Why don't they listen?

[Caran]

Saw consultant on Monday and got results of tests, I have COPD and a heart murmer. He prescribed 2 different inhalers. We had a chat about my history. Picked up prescription today. Had to have a chat with the pharmacist as part of the new medice system. One of them contains steroids. I had told consultant that under no circumstances would I take steroids. 10 years ago I had a nasty reaction to them and develpoed head to foot pustular psoriasis, in hospital for 5 weeks, lost all hair and nails due to chemo injections.Pharmacist phoned his secretary who had a word with him, apparently he3 rolled his eyes and said bl88dy woman. I am absolutely petrified of taking steroids again. Why will they not listen. He obviously thought if she doesn't know she will take them but pharmacist told me the contents. What would you have done?

[maggiebee]

I would insist they he prescribes something different. You know your own body better than he does and after your previous experience I can understand your concern.

[Canary42]

I would sue him.

[micmak]

Maybe this should be in B&S where Sqad would pick up on it. Good Luck.

[Caran]

Pharmacist asked and the answer was there is nothing else if you don't use the inhaler you will deteriorate - charming!

[Ann]

Some doctors are a disgrace - a good doctor should surely have picked up on that information from your records before prescribing.

[Caran]

I had actually explained to him my problem and that under no circumstances would I take steroids bt basically they think they are God. I came home and asked OH what he thought and he agreed with me, he said he would not let me go through that again.

[Ann]

Can you not go to a more sympathetic doctor for a second opinion?

[tinkerbell23]

Mabye they can offer a home nebuliser or something ...must be an alternatie surley!!! Imagine you were allergic say!!!?

You have the right to decline ..so hopefully youll get something different- and a new doc mabye!?? Xx

[Caran]

The sad thing is when I left the consultants surgery I thought what a really nice man. So I don't know whether my doctor can refer me to another specialist.

[Hopkirk]

Might they not be a different steroid to the one you reacted to?

Could you not try a small amount and see if there is any unfavourable effect?

[Caran]

Too scared, what if?

[Hopkirk]

What if .... you don't take the course of treatment your specialist recommends?

[Caran]

As he says I will deteriorate. but I cannot face the possibility of it happening again.

[annadomino]

There are steroids, and there are steroids. Most inhalers dont contain the nasty ones.
Google the brands.

[Caran]

Googling would not tell me anything, it's in my head, I cannot do it.

[jno]

there's a whole pageful of steroids listed here

http://www.steroid.com/steroid_profiles.php

One of them may have caused you grief; it doesn't follow that all of them will, just like if one antibiotic doesn't work another might.

Any idea which steroid it was that you reacted against last time?

[Caran]

No it was 10 yearish ago.

[jno]

it ought to be on your medical records - can you ask your GP?

[Caran]

The problem is they do not automaticaly transfer your records from one county to another. I have lived here for 8 years and was horrified to find my records had not been transferred. I did ask for this to be updated but we are still waiting for this to happen.

[jno]

then maybe get in touch with your old medical practice? Sounds like you're between a rock and a hard place here, but being fully informed should let you make better choices. You need to know what steroid caused you such bad problems, whether it's also the agent in the one you've now been prescribed; and if not, what similarities there are. Your GP needs to be fully informed on this as well.

You might get a more precise answer from someone like Sqad under Health.