Thank goodness for the NHS

[2Retrievers]

I developed asthma aged 18 probably via my parents who smoked. It was difficult coping with using my inhalers in public but after many years I am able to do this. I experienced many attacks brought on by eating citrus, I've cream, frozen grapes you all probably know the triggers.

My husband and I now live in the UK and the care I receive from my GP and when hospitalised is outstanding. I have not had a severe attack for about 4.5 years.

However my only gripe is the reluctance to prescribe more than 1 inhaler at a time.

So glad I have found this group

[elanaoali]

We are incredibly blessed to have the NHS. Without them I would really struggle to pay for my care like they do in America.

I get 2 ventolin inhalers everytime I ask for them. I think doctors are reluctant to prescribed more than one as they don't want people to have several on the go so to speak. The reasoning being as inhaler Can go out of date without people realising. That was my asthma nurses thoughts.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to elanaoali]

It's also because people horde medication... by that I mean get it and dont take it

I used to get calls from my local boots pharmacy some service they get contracted by the NHS to offer when I had just started a medication and one time the guy started the conversation with.... you have started it haven't you?.... my reply was I've been on it a month why would i have not started it? He said you would be surprised how many people say they haven't started it yet....

This is effectively wasting NHS money as they pay for the item and then boots are getting paid to follow up with the new medications (which it appears a lot of people dont start)

My gp doesn't refuse me having inhalers infact in the last few weeks they have *Insisted* I take prescriptions for salbutamol even though I said I already had some and had spares... there reply was we cant take the risk of you running out

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to elanaoali]

It’s also cause GPs are meant to track ventolin useage and ordering ‘too many’ flags their system. As you’re technically classed as poor control of you have more than 3 doses (6 puffs) a week, 1 ventolin should last you a month or longer. So if you’re requiring more than 1 a month and aren’t a ‘known’ severe asthmatic they like to check up you’re control (or at least they are meant to 😅). If you need a few on the go/need a spare for holiday etc you just need to explain that to you’re GP and they can sort out a 1 off bumper pack.

Hope that helps