Free Asthma Pack

Julieforde

Thank you for ordering information from Asthma UK. This will be posted to you tomorrow (or the next working day). Orderd mine I have had Asthma for six years now and its a right pain as you suffers will know

lorweld

Hi guys I know most of these posts are old but just a reminder about giving medical advise. Thanks a million

MEDICAL ADVICE

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this: Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on this forum as it’s not what this site is about. While discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable we ask you specifically not to discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please see this rule on the Health Board). If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

adlee

towertradersuk wrote: »

does any one know if you can buy asthma pumps over the counter without a prescription, as i know i have asthma but when i go to docs and do the breath test thing they say i havn't got it. but i know that i'm not having an attack at that moment, i get an attac if i get out of breath from runnig or if i laugh to much. so its only occassionally that i need a pump.

I had a very similar problem - actually I had full on wheezing and asthma attacks in the morning, especially if it was really cold, yet the GP I used to see was completely incompetent, basing her analysis on the fact that she couldn't hear any breathing difficulties through her stethoscope, which she shouldn't do, because whenever I saw her it would be late morning or afternoon, when the lungs are no longer inflamed!

Diagnosis should be made through peak flow monitoring. In the first instance, your GP should prescribe you one of these, so that you can monitor lung capacity the moment you wake, and when you go to sleep. After 1 - 2 weeks it should be apparent from your peak flow history if you are asthmatic / mild asthmatic or not. The GP should make diagnosis from this, however, see if there is an asthma nurse / specialist that you can visit in your area - these are generally far more experienced and able to spot asthmatic symptoms than most GPs, by virtue of the fact they deal with them all the time. I was only properly diagnosed after moving to a new location, where there happened to be an asthma nurse at my nearest surgery. An asthma nurse can diagnose and prescribe inhalers. I hate to sound ungrateful for our wonderful NHS, but from the experience of many friends up and down the country, as well as myself, I know that there aren't many GPs who can correctly diagnose an illness, and in most cases seem more interested in getting you out of their door and ticking you off the list, rather than actually finding out whats wrong. [Private Eye regularly comments on this, because of course it is primarily government targets that force GPs to push as many patients through their doors as possible.]

adlee

[General advice to any asthma sufferer]
If you get presribed the becotide steroid (brown) inhaler, it is worth asking your GP / asthma nurse to prescribe an "Aerochamber plus" inhaler spacer - this allows the steroid to expand more fully, so that it can be delivered more efficiently to the lungs, rather than having most of it stuck to the back of your throat! It looks like a big plastic tube but with a difference - it has a very useful sounder (which works like a harmonica) that sounds if you breath in too hard. Normally its around £15, so obviously cheaper to get it on prescription - especially if you have pre-pay card.

so2006

I have never ever got one of these packs, I ordered them like 4 times already. I give up lol

marcellep

so2006 wrote: »

I have never ever got one of these packs, I ordered them like 4 times already. I give up lol

I got mines today

bigzippy

Am I right in thinking that there isn't a peak flow measurer in this pack? I don't wanna order one if there isn't, I'd rather leave it for the ones who would benefit.

I've had asthma since I was a child and I've never been offered a measurer or told what my flow should be! And I had two hospitalising attacks last year!

lifelite

towertradersuk wrote: »

does any one know if you can buy asthma pumps over the counter without a prescription, as i know i have asthma but when i go to docs and do the breath test thing they say i havn't got it. but i know that i'm not having an attack at that moment, i get an attac if i get out of breath from runnig or if i laugh to much. so its only occassionally that i need a pump.

Sounds like you may have a type of asthma called exercise induced asthma (EIA). Also, strong emotions such as sudden episode of laughing or crying can also trigger this type of asthma symptoms.
The inhaler (asthma pump) is only available in this country via your GP or practice nurse and anyone on an inhaler should have regular check up to make sure the inhaler is controlling symptoms. If your symptoms are not well controlled it is likely you could damage your lungs and may (in later life) develop aa condition called obstructive airways disease (not good)

I suggest you return to your GP or practice nurse (You may find your practice nurse is much more experienced in the field of asthma care) and tell them again about your symptoms. Maybe your GP is not up to speed with the different types of asthma

3bhunter

Thank you for this post

strachson

i used to live in spain and over there you can buy inhalers over the counter at the pharmacy. they are about twice the size of our ones and cost around 3 or 4 euros. just goes to show what a bunch of theiving !!!!ers the nhs is