Hi I have a question. is anyone else having problems getting emergency meds. I requested antibiotics via my pharmacy on Friday and advised to ring in afternoon to confirm they have been oked by GPS. However the GPS are now saying there is government data which says emergency meds are not effective? I explained my condition to the pharmacy who were very understanding but to no avail. I was left over the weekend struggling to breathe. Rang the surgery on Monday requesting appointment ( none available ) had to explain to the receptionist who is a gp in waiting my predicament. She said a Gp would phone me? cut a long story short gp advised me to come to the surgery and they would see me! I explained to the Gp emergency meds have keep me out of hospital for 2 years . As soon as she examined me she agreed antibiotics where needed. I feel so angry it is almost as if they think you are telling lies. for goodness sake why would I lie. I have chronic lung disease, colonised with pseudmonas and aspergillus. my breathing is pants at the minute even with my nebuliser. My consultant is talking about oxygen 16 hours a day. And the gp is failing to provide emergency meds. sorry about the rant I was so distressed I cried all the way home from gps.
Rescue meds.: Hi I have a question. is... - Lung Conditions C...
Rescue meds.
Dear Linda8p, I'm so sorry to read about your awful experience.
I haven't been given emergency meds, but my COPD is only moderate (borderline mild).
What is your diagnosis? There should be a NICE clinical guideline for the GP to know how your condition should be treated. Hope you feel better really soon.
Hi Ergendl Thank you I have been told by my consultant I have severe lung disease. my breathing is at best registering 90 when asleep it drops to 70 oops. I have aspergillus and I am colonised with pseudmonas also evidence of bronchiectasis as well. I have had this condition for about 10 years so it's not new. I have managed to keep myself out of hospital for 2 years with rescue meds. I have had pneumonia in the passed and really don't want to go there again. I have been with this gp for a year so I don't think they know me very well. My diagnosis would be copd I assume.
You need to get back to your consultant. Tell them of your problems and get them to write to your GP with a proper diagnosis and instructions as to how to treat you - including your having a rescue pack at all times. This harum scarum treatment is unacceptable. Perhaps a pre planned visit to the GP in your practice whom you feel is most amenable to tell them of your intention and if need be demand the letter to the consultant will concentrate their minds. Good luck.
I do have emergency meds and view them as a lifeline. Also believe they make me more in control of my COPD. However unlike you I keep the meds at home so I don't have to ask anyone for them. Once used I can get more on a repeat prescription or if still unwell I will try to get a GP appointment.
I do exactly the same Bevvy. I only have high moderate copd but my doctors agree with the emergency meds so when I have used one lot I just go to the chemists and order more without any problem. x
I think this is the way the majority of us use our emergency meds. As soon as I start taking what I have here at home, I request a new supply. This also alerts my GP I have had to do so and my record is amended to show usage of the medications.
Thérèse
Thanks Therese I wish it still worked this way for me. it's so demoralising. guess I just feel fed up fighting them when all my energy is being put in to getting the meds I need to get well. thanks for your reply.
hi I had to have a review last week for my medication I am on several things , I couldn't get my doctor so I see a locum , he put all my medications on repeat for a year apart from the antibiotics these he asked questions about and said he was only allowed to put three issues on the repeat then they would have to see me again , the thing that got me was two lots of my medication are morphine didn't ask any thing about them just let me have them for another year
Hi mmzetor Thanks for your reply I know it's absolute madness. I am aware we are becoming more resistant to antibiotics and running out of new options. so I quess this new government guide line will be rolled out across all gps. my advice is to get your antibiotics/emergency meds and keep them close at hand. sadly I fear I will be back to an endless round of hospital stays. why can't they allow us to be in charge of our own lives at least where it's possible.
Hi Linda I am the same as Bevvy. I have rescue Meds in the house and when I use them I have them on repeat so I just order them I also have my care for my COPD done by the community resp team they are open 24/7. Sorry that you are having problems. Take care
I have rescue pack at home. I have been told to go to GP as soon as I start taking them and am always given a prescription then so that I have a full pack if needed.
That's dreadful Linda and seems to be happening more often now.
