Follow up GP surgery

[Cappuccinolife]

Really this is a moan rather than a question!!

I was told by my gp at the beginning of last month I had emphysema so I thought I would find out as much as I could. She had said the only thing I could do was increase my inhaler, take antibiotics when necessary and keep fit. I spoke to a very helpful nurse at A&L UK who made a number of suggestions including prophylactic antibiotics as I have had monthly chest infections since June and spirometry test. I made an appointment at the surgery and was seen by a nurse practitioner. I explained I’d spoken to a nurse at A&LUK. She wasn’t very happy about that and said I should have made an appointment with their respiratory nurse but I didn’t know there was one. She said my emphysema was only mild and didn’t warrant prophylactic treatment. I said I was worried about going into winter with the increased risk of illness when I’d already had so many chest infections. She reluctantly agreed to do an advice and guidance referral to the hospital to see what they thought. I should hear back next week.

If my emphysema is mild surely it’s better to do all I can to prevent it getting worse. I have had a constant barking cough and several chest infections this year. I’ve had some time off work which is not great and I want to limit that going forward.

End of moan 😊

[Biker88]

there is good info on the NHS website, I assume you have had a proper diagnosis with X-ray, CT scan and possibly broncoscopy as there are other lung conditions that have similar symptoms

[Cappuccinolife in reply to Biker88]

Hi. Yes I’ve had a chest xray and ct scan.

[Patk1]

Yes u want to do all u can to avoid exacerbations/ infections.theyre often triggered by viruses so avoid people with them or take precautions - mask,frequent handgel, viral blockers eg coldzyme throat spray,vicks rescue nose spray. Keep as active as u can. If u produce mucous, do get it up or u will keep getting reinfected - see aluk website.whn u speak with respiratory dept,have a bullet pt list of reasons u want azithromycin - it is an antibiotic + also has anti inflammatory effect in lungs .we have to be very proactive these days to get healthcare we need.

[leo60 in reply to Patk1]

Great advice Pat xx

[Cappuccinolife in reply to Patk1]

Thank that’s really helpful. I’m keen to get the azithromycin as exhausted from all the chest infections.

[Patk1 in reply to Cappuccinolife]

Add the infection and fatigue,time off work,repeated infections cause more lung damage,requiring more of drs time+ more antibiotics etc to list

[B0xermad]

Hi sometimes it is just possible that a course of steroids after or with the antibiotics will help with the cough,azithromycin and long term antibiotics will be a benefit if you are having a lot of infection back to back. I really hope that the referral will help you with your emphysema going forward.

[Cappuccinolife in reply to B0xermad]

Thank you

[Alberta56]

What was the respiratory nurse thinking? That it's ok to let people's conditions deteriorate before giving them what they need? I have 'mild' bronchiectasis and have been on Azith since not long after my diagnosis. I've only had one bad infection in that time. I think you need a reference to a consultant, who will not dismiss all those infections as nothing. Be persistent until you get proper treatment. Good luck.

[Cappuccinolife in reply to Alberta56]

I’m going to chase the gp up next week

[Alberta56 in reply to Cappuccinolife]

Hope he's not as ignorant as the nurse.✌✌✌

[Ergendl]

Ask to be referred to Pulmonary Rehab to help you get fitter.

Consider joining a singing for lung health group, or playing a wind instrument like a recorder or trumpet or harmonica to help strengthen your respiratory muscles and gain more control.

[Cappuccinolife in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you. My hubby has a harmonica so that’s a good idea. I’ll give that a go. I’m doing the breathing exercises from the A&L website.

[gingermusic]

I was put on Azithromycin 3 times a week and have not had a flare up since then which was a couple of years ago now so they do work though I appreciate maybe not needed for everybody

[Cappuccinolife]

I feel I’d benefit as had loads of chest infections this year

[Coughingalltheway]

I completely agree with you. They give us what they call 'a preventative inhaler' but that's about it until you actually get poorly. PR is the same, you need to either have had several exacerbations or been hospitalised before they will send you on that course. Why not do it before you get ill and then just maybe, you wouldn't get so ill. Very frustrating to say the least!

I do hope that your appointment comes through soon. Better for you and the NHS to be an outpatient rather than being treated from a hospital bed.

Take care xx