Rescue pack

[Jollj]

Has anyone noticed a difference in recovery time for chest infection following the reduction in antibiotics and steroids in rescue pack from 7 days to 5, 2 flare ups have resulted in needing 2 lots of rescue pack.

[Germantara]

Alot off the time they only being given 5 days instead 7 and in most cases you need 7is this another cut back trick

[Jollj in reply to Germantara]

Sorry yes thats the point I'm making, when it was 7 days I only ever needed 1 lot, since they reduced it to 5 I've needed a double prescription, false economy in some cases

[Trentz]

I've had the same problem. I know you're frustration.

[Chip_y2kuk]

My rescue pack is 7 days antibiotics and 5 steroids .... but im already on prophylactic antibiotics so it doesn't normally take many of the extras to finish off what started to take hold (but as per instructions I take them till there done)

[Patk1]

That's not gd.id contact surgery telling thm that doesn't work for u.gd luck x

[devon29]

Hi you are luckyto get a rescue pack . last time i saw dr i got 30 presidsolone (STEROIDS) and amoxycillin . now today i have appt to see nurse and ask can i have help Keep smiling xxxx mybreathing a bit dodgy I would sooner have a rescue pack xx

[Jollj in reply to devon29]

Sorry to hear your situation, hope you get sorted soon, thank you.

[Patk1 in reply to devon29]

Gd luck at appointments devon29.hope u get appropriate meds + rescue packs.its a poor do,being taken off people when appointments r so difficult to access x

[BronchyBronwen]

I recently used my rescue pack which is 2 weeks amoxycillin 500 mg x 3/day. Clearly, am v fortunate with my GP Surgery, compared with some chums here. As I'd run out, and they had begun to query my need for it, I emailed the Surgery, quoting my entitlement under the NICE guidelines. That may be a helpful tip for my fellow bronchy chums.

Want to also tell you that it had the unexpected and hugely welcome effect of keeping me virtually completely pain-free from my severe spinal stenosis for about 3 weeks afterwards! I could scarcely believe my good fortune! Back to usual though now of course, assisted by onset of winter weather. But was fantastic while it lasted.

[Egpa]

Hi, I have ra, bronciactsis and asthma. When I have a flair up, for any off them I have always had 10 days first it was amoxacilin sometimeswith prednisone, but that doesn't clear it up. Now I just have 10days of coamoxiclav as prescribed by my consultant. That seams to do the trick. I was told by my consultant that 5 or 7 days was not enough to cope with an infection. Good luck, take care and stay safe.

[Patk1 in reply to Egpa]

Bronchiectasis patients should be given 14 days antibiotics x

[lvn0619 in reply to Patk1]

We should also give a sputum sample to assess sensitivity of bacteria to the prescribed ABX. When not done we open ourselves up to multidrug resistance bacteria. Also increase nebulizer txs. to 3 or 4 x daily to clear out mucous.

[katiepudding2]

I have never been given a rescue pack and when I asked was told no, its probably a virus. I've have COPD and asthma for years now.

[Alberta56 in reply to katiepudding2]

Grrr!

[Jollj in reply to katiepudding2]

That's disgusting, I always thought it was in the NICE guidelines for anyone with COPD. I would try again,good luck.

[katiepudding2 in reply to Jollj]

Thanks. Our GP practice is not really that good and it was the so called "Physicians Associate" who insisted it was viral. These people have two years training and are not doctors and not nurses. I am a Registered Nurse myself and useless trying to argue with them - they think they know best and that is that.

[Patk1 in reply to katiepudding2]

U should point out that viruses trigger bacterial infections + exacerbations with lung disease!ea flare up,regardless of cause,can damage lungs x

[katiepudding2 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks. I have a phone appointment with my hospital consultant in a few weeks so will mention this to him.

[Patk1 in reply to katiepudding2]

Yes do + he can instruct gp x

[Shirazmataz]

i havnt got a rescue pack arrangement, but just had a chest infection on top of a virus and had consultation on phone with the receptionist (!) and was told a GP would ring me, and i told her Amoxycyllin wouldnt work for me, especially five days. I know this from previous experience. But instead of any discussion with a GP on phone even, he sent a text to say giving me Amoxycyllin and steroids.. So unable to have a conversation even. Went to surgery in the afternoon to try and sort it out, and same thing happened - another GP did the same thing - text message told got to take the Amoxycillin according to Nice guidelines its the first antibiotic to be taken. so again no opportunity to discuss or be listened to. Very very frustrating and especially when you are not feeling well.

I do need a rescue pack arrangement. Do you actually have the meds at home ready for trouble, or is it that you have a prescription, and what is in it?? It sounds like it might vary depending on surgery?

[Alberta56 in reply to Shirazmataz]

When I had a bad infection 3 years ago I was prescribed a rescue pack to keep in the house. Amazingly I haven't needed it, but I take it with me when I go away, just in case. The drugs are getting near the end of their shelf life, so I wonder what will happen when I ask for a repeat.

[Hidden in reply to Alberta56]

As you have bronchiectasis you are entitled to a two week rescue pack of antibiotics under the bronchiectasis guidelines. If they give you a problem refer them to the guidelines.

