Lung specialist

[Help_61]

I’ve been reading some post about specialists for their lungs And seems to be have a nurse Ilive in Australia and I have a doctor and 2 specialist which I see 1 once a year and the other every 3 months and my doctor whenever I need so I was wandering why a nurse

[Hidden]

I see my regular GP every 3 months just for medication refills mostly. I see my rheumatologist twice a year. My cardiologist once a year and my pulmonologist twice a year. I get PFT once a year. My cardiologist had me take a heart ultrasound a few months ago. Also an EKG. Oh and another cat scan to see how large my bullae were getting.

My Doctors keep me loaded at home with antibiotics, prednisone, a nebulizer so I can jump right on an infection that starts. I am on spiriva , symbacort, albuterol, Vicodin, leflunimide, gabapentin, cymbalta for my foot pain. It’s an antidepressant yet it’s also used for plantar fasciitis. Odd, yet it works. Clobetasol, ventolin, cholecalciferol, narcan for an emergency. Duloxetine, metoprolol, and doxepin. Anyone else loaded up on meds like me?

[Help_61 in reply to Hidden]

Yep asmol spiriva symbicort endep azithromycin esomeprazole apotex Codeine fosipril20 amlodpine dithiazide and my emergency pack and alendronate plusd3

[casey16gatsby in reply to Hidden]

Yes --- different ones but pretty loaded up -- Advair,Incruse,bisoprolol,primidone,

azithromycin,and some antidepressants. Keep prednisone on hand -- use as needed.

I see a number of Dr's and Nurses -- .

Overall -- the nurses -- seem to communicate better -- from my experience. I get more

useful information

JCL

[Hidden in reply to casey16gatsby]

I’ve just come to not expect good communication. It’s like ya you have copd, blah blah..we’ll just keep prescribing these meds. My respiratory therapist who does my pft’s Is the best info person. I live in a rural very small community close to the Canadian border. I live in Washington state. My respiratory therapist has become a personal friend I socialize with. So he’s the best resource.

[casey16gatsby in reply to Hidden]

The Physician's Assistants and Nurse Practitioners I work with communicate quite well. With my DR's -- it's hit and miss.

The Clinic I go to also has a -- Messaging System -- I use that -- and get a response.

I think Medical Schools could use more class time -- on -- bedside manner and communication!

[Help_61 in reply to casey16gatsby]

You may have a better option. I hate going to the chemist nearly every week I feel the security guy thinks I’m a drug addict just keeps nodding his head as I walk past

[Phil40]

The nurse specialists Mum has are a lot more accessible and easy to reach, know her and how she ticks and have more time to spend sorting her out.

The GPs I try and avoid as a lot of them know nothing about specialist prescribing or COPD and some know nothing about pretty much anything and I have worked in surgeries in a previous life. It is like all trades; some are brilliant; some are, well, crap. I personally have been crap at a few jobs so I don’t mean to sound judgmental it’s just my subjective experience.

It’s just doctors don’t get sacked if they are crap like at something like me, they bury their mistakes.

The consultant was seen last week and was very pleasant; the opposite to the last scheduled appointment (3 years ago I am not joking!)

But she didn’t need too because the specialist nurses take advice from him.

And Mum is prescribed everything possible that helps and says she rattles when she moves.

Loved being in Australia when I have been fabulous country you colonials have made out there. 😂

[Help_61 in reply to Phil40]

😂😂😂sounds good