Infuriating Asthma Appointment

[Lilmix03]

So i had a follow-up appointment with my asthma consultant at the hospital today and he told me that he doesn't think I have asthma despite the fact that I have been diagnosed asthmatic most of my life and that I don't need to take inhalers or nebulisers or use steroids and antibiotics. He believes this because last time I had lung function tests they were normal and showed no inflammation or anything and my chest x-ray was also clear. I'm considering putting in a complaint about him as this is not the first time he has been dismissive of me and refused to do anything to help me.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Surely if the inhalers etc are working, your basic lung function tests will be clear.

I had a clear test a year or so ago, nobody suggested that I did not have asthma. Since then I have been hospitalised three times.

If your gp gets asthma I would talk to him or her about it.

[Mandevilla in reply to Homely2]

That was just what I was thinking - we keep being told that the aim of treatment is to control asthma so that we can live a normal life, yet it seems that as soon as someone achieves that, the response is 'oh, you can't have asthma then - let's stop your medication'!

OP, I would go back to your GP. It might also be worth ringing the Asthma UK helpline to see if they have any suggestions.

[PaulRosedene]

I had my first lung function test in January. Part of the test is they assess your lung function before and after using ventolin. If the lung function improves then you have asthma.

Do you know how you scored on the lung function test after ventolin ? There's a whole page of figures.

They also show your lung function compared to an average of your height and weight. Mine was at 50% without ventolin.

Do you still have symptoms of a chest problem ? Do the symptoms respond to the medications you have been using ?

[Poobah]

How frustrating! And dangerous, suggesting that you require no further treatment. What you need is a copy of the letter that the consultant will send to your GP. That will reflect their decision on next steps. If the letter does indeed suggest no further treatment is required then you have the option of complaining through PALS at the hospital. But you would also need to discuss your concerns with your GP as they are the ones that administer prescriptions.

I would wait for a copy of the consultant's letter before taking any action though. If you don't usually receive a copy of the consultant's letter then you can request a copy from the respiratory team. It could be that, despite suggesting you don't require treatment, the consultant gives no instructions to your GP to withdraw or reduce treatment.

[Headoverheels]

Can you change your Asthma Consultant?

[teddyd]

Its very frustrating when people don't listen and what they say does not make sense. Maybe I am reading it wrong but are you on no medication for asthma or he is stopping your medication?

[Lilmix03 in reply to teddyd]

I'm on quite a few medications for asthma but according to my consultant he doesn't think i need them

[teddyd in reply to Lilmix03]

I hope he had a plan for monitoring any reduction in medication and reinstating it when and if its require. Seems a risky strategy 😬

[ReedB]

I've had the same problem before. I got so disheartened I stopped taking my inhalers and ended up in hospital! That was a few years ago and thankfully I now have a good consultant. If needs be I would certainly request a change.My lung function tests are always normal too as they're only ever carried out when I'm well. Thankfully my last asthma consultant understood that though I was sitting in front of him perfectly well if I came into contact with one of my allergens I soon wouldn't be!

If you know yourself well enough and the medicines work stick with it. x

[ChrissieMons]

I've been told, in the past, to wean myself off the inhalers, just to see how it goes. When I went wheezing to my GP, he was furious! It may be a miracle has occurred and you don't have asthma, but finding that out by stopping the medication is a brave step. Try talking to the asthma nurses, to see what they think. I wish some one would tell me I don't have asthma, and be correct!

[Birthday60]

I would love for someone to say it’s not asthma as there are other reasons for breathlessness which are routinely ignored if you have an asthma label / heart problems, general fitness and acid reflux - embrace a new diagnosis!!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Birthday60]

It's not helpful to have a new diagnosis if it's not accurate though. And one set of normal spirometry results (perfectly possible even in severe asthma) and a normal chest X-ray (not really diagnostic for asthma) is nowhere near enough to decide someone doesn't have asthma and remove medications. I would expect a hell of a lot more than this to justify removing treatment, and then would expect a gradual reduction,. especially if steroids are involved.

Asthma isn't the only reason for breathlessness, no, but it is a reason and one that can be fatal if not treated correctly. It's very irresponsible of any medical professional to propose removing someone's treatment like this based on a couple of test results which in no way prove someone is not asthmatic. By all means identify and treat other causes as far as possible, yes, but this consultant appears not to have even done that.

The UK doesn't have a great record for asthma or respiratory care in general, and too many preventable deaths. This kind of behaviour from professionals doesn't help.

[Patk1]

Id ring his secretary + request a copy of results of tests,so u have a comparison for nxt time.x