[Alberta56 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Littlepom. I will remember that.

[Jollj in reply to Shirazmataz]

I have the meds at home ready waiting ammoxicilin and prednisolone, I originally had 7 days worth that cleared any flare up, they then reduced to 5 days and since then I've had a 2nd flare up within days of completing the 5 day course, I'm pretty sure it's not just coincidence but my GP says that's the guidance but usually finishes up prescribing a week of stronger antibiotics.

[Alberta56 in reply to Jollj]

5 days should keep you going until your doctor can prescribe enough to give you a fortnight's course. And you should be able to take a sputum sample in for testing- have you been given sputum pots?

[Jollj in reply to Alberta56]

I've never had a sputum test since I was diagnosed with COPD in 2015

[Alberta56 in reply to Jollj]

Sputum samples are useful to tell the medics just which bugs are lurking in our lungs, so that they can prescribe the right sort of antibiotics.

[Patk1 in reply to Shirazmataz]

That's terrible! Rescue packs are best kept in stock,at home so not waiting for pr meds to b prescribed.I do hope Yr a/b & steroids help.any probs,ring 111 x

[Maximonkey in reply to Shirazmataz]

Hi Roger, if you are a bronch patient you should have 14 days of the antibiotic which your consultant has prescribed for you, plus steroids for 7 days. I have more steroids as I have to have a second week reducing the steroids. If you have CO PD you will need to check with one of our COPD friends. I always have at least one rescue pack at home ready to take as soon as I need them. Hope this helps Maximonkey

[BronchyBronwen in reply to Shirazmataz]

Am no techno wizard, but have feeling that emails more effective than text because they give a permanent record and GPs must be seen to respond to these (see my earlier reply). Usually have 2 packs amoxycillin 500 mg, but email if I've run out, as receptionists primed to be over-cautious if I just telephone for them.

[PaulineHM]

Since starting to take Roflumilast 18 months ago I have experienced exacerbations although haven’t needed any additional antibiotics other taking the usual prophylactic Azithromycin.

This is a huge change for me and I am delighted not to have take even more meds which contribute to the anti microbial resistance.

Go well

Pauline

[armstrong2 in reply to PaulineHM]

good morning just reading through your comments of having emergency packs at home in case of exacerbations ...l have only ever been giving 2 packs only when l have been going abroad ..doxycyline 100mg of 8 and 5 mg 30 prednisolonetabs fortunately on both occasions l havent needed them ...l didnt ask for them l was automatically given them .

[PaulineHM in reply to armstrong2]

Thanks for responding. I should have said that I still need steroids for managing exacerbations. In fact recently I had to do 10 days at 30 mg a day and then a 14 day taper as I am very prone to physical dependency on the little devils!

Go well.

Pauline

[jhorsf]

Went to practice nurse last week told I don't need rescue pack , she got quite nasty when I insisted.told bronchiectasis not necessary for rescue meds .don't know why I bothered with gp surgery .

[lvn0619 in reply to jhorsf]

I also have bronchiectasis and my physician request a sputum sample as we become resistant to antibiotic treatment of infections when the bacteria in unknown. I also increase nebulizer tx with albuterol and 7% saline 3-4x daily.

[Alberta56 in reply to jhorsf]

See Littlepom's reply to me. We bronchs are entitled to a rescue pack.

[Blue58]

Hi Jollj. I get the argument used in the medical profession regarding the overuse of antibiotics but if you are like me, I have had more antibiotics over the last few years because my infections haven't been dealt with efficiently by giving fewer doses each time which has resulted in infections flaring again within a few days/couple of weeks and then being prescribed more antibiotics. I think if you have a longer course in the first place you have more of a chance of stamping out the infection rather than constantly having flare ups requiring more antibiotics. It doesn't make sense to me I'm afraid.

[Jollj in reply to Blue58]

Absolutely, when I pointed this out at my review the reply I got was " its the guidelines " very poor response I'm afraid. Stay safe.

[Tykelady]

My last 3 rescue packs have been doxycillin and I struggled to get on with the first one but the second caused no problems. My current one (unused|) has two weeks doxy and 7days by 8 prednisolone. Hopefully I won't need it for a long while.

[Timberman]

My doxycycline still comes as a 7 day course; but if the infection is bad it can take 14 days to clear.

[Shirazmataz]

It makes trying to get help from surgery a real stressor. I have no rescue pack. In Sept I had a chest infection, got antibiotics and was improving but as i was going in a few days to a remote part of Italy for 2 weeks i saw GP registrar who refused to give me any standby antibiotics, and was told 'there are hospitals in Italy'! I was pretty cross about that.

[October1961]

Yes I do,I have noticed that now I normally need two lots instead of one ,but I only take antibiotics not steroids.

[Kristicats]

I was under the impression that copd patients should have a rescue pack of 14 days antibiotics and 7 days steroids ?

[Jollj in reply to Kristicats]

I have only ever received 7 days worth initially of both, now reduced to 5, it would seem not all GP's are the same.

[Donniebrasco]

Yes, indeed, I find that they are quite happy to replace the antibiotics but not the steroids. At the moment I have 3 boxes of antibiotics and no Prednisolone!! x