Rescue packs

[lenney007]

I have a chest infection used my rescue pack still hasnt cleared up got another rescue pack & im now using that now! How many packs am i suppose to use?

[Ennyl]

I have had two before and steroids, I wonder could you not see your doctor? With medication it's not always the same for everyone.at least you will feel reassured, hope you are feeling better soon x

[lenney007 in reply to Ennyl]

They just gave me them if it hasnt gone thursday then see doctor

[sibkev]

when i had ipf and took antib doc gave me 3 types at once to clear it and uped my preds

[ChaOliver]

I often have three rescue packs. Seems it takes a long time to identify the appropriate antibotic. If given the appropriate one then only one or two rescue packs with steriods.

[Ennyl]

If you put a sputem test into doctors it identifies what anti biotics is needed for that type of infection I find that much quicker to resolve infection instead of trying different anti biotics and am usually told which anti biotics shall work for that particular infection ,my respiratory nurse supplies me with labelled pots to get test in early, I have great difficulty actually getting a rescue pack to keep at home even tho blf advise this my doctor won't supply rescue packs, saying if I am ill then I need appointment, which I can't always get so a circle begins so I put sputum test in then I get biotics but never now rescue packs to keep at home, crazy I know cos a rescue pack is exactly that but my doctor will not supply, anyhow I do hope your sorted quickly and chest is clear soon x

[mrsmummy in reply to Ennyl]

Ask him what you are supposed to do if an infection starts on the Friday evening of a Bank Holiday weekend when the surgery will not be open again before Tuesday or Wednesday? NICE guidelines advise a rescue pack be supplied. I had to argue to get mine.

Try this: blf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-r...

[O2Trees in reply to mrsmummy]

Yep, I was just about to make this point about NICE guidelines MrsM and you beat me to it. lenney007, this is standard practice - why don't you print out the NICE guidelines page and take it in with you. And take a family member or friend for back up.

[Ennyl in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you I think I will do that I shall get them printed off and see how it goes thank you I really appreciate your help x

[O2Trees in reply to Ennyl]

Sorry Ennyl, got you confused with lenney007 who is lucky enough to actually have a rescue pack! I hope you manage to get one as well, good luck.

[Ennyl in reply to mrsmummy]

I have argued this last year at my doctors about rescue pack he says I don't need one as I can get appt which I know I can't respiratory nurse gave me rescue meds last year but none since I have argued with my doctor that they are not a rescue pack if I need to see a doctor when I am ill An rescue pack is supposed to be in my home, he flatly refuses saying too many anti biotics are taken by people who don't need them, am now at the point where I feel I should just buy them online but worry about the safety aspect, honestly my doctors flatly refuse to issue them ! X

[mrsmummy in reply to Ennyl]

Too many antibiotics are taken by people who don't need them and they are all prescribed by their doctors! People with serious lung conditions do need them. Is there another doctor you could see at the practice?

[Ennyl in reply to mrsmummy]

Receptionist tried to tell me that rescue packs aren't issued anymore so I asked to see a doctor who then examined me gave me my meds and informed me I don't need rescue pack as I can get appt I argued that is not the case and he said too many anti biotics being used I agreed but said in my case I need them he then replied if I need them to get appt doctor will examine me and issue script, I said that is not a rescue pack he blatantly ignored my question, I now get infection by time I get appt am really ill and feeling so weak I need help to get to doctors, I really don't know how long I can go on like this ! I know what you are saying is correct but my doctor apparently knows better! X

[mrsmummy in reply to Ennyl]

Change doctors?

[Ennyl in reply to mrsmummy]

I live directly opposite doctors I would need to go to different village and would have difficulty getting there if I am poorly I now intend to download the informationyou have gave me and present it at my doctors hopefully I will get this sorted thank you so much x

[mrsmummy in reply to Ennyl]

Ennyl

NICE Guidelines (Updated 2016):

"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]"

nice.org.uk/guidance/cg101/...

[y_not in reply to Ennyl]

If he (GP) still refuses to give you emergency meds then ask him for a letter giving reasons why he refuses - that makes most people stop and think ... once it's written down you might do anything with it!

Your GP seems highly uneducated about COPD!

