The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

nursemaggie

fuddle I endorse what Mrs CD says about buying the pre-paid prescription. It must have saved me hundreds over the years until I started getting them free for being over 60. It's a lot to pay out at first but after 4 months you break even, less if you have any extra prescriptions.

It must be so good to know you have a proper diagnosis. Just knowing what is causing the problem will make you feel so much better because worrying about it makes it worse.

Softstuff

Well 1 shirt out of 2 isn't bad Nursemaggie, and what a find with that bank account!

ivyleaf

nursemaggie wrote: »

Good to see you again Softstuff. Sounds silly but I have missed you on here.

Me too, I kept thinking "Where's Softstuff, I hope she's all right!" and then remembering that of course she was over here

How's your DS getting on nursemaggie? Have those good socks helped his poor feet? ETA just read your post about the bank account, what a lovely surprise, and how sweet that your mother made sure he didn't miss out on his 18th and 21st birthdays.

fuddle So glad you are feeling better and that it wasn't a clot on the lung - my DD1 had that a couple of years ago and it was very frightening to think we could lose her :eek:
If you go for an annual pre-paid prescription card you can pay over 10 months (or you could when I used to get them not long ago so I assume you still can), though they won't send the card out until your first payment has reached them. You can get three-monthly ones too but those have to be paid for all at once.

Lyn What a lovely weekend you had

Nargleblast

fuddle - pre-paid prescription card (PPC) currently £104 a year paid in 10 monthly instalments of £10.40. You will probably be prescribed an inhaler to take regularly (something like beclamethasone, but there are other types too) and a salbutamol inhaler to take as a reliever if you feel more wheezy than normal. Also, if you ever need antibiotics, painkillers, steroids, or anything for any random problem that crops up, your PPC will cover that too.

silvasava

Fuddle - I developed stress asthma in my 30's & it has been well controlled for over 35 years and I would endorse Nellies comments. Just as an aside many years ago I had my thyroid removed which made me elegible for free prescriptions for everything. I assume this is still the case but wonder how much I have cost the NHS for inhalers as I believe mine are about £90 each!! As my asthma is well controlled and helped by yoga breathing sessions I don't always need a new inhaler now so I try to just have one in use and one spare & not stockpile.

Nargleblast

Also noted your linking digestive issues to asthma. This is a fact, inflammation in one body system has an effect on another body system. Hence the link between eczema and asthma, and arthritis and psoriasis. I was told by a respiratory physician once that lots of people with inflammatory bowel disease often have a persistent cough during flare ups, something I have noticed myself when my colitis is being naughty.

Floss

Nargleblast wrote: »

Also noted your linking digestive issues to asthma. This is a fact, inflammation in one body system has an effect on another body system. Hence the link between eczema and asthma, and arthritis and psoriasis. I was told by a respiratory physician once that lots of people with inflammatory bowel disease often have a persistent cough during flare ups, something I have noticed myself when my colitis is being naughty.

That explains why my chest has been tight the last few days, as my IBS has flared up. Thank you!

CRANKY40

Glad you're OK Fuds. The other thing which is a godsend when you are asthmatic is a peak flow meter. Ask the doctor for one on prescription and the asthma nurse will show you how to use it. Once your asthma is controlled you can begin taking readings and discover what your normal peak flow is. The clever bit is that when you start to feel a bit breathless you can then monitor your peak flow and see how much below normal it is. I also worked out with the asthma nurse at what point I go to the doctors for help and at what point to dial 999 (I have a tendency to be a little over optimistic and think it will improve on it's own. It doesn't always do that).

It's a simple enough device (just a calibrated tube that you blow into) but it's very handy. In years gone by when I went to the doctor I could only report that I was having trouble breathing. Now when I go and say I'm having problems I can hand in peak flow readings which gives the doctor a much more accurate insight into what's happening.

Softstuff

ivyleaf wrote: »

Me too, I kept thinking "Where's Softstuff, I hope she's all right!" and then remembering that of course she was over here

That tickled me :rotfl:

Meanwhile, back in the land of skippy, I am mentally and physically exhausted. I'm giving myself the week off... or trying to.

Anyone fancy bringing me a cream scone and a cup of tea?

Funny the connections with inflammation info. Ever since my stomach issues started I get a runny blocked nose when I eat, can well see how it could make other conditions worse.

ivyleaf

Aww Softstuff, not surprised you're exhausted! Yes, try to rest as much as you can for a few days. Scone and tea coming your way - sorry they're only virtual ones ((HUGS))