Getting emergency help.

[Toucanteresa]

Today I tried to phone my doctor for an emergency appointment after becoming suddenly very wheezy at work. After getting through 3 times I was cut off each time. Colleagues had allowed me to leave work , although I was evidentially wheezing hard and a 'funny colour' ( i am a primary school teacher). At my car in the back car park I realised that I was in serious trouble and managed to phone 999, say 'asthma' and give the school's address. The ambulance crew were great and after 'sorting me out' tried to get a follow up appointment with my doctors. Their response was to get me to phone back 3 hours later. My peak flow fell to below 100 and I tried to get help again. The receptionist said that I was on a doctors 'list' and he would phone me for a phone consultation later. Being independent is both a curse and a blessing. But I feel that if I hadn't gone down to the surgery today and refused to leave, I would be in serious trouble now. Why don't people take asthma seriously?

[Hidden]

How dreadful for you and so frightening. Thank god you did insist on being seen. I think there is a general apathy about asthma and unless you suffer or have seen an asthma attack I don't think people understand the severity of it. Hope tomorrow is a better day! TAD xx

[Hidden]

How scarey for you. Doctors don't seem to take any illness seriously. I play scrabble at a local centre with a guy in his 70's who suffers from severe emphysema, is in a chair and uses oxygen. He mistimed his oxygen and ran out. His surgery was only round the corner and he rang them to ask if they could bring some oxygen round or if he could come straight in. They said a doctor would ring him back in 30 minutes - 30 minutes? He could have been dead by then as he couldn't breathe. They then rang back and told him that they had only 1 oxygen tank in the surgery for emergencies. They told him to ring an ambulance if he was in difficulties.

Another time I had a chest infection which came on very suddenly (I have moderate copd). Unlike other chest infections I felt really ill with this and could barely walk or breathe. (I thought it was pnuemonia or somthing). I staggered to my doctors up the road and asked to see the emergency doctor. The young receptionists looked at me as though I was a piece of dirt and stuck their pert little noses in the air telling me the emergency doctor was out and they didn't know when she was going to be back. I stood there and said 'I have copd and I need to see a doctor now or I am going straight up to A and E'. They then said the doctor was back! Ill though I was I nearly punched them on their pert little noses. Grrrrr. xx

[ptliverpool in reply to Hidden]

Why do Doctors receptionists lie? I have found that mine do too.

[Hidden]

Hi Toucanteresa my name is Janet i work on the blf helpline having read your post we have information on asthma in leaflet form and on line you can go on our website (blf.org.uk) or give us a call on 03000 030 5000.

[Toucanteresa]

Thanks for your responses. Today was just annoyed by the apathy from yesterday. But think that people at work obviously reconsidered their response as I was mentioned in the staff meeting. All schools need an adequate emergency plan for asthma attacks. Am considering writing a complaining letter to my GP. Am wondering if I will be blacklisted though.

[Suzy6 in reply to Toucanteresa]

Is there any emergency plan for children with Asthma? I ask cause my Granddaughter suffers badly with Asthma and has spent 3 times in ICU in her short life. Her school are very good and she is allowed her own inhalers and spacers at school. Obviously if it is too bad they phone her parents. Sorry can't answer being blacklisted as I don't know the procedure. I would imagine if your approach and attitude is reasonable their response should be helpful. Good luck.

[Toucanteresa in reply to Suzy6]

I had a near argument with a member of the office staff today. The children's inhalers are kept in the office. When a child needs it they are expected to go to the office and get it themselves. My argument was that if you are wheezy, then you shouldn't be made to walk anywhere. Also, if a child runs out of Ventolin then shouldn't they be able to use their siblings? I'm sure that their mum would prefer to have two live children and a shared Ventolin until they can replace the empty one.

[huggs in reply to Toucanteresa]

Hi Toucanteresa,

I have had serious problems with a doctor lately over my asthma and copd. The violent and prolonged coughing fits eventually worsened by cervical spondylosis, which in turn has caused severe occipital (area at back of head) neuralgia. This particular doctor was not interested, gave me inappropriate medication for the neuralgia. The medication for this was an anticonvulsant which can also be used for nerve pain. I already have epilepsy and am on two anticonvulsant drugs for this, and know that if you are epileptic, and you add another anticonvulsant to the mix, it increases the seizures. She said, give it a go as it might not happen. I was wary of taking them, but I did and they did help the pain, but after 4 days I had multiple seizures. Naturally, I stopped taking them, and went back to her and she gave yet another anticonvulsant. I told her that I would not be taking any medication which would increase my seizures. She was very offhand, said that was all she could think of. I told her that because I live alone I am at risk, and asthma and copd just complicates things. I ended up walking out extremely upset. A few people on this forum advised me to complain to the Practice Manager, and like you I was worried about repurcussions, especially as there is only one practice where I live. I did in the end make an appointment with the Practice Manager, who was so lovely, jovial and talkative (stopped me bursting into tears), and he said that I would have to put my points in writing to him, and he would pass it onto the doctor, who had to respond to me within 10 working days. He said he was the buffer between doctors and patients, and was very sympathetic, and said that what I said was reasonable and logical. I felt so much better after speaking to him. The result was that I received a letter of apology from the doctor in which she apologised 3 times. She also invited me back to discuss any other issues that I had. She addressed my points and apologised. You won't be blacklisted, which I discussed with Graham (manager), and his response was that it often worked the opposite way, and doctors were more careful in what they said and how they treated the patient. I am very glad that I did it, and you have an excellent case for complaint too. I made sure my letter was structured, and addressed each point and kept it factual. The only personal thing I commented on was her harsh and uncaring manner which was true. So go for it, as I think we patients put up with too much sub-standard care at times. Its time we made our voices heard if we are not receiving proper medical care. As Graham said to me, there is no point in sitting at home festering about it. He said to call anytime there was a problem, and the doctors usually went by his recommendations. Good luck, and I would make an appointment with the Practice Manager, which is much better than talking over the phone. Take care, and let us know how you get on.

hugs from Huggs xx ps Sorry about long winded reply!!

[Toucanteresa in reply to huggs]

Thank you so much. Great advice. a few months ago I woke up with shortness of breath, heartburn and a sharp pain in my arm. Was put on a triage list and no one responded within the 6 hours recommended so I phoned 111. After treating me, the Paramedic actually phoned my practice and left a very polite message. Within a few minutes the doctor phoned me at home and was rude to me and short with the paramedic. luckily it wasn't a heart attack! I am going to follow your good advice.

[Suzy6]

Oh huggs, long winded? I would say very informative and just an excellent reply to an interesting question. xx

[huggs in reply to Suzy6]

Hi Suzy, Sorry, I haven't been around much lately, but its all been happening. I'll fill you in later. I am exhausted and all typed out now! I felt that I was in an ideal position to reassure Toucaneresa, as I just received the result of my complaint yesterday. I am delighted with the result and wanted to get that across to her. Its only natural to feel that there will be a black mark against your name, but I had to go back to the doctors today which was a different one, as the one I complained about was on annual leave. The reception staff were bending over backwards to accommodate me, and breaking their own rules to do so! That's what I call a result.

Hope you are well, and talk soon.

love and hugs from Huggs xxx