Pete has no problems but l wait for the day our GP refuses emergency meds. Something will hit the fan!
It shouldn't be a struggle to get what you need. Bless you. Xxxx
I saw my Respiratory Nurse a few weeks ago for my annual spirometry test. As it's my first at my new practice, l asked what their policy and procedure is when l am having an exacerbation.
They still supply me with emergency meds, and told me to start taking them as soon as needed, and call the GP if l needed to.
If l have used them, l have to inform the GP when l need them replacing. This seems a good system as it means the GP can keep an eye on how many courses of AB's, and steroids l have had.
The last thing any of us need to do, is drag ourselves to a GPs Germ ridden waiting room when we are having an exacerbation !!
If they want to stop our emergency packs, they will have to start doing a few more Home visits, and l can't see that happening !!
xx
Hi velvet55 it's seems such a waste of gps time and mine for me to sit there requesting an antibiotic. when it can be done over the phone to our pharmacy. when will the government learn it's not about the money it's people's lives. sadly they have an ever tightening noose on the Nhs.
I always have a standby rescue pack at home if they say they don't give you one always tell that you need a call for the doctor to come out they are not long in changing there mind
I have rescue meds at home, also a sample bottle for sputum and a form all completed, the only thing my GP asks is that I drop the sample in prior to starting meds.
My consultant wrote to my GP and advised 14 days emergency antibiotics to have at home. No problem getting them. I also have kit for submitting sputum sample signed and ready to go.
Hi kerrieblue I have asked my consultant to write to the gp. But this seems to be a government issue. good luck.
Hi isme I can get a sputum test done but takes an age to come back. usually I end up in hospital. don't want this to happen. so want to start antibiotics when I can feel it starting. surely it makes sense to save the Nhs hundreds of pounds keeping me home and on antibiotics rather than in hospital on iv antibiotics. wish my gp would see sense.
Hi
It is a government directive concerning Antibiotics., and there over prescribing. Where they can become less effective, or of no use if it is a viral infection. Fine if you are otherwise health person.
It seems several GPs have taken to heart.
There was no mention of rescue medication which is only taken when required, and as proven to be effect in the treatment of lung conditions.
Thanks stone I wasn't aware of this but intend to point it out to my gp.
Hi
Found this in NICE Guidelines see 1.2.12.23.
Self-management
1.2.12.21 Patients at risk of having an exacerbation of COPD should be given self-management advice that encourages them to respond promptly to the symptoms of an exacerbation. [2004]
1.2.12.22 Patients should be encouraged to respond promptly to the symptoms of an exacerbation by:
starting oral corticosteroid therapy if their increased breathlessness interferes with activities of daily living (unless contraindicated)
starting antibiotic therapy if their sputum is purulent
adjusting their bronchodilator therapy to control their symptoms. [2004]
1.2.12.23 Patients at risk of having an exacerbation of COPD should be given a course of antibiotic and corticosteroid tablets to keep at home for use as part of a self-management strategy (see recommendation 1.3.5.9). [2004]
1.2.12.24 The appropriate use of these tablets should be monitored. [2004]
1.2.12.25 Patients given self-management plans should be advised to contact a healthcare professional if they do not improve. [2004]
I have been taking antibiotics ever since they were first prescribed...and except for Azithromycin which I have as a prophylactic 3 times every week. I have NEVER been able to re-order my antibitoics on a repeat prescription. I do have rescue antibiotics at home, but once I use then I have to re-order some more after seeing or writing into the doctor.
Do the people who talk about re-ordering RESCUE meds on a repeat prescription mean Antibiotics ? or some other meds .
Thanks Sohara
Hi Sohara my previous gp decided it was better for me and them to have antibiotics on request without a visit. I would only go to gp with sputum test if the rescue meds were not working. He said my illness was quite complex and I was best placed to know when I needed antibiotics.
I also have rescue abs at home but once I start on them I have to phone/see the GP to request replacements. I don't think this is unreasonable but if there is a proposal to prevent people having keeping rescue meds at all, I feel it is very short-sighted. More hospital admissions, more serious infections as people wait for appointments and folks hitting the internet to buy their own supplies. Is that a desired outcome?
