The Asthma Society of Ireland

daenerysstormborn3

Could someone please tell me what this crowd are actively doing for asthma sufferers?

Saw them out shaking their buckets recently and asked one of the volunteers what they're raising money for and she wasn't able to tell me so I rang The Asthma Society themselves and they said they're continuously fundraising for research into asthma and asthma sufferers.

Does anyone know if they are doing anything to have asthma classed as a long term illness and possibly in turn reduce some of the financial burden on the thousands of asthma sufferers in Ireland?

Having suffered from chronic asthma for 24 years I don't understand how it isn't classed as long term illness.

FluffyCat

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Could someone please tell me what this crowd are actively doing for asthma sufferers?

Saw them out shaking their buckets recently and asked one of the volunteers what they're raising money for and she wasn't able to tell me so I rang The Asthma Society themselves and they said they're continuously fundraising for research into asthma and asthma sufferers.

Does anyone know if they are doing anything to have asthma classed as a long term illness and possibly in turn reduce some of the financial burden on the thousands of asthma sufferers in Ireland?

Having suffered from chronic asthma for 24 years I don't understand how it isn't classed as long term illness.

I dont think asthma will ever be classed as an LTI and the the whole title of LTI needs to be revised as it can be mis-leading.

During research of a college paper I came across the minutes of a dail meeting with the minister of health. In it they were asked about asthma and other illnesses and wheather or not they will be put on LTI.

The answer was no as they are cover on the DPS and there was no future plan to do so.

But I feel your pain, Ive been an asthmatic since birth and am on the heavy duty inhalers which dont have a generic version and never seem to reduce in price much!!

SeaSide

I think you could substitute just about any Society / Organisation / Federation and ask the same question about what they do

daenerysstormborn3

FluffyCat wrote: »

I dont think asthma will ever be classed as an LTI and the the whole title of LTI needs to be revised as it can be mis-leading.

During research of a college paper I came across the minutes of a dail meeting with the minister of health. In it they were asked about asthma and other illnesses and wheather or not they will be put on LTI.

The answer was no as they are cover on the DPS and there was no future plan to do so.

But I feel your pain, Ive been an asthmatic since birth and am on the heavy duty inhalers which dont have a generic version and never seem to reduce in price much!!

Me too and I'm really struggling after pay cuts and all the other recession rubbish.

DPS is all well and good if you can actually afford to pay €120 in the first place. One of my inhalers (I'm on 3) costs €85, if I was using it correctly I should be buying this particular one every 2 weeks but I can't afford it so I have to ration out my usage over a month and sometimes I go 2-3 months without buying it and it's not because I'm off spending my money on luxuries it's because I really have no money to buy the damn thing! I had my first asthma attack of the Autumn on Friday night (unfortunately not my first this year) and I'm just imagining a terrible few months ahead.

daenerysstormborn3

SeaSide wrote: »

I think you could substitute just about any Society / Organisation / Federation and ask the same question about what they do

The Asthma Society just seem to be fundraising everywhere. They were even at Oxegen last year and this year.

kellso81

I recently ran an asthma awareness day in my pharmacy where I had plenty of literature, hand outs and information provided by the asthma society. They also sent a specialist asthma nurse from dublin to spend the day with patients discussing their condition, their medication, inhaler technique, checking peak flow and answering any questions they had. All this for a small fee that would barely have covered her petrol expenses so I'm assuming the collections go towards providing extra services and maintaining the excellent care I seen that day!!!

daenerysstormborn3

kellso81 wrote: »

I recently ran an asthma awareness day in my pharmacy where I had plenty of literature, hand outs and information provided by the asthma society. They also sent a specialist asthma nurse from dublin to spend the day with patients discussing their condition, their medication, inhaler technique, checking peak flow and answering any questions they had. All this for a small fee that would barely have covered her petrol expenses so I'm assuming the collections go towards providing extra services and maintaining the excellent care I seen that day!!!

So yet more money going towards the asthma society that is apparently not going towards reducing the cost of medication, making generic brands available in Ireland or having asthma classed as a long term illness. That is ace!

You say extra services, well what are the normal services that they provide if these asthma awareness days are "extra" and what "excellent care do they demonstrate on days they are not in your pharmacy?

kellso81

pixiebean22 wrote: »

You say extra services, well what are the normal services that they provide if these asthma awareness days are "extra" and what "excellent care do they demonstrate on days they are not in your pharmacy?

I'm not involved in the asthma society so I can't answer that. If you really wanted to know you could try something radical and maybe ask them instead of spouting sh*te on a message board!

daenerysstormborn3

kellso81 wrote: »

I'm not involved in the asthma society so I can't answer that. If you really wanted to know you could try something radical and maybe ask them instead of spouting sh*te on a message board!

Read the OP before spouting sh*te :rolleyes:

Zaph

FluffyCat wrote: »

I dont think asthma will ever be classed as an LTI and the the whole title of LTI needs to be revised as it can be mis-leading.

