I was never told when to go back to the doctor or even that I needed an emergency kit. I soon found out I needed to be prepared in the event I had a serious attack. I started searching on healthunlocked and asked the question about the emergency kit. I got quick responses and have a kit prepared...which I have recently used. The kit prevented me from going to the emergency room during the night.
What symptoms and how severe do the symptoms have to be before returning to the doctor? The physician never told me! I went to my primary care doc who told me when to come to him and when to see the Pulmonologist. My primary care doc is my go to physician!
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kdr112
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What is in the emergency kit. Also have you ever heard of something called an Asthma Action Plan (AAP)? You should have gotten one when you were discharged from the ED. In any case,
it lists the medication you take daily (in green area), medication you should add if you feel an
asthma episode starting (in yellow area). You should then feel okay and be back in the green area. If not better, move down to the red area and take the meds suggested there. Once you
are in this red zone, you need to come in to the emergency room. Make sure your family, friends and people close to you know about your AAP. They may be able to save your life, in case you
have a bad episode and you cannot handle the meds yourself. It is a good idea to put a copy of the AAP on your fridge or a visible place at your home. There is also an app for your smart phone.
If you are having symptoms often and you are not sleeping through the night, these are signs that your asthma is not as well controlled as it should be. You can also take an Asthma Control Test tor ACT. I think you can download it. If your score on it is 19 or lower then your asthma is not controlled and you should go to your PCP and have him/her check if you need to get your medication updated. Our bodies are changing all the time and it is important to be taking medication recently prescribed and nobody else's medication. Hope this works for you.
Thank you Campisa! I will download and take the assessment. I am not controlled well and have been approved for a drug called NUCALA. I have eosinophilic asthma. My first dose is tomorrow. Praying it works!
Also, in my emergency pack I have nebulizer albuterol and prednisone 20 mg tablets. I also have my hand held nebulizer but usually at that point I use my regular nebulizer.
You are exactly right! In my kit I keep an emergency inhaler, the same medicine available for use in my nebulizer and prednisone. Of course if I have to use the prednisone I contact the doctor as soon as I can.
You must live on a different planet! I was told to see my PCP as my Pulmonologist nurse told me he does not see sick people! Duh I wonder what the MD stands for after his name! LOL
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
What are your asthma flares like?
Coping with the anxiety after an asthma attack 
I am nervous dealing with doctors for myself, need help. 
Anyone using just one puff once a day on Symbicort?
