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AIBU?

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Original poster

To go to minor injuries with DS's asthma cough as we have run out of blue inhaler?

90 replies

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 08:51

Obviously can't go to the Gp as not open. He's had a bad cough all week, no temp or other signs of a cold. We've been on a caravan holiday this week though and the weather has been very cold and windy especially at night which is what has bought on his cough. Cough is always his worst asthma symptom at night. We usually always have a spare inhaler but because of the extra use this week it's run out. He's coughing non stop now and I can hear a bit of wheeze, is the best option our local minor injuries?

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 06/04/2024 11:07

Cupcakegirl13 · 06/04/2024 08:59

If you’ve gone through an entire ‘spare’ blue inhaler in one week plus the one you were using then he needs to be seen by a doctor as that is far from normal use and he needs better asthma management / meds.

This

Urgent Treatment Centre, 111 Service or A&E

That's too much salbutamol

Sirzy · 06/04/2024 11:04

From your last post I would be more tempted to go straight to A and E if he is using it that much.

Bakersdozens · 06/04/2024 11:01

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 10:55

We got sent away as they won't deal with asthma apparently but they got us an appt with a gp out of hours at lunch time so hopefully we will get some help there. To those asking why I didn't just go to a pharmacy he has been using his blue inhaler non stop and it's not working so I think he probably needs someone to listen to his chest.

You are doing the right thing x

uncontrolled asthma is absolutely not to be messed around with

arbitary · 06/04/2024 11:00

Minor injuries won’t deal with asthma? Really? I hope the GP can help but I wouldn’t have been happy with that.

pootlin · 06/04/2024 10:59

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 09:43

Pharmacies
can’t
issue
an
emergency
prescription
without
111

in any case, if he regularly needs steroids, they need to see a doctor.

@woopsiedaisy36 have you considered hay fever? Is he worse in places/times where pollen is higher?

Show quote history

111
would
have
been
a
better
call

pootlin · 06/04/2024 10:59

Queijo · 06/04/2024 09:43

Because a pharmacist isn’t trained in asthma, can’t prescribe the necessary meds and asthma can kill very quickly and suddenly and you need to manage it properly. Another salbutamol inhaler isn’t going to treat the underlying causes.

Show quote history

Which is why I said ‘first’, so that the pharmacy (or 111) can direct you as needed.

The OP was all about a replacement inhaler.

arbitary · 06/04/2024 10:58

Cupcakegirl13 · 06/04/2024 08:59

If you’ve gone through an entire ‘spare’ blue inhaler in one week plus the one you were using then he needs to be seen by a doctor as that is far from normal use and he needs better asthma management / meds.

I agree with this. You can get an emergency inhaler from the pharmacy but if he is going through one in a week he really needs to be seen by a doctor. I’d take him in to A&E.

Original poster
woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 10:55

We got sent away as they won't deal with asthma apparently but they got us an appt with a gp out of hours at lunch time so hopefully we will get some help there. To those asking why I didn't just go to a pharmacy he has been using his blue inhaler non stop and it's not working so I think he probably needs someone to listen to his chest.

OP posts:
Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 09:46

He might need a change from steroid inhaler only to either a higher dose of the steroid inhaler and/or a combined inhaler - with long acting version of bronchodilator, which is what salbutamol is.

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 09:43

pootlin · 06/04/2024 09:34

You’ve only just got where?

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go to a pharmacy first.

Show quote history

Pharmacies
can’t
issue
an
emergency
prescription
without
111

in any case, if he regularly needs steroids, they need to see a doctor.

@woopsiedaisy36 have you considered hay fever? Is he worse in places/times where pollen is higher?

Queijo · 06/04/2024 09:43

pootlin · 06/04/2024 09:34

You’ve only just got where?

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go to a pharmacy first.

Show quote history

Because a pharmacist isn’t trained in asthma, can’t prescribe the necessary meds and asthma can kill very quickly and suddenly and you need to manage it properly. Another salbutamol inhaler isn’t going to treat the underlying causes.

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/04/2024 09:38

That’s a huge amount off salbutamol in one week. He may need steroid tablets to stabilise. Needs to see a doctor.

