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

So you don’t have a preventer inhaler (brown), just a reliever inhaler (blue).

You need a preventer inhaler (or the new combined regimen). It’s the only thing that addresses the root cause, rather than just temporarily helping you to manage your symptoms.

You desperately need to get your asthma under control, and you need to push your GP surgery to make this happen. Using the reliever inhaler as much as you are is dangerous - you could give yourself heart problems.

I’m asthmatic too and used to suffer dreadfully with it in the winters, but I’ve now found the right dose of the brown steroid inhaler to keep it under control - I use my blue inhaler 3 or 4 times a year time max now. That is what you need to aim for.

Also op - never ring up and ask for medication. This is often immediately flagged as "drug seeking behaviour" even when its not addictive/opioids.

Ring up about your symptoms and insist on a doctors appointment asap. It is then up to the doctor to determine if another ventolin inhaler is the right treatment or if there's an underlying issue which needs something else (which it sounds like).

Overusing ventolin can make your lungs less sensitive to it.

Ask for a review. I used to be the same as you, only one a month and I had low level panic when it was starting to run low. I had a review and they’ve put me on Symbicort … a preventer and reliever in one. It’s been an absolute revelation!! No anxiety and I only use it twice a day, morning and night. Previously I was taking my blue one 7/10 times a day.

If its the blue one it probably needs upgrading, I think all people with blue ones are being upgraded to different one, DH is just an occasional user and he was prescribed a better inhaler, I would book a GP appointment for this

Sounds like you’re not using your inhaler properly. Improper technique is a major issue.

When I started my job as a GP Receptionist I was told we never refuse medication for illnesses that are life threatening. Which includes inhalers for asthma, insulin for diabetics or blood thinners for example. Lost, run out, forgot to order in time or any other reason, not worth the risk.

You really can't make pronouncements without seeing the technique.

Poorly controlled asthma = repeat use of blue inhaler.

Sorry if I’m being a little thicko, but why are you paying for your prescriptions in the first place? You have a chronic condition, you should have that little certificate the GP gives you so it’s covered.

I apologise I can’t remember the correct name for it, even though I have one myself. Type one diabetic since 6 and I’ve never had to pay for mine, because it’s life saving medication - as is your inhaler.

Challenge this, they are in the wrong.

Sounds like my.daughter and she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 17. Continual coughing isn't the norm for Asthma it should only be when triggered. Get yourself checked out

Apologies, bad choice of words. I should have said, have you considered that your technique might need some modification as a large proportion of inhaler users have poor technique..

You've used 200 puffs in 21 days? You should only be using it 4 times a day, 10 puffs a day is excessive. Do you use a preventer as well? That maybe needs increased. The nurse should have recognised this obviously

When I've used up inhalers "too quickly" in the past, the GP has given me stronger medication to control my asthma.

Absolutely bonkers to essentially tell you off and leave you with nothing. You need to see someone else ASAP.

No one should be offering to send the OP inhalers. It’s not clear what exactly she’s been diagnosed with and for how long and also no one knows what is suitable for a random on the internet.

This is bonkers. I work in a GP surgery, only on reception but if an asthmatic patient called and said they needed another inhaler and it was a bit early we would put the request through to the GP, with a note that it was a bit early and why the request was a bit early then it’s up to them to decide. They may have asked to at least speak to you but usually the issue it and then ask for a follow up appointment.

Id phone your surgery again today and ask for an urgent appointment with the GP. If asked why say you want a second opinion as wasn’t happy with the outcome of a previous appointment

This

Agree. There’s definitely more to this. Something is very wrong if you’re getting through 200 puffs/month every month. And by the fact you’ve come to MN and not ED I suspect misuse.

Have you considered changing your GP surgery? It doesn’t sound like the existing one is working for you. A diagnosis of asthma in childhood should mean regular reviews with whatever the technical term for the puff test to check your breathing plus a regular review of medication. DH was diagnosed in his 30’s, was given both preventative and reactive inhalers and reviews to check his breathing regularly.

So helpful

asthma isn’t on the list of conditions which qualify you for a medical exemption certificate and free prescriptions. I have no idea why, it’s crazy.

OP: as others have said, get on the phone. Use specific language: your asthma is not under control and you have run out of inhaler and you are struggling with your breathing. Good luck x

She hasn’t been diagnosed since childhood. She says she’s had issues with coughing since childhood. She hasn’t actually specified how long she’s has a diagnosis for. Shes also repeatedly called her blue inhaler the preventative one. Yes it could be an innocent repeated mistake. But it also could be someone who hasn’t been using them very long and doesn't actually know much about asthma treatments. No one on here actually knows anything about the OP or her health issues. Everyone is so quick to blame the GP etc when really know one has any idea of her history.

You seriously should have called 111 last night, not waited until this morning If your asthma is that bad plus the preventer is not the one you should be taking surely while you are coughing?
And also it’s only £2.20 more than an NHS prescription. I know that sounds really stupid of me to point it out but it’s not a massive amount.
However, it is your GP practice that is at fault they should’ve had you in to examine you
I really hope you’re feeling better soon and that you get the help you need today

You cannot possibly draw that conclusion from the information in the OP. Sure, it’s a possibility, but it’s also entirely possible given that the OP is not using a preventer inhaler that her asthma is simply very poorly controlled and thus she’s experiencing severe symptoms leading her to resort to regular reliever inhaler use.

A preventer won’t relieve the coughing you should not take that for symptoms. That’s something you should take regularly and the steroids in it build up your lungs.

The blue inhaler is for relieving symptoms.

Please ask for an asthma review as you don’t seem to understand how to manage your condition.

Do you get free prescriptions? If not you’ll be paying the best part of a tenner for a new inhaler anyway so may as well crack on.

I do think you need to be more proactive with your health, OP. You need to educate yourself on asthma so that you understand what it is, the different treatment options and how these work so you can advocate for yourself. You also need to find out whether you have actually been diagnosed with asthma - if not, I would push to get started on that path as soon as possible, given the severity of your symptoms. The blue inhaler is just a sticking plaster. It will not solve your respiratory problems, and could end up giving you cardiac problems if you continue to overuse it.