Can't even afford a fucking inhaler

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

I'm in the UK. I have a monthly prescription for my inhaler. My inhaler has ran out as I've been poorly and needing it more than usual plus I'm asthmatic. I called my surgery today and got a telephone consultation to be told I can't have a new script for one for another week. I've looked on med express who could give me one but it costs about £12. I know it's not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things but it is for me at this point in time. I'm crying due to the fact I'm not yet eligible for one off the NHS and I have a chesty cough. Just gonna curl up in a ball and cough myself to sleep

I've been waiting weeks for a review. I'm just on the blue preventer one

That's because when the list of those exempt from prescription charges was created it covered serious conditions that had a known and regular treatment. When the list was created inhalers weren't in regular use yet.

The list has only had one changed since 1968, when cancer patients were added in 2009.

Do you have anything left in old inhalers from previous months? I use ancient inhalers - whatever I can find lying around when an attack comes on. They do still work.

And please so contact your surgery to explain why you need extra this month. As PP have said asthma is not an illness you can just cope with unmedicated. they have no right to put your life in jeopardy in this way.

Fellow asthma sufferer 👋 the reason you can’t get an inhaler on repeat prescription will be because of your increased usage, suggesting that your bronchodilator is not being as effective as it should be. You need to book an appointment to see a HCP in order to be prescribed one - or more likely be prescribed some alternative treatment such as steroids or antibiotics. If your can’t get a GP appointment and you feel like your asthma is out of control then call 111.

Go back to gp and say your asthma is not well controlled. 1 inhaler a month is a lot to go through. Do you have an annual asthma review?
I get 1 a month allowance but I don’t order every month probably every 2-3 months. More if I have a chest infection though

If you're only on a blue reliever inhaler, and you're using a blue inhaler a month, then either it isn't asthma at all, or your asthma is dangerously out of control. And I am very disappointed in the NP, who frankly should know that. The last patient I saw using an inhaler a month we'd just admitted, and barely managed to avoid sending to intensive care. Please push very hard for a review with an actual doctor.

I'm not surprised you are struggling in that case. You should be on a preventer. You need to speak to the GP practice manager and ask why the GP is not treating your asthma appropriately and put in a formal complaint. In the meantime, call 111 and explain it to them and stress that your asthma is uncontrolled.

I think you should be very clear that you’re only using it when you really need it, and if you need it to the extent that you’re running out before your next prescription is due, then clearly an urgent prescription review needs to be done because it is completely unacceptable that you should be gasping for breath because the paperwork says that you can’t have another inhaler for ten days. If that doesn’t get you anywhere then insist on speaking to the practice manager to submit a formal complaint.

If you’ve had breathing difficulties due to coughing since you were a child, it’s clearly not a chest infection, and the inhaler doesn’t seem to be helping. I’d be asking my GP for a referral to a respiratory clinic as well.

I had that as well. Seemed to be a bad batch of Ventolin about a year and a half ago and had the same trouble getting them changed as well.

Are you using it when you are desperate? Honestly I’m guilty of using it when I’m a bit breathless, not when desperate, as intended. How often are you near death to use an inhaler a month. If that is genuine you need to be on something more! You can’t possibly using that much without deeper issues.

Are you a hyperchondriac who needs ‘meds to feel normal’?

Go and see the GP for your cough and whilst your there speak to them about more inhalers as they can give you a prescription there and then.

They absolutely can give you more inhalers if you've ran out. In October I was severely unwell and ended up using my inhalers in 2 weeks. I saw my GP and got new inhalers that day

@GlitzAndGigglesx all the best and positivity op

I suspect you have allergy asthma like me, scary when it takes hold. You don’t get a brown one because you don’t actually have regular asthma. (Much much worse but I doubt you’ll want to hear that!) You would have know by now if you did.

if you’re using your inhaler in a couple of weeks, get help, if not physically, mentally.

What??? It’s not normal to be using an inhaler (blue) so often! It’s rather something that needs to addressed or an issue with prescription?

You also said you don’t mind paying for one off NHS at 9,40 (standard prescription) but at 12 private was ridiculous!

Go to a&e they will give you one, we were in holiday son broke his, Dr wouldn't prescribe another so a&e gave us some

The indication to use a bronchodilator isn’t that you’re near death, WTAF.

as always on these threads people with zero knowledge don’t let their stupidity stop them from giving opinions on medical matters.

OP go to the GP.

NHS 111 online meds section - you can order emergency meds? What if someone loses their inhaler. Did you speak to your regular chemist?

The NHS is so broken.

Go to hospital. Or make a GP appointment for another asthma drug.

The last cough I had I had to take steroid tablets just to breathe. I was using two asthma puffers (ventolin and a steroid puffer) which weren’t doing anything. My lungs sounded like I had a little bird in them because it made a whistling sound whenever I breathed.

I had steroid tablets for another specific issue so I just took that. Otherwise I would have had to go to the ER to get treated with steroids anyway.

In my country you can buy ventolin over the counter and it’s cheap. So if I run out I can just go to the chemist.

I think we found an NHS receptionist.

How dare you accuse the OP of being a hypochondriac!! There is zero suggestion from her post that she’s a hypochondriac.

Inhalers aren’t intended just when you’re dying!! 🙄

I have two different inhalers (ventolin and a steroid inhaler). Am I a hypochondriac too??

The OP needs something stronger. Not a judgey little GP receptionist accusing her of malingering.

What inhaver is it? I might have a spare i can post you? Xxx

Ring 111 now and say you need an emergency GP appointment as you have no asthma medication and are struggling to breathe.

I'm not sure an ENP would dare to refuse an inhaler outright as if you have an attack they would be directly liable. The incident you describe requires a formal complaint tomorrow.

Some doctors hand out blue inhalers like sweets. I took DS in who'd had a bad cough and was given one 🤔

You need a proper asthma check. If you have genuine asthma you need to be on a brown preventer inhaler. No way should you need 5+ puffs a day on a blue ventolin type one!