Unsympathetic GP

[Wanttotouchflamingos]

Just want to know if I am being unreasonable to feel upset. My toddler( 20 months ) had an issue for a while and today had a telephone consultation with the GP. As soon as I said that she coughs after running, he said blatantly, oh she is asthmatic and she will need a inhaler. This is exactly what he said, no pause or anything ! I was bit taken back because this was literally two minutes into the conversation. I understand this is not something big( but it is for me) and he proceeded to just tell me use the inhaler thrice daily. Is this how a GP talks or am I making a big deal out of this. The thing is we don’t have a named GP and every time it’s someone different. I have had some lovely doctors the other times so I don’t know if I am overreacting. When I questioned the treatment and asked what are the side effects , he said what are you worried about and to give the inhaler it’s very safe. I am a medical professional myself and I feel this is not how you converse. Not once he asked if I have any questions or anything of that sort. I understand the consultations are limited but it was a 20 minute consultation which got over in less than 5 minutes. After the call I felt so rubbish and when I proceeded to tell my husband about what happened he just said it’s unfortunately too common and we have to suck it up as some don’t have manners. Well I don’t think that should be the case. Would it be unreasonable to complain about this?

Sorry if there’s typo or errors, I feel so upset , let down and in tears while typing it down.

Call back and ask to speak to someone again. Complaint probably a bit too much as a 1st step.

Very unsettling, but yes maybe not complain (yet?). What you're describing is perhaps a poor bedside manner rather than negligence or bad advice.

Plan in advance what you want to say as it's an emotional subject. Try making a list of questions in advance of a second call. Look at NHS online for symptoms and treatment and query any differences to your DD. Given you're a medical professional yourself you might feel better having more detail.

You told him the issue and he gave a diagnosis. The inhaler will come with a leaflet with all the info or you can check on the NHS website (I do that with every medication, no matter how long the GP spends with me).

You’re a bit dramatic here. Asthma is very common and being in tears is ridiculous

He tried to help you. What did you want him to do instead. Coughs last for ages but they go In the end and if they don't the inhaler will help so I don't see the problem they can't see everybody at the moment it's a cough at the end of the day

GP consultations are usually 5-10 minutes rather than 20 unfortunately.

Yes OP you are being very dramatic. Athsma is pretty common in children and a lot of them grow out of it.
The inhaler will come with instructions, it would be pointless to explain how to use it Iver the phone.
What exactly are you worried about?

I was dx with Asthma at 2yo. As an adult, my GP told me that the clinical guidance means it is no longer generally accepted to diagnose a child that young as a more thorough diagnostic process is needed as the child grows, including trialling any medication. Ask for a second opinion and if any GPs at your surgery have a clinical interest in asthma/respiratory medicine - my GP did. I’m not a medical professional, just sharing what I was advised.

I think you're getting a hard time here! It's unusual to diagnose asthma before 5 now, so at the very least he's advice seems a bit out of date! Usually with such a young child they'd want to see them I'd have thought

Blimey some of the responses! yes it is not uncommon but it can be dangerous.

your gp didn't sound very caring at all.

Actually I woukd go back and speak to a different dr. wouldn't they need to see him..show you how to use the inhaler correctly?

Sorry. .she

Definitely get a second opinion if you’re unhappy Op but please don’t take it to heart.

Although asthma does seem a good possibility, I do agree with the others that it's not often diagnosed in a child so young, especially without at least a full examination

I would also be expecting a referral to the asthma nurse to be shown how to use the inhaler properly. It's not just squeeze and inhale, there are specific ways of taking them. I'm hoping the GP has at least prescribed a spacer for you?

A child under 2 being prescribed an inhaler without even being seen! I would be feeling exactly the same OP. You need a second opinion here and should push to get him assessed in person.

When I was diagnosed with asthma as a child it was after a lot of tests on my respiratory system, I’m not a doctor but I can’t understand how a condition such as asthma can be diagnosed over the phone? I would seek a second opinion definitely. On the plus side, I did grow out of it and I think my parents were more upset that I had it than I was.

I've been asthmatic all my life so I'm familiar with it, but I'd be very unhappy with that phonecall - both the speed of the diagnosis and the lack of discussion of the treatment. Not to mention what to do in an emergency! Uncontrolled asthma is dangerous and parents need to know what to do.

Seems to me that the doctor stopped listening to you immediately after you mentioned the coughing/running. Diagnosis made, end of. Not listening to any more, lalalalala, fingers in ears, end of discussion.

Make another appointment and ask to speak to a different GP or a practice nurse about it.

The diagnosis over the phone at such a young age is ridiculous. As are the comments about you being dramatic as asthma is 'so common'. It may be common but it is also a killer and to be given a diagnosis in such a glib way isn't on. At the very least you need a proper demonstration of how to administer the inhaler/use a spacer.

Asthma needs to be diagnosed through tests, have they listened to chest? Done spiro readings?

That seems strange. Asthma is not normally diagnosed until five. At two they would also need a spacer. Diagnosing medicine three times a day on the back of what you said seems odd. I think the abruptness and shutting you down with questions is very off.

Exactly. Diagnosing asthma under five based on symptom and starting on treatment without seeing her once is what shocked me. When I was concerned about the treatment , he said just use the inhaler. I am going to talk to someone and see what I can do about it. And for everyone who were kind and advised me the right thing, thank you . To the usual rude ones please try to be kind, when I mentioned I was in tears it was because he shut me off and didn’t answer my questions properly. He didn’t mention which inhaler he is prescribing( it could have been steroid) and when questioned about side effects he told me just use the inhaler! As a professional I would never rush to diagnose asthma in under 2 years over the phone nor would I ignore a worried mums queries!