amazing ..she was on a plan had open access to resp ward day and night great follow up care but all changed when she moved to adult care ...her gp wont give more than two salbutamol inhalers in a month ?? Plus other daft things. Im on othrr hand goin to different consultant to hers as he has been useless for my care so that will be interesting to see how my plan etc is to hers. My gp doez give me rescue pack but hers three miles away does not?! There should be complete consistency across the nhs practicez or unnecassary deaths will conyinue to occur

[CornishBrian]

My respiratory team told my GP that I need rescue meds and so I always have them at home and they are on repeat prescription. The reason I was given them was if you have an infection, the worse place you can go is to the doctors waiting room where over 50% of others waiting to pass it on. I don't even tell my GP when I use them....just reorder over the internet.

[Hidden in reply to CornishBrian]

When you reorder your rescue medicines online, your records will show this so your Dr would then know you have used a pack.

I reorder my rescue meds once I start using a pack. I just phone my surgery for a new prescription.

I actually saw my GP a couple of weeks ago and even before I mentioned it, she knew I had an exacerbation at both the beginning and end of December just by noticing I had requested new rescue packs.

There is no reason why any GP should refuse rescue medications for any patient with lung problems. I hope you can sort this out Rambi.

Thérèse

[onamission]

My old GP was really tight with funding I had a real bad dose of the flu I couldn't get an appointment so I moved and my new GP is fantastic I always have emergency pack of meds in.

[CornishBrian]

Our Gp has run out of GPs. Five weeks now for a phone consultation. I can get an appointment at the crematorium five weeks before my turn at the doctors. for repeat prescriptions, they have a Nurse Practisioner or something and if it is routine and within the review date then it gets sent to the chemists...all electronically.

[rambi]

THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME TO REPLY

[peege]

I had them for the 1st time 3 months ago. The GP made me promise that if I felt the need to take them I must get to see doctor at the earliest opportunity to ensure I get best treatment.

In the past I've always hung on too long before seeing a doc for infection. Big mistake. I feel less vulnerable with those Azithromycin stashed in my meds box.

Hope your new GP will let you have a rescue pack.