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Original poster

Asthma review

15 replies

canigooutyet · 15/07/2021 12:26

I'm well over due and finally got an appointment. (yey)

However now I am wondering how they can do this over the phone.

Can someone save me some sleepness nights wondering how the fuck they can properly do a review over the phone other than how many puffs a day are you taking?

Am I now expected to go out and buy more medical equipment?

OP posts:

Purplewithred · 15/07/2021 12:27

What do they normally do at your face-to-face reviews?

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 15/07/2021 12:31

My DD(20) just had an asthma review over the phone.

Was with her GP at Uni.
Very helpful and prescribed a stronger inhaler for summer due to wheezing/hay fever DD struggling.
Then had a follow up to check-it was very good and DD said she did not realise just how much she was wheezing until she wasn't.

I think they will talk to you about how you are coping and if needed you could ask for F2F but I wouldn't worry. Have you got a specific thing you are worrying about?

What medical equipment would you buy? DD has none...

Quickchangeartiste · 15/07/2021 12:40

I just had one.
If you have a peak flow meter, take readings in the 3 days prior to give to nurse/gp;
note how often you use your reliever inhaler & when ;
be ready to talk about how much preventative inhaler you are using and whether you are taking any other drugs for asthma/ allergies - antihistamines, montelukast etc ( are you using as prescribed, and side effects, need more/less).
Anything bothering you about your asthma control?

To be honest it wasn’t that different from face to face, other than I didn’t have to demonstrate that I could use the devices 😁

Interested in this thread?

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General health

Usual2usual · 15/07/2021 12:45

I just did one for my DS the other week (he wasn't even with me at the time) nurse just phoned asked all the same kind of questions she would usually at a face to face one and we agreed to changes needed to inhalers. That was that.

Original poster

canigooutyet · 15/07/2021 12:45

Cannot think what it's called, the breathalizer thing has always been done, think it was to monitor for copd.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 15/07/2021 12:46

Do you mean peak flow? Or lung function test?

Has your asthma been controlledv

Rainallnight · 15/07/2021 12:47

Why is this giving your sleepless nights?

Ring the surgery and ask if you’re expected to do anything in advance to make the most of the review.

Original poster

canigooutyet · 15/07/2021 12:51

Lung function test thank you thats the one. Although tbh I shouldn't be complaining hate having to breathe into the machine.

And thank you everyone for letting me know what they will be asking.

It is back out of control has been for several months which they are aware of.

OP posts:

mindutopia · 15/07/2021 12:54

Mine just involves a peak flow reading and them lecturing me about never taking my inhalers. I have a peak flow reader at home, so I can do that myself, and I'm sure they can lecture me just as well over the phone.

They may need to bring you in though if you have lung function tests.

OldTinHat · 15/07/2021 13:01

I had my asthma review via a form sent through the post. It asked how many times I needed to use which inhaler during the past week, what my peak flow was, to send the form back (no envelope!) and if they were concerned they'd call me for an appointment. I assume the phone call will go through the same questions.

actiongirl1978 · 15/07/2021 13:03

I had mine over the phone. I thought it would be quicker in the end it was 45 mins.

I hate asthma reviews. Next year I just will avoid the phone call!

actiongirl1978 · 15/07/2021 13:05

@mindutopia mine also consisted of being lectured.

I then got a follow up call from GP who was v laid back and told me the asthma nurses can't be flexible as they are trained in a specific way. He was very cool about my asthma management.

I've had asthma since I was 7 I think I've got to grips with it at 44

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 15/07/2021 13:36

I enjoyed last year was a phone call. In a face to face appointment, they weigh you, take blood pressure and get you to use the peak flow machine. Not having any of those things, I just kept saying ‘don’t know’. I didn’t find it useful or helpful.

This year was worse. Just an online form. I’m very disappointed with the surgery, that they can keep doing this without seeing people at all. It isn’t as though you can even send a picture, as you might for a skin condition etc.

I was equally disenchanted with the e consult service and when I had a feedback form, I told them so.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 15/07/2021 13:36

Not enjoyed at all.
The one I had last year, that should say.

Original poster

Canigooutyet · 15/07/2021 16:16

So as suggested I contacted the surgery and was told the appointment will be just the same as if I went in.
I then asked if the lung test machine, blood pressure and more will be sent to me for the appointment. Thought I'd ask lol and told no we don't do that.

My diabetes annual check up and kidney check will also be over the phone. Arrangement will be made to allow a urine sample to be delivered before the appointment.

someone asked why this would keep me awake. Because such unknowns often have the voices in my head get very loud, which isn't always a good thing so I try and keep them as background mumbles.Let loose can then set off my paranoid side and things quickly escalate. Due to my mh in the past I have led then to believe everything is fine so they won't accept readings from home. They had scales and blood pressure machine in reception and it's those print outs I used to give on a regular basis.

OP posts:

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