Do I need to speak to a GP?

[SheldonSaysSo1]

I am asthmatic and have been using my blue inhaler most days for the last few weeks. I've attempted to contact the GP a couple of times but come up against issues with the receptionists saying only emergency issues are accepted. I was hoping things would settle down but they haven't, so I don't know where to go for advice now?

You should be asking for an appointment with the asthma nurse, rather than just a repeat prescription. If you're using your blood inhaler more than 3x a week your asthma is not considered controlled, and the nurse may want to review your preventer inhaler.

*BLUE inhaler, not blood, ffs!

I have been trying to get an appointment but keep being brushed off as not emergency. I haven't ever seen an asthma nurse, I'm not sure if its a thing at my practice.

You do need to yes. It is especially important at the moment that your asthma is well controlled - if using your blue inhaler that much it isn't.

Are you on a preventer as well? Do you have a plan? For instance my plan says that if I notice my peak flow falling or I need my blue inhaler more I increase my preventer by x puffs for x duration without needing to see a doctor/nurse.

Well I've got a seretide preventer that I am using twice a day (two puffs). As far as I'm aware it can't go any higher for this inhaler. I don't have a plan as such -normally I'd see/speak to my GP and get dose adjusted/steroid tablets if my asthma worsened. This time I can't get past reception to speak to anyone and my symptoms aren't improving.

If your asthma isn’t controlled surely that is an emergency?

We are being told we shouldn’t leave things and to get in touch with gp’s at the appropriate juncture.
Perhaps you haven’t explained the seriousness of the situation?

If she really won’t let you speak to him/her can you leave a message for him/her to tell them what the problem is?

I wouldn't randomly increase the dose without speaking to someone. Can you email the practice manager? And keep trying reception - ask them exactly what an emergency is, they might have more tightly defined criteria at the moment.

You need to tell the receptionist you are having an exacerbation of asthma and this is an urgent problem.

Also can you identify a trigger for the worsening symptoms? Are you allergic to things? Pollen has started and I find that an antihistamine can often work better than more inhaler (I get fexofenadine on prescription though). Or have you had a bad cold or something?

If your asthma isn’t controlled surely that is an emergency?

^yes. Remind the receptionist that badly controlled asthma kills people and you would like to speak to the asthma nurse, before you get to the point of needing an ambulance, when they have enough to deal with in the current pandemic.

It is becoming an urgent problem.

I would ask who the asthma specialist at the practice is - might be a GP, might be a nurse practitioner. Tell them you have respiratory problems and urgently need to speak to that person. And make it clear that if you aren't allowed, you will need to go to A&E.

Agree you need to push back at the receptionist as suggested.

Please call back and push the issue. It’s asthma related. It’s urgent.

Poorly controlled asthma is an emergency. Just ring up and say you need an emergency call because your asthma is deteriorating.

When you get to the GP, let them know you have been putting it off as receptionist gave you the impression this wasn't an emergency - they won't be impressed.

I work in a GP surgery as a receptionist OP. We are doing advice calls for asthma/COPD, chest infections etc amongst other things. It isn't up to the receptionist to decide what is or isn't urgent and asthma is urgent if it isn't controlled so you have every right to firmly ask to speak to a GP/asthma nurse. Does your surgery do e-consult? It will be on their website if they do.
It's receptionist like the ones at your surgery that gives others a bad name ! We're not clinicians, we're not medically trained so they have no right to block you from speaking to a GP.
Hope you get it sorted soon

I'm an asthma nurse and I would be furious if my patients were treated that way. Agree with previous posters- exacerbation of asthma IS an emergency and can be very dangerous. Please call again tomorrow. Best of luck!

Yes, tell the receptionist that it’s an emergency and say your asthma is no longer adequately controlled

Just drop your gp a note to say you are struggling with your asthma and have been unable to get beyond reception dezpite speaking with them and explaining on x, y and z Please cd I have an apt to see a gp asap. Send it registered so they can't deny receiving it.

I find that I have problems with my asthma gets me past the receptionist, they are not qualify To judge how big a problem, I have been known, in normal times, to threaten to go to a and e and tell them I am there as my gp won’t see me, that normally gets me an appointment. You know your asthma, if it doesn’t feel right, you need to talk to a doctor or nurse.

Yes deffo let the GP know what it's taken so long to get to them.

Thanks everyone. I finally managed to speak to a health adviser (I wasn't aware that I hadn't been booked in with a GP) who was reluctant to do anything. I had to ring back and complain to finally get a GP to alter my inhaler with a review next week.

Glad to hear you got there in the end, but I think that's really poor behaviour on their part.