Vaccine and gp

[Elli86]

Morning guys.

Phoned gp yesterday to ask if I was now considered high risk and could have the covid vaccine. Was told they’re very busy and I need to wait till they contact me. Is this about normal? I’m only 34 and I get that older people need to be vaccinated before I do just want to check that this is how it’s been working and if you guys had to go through your gp to get the vaccine or if there’s another way?

Thanks guys 👍

[BobD Volunteer]

AF alone is not a health risk to improve your place in the queue. If you had a sheilding letter from NHS originally this should put you in the high risk zone and ensure an early vaccine.

[Buffafly]

I (76) had a text to call health centre for an appointment, my husband (85) was called by hc and others have had letters with instructions for making appointments. You have a long wait so keep doing youknowwhat 😷

[CDreamer]

I’m 69, immune suppressed, considered ‘extremely clinically vulnerable’ so have been shielding for 12 months now and got invitation to have a vaccine yesterday from the GP.

There are huge notices everywhere saying ‘Don’t call us please - we will call you when your turn comes along’.

I think you will need to wait for quite a long time as Lone AF does not qualify you and yes you need to wait until you are invited to go for your jab, however frustrating that may be for you and the other millions waiting.

[Elli86]

I wouldn’t know if there were signs at my gp as I never visit there unless I absolutely have too. I’m young so I don’t pick up a pension and I run a business so I have very little support from the government. I have 2 young kids and a mrs too look after and my income hinges on getting the ablation and getting myself vaccinated so I can stand a chance of getting myself back to work and provide for my family. While I understand that they are working their way down the list of what they consider more vulnerable people, I also think they need to take into account the people who are receiving very little financial support and need to provide for their family’s.

In light of recent research that suggests af sufferers are showing a higher rate of morbidity, I think this should allow you a couple of extra rungs up the ladder when partnered with the fact that I have a young family that relies on me and I’m not receiving the level of support that so many others are afforded.

I totally understand I wouldn’t be at the front of the cue and that’s why I stated it in original post. There are people that need it more than me of course but I don’t think just because of my age that I should be last in line either.

[Buffafly]

Have you contacted the CAB? They may be able to advise you re work, benefits etc. Can your partner not work since you are at home? You might consider chucking the Bisoprolol ASAP because the longer you take it the longer it takes to get off it - a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem doesn’t have the mild anti arrhythmic properties of bisoprolol but neither does it ‘cosh’ you. Don’t worry about (not) getting the vaccine as the extra morbidity affects people who already have poor prospects and not being vaccinated doesn’t stop you working. The BHF have a good online heart rehabilitation class which you could try to recover a bit of fitness too.

Best wishes 🍀

[Elli86 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks for info buff I shall look into that. I’m hoping for a swift referral to st barts for the ablation. I think this will be my best bet for a return to some sort of fitness. In the meantime I’m hoping for some sort of drug change. I wasn’t aware of the issue you mention with bisoprolol. I knew you had to wean off it but not to the extent you mention. The nhs cardio I’ve spoken to suggested diltiazem and the private ep I spoke too suggested sotalol 😫 not sure what to do about that one. Since getting the watch it has been pushing me to force myself to do a little exercise each day. Little being the operative word. Been doing a couple of short walks each day 20/30 a pop. Seem to be making some sort of improvement 🤞 albeit not monumental by any stretch. Hopefully can continue in baby steps 🙏🙏

[Buffafly in reply to Elli86]

Great! Forgot to say, Tai Chi is the best, good for breathing control and mental health as well as physically.

Also, my personal opinion completely and you might want to post a query about Sotolol, but I think it’s best to try the simplest thing first and that is diltiazem. I take Zemtard 180 XL but the dose can go a lot higher. I was zombified on a combination of Propafenone (same class as Flecainide) and diltiazem but on its own it’s fine for me.

[Elli86 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks again buff. I’m still undecided on which tablets to go for. Seem to be improving on the bisoprolol at the minute. Could be the exercise I’m forcing myself too do or it could be the green tea I’ve cut out as it’s got trace elements of caffeine. Not sure either way I’m able to do my walks each day, so not sure I want to push it by changing drugs again

[Buffafly in reply to Elli86]

I can’t take bisoprolol but many people say if you can push through the lethargy you can get used to it with time so it sounds as though you are doing well!

[Barb1]

AF alone does not put you on the vulnerable list.

[johnMiosh]

I received a letter in October (I think) telling me I was a priority for the flu vaccine due to my underlying health conditions. I called to check, these were not related to AF, but actually asthma and hay fever (underlying so much that I haven't had treatment since childhood). I had the flu jab, for the first time.I have checked on the Covid vaccine and my priority is based solely on age, not any other conditions.

[Elli86 in reply to johnMiosh]

It seems I’m going to have to wait John. Thanks for info anyway. Looks like I’m going to be waiting a long time

[Grayjay]

Sorry Elli86, that's false information, I read it somewhere but turns out to be not true. Please ignore my post. X