I'm 44 and I've been asthmatic since I was 4. Last year I was diagnosed with diabetes and got an LTI card. Personally I would have thought that 40 years was more than enough to be considered long term. The reason asthma will never be classified as an LTI is purely financial. The number of asthmatics in Ireland has been steadily rising for the last 25-30 years and if every asthmatic was given an LTI card it would cost the DoH a fortune. The same can be said of diabetes incidentally, so I wouldn't be surprised if at some stage in the future it suddenly stopped being an LTI.

daenerysstormborn3

Zaph wrote: »

I'm 44 and I've been asthmatic since I was 4. Last year I was diagnosed with diabetes and got an LTI card. Personally I would have thought that 40 years was more than enough to be considered long term. The reason asthma will never be classified as an LTI is purely financial. The number of asthmatics in Ireland has been steadily rising for the last 25-30 years and if every asthmatic was given an LTI card it would cost the DoH a fortune. The same can be said of diabetes incidentally, so I wouldn't be surprised if at some stage in the future it suddenly stopped being an LTI.

Yeah Zaph it does seem like it's money motivated. It's such a pity. I wonder would the asthma society consider researching the link between worsening asthma symptoms and people being unable to afford their medication.

kellso81

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Could someone please tell me what this crowd are actively doing for asthma sufferers?

From their website:
The Asthma Society of Ireland is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 470,000 people in Ireland whose lives are affected by asthma.

Asthma Helpline

If you have a question about your asthma, our asthma nurse is here to help

Asthma Information Booklets

Browse our wide range of Asthma Information Booklets

Asthma Awareness Days

We regularly hold or take part in Asthma and Health Awareness Days around Ireland

"Asthma News" Magazine

Read past issues online or become an Asthma Society member to receive your copy.

Transtition Year Programme

If you would like to take part in our transition year work expeprience programme, read more here.

Pollen Forecast

In Spring & Summer you can download a daily pollen forecast here.

Asthma Videos

From How to use your inhaler device to asthma & the environment, our videos section helps you learn how to improve your asthma control.


Schools Policy

Information for schools to develop effective policies for children with asthma in attendance.

World Asthma Day

Information about the Asthma Society of Ireland's activities on World Asthma Day.

Campaigns

The Asthma Society launches campaigns regularly to highlight asthma issues and create asthma awareness.

As stated on their website, they're a charitable organisation, they do good work in educating sufferers of asthma and don't take any taxpayers money so they have to rely on donations. You are rightly upset at the cost of inhalers but, in a misguided attack, you seem to be focusing on the asthma society who can have no tangible effect on the price of these medicines. Maybe you should focus your ire on the elected representatives, the health service exeuctive and the drug manufacturers who are responsible for the ridiculous price of some medicines in this country

ontheditch2

Its kinda funny about the collectors. Every time i pass them with my brother, he always said "all the giving out you do about your asthma, then you don't give that crowd anything", to which my response is "I think €120 a month is enough money to be feeding my illness with", which usually ends the conversation.

I am 27 and have suffered asthma all my life.
The €120 a month is a huge burden, but it is worth it if it means i can live a normal life.

My biggest gripe is the money i have to pay my doctor every 6 months to get my prescription renewed. All i do is make the phone call, call into the office to collect the prescription, then get charged €40 for a prescription. "I'll be out of business if i gave out the prescription for free" is the response i get.
Is there a way of getting a repeat prescription for longer than that???

The only thing i look forward to is applying to the revenue for the money back every January.

Tabnabs

You need to get a new GP is the obvious answer. I used to pay €15 for the repeat prescription every 6 months but it has recently gone up to €25.

On a related note, it may be possible to get prescriptions cheaper up the north. I understand the €89 inhaler is £56 over the border. Worth remembering if you or anyone else is heading that direction.

wonbadood

daenerysstormborn3 wrote: »

Could someone please tell me what this crowd are actively doing for asthma sufferers?

Saw them out shaking their buckets recently and asked one of the volunteers what they're raising money for and she wasn't able to tell me so I rang The Asthma Society themselves and they said they're continuously fundraising for research into asthma and asthma sufferers.

Does anyone know if they are doing anything to have asthma classed as a long term illness and possibly in turn reduce some of the financial burden on the thousands of asthma sufferers in Ireland?

Having suffered from chronic asthma for 24 years I don't understand how it isn't classed as long term illness.

I absolutely hate their collectors asking me to "Help Asthma" when i just want to enter a shop and buy my needs only to get accosted again on the way out.
Theres a few shops in Cork i dont bother to buy from anymore due to these creeps, Ya Creeps, as if they're my friend or buddy like the Concern
collectors.

Bits_n_Bobs

My OH developed chronic asthma in 5/6 years ago and the only resource we found useful, helpful and obliging was the Asthma Society. The alternate resources, GP's and consultants were beyond useless.

We literally ****ed money at the problem for a couple of years including multiple (private) tests, visits to GP's and several different consultants with multiple visits to each of them. Financial buggery hardly describes it.

The free nurse service at the end of the phone provided FOC by Asthma Society was by far the most helpful.

Asthma Society of Ireland

Hi Bits n Bobs,

Delighted to hear that you found the resource helpful. I have passed on your comments to our Adviceline nurses. We are always here to help so don't hesitate to contact us again if you need support. The Adviceline is 1850 44 54 64, and is open 5 mornings per week.

You can also sign up on line for free membership of the Society and get the latest updates on everything asthma related in Ireland, and the more members we have the stronger our voice when we advocate for better services for asthma patients.

All the best
The Asthma Society team

Zaph

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