It's a long story! After numerous flare ups and exacerbations involving a number of hospital admissions I finally gave up with the NHS. Not once was I seen by a Respiratory Consultant, not once was I admitted to the Respiratory ward. On each admission I was treated with antibiotics and steroids. They seemed to work but within weeks I would suffer another exacerbation. My final hospital admission was "post covid", in April. Same treatment but no attempt to look at alternative treatments. Additionally on my last admission I was dubious about going to hospital, fearing the dreaded virus. I was assured the I would be segregated from Corona virus sufferers and agreed to be admitted. Following y first night on the ward I woke to find I was in the next bed to a Covid 19 sufferer. I was incensed and demanded to be moved to another ward. I was moved but subsequently found out the there were also Corona Virus patients on that ward. I asked to be discharged and placed under the care of my GP. We successfully treated the exacerbation.
My son and daughter then persuaded me to seek private treatment, which I did! This was in July and following 2 consultations and a CTI scan, for the first time I received a correct diagnosis. This was that I had Bronchial asthma plus COPD (ACO) and Bronchiectasis of both lower lobes. He recommended medication changes including Spiriva Respimat. This was in August. I saw a gradual improvement in breathing and mobility and have not sufferer any more major exacerbations. I am seeing my consultant next week for a review. It is beyond belief that the hospital failed to diagnose and treat my condition and I will obviously making a total complaint. Spiriva is not a magical cure but I do feel slightly better, I will keep you informed.
Bob Coe
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Bobcoe
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Good for you, I'm pleased you have finally got a diagnosis. Have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxx
Hi Bob Coe
Glad you are now receiving better care.
NHS works like - the GP refers you to specialist respiratory consultant (but you have to ask your GP - you need to do this when you get repeated infections.
Its the Respiratory Consultant who can diagnose through a number of tests, the main one to show what is going on is the CT scan, that goes for most all lung conditions.
You can immediately access PALS while at the hospital and make your complaint about having to mix with covid patients, that is attrocious and really does need reporting to above the hospital concerned.
I have always found Spiriva a good 24 hour broncho dilater and I do think Spiriva Respimat is the best. It certainly helps with bending and breathing I have found (before bending takes your breathe away). Glad you are enjoying the benefits of that as well now.
Best wishes for your ongoing future care. Breathing easy and enjoying a better quality of life.
My GP did refer me to a consultant, trouble was he wouldn't see me. On my 3rd hospital admission I demanded to see a Respiritry Consultant and he saw me for 10 minutes, he was very patronising and said he would see me when he could but made no promises. Blamed the Corona virus situation. I am now using a private consultant who is excellent although it has already cost me over £1100. Will be claiming the money back from NHS, HAVE BEEN A taxpayer for 51 years and should not have to pay for treatment. End of rant!
I can understand your frustration, I have changed my respiratory consultant in the hospital in the past and in no uncertain terms told them why, the new guy was a bit worried on first appointment and had a back up nurse in with him thinking I might cause trouble, but any way he has since retired and I've seen a new guy who is a big improvement and far more tolerant when I ask questions. They can be so up themselves some of these medical professionals, yet others have real people skills as well as knowing their profession.
I'm glad you are happy with your new consultant but going private is very expensive.
So sorry to hear you have had these problems Bob, although I am not surprised. As Littlepom says you need a specialist in that field not a respiratory consultant as they just dont know enough on things like bronchiectasis. I think we have all been through this at the hospitals. I cant believe that you were put in the same ward with covid patients, I would certainly put a complaint into the hospital about this x
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I am getting annoyed now
Home from hospital stay
Spiriva
Yet another exacerbation of COPD. Within a month.
copd and spiriva
