No more mucous
Does anyone else no longer produce mucous? For the last 20 years or so of the 43 since I was diagnosed with asthma, I have not produced mucous. My primary and pulmonologist both say they hear a change in how the air is or isn't moving when my asthma is acting up. . Yet when I'm really struggling to breathe, and my inhaler isnt enough, and go to the ER, I am immediately told I'm having an anxiety attack and offered an anti-anxiety med. I often have to demand a breathing treatment. Once I have a treatment or two, then I'm fine. The ER doctor tells me he doesn't hear any crackling or congestion so it's not an asthma attack. This gets very frustrating.
Good morning. And thank you for your post and inquiry. It must be very frustrating and unfair to experience symptoms and for a doctor to not acknowledge them -- especially when you are in the ER and need the help. Sorry that you keep having to go through this. Have you considered discussing this pattern with your pulmonologist or primary care doctor? Perhaps your personal doctor could write a letter on your behalf to any future ER doctors who might care for you -- explaining how your asthma presents and what the best treatments for YOU are. I have done this in my asthma past with good results. What do you think? John. community moderator.
My pulmonologist has me put her number on my medical information sheet. The local doctors know that if I am her patient they can call, or believe me. The problem comes with traveling doctors who do not take time to either believe me or check my records.
Hi Victoria - I hear you!
Well, now that it is all straightened out for the physicians you routinely may see in the emergency department (ED), perhaps there is a way to insure that the 'traveling' doctors, who seem to be less understanding, can be encouraged to focus on you, the patient. If you are able to go to the ED with a relative or friend, that companion may be able to act as your best self advocate. If you go alone - the role will fall on you. Either way, the idea would be to impress on the 'unknowing' doctor that you are a well-known (to the hospital) asthmatic patient who requires a specific type of treatment. You can then insist, if the doctor will not listen, that a call be made to your pulmonologist. You also can certainly request to see the nursing administrative supervisor on duty. The supervisor should be able to help you through this as well. In many facilities, that is the precise role which the nursing supervisor plays.
What do you think?
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
Thank you. My husband is a great advocate but does get frustrated when they don't listen....no mucous, it's anxiety. I will remember this on my next visit.
Thank you again for the update. It sounds like you have a great husband to advocate on your behalf. I (we) do hope that you have better luck getting doctors to listen to you and to respect your asthma diagnosis in the future -- although, we also hope your asthma behaves itself and you can avoid the ER altogether. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator. Hi again, Victoria, and thanks for acknowledging my comment to you. Having a husband (like yours!), is indeed a tremendous asset! I cannot emphasize enough how important it would be to reach out to the nursing supervisor next time this occurs with the 'traveling' physician(s). ( I also hope it does not recur!). The very role of the nursing supervisor (sometimes called the nursing administrative supervisor or, an administrator-on-duty). Some facilities even have a patient advocate, nurse navigator, or patient ombudsman, to assist patients in situations just like the one you shared with us here in the community. These hospital roles are almost exclusively to insure patients are satisfied with their care. They are supposed to be able to respond rather quickly in these instances. I would think your hospital's emergency department is no exception.
I think it's a good idea for you to look into this should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation again. Should you feel so inclined, you could try to identify this level of hospital support while you are at home currently and before you may be in need of this level of care again. That way, you will know exactly who you will be reaching out to in the future.
Warm regards,
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
