I have been taking all your advice thank you! please see below:-
hi everyone first an update GP put me on antibiotics which I think is helping. As per suggestions here I rang surgery to see if I could have a rescue pack, got a text message from surgery pharmacist today to say I need to ask respiratory nurse if I could have them, I tried to contact the Respiratory Nurses on the phone no’s given at time of diagnoses the Lancaster hospital phone number which is out of use so I rang the second phone number Furness general hospital to see if I could have a Rescue Pack managed to speak to a respiratory nurse who just told me I need a referral from a GP?? Im totally confused now!
I do have a steroid nasal spray that I already use perhaps too much, I originally got it on prescription but have to pay for it now.
I have been taking all your advice onboard ..thank you! 👏👏I have purchased Hangsun compressor nebuliser(model CN950) plus Hypertonic saline 7% vials both received yesterday
Question: does anyone have any knowledge of the Hangsun Nebulizer the instructions are useless doesn’t tell me what the various different attachments are for or how to use them. I’ve been googling but cannot find any useful information or video, It also has a nasal attachment which I thought would help with my nasal problems.
I’ve also ordered N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 600mg 180 Capsules UK Made Pharmaceutical Grade Supplement coming today.Truthfully I have no idea what I’m doing hopefully I’ve purchased the right items to help me.
all I want is not to feel like I’ve felt this last couple of months.Again thank you! ❤️
Kindest Regards
Hilary
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hilary77
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hi, I cannot help with the nebuliser I'm afraid however, I believe you're okay with the NAC. I've been prescribed it in both France and Croatia when I've run out of Carbocysteine. I've never heard of a poor reaction to it though that doesn't mean they don't exist and I've been on the forum for 10 years. Read the leaflet well and the contraindications and if there are any meds you shouldn't take with it , you'll soon know if it doesnt suit you. The fact that it's available over the counter is encouraging. Good luck with it and I hope someone comes up with help with the nebuliser.
Is there another gp practice in your area with a better reputation? 3 of my friends are very well looked by their's in my town. P ×
Hi Hilary, it looks like there’s a demo of how to use a Hangsun nebuliser on Amazon so give that a go if you can.
A good GP should happily supply rescue meds, knowing your history. I’d have another chat with them if you have the energy. Sending you round in circles isn’t helpful. Let us know how you get on.
thanks sassy I bought it off Amazon but the video doesn’t really tell you much just shows a girl with a mask on & then flips to one where she has a mouthpiece in her mouth.
I’ve never used a nebuliser so I’m assuming you put the salt liquid into the well in the middle then attach whichever attachment you want to use but not too sure which one will be best, I bought that one because it has a nose attachment as well.
Hope someone comes along who has used a nebuliser who will have some idea of how to use.
The instructions that came with are next to useless
I tried to get through to GP gave up three times eventually managed to get through to speak to the pharmacist who told me if it’s only for a back up her words then she will prescribe them, heard nothing since.
It’s getting beyond ridiculous trying to speak to a GP these days, the receptionists interrogate you as to why you are calling & want to know in detail why you need to speak to or see a GP
I can understand wanting to know why but having to go into such detail before a receptionist deems you suitable to be seen or not infuriates me 😤
My nebuliser was supplied by my Respiratory team. I dont think you should be using or taking any medication that has not been prescribed. When it is prescribed you will get the assistance you require.
There are different types of medication also for a nebuliser, so how do you know which one you require.
You need to speak to your Consultant or Respiratory Team
You mentioned hypersonic saline that you have purchased online. In the UK, you usually have to be tested by a respiratory nurse the first time you use it. Spirometry is taken before you nebulise it and again afterwards, as it can cause broncospasms. If the drop is more than 10% you're not allowed it.
I failed my first test as I had an infection, I was allowed a second test a month later which I scraped through. I was warned I may not tolerate it due to my asthma as well as bronchiectasis. I only managed three months on it before I had to revert back to normal saline instead.
Please be very careful with hypertonic saline without being tested to see if you're suitable. xx
So true Collienut. I have tried hypertonic saline (which people seem to prefer because it is 'stronger' than isotonic') but found that it was less effective in my bronchiectasis at keeping my mucus runny than daily isotonic and also made me breathless. Nobody should be self medicating as is happening here.
It's scary Littlepom. My sister's partner passed away and she asked me if I wanted the ventolin inhalers to save me buying them 😮. I said my are prescribed by my consultant/GP and covered by prescription prepayment. She then said oh Blah blah buys hers online so I'll give them to her. I went online and yes people can buy them without a prescription by lying, I was horrified. The world has gone mad.
I absolutely agree with garshe, see comment' Nebulisers should be prescribed by your medical advisers as you need the correct medication to go in them. I am under the Morecambe Bay umbrella and have found both Lancaster and the Kendal respiratory clinic have been only too happy to give help and advice. Hopefully you will find the help you need.
Morning 🌄 Hilary. Sounds like you are having the runaround which is very unfair when you feeling unwell. Just to reassure you, we have all been there and yes, it's infuriating!!😬 Don't despair, you will get sorted. What antibiotics are you on? If not improving after 3/4days please ask to put sputum specimen in as may need different one.
All other treatment should be advised/referred by gp or respiratory nurse at your practice 🤔
As others have indicated please don't use nebuliser, it is specialised equipment and must be used correctly.
