thankfully through slowed calm breathing, and a kind neighbour travelling to a pharmacy, the below is now under control. But thought I’d share my experience with NHS Scotland this morning, and ask for advice for what to do in future (as this seems totally out of sync with what I’d previously experienced in England)
I ordered new inhalers on Tuesday as I knew mine were running low. Prescription finally arrived at pharmacy on Saturday and they said they had to order them, as they were out of stock (of ventolin?!?). As it was already ‘processed’ I couldn’t take script elsewhere. Told me to return Monday to collect (as closed Sundays).
Last night I had a bad asthma attack, and used the last of my ventolin. I awoke this morning struggling for breathe and unable to eat without gasping.
I rang 999 as I considered it an emergency and was barely able to talk them through the issue without loosing breathe. I was advised it was a 5hr wait for an ambulance, and they told me to get myself to hospital if I could. I live alone, and didn’t think it safe to drive. This isn’t a ‘uber’ area and I was in no state to navigate finding a local taxi service.
After about an hour a doctor from ambulance service rang me back and said that as I could talk, albeit very limited, he didn’t class it as an ambulance emergency and suggested i ring 111. I did so, and I’ve been in that queue for over an hour. I originally rang 999 at 10:30am. In desperation I messaged a neighbour on FB who travelled into the main town and got an emergency inhaler for me.
Is this nornal now? Is an asthma attack no longer considered a legit 999 issue?
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PerpetuallySad
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That sounds a really scary situation to be in! I’m glad you got sorted.
That's not great to hear ... Once your better start a complaints procedure remember all the information as best you can and write it down before you forget ... In the future I would advise you order excess of Ventolin and order while you still have one full one in your drugs cabinet ...
I know your obviously very angry at the situation so it's preventing the same thing happening again in the future ...Hopefully it won't...
It's always the way that things occur when your running out and maybe you panicked causing and making your situation worse than better ...feel better soon 🙏
I carry my ventolin everywhere with me and the other day I forgot it... I drove straight home only a ten minutes drive but it was the feeling of having it with me that makes me feel secure and knowing if I need it whilst out its there ... I have a few in my cupboard and have now popped one in my van to keep just in case 😍
There is no way I can get spare inhalers from my GP (nearest for miles) An order takes over a week minimum (it dispenses) Getting an appointment is like winning the lottery and getting through you can only speak to a receptionist who asks is it urgent - if you say yes you are told to ring 999 not urgent someone will ring you back if you ask re timescale you are told we are very busy.. so don't think it is just in Scotland
I had my first asthma/copd exacerbation in over 10 year couple of months ago. Trying to stay calm through the night and when my wife was driving me to the hospital strained and drain me like I'd never known before in my life. So I can well imagine what you was going through. I have different circumstances then you and I can get to a hospital in minutes with or without an ambulance for steroid injections that will help me the most.Given your very difficult situation with getting the treatment need, I think I would talk to a local taxi service to see what they could do in an emergency situation.
I used to own a taxi company many years ago in London, and I would definitely made it a priority to get you to a hospital over anything else we had to do.
It's absolutely disgraceful but this is how it is now. People are going to die. I posted previously that my GP surgery has now stopped the rescue pack's and last week I became ill with the flu virus, then I tried to get an appointment with the Dr getting to the surgery nearly on my knees out of breath, just to be told sorry no appointments. What is going on? It's disgraceful the NHS is in the worst state ever, even during covid help was available.I'm dreading the start of this week trying to get another appointment now my antibiotics are finished. 🙈
I managed to get a Rescue Pack after a few attempts , said that I knew if I needed professional help , but a rescue pack could help me manage at home
Caught this flu bug after Christmas , started rescue pack too late I think , breathing got worse . Did Covid test . Contacted my health centre on line , filled in symptoms form , then was recommended A and E if I couldn’t manage symptoms myself . A and E it was . Jam packed , no seats left . Staff unbelievably stretched but efficient and helpful . Treated , more meds and home .
Now will have to try and get replacement Rescue Pack
It's disgracefulI was in very similar position managed to get to the surgery on the Monday morning absolutely breathless and on my knees for them to tell me no appointments left. The thing is the reception staff can see how you are but they are not in any rush to help. Funny how managed to get an appointment when asked them to call an ambulance. Now I've taken antibiotics and feeling a little better except I'm now overly breathless in doing the slightest thing which is very worrying. My boss is already asking when will I be back at work. If I had a rescue pack in the first place I wouldn't be in this situation. They are playing with people's lives. Glad your feeling much better knitter. Hope you manage to get your rescue pack.
The main thing is to never get short of inhalers in winter flu time.
I am lucky my GP Asthma nurse will always prescribe an extra inhaler, so I always have an inhaler in reserve, in case the pharmacy fouls up.
I do not think in the flu season you can be sure emergency services will be available. It can get quite scary, so you have to be prepared by having a good stock of asthma meds.
The one good thing where I live is that they have a paramedic that 111 can send around the asthmatics, administering nebulisers.