Good luck

[Ennyl in reply to y_not]

Thank you I shall do that as I have been tempted to just but my own antibiotics but worry bout there safety x

[googeymac1 in reply to Ennyl]

theres 14 doctors at my surgery and ive seen them all, 2 years ago spirometry nurse said i need 2 keep rescue pack at home and 2 go back and see doctor, he flatley refused also it's the surgery's policy 2 only issue 5 days of med's, yesterday went doctors with another bad chest infection and seen a new stand in doctor, after examination she said 5 days of meds were not enough and put me on a 2 week course, she also said theres no reason i should not have a rescue pack at home which she gave me a prescription, i suffer from copd last 8 years

[Ennyl in reply to googeymac1]

I u dersyand that anno biotics are given to lots of people for different reasons, I also understand that doctors feel to many anti biotics given out, what I don't understand is there are obviously guidelines to help doctors but I feel that if doctors don't identify that having copd the patient needs a rescue pack for swift treatment of exacerbation hence the name "rescue " I was told by receptionist that they don't do rescue meds now! I told doctor this and he backtracked when I said I would be speaking with my consultant at hospital, he gave me meds but still won't issue rescue pack prescription, I am now armed with information from blf I intend to make an appointment and have this out with doctor, as I feel my health is receding due to fact there is a waiting time for meds, I kept putting a sputem test in at doctors then was asked by receptionist if doctor had asked me to do so, I said no so she began to refuse my test I insisted she told me the cost of tests meant a drain on resources I replied I only put sputem test in when I know myself by colour etc it is infection , I have been poorly for a month practise nurse examined me and gave me 5 anti biotics two to take immediately then one a day I questioned this and was told it was all I needed, I foned doctor after two days told him I was given wrong prescription he took offence and offered appointment at hospital I refused and said I needed full prescription to clear my chest he gave me prescription but made it clear he is qualified I am not I then said I am qualified with my illness more than he as he is a gp not a consultant I got my meds but at the cost of alienating my gp as he doesn't really know too much about my illness, I may be wrong but this is how I feel, I can only fight for myself and it gets me nowhere! Until blf kindly gave me info for doctor. I carry on my journey with the medical profession x

[googeymac1 in reply to Ennyl]

all sputum test's at my surgery go 2 the spirometry nurse and then have 2 make an apt with the doctor about 10 days later for the results and 2 see if i need any further treatment, receptionists are only there 4 booking in your apt's they are not doctor's or qualified 2 advise you on your health issues

[Ennyl in reply to googeymac1]

Exactly and when I have reminded them of that I am treat with bad manners ha! I don't mind at all as I am a patient and they are not medically trained I have in the past complained and had meetings with there management team, my spytam test usually takes two days for results which for me is quicker than waiting for an appointment, I have been reminded of the costing of sputem tests from receptionists I totally accept they are charged but I reply if I got appt quickly or even rescue meds I would have no need to put sputem test in, I am sure I will get rescue meds now that blf have gave me the nice guidelines and I will quote them to every doctor I see as this is my health and quality of life I don't intend to accept that I can't be supplied with rescue pack, sorry to whinge so much but I do feel better already ha! X

[googeymac1 in reply to Ennyl]

every time i need 2 book an apt with the doctor it's a no no between monday 2 wednesday thats after ringing up from 8 am when the open for about the next 2 hours, then being asked by the receptionist what do i want 2 see the doctor about, as far as im concerned it's none of there buisness my health issues is between me and the doctor

[Ennyl in reply to googeymac1]

Exactly! They say it's to help the patients asking why we need to see doctor but once again receptionistnot qualified to triage patients waiting time I understandtriage in hospitals but not surgerys I tell them it's between me and my doctor why I need appt x

[gingermusic]

I use the emergency pack and if not cleared at the end of use I go to see the GP and if they confirm there is still infection they then normally prescribe a different antibiotic

[jimmyg23]

I always get A rescue pack once they said come make appointment I said I can't come to but please leave me on call appointment and they weren't long an changing their minds and put back on my self management plan

[Grayjay]

Hi lenny, in my experience I find that one course isn't enough and have always had 2 lots.

[Grayjay]

Also I was abroad on holiday a few weeks ago and was lucky to have taken a "rescue pack" of antibiotics and steroids with me, I did need them luckily enough so they saved me from a few problems.

[googeymac1 in reply to Grayjay]

i was in tenerife last year for 2 weeks holiday 3rd day i was taken bad with realy bad chest infection, but i was only given a 5 day rescue pack of antibiotics and steroids i could'nt move from my apt all week untill my wife went 2 a local pharmacy and bought a couple of packs of predisilone which you dont need a prescription 4 over there , they kicked in after a couple of days, so i enjoyed the last couple of days of my hoilday, only downside was i paid £98 for a return flight but my health insurance was £260

[Grayjay]

Hi googeymac1

I took 7 days worth and seemed to do the trick thankfully. This year after all the struggling through the airports and about 5 sleepless nights in the hotel, coughing and waking the neighbours and £640 travel insurance. I've decided it's my last holiday abroad UK holidays only from now on. Don't let me put you off though😅.

All the best.

[googeymac1 in reply to Grayjay]

i agree i flew back from tenerife 2 bristol last year and the walk from leaving the aircraft was horrendous i had 2 get my grandson 2 get me a wheelchair, im booked up 2 go next year on a family holiday, but i think my holidays abroad are going 2 be a no no im sorry 2 say

[Grayjay]

Shame but is it worth all the hassle?. I actually booked wheelchair assistance but it turned out to be a joke. It's a long story.