Did you get a rescue inhaler, normally Salamol or similar?
After all of that, hope you feeling a little better.
I am waiting for reply from respiratory nurses, email from Thursday, no luck yet! If pharmacist said they would prescribe recue meds just ring and ask if they are ready.
hi Dawn the antibiotic was Doxycycline 100mg. I would say it’s helped quite a lot as nowhere near the amount of sputum that I had at the beginning 7 day course 2 x 1st day then one for 6 days.
I’m still coughing up sputum nowhere near as regular or as thick mostly in the morning but that could be down to my sinus problem.
Feeling a lot better than I did but not quite yet 100%
Like other posters I'm concerned that you have not been prescribed or shown how to use the nebuliser. I even had instructions on how to use my flutter device. Trying to access health care is HORRENDOUS at the moment! (See my latest post! ) I have emailed my consultant a couple of times and she's responded promptly, you could also google your local respiratory team and contact them. It's hard that we have to do so much admin to get care but it seems it's the only way.
I did contact GP to ask if I could have a rescue pack in case I get another chest infection, they told me I need to ask a respiratory nurse contacted the respiratory nurse whose phone number was on the care sheet, he told me I need to be referred by my GP.
I had a spirometer test diagnosed with COPD Jan 2020 I’ve since had two phone assessments & that is as far as my care consists of, I haven’t had a face to face with GP or anyone else since being diagnosed, was given a care sheet shown how to use inhalers & prescribed with spiolto respimat 2 puffs once daily & a reliever salbutamol only to be used if I’m breathless I haven’t been referred to a respiratory nurse nor a consultant.
I have had two chest infections since November the second one has floored me I thought I was doing the right thing trying to relieve my symptoms to thin down the mucus..
I haven’t got a clue how to help myself as it appears my GP practice doesn’t give a damn, the antibiotics have helped I haven’t got the same amount of mucus but what I still have is still thick & sticky, which is the reason for buying the saline etc what am I supposed to do when I’m getting no help from health care.
I felt so ill over xmas with the nasty bug that I did say to hubby I don’t think I’ll make it to the new year I felt that bad, if only I had known about the rescue pack if only I had been given one perhaps I wouldn’t be on here trying to get some relief who knows! Thanks for your input I won’t use the nebuliser
It's hard to fight for yourself when you feel so rough and have been let down by the GP/Respiratory Nurse.
Do you have a family member or friend who's a bit feisty, that could go into the surgery and point out you're being given the run around and your care plan has inaccurate information on it? They can point out that your GP needs to refer you to the respiratory nurse, not just give you the number (I'm guessing they may have used someone else's template to do your care plan, making it inaccurate).
Most GPS have there own respiratory nurses, or dispensing nurses, who can sort out the rescue packs, mucus thinning drugs and possibly normal saline for you. Does your practice have one? xx
hi! I rang the surgery explained about the two chest infections a GP rang me & said she’s prescribed antibiotics which I’ve now taken.
I had been doing really well not needed to use my reliever 3yrs until now but the 2 episodes frightened me so much I joined this forum & found out about rescue packs, so in case I fell foul to another chest infection thought it would be good idea to have a pack on hand,
So I rang the GP I asked if the practice had a respiratory nurse or GP that I could speak to the receptionist asked why? so explained about the two chest infections & could I have a rescue pack just in case, I got a text message off the surgery pharmacist please discuss with your respiratory nurse if it would be suitable.
I rang the pharmacy phone extension Wednesday explained it all again & she said oh! It’s just as a precaution I’ll supply them, which has totally confused me as everyone on here has a respiratory nurse, so does our pharmacist stand in for a respiratory nurse?
I am going to ring the surgery on Monday using the speaker phone so hubby can join conversation that’s if we manage to speak to a GP 😥
I know my friends husband, who's not under a consultant, quite often gets the chemist to sort out his reliever packs, but it's not something I've ever done as mine were prescribed by my consultant and I have the letter to back it up.
My consultant has prescribed most of my medication, and I deal with the hospital respiratory nurses if I have any problems with my nebuliser as it's a NHS one.
It's really hard to get hold of the consultant at the moment as they are backed up from COVID, so I have dealt with the GP Surgery's respiratory nurse instead, she's very good as she used to be a hospital respiratory nurse.
Good luck with your telephone call, I will keep everything crossed for you. xx
Hi Hilary, I put 2.5ml of saline solution in the little container you may have 3 attachments, a face mask, mouthpiece and nasal clip. The choice of which one you use is up to you but if you have a blocked nose use the face mask. Make sure that you clean the little container and face mask after using. There are several ways of doing this but it should be effectively sterilised, you can boil them for 10 mins or use a sterilising solution like Milton. Rescue packs with anti biotic is fine if it’s confined that you have a bacterial infection, they won’t work if it’s a viral or fungal infection. My GP and consultant won’t prescribe me one until I have had a blood or sputum test to confirm the type of infection.
Hello Hilary. Sorry you’re suffering with health issues AND poor GP service. I don’t know if you are in Britain or not. Here there is a specialist respiratory nurse incorporated in, I believe, every/most surgeries. Whether or not for you, it sounds like you need appt for review with that clinic or a dr. a.s.a.p. to thrash out these queries & establish a maintenance programme. At the very least, we can request a telephone consultation, which can develop into f2f. Also there may be an online enquiry facility. Good luck.
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