Rescue pack of prednisolone

[marbijusamja]

Why have some surgeries mine included stopped giving rescue packs of Prednisolone?

[teddyd]

I was not aware this was happening.Maybe its the decisions of individual health boards . I will be interested in the experience of others and see if it is a geographical decision. Sorry I can't answer your question .

[Poobah]

There's definitely a trend away from keep at home rescue packs for asthma. This message repeatedly appears on several NHS GP surgery websites; "Rescue packs will not be issued for asthma as all asthma exacerbations need assessment by a clinician, either by telephone or face to face. Please do not submit requests for these as they will be rejected."

I had a rescue pack at home but when I needed it last December, both Pred & the antibiotics were out of date. But I always contact my GP surgery if I have an asthma flare and require additional treatment. I've not had any issues in getting a same day appointment, so that's the deal I guess. If you can't have rescue packs, there has to be the option of a same day appointment so that treatment isn't delayed.

Having said that, I would want to have a rescue pack if I was travelling.

[Nerja2012]

No problem in my area. Used rescue meds 2 weeks ago and was issued another script straight away to keep in. North East UK .

[Homely2 Administrator]

Per my consultant and gp rescue packs are a very bad idea, as you should seek medical advice when having an attack.

The reality of course is that my consultant and gp are generally unavailable when I am having an attack and 111 is subject to huge delays.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to Homely2]

I've been told the opposite... as I normally need them every 2-3 months.... I should have them in case I can't be seen at gp or urgent care (it was actually urgent care that said this and the respiratory consultant agreed) and the gp prescribed them

[Truckerclark]

I’m in Scotland and I’ve been using rescue packs for 4 years now as I’m prone to chest infections , although every 6 months they will ask me to come in for check up , I have brittle asthma and heart issues , I won’t use them unless my sputum is coloured or my chest feels clogged up and breathing getting worse ,I use spirometer to check it over a few days ,I kinda of know by now what my average is ,so when it’s getting lower I know I need them ,,,,

[Danielmystar]

My doctor told me 2 weeks ago its due to people taking them and antibiotics when they don't actually need them they've even stopped the rescue packs of antibiotics here in the morecambe bay area which is silly they want test done first before starting rescue packs im sure by the time results come back we would be much worse

[Birthday60]

mine hadn’t stopped but you do have to advise them if you’ve used them and turn up for asthma checks in order to have them

[jacic64]

My GP was reluctant to issue a rescue pack here in Oxfordshire. Respiratory consultant requested I have them at all times due to the amount of flare ups leading to infection. My GP practice is running a trial on nasal swabs to check whether it's a viral or bacterial infection which is a good step forward. I have emphysema, chronic bronchitis & asthma.

[Nerja2012]

Re my previous comment. My rescue pack is steroid only which I start if my peak flow drops too low. I would only do this if my GP practice is closed , once open I always get a same day appointment and in the last episode I was seen within an hour of phoning. Antibiotics are never given in a rescue pack .

[Welshtoffee]

I have a rescue pack of steroids and antibiotics. Had for many years due to asthma attacks happening at weekends etc when surgery closed. I had a repeat prescription last week. I also take steroids when I have an allergic reaction I have spontaneous agniodema as well I take steroids in a inhaler seretide 250 4 times a day and have had to have intravenous steroids for my allergies.

Steroids have lots of unpleasant side effects as I have discovered I have been recently diagnosed with diverticulitis and have had to have a crown as one filling fell out seven times in a year due to steroids.

Because of these I recently asked a doctor whether I could reduce my steroids over the summer as my asthma attacks are mainly caused by colds cold weather and pollution. He said no.

I am in the Midlands.

[Wheezycat in reply to Welshtoffee]

Interesting! Obviously it is based on individual needs. My asthma is also mostly due to pollution (especially indoors) and cold weather, and I felt myself that my inhaled dose was too high in summer. I am now officially on half in summer compared to winter. I have also been put on MART, so I have room for manoeuvre. My GP not only was happy to go along with it, bu virtually suggested it.

[JAmanda]

That would be ok if you could actually get in to see your doctor.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to JAmanda]

That's what the urgent care team where politely trying to say without actually saying it ... "you should have one because what if you can't be seen" (a rescue pack)

[Africanleopard Verified User]

Hi Marbijusmja

Every person with asthma should have a written agreed acute asthma management plan and this usually includes instructions on how to treat asthma exacerbations - also called flare-ups or attacks.

If you are having an attack, this should be treated with prednisolone - and current guidelines suggest these should be started within 4 hours of starting an attack. Also, as they take 6 hours to start working, a prescription for a rescue pack should be provided.

So unless your surgery is able to see you and issue a prescription for an attack within 4 hours of tge attack starting you should be provided with a rescue pack and also be seen by the surgery before you run out in case you need more or in case you need to go to hospital.

This is really worrying because people with asthma should be able to implement a self management plan when having an asthma attack and this usually includes starting oral prednisolone as soon as possible. As someone else suggested I’d suggest an urgent appointment with your doctor to discuss this issue.

[marbijusamja]

I asked for a rescue pack as going on holiday just incase. The Dr. receptionist said it was goverment policy now not to give them anymore.

[Bevvy in reply to marbijusamja]

I would make an appointment to actually speak to a doctor about this. As you have seen different practices are doing different things. I have had no issue obtaining a rescue pack. I think your reasoning due to a holiday is completely sensible.

[Wheezycat in reply to marbijusamja]

Interesting. I will be ging abroad, and then it would feel a lot better to have a pack (I suspect mine is out of date), as it could be more complicated, especially after Brexit to access a doctor within the country I am going to. Of course we will have insurance! But even so.

[Blueberry37]

Where are you based? I'm in England and i have rescue packs and my GP is very understanding as it's either having that at home or a&e for me when poorly. I often then contact the gp when i have to use it and have an emergency appointment set to listen to my chest and have everything documented. They always prescribe another rescue pack then after I've used one up. I know I'm lucky with my GP practice though.

[marbijusamja in reply to Blueberry37]

I am in Greater Manchester. My asthma is controlled most of the time but I am very sensitive to chemicals sitting next to someone on a plane wearing perfume or string after shave is a trigger. It's just sensible to have a rescue pack which in the past was never a problem. The receptionist just said it was goverment policy

[Blueberry37 in reply to marbijusamja]

How odd I've never heard about a government policy that says that? When i got mine sorted i spoke to my regular go doctor and we decided it together but it was based on me ending up in a&e on the weekends so he felt it was better than me going in and out of a&e. Still though I think your gp should be way more accommodating! How stressful this must be for you. Have you tried to make an appointment and speak to the doctor? I find receptionists can be hit and miss :/