IsadoraQuill · 06/04/2024 09:35

This happened to us on Boxing Day. Called 111 and had a prescription arranged within an hour to pick up from the duty pharmacy.

pootlin · 06/04/2024 09:34

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 09:30

Thanks everyone. We've just got here so I'll see what they say. To answer some other questions he does have an asthma plan and takes monteslukast daily and a brown inhaler. He's only 5 so they are still figuring out what works for him but he has an appt with paediatrics next month as he regularly has to have steroids.

You’ve only just got where?

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go to a pharmacy first.

Original poster
woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 09:30

Thanks everyone. We've just got here so I'll see what they say. To answer some other questions he does have an asthma plan and takes monteslukast daily and a brown inhaler. He's only 5 so they are still figuring out what works for him but he has an appt with paediatrics next month as he regularly has to have steroids.

OP posts:
Rainbowshit · 06/04/2024 09:30

Don't just turn up. If you phone 111 they will direct you to the correct place and give you an appointment which means you won't be waiting as long hopefully.

Fedup0707 · 06/04/2024 09:29

You can buy from a pharmacy or get a emergency prescription from your local pharamcy.

Theoldcuriosityshop · 06/04/2024 09:27

My daughter has bought one in Asda before now.

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 09:26

OldTinHat · 06/04/2024 09:23

Pop to a pharmacy.

You’re probably better off shouting in a crowded place for a blue inhaler, odds are someone will have one

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 09:25

fourelementary · 06/04/2024 08:59

Pharmacies can usually do an emergency prescription for this.

I tried that once and was told I had to go through 111 first which, is frankly, pointless. 111 is going to take time++ to call you back/assess/issue inhaler prescription.

OldTinHat · 06/04/2024 09:23

Pop to a pharmacy.

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 09:23

Oneearringlost · 06/04/2024 09:15

I would be very worried about the over use of the blue inhaler, (Salbutamol, or similar).
Not to be alarmist, but this is how asthma deaths happen, when the airways are dilated by the short-acting salbutamol without addressing the underlying inflammation that you get from a brown or steroid inhaler.
It's v dangerous to solely rely on just the blue inhaler and safety checks by a doctor or nurse always check how often people are needing it, as that defines how you treat the illnesses, overall).
Have you got a Peak Flow meter?
Very useful to check and compare measurement against others taken when he has been well, ( ie, 'best peak flow')
OP, take him to Minor Illnesses to be assessed, he may need a 3 day course of oral steroids, especially if this is on the back of a cold. You'll be able to also ask for another blue inhaler.
( Asthma nurse here)
All the best.

Was going to say he might need steroids but see an asthma nurse got there first. Take him to minors, needing this much salbutamol in a short space of time is very dangerous.

does he have hay fever? My asthma was unusually triggered this morning and this time of year is usually quite tricky for me.

OwlCityisthemostunderrated · 06/04/2024 09:20

Sorry, cross posted with @Oneearringlost who has given fantastic advice

OwlCityisthemostunderrated · 06/04/2024 09:19

I would say he should be seen by a Dr. Does he have an asthma management plan? It usually says clearly on there what to do at different levels of escalation including when to see a Dr. For example, on mine it says if I am having to take more than 8 puffs in an hour then it is a medical emergency and an ambulance should be called.

Oneearringlost · 06/04/2024 09:15

I would be very worried about the over use of the blue inhaler, (Salbutamol, or similar).
Not to be alarmist, but this is how asthma deaths happen, when the airways are dilated by the short-acting salbutamol without addressing the underlying inflammation that you get from a brown or steroid inhaler.
It's v dangerous to solely rely on just the blue inhaler and safety checks by a doctor or nurse always check how often people are needing it, as that defines how you treat the illnesses, overall).
Have you got a Peak Flow meter?
Very useful to check and compare measurement against others taken when he has been well, ( ie, 'best peak flow')
OP, take him to Minor Illnesses to be assessed, he may need a 3 day course of oral steroids, especially if this is on the back of a cold. You'll be able to also ask for another blue inhaler.
( Asthma nurse here)
All the best.