Always order inhalers in plenty of time,especially around bank hols+ winter,u must never run out.i heard on BBC news,ambulances were delayed due to weather& road conditions and more than usual road traffic accidents .that was kind of yr neighbour.i find slow,controlled breathing to be a great help too
That is so frightening. Our NHS is in a terrible state and it isn't safe to be admitted to hospital either with all the viruses.Thank goodness for your kind neighbour
I rang 111 once as my ventolin was empty . I have severe COPD. I was fortunate as they arranged for my daughter to go to a nearby pharmacy to pick up a new one.
They should have suggested that to you when you first rang. Living alone it must be scary
Thank goodness you are OK. I know the feeling ,as anxiety sets in causing a panic attack on top of your situation, so scary.
The NHS are not as good as they used to be same with Ambulance even with good weather there seems to be a long wait for an ambulance Dr's are at the stage where they don't care the way Dr's used to that's if your even lucky to see a Dr as for rescue pks it's awfull now that we're not allowed have them at home ready to use im stage 4 emphysema I still struggle with the NHS for anything it's as if we'll if you die you die sorry if that upsets anyone but that's how I feel.
These phone calls from doctors are just hopeless! How can they diagnose accurately without a face to face physical examination......listen to lungs, peak flow, SPO2, blood pressure etc?
I insist on having 2 ventolin inhalers per prescription, not just one. So I have one in the bedroom for night time breathing issues, and one downstairs which also goes into my pocket or bah whenever I leave the house. If you had had the inhalers in the first place, the emergency could have been avoided. NHS needs to give their head a wobble and realise situations can be prevented if us dodgy lung folk have the correct meds at all times!!!
I always have three Ventolin inhalers on the go. I keep one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom and one in my bag that goes out with me whenever I leave the house.
I periodically check the 'use by' dates on the actual cylinder and also I check them by placing the cylinder in a bowl of water - if it sinks it's full and if it floats, it's empty. Anything in between means there's still some in there but time to get some more ordered.
I also keep a spare, unopened one in the cupboard.
Having been blue lighted to hospital in the past due to having a severe asthma attack, I prefer to be over cautious!
My consultant here in Sussex, England, told me in September that if the Ventolin does not seem to be easing the attack I am to phone 999. A GP previously said to me, 'Asthma kills!' Scary, and rare, but true.
That is awful PS, it must have been so frightening and I am shocked by the attitude of the doctor who rang you. I always try to make sure I have one in hand so that I never run out of my inhalers, would suggest you do the same. Whether complaining about the treatment by the emergency services will do any good or not when the NHS is in crisis I don't know, but I would certainly take issue with your GP for taking so long to get a prescription out. xx
That's absolutely horrendous... I can sympathise with you as I've been in a similar situation struggling to breathe. The NHS is completely broken and as someone else said doctors don't seem to care as much anymore. Is anyone else old enough to remember when doctors worked 5 days a week ,did house calls after their surgery and were on call nights???? Seems like a different world . I also live in a rural area ...35 miles from nearest hospital (out of hours doc is based there too) no taxis...so I always make sure there's enough fuel in my car for emergency runs and I'm constantly checking meds situation. Please take care
From what I know of others' experiences with NHS Scotland, this is not unusual.
I'm not getting all 'nationalist' but I firmly believe that the health services in Scotland (who may very well be bold and proud about what they do) should answer to some stark differences between their patient-facing attitudes, knowledge and practices and those that support us via NHS England.
Hi PerpetuallySad, I am so sorry you have had such a bad experience, you must have been very frightened. I suffer from asthma too. Thankfully I have not had an attack for 1 year now. I think you should go to your GP and ask for a review of your meds, you should not be reliant on Ventolin, your other inhalers may not be working properly, therefore your asthma is not under control. You could complain but I think you can probably do without the hassle. The doctor who spoke to you could probably tell you were not having a full blown asthma attack by the sound of your breathing and that is why he told you to ring 111, this has happened to me and it has turned out to be asthma with a panic attack (very scary). Do look after yourself and always have spare inhalers in the house. I always carry my Ventolin in my handbag as well as having one by my bed. As my asthma is under control I do not use them very often. You too should be able to get to this stage. Good luck and please ask your GP for help. Maximonkey
Hi knitter, the reason the Salbutamol was missing from your script was that GP's have been told to reduce the intake of this inhaler. Sounds as if you have tried more inhalers than most, however, if your breathing is not controlled and you use Salbutamol/Ventolin on a regular basis, this means you are not in control. I would urge you to ask for help from you GP/asthma nurse. Take care, Maximonkey
That is not good. I am glad I don't live in Scotland. I had a copd flare up last month and the ambulance was here within 15 minutes. I couldn't fault them. Mind you since then there has been an increase in hospital admissions due to flu, covid etc. So it might not be a surprise if ambulances take longer. 5 hours is too long for a medical emergency such as yours. I'm glad you got it sorted though. Keep your Ventolin closeby.
hi. Perpetually Sad. If you have the NHS app you can order an emergency supply on it via 111. It must be for a repeated medicine. I’ve never done it but came across it the other day Take care xx
hello perpetually sad. When we get into a horrible situation we need medication. So this is just a small suggestion. I use a handheld fan just a few inches from my mouth which gives the feeling of air to breathe in. In respiratory they call it fan therapy
yes sadly it is.my son is first aider at work and was told even heart attacks are not an emergency anymore only if person isn't breathing at all that is classed as emergency course time it takes for ambulance to arrive most people would be dead on arrival.
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