Just had a letter from my GPs practice and they have sent me a prescription for Amoxicillin and Prednisolone to self medicate if I get a bad turn during the winter.
Not entirely happy, but given it can take two to three weeks to see a Doctor it could save time getting treatment. Luckily my Wife is very good with advice about such stuff!!
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Hi
It is referred to as the "home pack"
Did you also receive a written management plan, explaining how to use.
This is standard practice Lurcherman and very useful if you are taken ill over a weekend or holiday period. My practice calls it a rescue pack.
Lynne xx
Thanks Lynne, I don't object per se, but hope it's not just a blanket thing to stop us clogging the system up and they have looked at each case to see that it's appropriate.
I think they are expecting problems this winter and taking steps to avoid it. I have a lot of time for people in the NHS and would do anything to help but you have to keep an open mind on these things!
Hi Lurcherman. We actually asked the Dr for some meds to keep in as my Husband always decides to get ill at the weekend.
I have a rescue pack as well,,its the 1st thing my Dr gave me,,,i,use if need to but don,t bother with the doc after i have taken them,just slap it on my repeat prescription,,I would,nt advise you to do that,,but have come to know my own body that well it saves bothering him,,,its deffo not a blanket thing to stop you clogging up the system, its there for you to take straight away,,,
Hi Lurcherman,
It's also often known as standby medication. I find it invaluable as i always get sick at the weekends. Good idea to ask your doc when you should start using it, i.e. what symptoms to look out for. This probably varies from person to person.
I get a telephone appointment with my doc as soon as i can after starting either one, or both, of the meds just to let her know and check out the situation.
there is talk about stopping the practice of rescue packs, so if your practice does this take advantage. My practice operates a policy of no antibiotics unless you have a temperature, so it's difficult to even get some for water infections just to name one. It is a good idea as it's difficult if you are ill at bank holidays or weekends, no one with infection feels like travelling to a walk in centre and if left may result in something more serious
Katie, is the stopping of rescue packs localised or is it a national strategy? x
dont worry Initial, Katie said there is talk, not that it's deffo on the cards. Peeg
Not sure as I can't remember where I read it, might have been on the NICE site when I was checking criteria for COPD, or one of the charity magazines
I really can't see them stopping the issue of Rescue Packs as it has taken years to get all GP's to do this for those of us with Lung related health problems.
They are (or were) initially issued for patients with COPD so antibiotics and steroids could be started as soon as you appear to be setting into an exacerbation.
I would say if your GP refuses to prescribe this system you should fight to have it. If used correctly, it can prevent hospital visits.
Thérèse
It happened to one of our breathe easy members, her doctor said they are not issuing the ABs any more (she never was issued with prednisolone), fortunately our community matron was attending the breathe easy meet at the time and said she would have a word with the surgery on her behalf. Hopefully this refusal of ABs rescue pack for those with vulnerable health and lungs, won't become a regular thing among GP surgeries.
I did read something about the ABs being uncessary in a lot of cases but in order to know this each patient presenting would have to undergo test to establish if required or not. I can't see the NHS doing that, it sort of indicates to me that the its cheaper to prescribe ABs than to test each patient to see if they actually need them and which AB is required.
BC
That's a good point Blakeyc
My doctor gave me a sputum kit and told me if I have another attack " and he said I have no doubts that you will, take a sample and make an emergency appointment.
He explained saying he didn't want to routinely prescribe ABs and that there are different kinds of beasties that can attack me so he has to be sure I get the right ABs to do the job.
My GP is not a fan of handing out ABs off the cuff as he says beasties become resistant.
The Hospital however say TAKE TWO three times a day and go home.
Same old doctor I told you about before ( old school )
Sorry to say my GP practice does not do this although its a recommended standard practice to prevent hospital admissions.
Many of us have this Lurcherman, your doctor should explain when to use it.
If you ever forget or mislay the information issued to you there is a very good pdf about it on one of my posts healthunlocked.com/blf/post...
The rescue pack is a good thing Lurcherman, your doctor is looking after you.
supe,my GP started a good system 3 yrs ago,the surgery has a respiratory nurse, as soon as I started with breathing problems he treated me as per usual,then he arranged a couple of appointments with the nurse where she sat and explained different aspects of C.O.P.D. she gave me a rescue pack and showed me how and when is should be used
and said to call surgery if worried or no improvement ,THEN I was enrolled to exercise classes which help and you can meet people with similar problems but light atmosphere saves using a lot of hospital beds!!!
Seems my concern was unfounded. I'm glad of the support but wasn't sure about it just arriving in the post without any face to face instructions ;-/
Yes I get that lurcherman a quick convo might have been nice.Ihave a rescue pack as everyone says we tend to become afflicted out of hours or the weekend makes such a difference to be able to get on top quickly.My doc randomly changed a tablet of mine without a note ,kiss yer bum ,nothing.Ihave to say I was a little miffed caused me first to have words with my pharmacist then the docs very unnecessary.Oh I guess none of us a perfect ...
Janexx
It is a good thing that they have agreed to give you a home pack.
It means you can start treatment when you are hit with the bug as it never seems to happen at surgery opening time.
Although it is unusual to give prednisolone without a consultation as you have to keep a record of when you were given it and for how long you were on it.
Stay well theses cold days.
Tom.
My husband just had to use his Rescue Pack for the first time & it worked - saved having to go to the Dr. or A & E ,as we probably would have done in the past .Everyone in our little Breathe Easy Group has one . Also gives us the confidence to visit our son in the USA . - hopefully off for Christmas .Stay well & try not to worry too much .Helen .
A rescue pack for Pete is essential and we take it away with us for our short breaks too. Absolutely vital Lurcherman but maybe things should have been explained to you. Hope you stay well. xxxx
well to be honest Stitch it wouldn't surprise me, its hidden neglect in my book but I really like my GP and I know she wouldn't willing cause any hold up on my getting medications. But I do think the GPs have to follow certain guidelines and its become apparent now surgeries are trying to change drugs for their patients to a cheaper brand, I believe in accordance with government recommendations relating to the expenditure for Health and NHS patients.
Its one thing we can do is keep going back when a drug is not suiting or working. Keeping fingers crossed for everyone.
Hiya Lurcherman; my two penn'orth of thoughts...
My GP give me my "emergency 'scrip" when I need another one (when I have just started the one I have) and it's a life-saver. I note which antibiotic I'm taking, so when I ask for the next prescription, I ask for a different antibiotic. I also have a pretty plastic container for the sputum, so that it can go straight off to the hospital...
Thank your lucky stars that your GP is giving you this service; it helps you to catch an infection before it gets its claws right into you. It does help to keep the system unclogged, yes -- but it's very much better for you!
Catnip
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Variable Asthma and pain medication.
New medication for COPD.
Self management plan. 
Lost medication when travelling
