Been to see doctor today

[Llegkt1]

(Locum)...asked if he could refer me to a pulmonary consultant as u would like to know what kind of copd I have...he nearly fell off his chair laughing told me about it being an umbrella term for different diseases (which I knew) and then went on to say I had emphysema and bronchiectasis as that is what copd is...wish I never went!

[stone-UK]

Hi

The umbrella term is Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.

bronchiectasis Is a separate condition requiring specialist treatment.

Seeking a consultant is the best way forward.

[Llegkt1 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you and that's what I thought

[Llegkt1]

No I haven't that's why I asked if I could be referred

[peege]

He's wrong so he can't be such a good doctor. In the uk the umbrella term for COPD covers only emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

I'm fairly new at my GP practice, the respiratory nurse was appalling. Last year I decided to give her one more chance before I put in a complaint. Lo and behold at my check up there were two, temporary but fantastic respiratory nurses brought in to rebuild that department.

Phew, what a relief. I was told that due to having bronchiectasis I must : have winter preventive antibiotics, emergency meds, have bi-annual respiritory checks, sputum test at first sign of infection AND be referred to a consultant!! They sent all these recommendations through to my GP. They were horrified that none of these actions had been done in the previous three years.

There you are. I've since had a CT scan but still waiting for a referral. I don't have the added complication of copd but do have asthma.

Look at you surgery's website and/or find out who is the best GP for lung issues and make an appointment with him/her. Don't let it go. P

[Smoggy1990Boggy in reply to peege]

These temporary respiratory nurses were they from NSHI doing the IMPACT clinic by any chance? They are experts I their field and go temporarily into Gp practices

[Llegkt1]

Thankyou...all I want to know is exactly what I have...I think copd to some doctors mean crappy obtuse diseased people who have given this disease to ourselves so somehow have no right to anything...sorry for rambling x

[soulsaver]

I'll guess he said bronchitis, not bronchiectasis, which a completely different disease.

[hypercat54]

Hi in my experience doctors don't refer unless they can no longer handle your care themselves. I am mild/moderate and have asked a few times to be referred to a consultant. You are lucky yours laughed as mine just get angry! One doctor told me if I was referred I would just see a junior member of the team and they would have a go at the doctor who referred me asking why. I had to even fight to get an X-ray on diagnosis of copd....

I hope you have more success than me. x

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

Your doctor is a neglectful idiot. He is also lying when he says that you will see a junior member of the team. I always see the top lady because I insist on it and anyway, a registrar who spends every day treating lung conditions knows far mor than that fool. Try again and this time INSIST!

[hypercat54 in reply to Hidden]

I have tried several doctors and they all say the same thing. They say because my symptoms are all a result of mild/moderate copd and there is nothing out of the ordinary I don't need a referral. As you know only heart problems or cancers are routinely referred. You have bronchiectasis which is different and requires more specialist treatment though I know you had to fight for a referral and expert treatment. x

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

Sorry but that is wrong and something which is said to divert you. Everybody has the right to a referral to a consultant, whatever their condition. If you have been asking for one you must be feeling that you need more expert management. ‘Routinely’ is code for ‘we won’t bother unless you force us’. Are you happy with the management and treatment that you are receiving from your GP? If so, just get on with it.

If not, put your foot down and if they refuse begin the complaints process. GPs are conduits beween the patient and the expert, not the sole point of medical support.

[Whitechinchilla in reply to hypercat54]

I’m with you there hyoercat54. I can’t even get a blood test much less an X-ray and don’t even ask about a CT or sputum test.

I’m currently researching to move to another practice. Fed up of the NO word from my Gp. It got so bad that I now surreptitiously record my appointment on my mobile.

[Llegkt1]

Thankyou for your reply...ah god I'm not sure which one is worse...laughed at or angry!...I've had a few xrays (which have been clear) due to chest infections...I thought that I would be able to know exactly what I had x

[hypercat54 in reply to Llegkt1]

I have been trying to find out whether I have primarily emphysema or chronic bronchitis but every doctor and nurse just insists it's all copd and doesn't matter. I have given up trying now. I did push a nurse really hard once and she said she thought it was more likely chronic bronchitis based on my symptoms. x

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

You see Hypercat - your reply shows that the doctors and nurses who are dealing with you do not know what they are talking about when it comes to your copd.

[hypercat54 in reply to Hidden]

Very true. I have been thinking of changing surgeries but would a new one be any better? The next nearest to me is a good 15 minutes walk and I can't do that at the moment. x

[Hacienda in reply to hypercat54]

Yes, I changed mine for this Reason. They where absolutely Useless, lost all my paperwork including all results for my then pre Diagnosed Emphysema/COPD. It was a Wonderful Respiratory Nurse that came to my Home after she had insisted They Find the Paperwork Quick or else, she actually referred me to My Now Wonderful Consultant. I changed GP's and have been very happy with them apart from when I have had Bloods taken for the Transplant Hospital in an immediate Transfer, they didn't have a clue, they didn't read up on my Notes, this has happened more than once. So, not all Staff as perfect as my Initial Nurse. good Luck, and Insist to any GP that you probably Know more than them, It's your Body. Get to Know more by asking Every Question you have. Good Luck. xxx

[Hidden]

No bronchiectasis is not one of the conditions covered by the term copd. Emphasyma is. Have you had a ct scan? This is the only way to diagnose bronchiectasis and needs a bronchiectasis specialist to interpret it. This GP is a fool, ignorant and in deleliction of his duty of care towards you. In effect, prepared do do nothing for you. This is not what he is paid for.

