when diagnosed is it common practise not to be referred to a specialist consultant anymore

[Ianmac59]

since 2014 i have been diagnosed with under-active thyroid (levels still up or down } COPD but not once have i been referred to a specialist nurse or consultant. i just wondering is this normal practise . even i understand GP do a great job but its as the name states GP general practise. it use to be we found this you been referred to see the consultant or am i to soft and not insisting on being referred

[hypercat54]

Hi for mild and even moderate copd referral to a consultant is rare. The rationale from my surgery is that you are only referred if they can no longer handle your care.

You should have a least an annual copd review at your surgery with a respiratory nurse. I am mild and I do. x

[Ianmac59 in reply to hypercat54]

i normally do but i was on rescue meds at the time told to come back in 8 weeks time when steroids out my system

[hypercat54 in reply to Ianmac59]

Well that's why. You need to get an accurate reading which you can't do with steroid use or when you have a chest infection. x

[soulsaver]

Yep - afaik referral to a consultant hasn't ever been normal practice when GP is confident of a diagnosis that doesn't warrant referral.

You don't say what symptoms you 're experiencing, what treatment/medication you've had or what was done to determine your diagnosis. Nor your age or your smoking history - but unless you were having symptoms/responses that were baffling them, they wouldn't refer you to a consultant.

Did you have a spirometry test?

[Ianmac59 in reply to soulsaver]

yes well tuck me 3 years of back and forth to GP to be sent for hospital tests where spirometry was preformed and diagnosis was moderate COPD 30+years smoking history and still have breathing difficulties but medication helps most time

[Candyred]

I asked to be referred to a lung specialist as soon as I was diagnosed with a lung problem .. my GP is only a general practitioner and couldn’t answer my questions the way my lung specialist could .. do you have an email? I wrote “my journey” I could send it to you? X

[CDPO16]

Hi, I was only referred to a specialist after various treatments prescribed by my GP did not help to ease my symptoms.

[Ianmac59 in reply to CDPO16]

well after more then i care to remember visits to my GP all he could say is give me a reply i give up i cant find anything wrong with you even when im struggling walking talking and getting around when six months earlier i was hill walking 14 miles in 3-4 hours around the countryside and it was only picked up when i seen a consultant about my sleep apna she picked up on my breathing and sent me for tests where i was diagnosed with COPD .maybe this is what happens when you dont see a doctor for 20 years. But i have refused to see this GP since

[peege]

I believe it took over two years of very ill health before I got a referral to consultant for a diagnosis. It may depend on your particular GP &/or your area. The professor consultant I got at a SW London university hospital was absolutely horrible, unpleasant and unhelpful. I would only see one of his registrars who was fantastic.

It may also be the case that GP practices are still charged for every referral - which is why they're reluctant? P

[Whitch]

I never ever knew that there was a link between under active thyroid and lung problems !!! I have been on thyroxine for over 20 years and when went to A & E in October last year with a very severe back pain they did X-ray of my back and found a shadow on my lung - they said my doctor should send me for a scan - he asked me how long I had a cough and I said I do not have a cough - but he said you have coughed on this visit to me !!! And I said I was just clearing my throat - he said that is a cough

Scan showed I have Emphysemia and he said i will refer you to the hospital consultant - that was back in October - I am still waiting for an appointment - but I am getting very short of breath if I try to walk far

[Whitechinchilla]

I read somewhere recently that there are new rulings about gp referring to consultants. Not much help as I can recall the details. But basically it is to going to be so easy to get referred. I have COPD and despite my pleadings I can’t get even get a blood test much less a referral just an annual check. I think hypercat54 has the answer.

[Ianmac59 in reply to Whitechinchilla]

we live in hope

[Whitechinchilla in reply to Ianmac59]

That makes two of us then. Lol.

Perhaps it is worth speaking to your gp again about a referral?

Mistakes do sometimes happen. I once had a faced request went missing and I only discovered it when i phoned to check up on it.

Worth a try?

That said if you are getting breathless then I feel you should insist your gp does something to help you. It’s your body after all. Good luck and good wishes.

[Whitechinchilla]

Faxed. NOT Faced 😂

[Fudge57 in reply to Whitechinchilla]

Sorry that should have said they know

[Fudge57]

Hi I don't see a specialist for my COPD I actually see nurses from a local NHS support organisation.

I know everything there is about COPD. And if I am having a bad flare up then they come in and they will tell me whether I need to take antibiotics or and steroids. What is very important is that you have a pack which is kept at home that has the steroids and antibiotics in so that if you need them you can start taking them straight away without having to wait for a prescription xx

[Ianmac59 in reply to Fudge57]

i have thanks fudge 7 days supply