update re hubby

[Robinface]

hi update- Gp refused referral as husband not had chest infections etc also refused inhaler ! Other reason given was chest xray fine in 2018 &2021 therefore if emphysema relatively mild at present not needing intervention!! We hoped the breathlessness was angina but he just had angiogram and no stents required! Back to square one! Breathlessness is only on exertion and accompanied by pain in shoulder blade! Angina meds just floor him! Help any suggestions grateful!

[peege]

Hang on a minute - ex-rays in 2018 & 2021 were fine? But it's now 3 years later in 2024 so how on earth can s/he think nothing is different! I'm glad the angiogram is alright though. Is your hubby particularly overweight? If so can that be making him breathless

[Robinface in reply to peege]

Hi thank you for responding no he isnt overweight, he is tall and skinny! Gp talks rubbish at times!

[PaulineHM]

Hello, sorry to read that your husband is struggling with breathlessness.

So several thoughts….

Does his surgery have a GP who has a special interest in respiratory conditions?

Has your husband ever had a spirometry lung function test for reversible/non reversible/obstructive lung issues ?

Does your husband have a diagnosed lung condition?

Does your local health board have a specialist complex breathlessness care pathway ?

Has he had a targeted lung health check ? Does he qualify for that ?

If your husband is so challenged by his breathlessness then he could speak to the ALUK helpline. They are very helpful.

Let us know how he gets on.

Go well

Pauline

[Robinface in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you,its always been assumed he has angina! he has never had lung tests, no lung condition until Ct found the emphysema, no idea re Gp specialising in lungs will have a look at their website! No idea what a targeted lung health check is? Will check to see if there is a complex breathlessness pathway! Thank you so much for your help and suggestions! Now the tricky part getting hubby to agree!!!! Wish me luck

[PaulineHM in reply to Robinface]

Hi, ok so Emphysema confirmed by CT is pretty reliable.

GP with special interest in respiratory conditions… you might have to ask the practice rather than trust their website.

nhs.uk/conditions/lung-heal... People have to meet a certain age criteria and will normally be called for these.

So from what you have mentioned I think your best bet is to speak to the ALUK helpline who are so incredibly helpful and supportive.

Go well.

Pauline

[Robinface in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you

[Biker88]

If he has emphysema he should be under a hospital consultant, tell your GP you want a referral to a chest clinic at your local hospital.

[watergazer]

hi just a thought as I’m not a medic but breathlessness and pain in the shoulder reminds me of how I was with my pleurisy. I’d see another GP and get checked out. Ask for x ray at least. Our bodies change so the last one is not current. Take care xx

[Robinface in reply to watergazer]

Thank you, wasnt something we had thoughtof! Thanks

[DJS24]

Hi, strangely enough, I have just seen the respiratory specialist nurse practitioner at my GP practice- which I kind of gently but assertively insisted on, having not seen her since 2021! Services seem to have broken down since COVID, previously I had a proper review annually.

She checked my last chest x-ray was 2019, so she referred me to the hospital and I'm having another x-ray this afternoon. ...so it's definitely indicated if your husband has new or worsening symptoms.

Does your GP practice have a specialist respiratory nurse / nurse practitioner? I find them much more knowledgeable, accessible, and able to prescribe and order x-rays etc....