I don't think its unreasonable either Teenieleek, I am just curious that others seem to have their AB's on a repeat prescription that they can order without the GP having any input. So I was just trying to check if that was the situation for the people on here that posted that they have their meds on repeat......Do they have antibiotics on repeat?
Not on repeat - more 'as needed'. I was recently denied a replacement for my abs by the surgery admin, who normally draw up the prescription before presenting it to the GP for signature. I checked that this is NOT a Government directive. The Government are, quite rightly, trying to limit the number of antibiotics that are being prescribed when they are not necessary, for example for a cold or viral infection. However, my GP assured me that this will not apply to people with long term lung conditions and she immediately sent me a replacement prescription.
Hi teenieleek totally agree it's so annoying.
Oops, extra word in there, sorry.
I think I am really addressing my question to
BEVVY, COUGHALOT, NOTTOBAD, as they say they can request antibiotics on a repeat prescription or just ask the pharmacist to order them...... I have never been able to do this, I always have to get a prescription from the GP by a visit or writing in for one....so if it is allowed then I would love to hear about it....as it is a real pain having to get a prescription every time and not being able to just re-order them
Hi I think it depends on your GP witch I think is wrong everyone should be treated the same I have just had a visit from my community resp team nurse who has started me on my rescue medication. And I will be ordering new ones. I have to go fo a chest X-ray to see if the pneumonia has cleared up as she could hear a few crackles on my right side of back. Also I have a follow up apointment with my consultant at the resp clinic on the 7th Dec
hi I have antibiotics and prednisolone on repeat prescription but that is only because I work far from my gp surgery so it's very difficult for me to collect prescriptions etc
I still have to see my gp after starting pred though and I have strict instructions on when.to use it
my doctor has never made a fuss about prescribing antibiotics but my cons wrote to them so maybe that's why
lejaya
Hi lajaya thanks for your reply I also used together abs and prednisone on repeat (emergency meds) but was refused this time however after everyone's brilliant replies I am better able to make a case to have them reinstated. just love this forum.
Actually changed my surgery due to lack of understanding in getting appointments and meds, but first weekend with new docs gave me a load of hassle but I shall be patient !! x
Most areas have a walk-in centre for patients who can't access their g.p. I do not mean A & E, your local g.p. should give you details of your nearest centre if they have no free space to see you. Most patients with your problems would have a rescue pack. This would include antibiotics and prednisolone tablets, so that you don't need to have this distress. Also, now, most areas have mobile respiratory nurses and your Consultant could refer you to these also. He/she wouldn't advise oxygen unless you actually need it, so take heed. Banksy.
I dont have any trouble have Antbotics and premoslone in hand all the time u need to have them should it be weekend or bank holliday u would have to go to hospital wait hours to see someone .Sit down with GP or next time u see your consultaint talke to him he can instruct u have them
I think that is terrible , i always have what i call my rescue pack and if i need it as soon as I can i see my gp and replace it , as you say it keeps you out of hospital , i have been doing that for about 12 years a pack of steroids and a course of antibiotics . it makes sense we know our bodies and it saves you a evening or weekend emergency services or admissions to hospital which would cost them more than a simple emergency pack.
X
Thanks Lorraine I thought it made sensense . But the gp still refusing to give emergency meds despite a visit on Wednesday where my stats where down to 87 on air. she give me a letter to take to our local hospitals ambulatory care ward. I was there until 2 o'clock in the morning and came away with an antibiotic. I tried to tell her my stats are usually low I am being assessed for home oxygen in the next few weeks. I just think the gp thinks I am an idiot.
Hi again Linda i would concider changing doctors unless its a practice policy that they have change , like someone else replied i keep mine at home I always have done and even if I go to my gp and he gives me antibiotics and steroids , if they are the same as the ones that I have in the house i use the ones i already have and replace the with new one that way they never go out of date ,
Even getting your consultant to write to you gp it depends on how well you get on with your gp or if you can get a appointment lol.x
Take care
Thanks Loraine I think moving gp will be my only option.
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