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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want more than one inhaler prescribed at a time

65 replies

satsooma · 19/03/2016 09:42

I have asthma. I've used the same inhalers for decades. Every three months I order my repeat prescription. That is 3 preventer inhalers and 1 or 2 relievers, if they have run out. It seems a waste of everyone's time (mine, the receptionist's, the doctor's, the pharmacist's) to be ordering these every few weeks.

I use the preventer twice a day. I use the reliever maybe a couple of times a month, so I don't carry it around in my pocket (how many outfits even have pockets anyway). I can have serious asthma attacks though, so I keep inhalers at home, in my office, in my gym bag.

My doctor won't prescribe more than one inhaler at a time. It seems to be a cost saving measure, to reduce waste for medicines that aren't used. But I use these medicines every day and will use them for the rest of my life, so they are not saving money, just creating more paperwork. I attach a note with every prescription request asking for more (they wont take orders over the phone). Every time I get just one inhaler from the pharmacy.

I get through exactly 1 preventer inhaler a month. It is dangerous for me to have just 1 preventer in the house, in case I run out before I remember to reorder. It is even more dangerous to have just 1 reliever inhaler. It means I might not have an inhaler on me when I need it.

OP posts:
memorial · 20/03/2016 09:27

I have a daughter with asthma so I appreciate the difficulties.
All I'm saying is its not as simple as cost saving.
When GP's stop getting lambasted for every disease and sued and reported for not "following guidelines". When the job hasn't become so utterly shit that we all live in fear of being sued, struck off or made bankrupt.
Perhaps then we can go back to wiggle room.until then this is the NHS that the government (and public) have made.
And as increased privatisation, regulation and criticism takes hold it will continue to get worse.
You can't have the old school kindly flexible GP in the current system I am afraid.

memorial · 20/03/2016 09:28

Topcat actually highlighted what this is about. Overordering implies poor control and a rv and possible change of meds.
Read the NRD report

LavenderRain · 20/03/2016 12:59

This is totally not the point but I was at the pharmacy in tesco yesterday.
A lady asked if it was possible to buy a child's asthma spacer as she was on holiday and had forgotten hers.
They wanted to charge her £24 !!
Poor woman stood gobsmacked for a minute then declined.

inlectorecumbit · 20/03/2016 13:18

As a prescriber albeit in Scotland l would say you should always have at least 2 spare inhalers- when 1 finished order a replacement, Reliever inhalers cost peanuts compared to the treatment needed to treat full blown asthma attacks. I am surprised at their reluctance to prescribe. If you are using only 2 reliever inhalers per year it would suggest your asthma is well controlled and you manage it well.
In our surgery we have changed to 8 weekly prescriptions to cut down on workload for all involved although l think the pharmacists prefer 4 weekly for payment purposes

lorelei9 · 20/03/2016 13:27

I have asthma as well and I am surprised by this

I am told to have a spare - I mean, not constantly but to be sure I am never on the verge of empty inhalers. Also, I think there's a strong argument for having one by the bedside - I have had attacks at night - and one for your daytime - presumably in bag or jacket to take to work.

Maybe chat with the practice manager?

memorial · 21/03/2016 07:33

The PM is not a clinician and will have absolutely zero say over what is prescribed. If my PM tried to suggest to me what I prescribed he wouldn't have his job long.
And this bizarre misconception a PM c an tell the GP what to do. In most practice the PM is employed by the doctors not the other way round.

memorial · 21/03/2016 07:35

And its not about having a spare its about 3-4 relievers on repeat. Even 1 / month on repeat was adviced against by NRD.

memorial · 21/03/2016 07:38

Inlector I'm Scotland did you read the report I posted earlier? As a "prescriber" (not a doctor then?) . 8 week repeat prescriptions of reliever is not recommended and you open your practice to sanction by doing so. Not to mention putting patients at risk.
Before giving internet advice go educate yourself.

BettyBusStop · 21/03/2016 13:22

So what would be reasonable? Two relievers in a 12 month period and if you need more get called in for a review? (But have the two issued together so you have a spare.).

And preventers on 8 week prescription cycle? But actually allow you to order the new prescription before you get to the dregs?

Legwarmersforboys · 29/09/2016 18:50

This has just happened to me very annoying.
Normally get 2 this time got one.
Even when I said I would like one for next to the bed & one for the bag I carry around.

LIZS · 29/09/2016 18:51

I just reorder before one runs out then keep the low one for emergencies in my bag.

Topknob · 29/09/2016 18:54

I order two at a time online. It costs £19.99 plus postage.

topcat2014 · 29/09/2016 19:00

I do feel for you (fellow asthmatic) - but I think I read that they don't want people over using relievers instead of getting proper preventer medication sorted.

I used to have a brown inhaler I couldn't tolerate - so didn't take it.

Since changing to seretide as a preventer things are much more under control.

topcat2014 · 29/09/2016 19:03

Just realised this is a zombie thread that came back to life and I replied again - at least I was consistent in replies.

Legwarmersforboys · 29/09/2016 21:25

I'll just have to get more organised & remember to reorder

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