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Ask
the doctor or nurse to write the instructions for taking your medicines
on an Asthma Action Plan. |
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Questions
to ask the doctor or nurse:
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Which
medicines are preventive medicines and which are quick relief
medicines? |
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For
each medicine ask:
• How much to take and when to take it.
• How long to take it.
• What are the possible side effects and how to avoid them?
• Is it inhaled medicine, a pill, or a syrup?
• About how much will it cost?
• Can I get two prescriptions so that I can keep one at
school?
• How to use your pump or inhaler correctly. |
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Ask
for a spacer if any medicines are in a pump. |
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Ask
for a peak flow meter and instructions on using it. |
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Ask
what to do and who to call if your breathing gets worse and your medicine
is not helping. |
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Ask
to speak a social worker if you have trouble paying for medicines
or doctor's visits, or need help with housing or other issues that
effect your asthma. |
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At
each visit, the doctor should:
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take
a peak flow reading |
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ask
you about recent symptoms |
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show
you how to use a pump |
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discuss
your triggers and how to prevent asthma episodes |
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tell
you what to do if you have asthma at school or work |
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tell
you how to get in touch if you are having asthma symptoms after
the office is closed |
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review
your Asthma Action Plan |
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When
you go to the doctor, always:
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bring
all of your medicines, including home remedies or nonprescription
medicines |
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bring
your peak flow meter and diary |
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bring
your spacer |
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demonstrate
how you use your medicines and peak flow meter to make sure
you are doing it right |
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Tell
your doctor right away if because of asthma, you have:
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missed
school or work |
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had
symptoms, including waking at night due to coughing |
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gone
to the emergency room |
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been
hospitalized |
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