what should one expect from an appointment with a con after being referred?

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just wanna know without giving details of my appointment today what u all would think should have taken place.cheers

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hi Scampy,

The first cons appointment I had after being referred by GP, was a lot of talking.

The nurse took note of what meds i was on, then did a spirometry test, pulse ox reading, checked my inhaler technique and what height and weight i was (they do this at all my check ups)

Then got sent back to waiting room, got seen by one of my cons registrars, who looked at my peak flow charts, meds and symptoms, also took detailed family history and info about any known allergies or triggers. Listened to chest and changed my inhalers I think at the time from seretide to symbicort and added a tablet. Was told to come back in 6-8 weeks to see if there were any improvements.

The first few appointments, I felt I did not gain much better control, and that sometimes they were trying meds i had already tried and had not worked. However I later found out that this was so they could see my responses to the different 'conventional' treatments out there. Once they saw these were not enough, i started only being seen by cons, not lots of diff reg. and they started trying more unusual treatments, which I have partially benefitted from.

Sorry this is so long, trying to give you all the details.

Hope you gained from your cons app?

Libby

xxx

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Hey Scampy,

This really difers from place to place, whether its a chest clinic or asthma/allergy clinic. First apps range from spiro, taking history and current meds and saying see you in 6 months to ordering allergy tests, chest x-rays, ct scans, blood tests etc etc. Just depends on what they think is necessary

Generally not a lot happens in first appointment re. meds (in my experience) unless the situation is pretty obviously drastic.

That help at all?

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Scampy

Glad you asked that question as I have an appointment at the chest clinic next Monday. I'm ever hopeful though that i might feel loads better after though. At mo I can't even run up sset of stairs without stuggling to breathe at top. As for doing work at end of day unless it means doing nothing at all then its a waste of time. Hope you got the answers you were looking for though.

Katharine

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Hi Scampy

If this was your first visit to see the consultant then he or she SHOULD have taken a chest xray and also had blood tests done covering everything.

A spirotmetery test should have been done along with height and weight to determine the correct peak flow range for those statistics. A pulse ox at this stage isn't always needed (as they don't always have the equipment onsite. They may require to visit a respiratory centre where a controlled test can be done i.e. on and off oxygen, sometimes doing exercise).

Anyone going along to their first appt should take with them a list of their current medication, allergies, any operations done, any other medical conditions (no matter how minor they are).

Also take with you a list of questions and if you haven't got a clue what they are talking about ask them to explain in layman terms and ask about side effects of medication should they prescribe you something new (you can always ask the pharmacist or G.P).

Ask what will happen after the appt i.e. follow up etc,

You should have already got from your G.P a peak flow meter and PF book to note down readings so take this aswell as this will help the cons alot.

Hope this all helps

Lesley

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Along with all the advice about what to take I always find that expecting nothing from a 1st appt means I never feel let down. The only thing I expect is to see someone with a little more knowledge than myself and to have to come back again to do all the things I am sure if anyone thought in a joined up way they could have been booked in that day!

Bex

aka wheezydoh

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ty for your replies, needlesss to say my appointment with the so called consultant did not go well and i have been discharged from his list after one 10 minute consult. am currently pursuing the matter through gp

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hi,

that doesn't sound good at all.. did he give a reason for just discharging you? i'm a little worried now because i'm waiting for my referral to come through, and i don't want to just be packed off back to the GP! that must be so frustrating for you. hope it gets sorted soon.

take care,

justy xx

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Don't give up

Hi Scampy, I remember my first appt last yr when I saw an SHO who was useless. I went with my bf and came out and had a cry as I felt so given up on. You really must raise ure concerns. I saw a diff consult at home who wrote a letter to my consult up here at uni and now things seem to be happening. Not sure if thats because I was better controlled back then or what. Could you get ure GP/asthma nurse to write a letter saying how u need more specialist help etc. I'm really sorry it didn't go v well....i know the feeling.

FIngers crossed. Be positive but voice ure concerns

Emily xx