It’s a prescription for miscommunication, an unnecessary pill to swallow. Why? Because 30 minutes after walking out the door, the average person will forget 40 percent of everything the doctor said!

That’s why patients in medical research programs are given written instructions to follow and a daily symptom record to complete. Memory simply isn’t as good as the hard copy!

Ask your physician or healthcare provider for a written Asthma Management Plan (AMP). AMPs come in many sizes, shapes, and forms and should be easy for you to read and understand.

The AMP will change over time as your symptoms change, new medications become available, or your medical care team (physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, etc.) changes.

Some AMPs include a daily symptom diary to measure the day-to-day response to treatment. Others utilize checklists and fill-in-the-blank style forms. Some physicians provide a blank sheet of paper and pen attached to a clipboard and ask the parent or patient to write things down the way they will understand them best. Just make sure you review your notes with your physician before leaving the appointment if you select this option!

At minimum, the AMP should include:

• Steps to resolve the current set of symptoms and concerns
• When to expect improvement
• What to do if symptoms worsen or do not improve
• Next scheduled review of the AMP
• Steps to prevent symptoms
• Emergency contact information

The AMP is a powerful communication tool. Use it wisely as you learn to:

• Identify and eliminate or reduce exposure to the things that activate symptoms
• Discover the early warning signs that signal that an episode is underway
• Use medications with confidence to halt or prevent symptoms
• Know the correct names and reasons for using medication
• Know when to increase and decrease medications
• Discuss unwanted medication side effects with your physician
• Examine the full range of treatment options with your physician or medical care provider, including immunotherapy

Use a daily symptom diary and peak flow meter to measure success of the AMP and to record and report changes to your airway function and symptoms in response to medications. You’ll know when your AMP is working because you or your child will be able to:

• Sleep through the night without asthma symptoms
• Attend school or go to work refreshed and breathing well
• Do physical activities such as walking, jogging, riding a bike, and household chores without symptoms
• Eliminate the need for emergency visits to the hospital or unscheduled doctor visits

Your AMP is your strategy to recognize, respond to, and prevent life-limiting and life- threatening symptoms! If you don’t have a written AMP, pick up the phone and call your physician and make an appointment now!

AsthmaTracker
AANMA’s own AsthmaTracker is a comprehensive daily diary system. A 12-month supply of diary pages helps you keep track of symptoms, medications, peak expiratory flow rates, and questions. Purchase this easy-to-use symptom diary today at the General Store!

Excerpts reprinted from the Allergy & Asthma Health Consumer Guide 2002.