Find the name of a bronch specialist in your area ( they are also experts in copd) usually at large teaching hospitals. Take the name to the GP and INSIST on a referral because they have told you that you have bronchiectasis without a proper diagnosis and they obviously do not know how to explain to you about your emphysema or how to treat you for either condition.

Stand Your Ground

Do Not Take No For An Answer!

If it happens that they are as rude and dismissive as the last time

Go straight to the reception and insist on speaking to the Practice Manager

Keep Calm and polite but making sure that the waiting room can hear you tell them that you wish to begin the compaints procedure NOW.

We have to be VERY proactive in our own interests and vociferous in getting the right treatment.

[Carnival567]

Many years ago I had a gp who would not refer me for complications with my congenital heart disease, so I found out who to go to from BHF and insisted. He unwillingly referred me, and I am happy to say he got a very stiff letter from the consultant. He was a bit more cooperative after that, but I changed doctors shortly afterwards and was treated really well. Don’t be afraid, be insistent and follow littlepom’s excellent advice. Good luck xxx

[gillypotter]

Golly, l am shocked. I have bronchiectasis and asthma. I see a respiratory consultant, and l think you need a second opinion.

[maggiewhiteley]

which tests /scans have you had to get that diagnosis?

[Lilianne]

Oh help! I have bronchiectasis and did not know that it was emphysema too! That doctor should not have laughed, that was cruel!! Keep positive.

[Tosh1960]

Hi I know how you feel friend! I’ve asked my G.P.the same question twice now,on two different occasions,the last 2weeks ago! In my occasion they changed the subject and gave me stronger medication instead and antibiotics! She gave me steroids and the 3 in one steroid inhaler.Im really scared to take the steroids today finished the antibiotics as on the 7th of March going back for X-ray results! I don’t understand why they don’t send you to a specialist! Ive seen 3 different doctors this year and they’ve all given me different medication! It’s really depressing me now!

[Llegkt1 in reply to Tosh1960]

Know exactly how you feel...it's do frustrating x

[Maddix]

That's not true, if you can change Dr

[Minkywhire]

Bloody ridiculous the crap we have to put up with from docs relative to COPD. I think it relates to the blanket diagnosis of cause...smoking!!! Few docs would talk to a cancer patient in this way, and I'm sure most GPs don't know a great deal about that disease either. Making excuses for them based on their seemingly nebulous knowledge of this complex series of lung conditions isn't cutting it with me any more. GPs are conduits only. Demand to be seen by a consultant and ask your GP politely to keep their vaguely disrespectful attitude to themselves and behave professionally.

[Nitap in reply to Minkywhire]

I have to agree with you. I thought my GP was excellent at first - the last time I saw her January 3rd she told me "Your Lungs are knackered (her words) and there's nothing that I can do" . Well 2 days later I was taken into hospital with Pneumonia where I was given ultravenous injections and put on the strongest AB's. I feel very subdued about going back there.

- rather only saving grace is I have wonderful COPD nurses who are great. Keep strong everyone xx

[robin3k]

I never see my doctor about my copd I always see the practice nurse who is copd qualified and or the copd clinic nurse every 6 months or sooner if I request it. I live in Essex (Colchester) and have never had any problems with my problem I am now on oxygen at home but have only just had it for about a year. I am very pleased with the service I get from my GP service.

[lKeith]

Llegkt1

Hi, COPD is an umbrella diagnosis for many things, emphysema included, your GP should have been treating this for some period before you asked the question. There are treatments so don't think it's the end game. You need to make another appointment with your GP to get inhalers & standby meds (antibiotics & prednisalone steroids). COPD is progressive, therefore you need to be referred to a specialist consultant who can set out your options. There are lung transplants, lung reduction surgery, lung valves, lung coils, all of which could help you as well as stem cell (very expensive) and not recognised in UK as yet, so it's always a trip abroad but do be careful there are scams out there.

IKeith

[Llegkt1]

Yeah I have inhalers and rescue med but he didn't understand why I would want to see a specialist x

[Minkywhire in reply to Llegkt1]

My experience too. Why do GPs question such requests? Is it ego. Are they offended at the suggestion that we don't have faith in them entirely? I think they have a hellish job and they cannot feasibly be an 'expert' on every possible diagnosis they're faced with daily. Why not hand patients over to specialists? Isn't that, alongside writing prescriptions and making initial diagnoses, their job?