Other areas of medicine

I am now under an endocrinologist nurse and she was trying to tell me a preventer inhaler will always stop an asthma attack and no oral tablets are ever needed. I have gone straight to asthma uk website and quoted some of the health advice information. It is scary how other areas of medicine staff feel they can advise on a condition which is not theres. Staff negligence to accurate information is scary. I have now corrected the individual and put a complaint in via PALS at that hospital. I am so thankful for asthma UK charity website!

[Minushabens]

A preventer is obviously an important tool in stopping asthma attacks, but to say 'always' is obviously nonsense as thousands of us can testify. And to qualify that by suggesting you stop (if that's what she was doing) other prescribed medicines is dangerous. It might be she just needs a spot of training or to do some reading, but following it up in some way is probably no bad thing.

[Hidden in reply to Minushabens]

she carried on in her letter to say my asthma symptoms were a cause of the inhalers and I should reduce them. Unfortunately for her she sent it in a written letter.

[Minushabens in reply to Hidden]

She sounds at best very ill-informed. Oral tablets such as montelukast are a key strand of treatment (I was prescribed it by a respiratory consultant who I would tend to trust over a non-specialist nurse). And I've never, ever come across a medically qualified person suggest inhalers CAUSE asthma!

[Hidden in reply to Minushabens]

I was very disturbed by the letter. And worried for people who are not as there as I am. Hense why I have reported it to PALS.

[strongmouse in reply to Hidden]

Well done!

It is important that staff know the limits of their expertise and don't over step it. NICE guidlines and the Step up steo down approach need to be more widely known about. So many people underestimate how bad asthma can be.

[Joan_Public]

Wow! I am pretty shocked that a nurse could be so ignorant, even if respiratory health is not her speciality. As such, she should not try to give advice on medication in an area that she lacks knowledge about. Well done for raising this issue with the PALS.

That would be nice - never having to take oral steroids - what a fantasy world she is living in??!!

I once rang up the GP for a repeat prescription and got a complete and utter battle-axe who insisted that Bricanyl (similar to Ventolin) should be used a maximum of 4 times a day and therefore, if I needed another prescription so soon, then I must be taking too much and no I couldn't have any more until next month, despite the fact that my action plan says I can take up to 10 puffs and then a neb when things are bad).

If only asthma did what it said on the tin!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Wow. I've heard some ridiculous tnings in my time, including from people who should know better - resp specialists included, but this...

I never thought anyone would believe me if I reported things as was usually just said to me and not written. If she is going to offer dangerous and incorrect advice outside her area, then I'm glad she did it in writing this time with someone who knows it's wrong.

I'm not even sure I would trust her with her own specialism after that! Hope she gets better educated.

[Hidden in reply to Lysistrata]

i am not sure i can trust her either anymore