Coronavirus

I know we’re all at some risk here with our Asthma to the Coronavirus but when friends keep telling me that I am in the vulnerable category it’s freaking me out more. However the majority of us can’t lock ourselves away, give up our jobs! Even if we did we can only be responsible for ourselves say if a family member isn’t careful and comes into contact with the virus what then? Thank you for reading just needed to get that off my chest!

[Sunnydays1982]

I don’t like anyone saying that to me either!! 😳🦠 My only reassurance is if your taking your medication and your asthma is under control surely that will help us get through this virus?

[Darceydoo]

🤞and keep smiling otherwise we could go mad!

[Poobah]

I think it's a positive thing for your friends to recognise that you are going to have to be careful. The opposite would be friends that ignore that and belittle the potential risk (there are such people).

Maybe you could turn it into a challenge with forfeits? Every time one of your friends mentions it they have to buy you a drink or donate to your favourite charity. They shouldn't feel like they're walking on eggshells but know that there will be consequences for saying the "V" word and that their job is to make things fun during this time.

[Nessie87 in reply to Poobah]

Yes my so called husband. According to him asthma is ‘just a little cough’ no care nor empathy.

[Poobah in reply to Nessie87]

That would really wind me up. I have some family members like that - if you did this, you would be OK. Or, you're not fit, that's why you can't breathe properly. If you go to the gym it would soon go away. And, allergies are all in the head, they're made up by drama queens. Or, some people just haven't got a work ethic, I always go to work when I'm sick and so should everyone else.

I've heard it all. Interestingly, one family member suffered severe breathing problems on a holiday to the Himalayas - now they show much more concern for me. Sometimes you have to walk a mile in someone else's shoes to appreciate their situation.

[Nessie87 in reply to Poobah]

Oh thank you 🙏🏻! Someone who truly understands. All your comments resonate with me 100%

I’ve always looked after myself, as many others do. I have other problems like fibromyalgia and osteopenia, osteoarthritis and I try hard to cope with everything; but sometimes unnecessary comments cut to the heart.

[Blue-Breeze]

Personally for me I'd be more grateful that people recognise I'm in the high risk group, than the ones that are flippant with the I've got asthma too after you have just been in resus.

I would reply thank you very much for recognising this. I hope you understand I will be social isolating myself apart from work.

It's really a tough call for us all. I'm lucky I don't work I have a husband who cares for me. I'm social isolating myself as of yesterday. The problem could come if he was to get sick....

[LittleIreland]

Same with me, but I've got a voodoo doll and will be working some karma on them

[golden-retriever]

I’m grateful for people’s concern when they tell me I’m vulnerable. They are not telling me anything I don’t already know, so it doesn’t freak me out, and it just shows that I have people who care about me.

[Shadowcat04]

I have been thankful to my understanding boss (principal) and fellow teachers who encouraged me to take a leave before our governor cancelled all schools. I have been in the hospital 2 times in the last twelve months- both for severe asthma exacerbations brought on by a virus and bronchitis. It doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch to me that if I catch this Corona virus, I could end up in the hospital. I’m still coughing and short of breath from the last flare! No fever, I’m pretty positive it’s still just asthma that we haven’t been able to get totally under control.

So, I am thankful that friends and family don’t think I’m overreacting by staying home and away from people.

[Abc64]

I ama nurse, who works with immunosuppressed patients. My work colleagues know I’m at risk. Last year I was in resus after an asthma attack and also was hospitalised with pneumonia. I will be careful, but I will keep working. My trust has a duty of care to me, but I also have responsibility to keep myself safe. A work colleague said yesterday that I am in the at risk group. She said it because she cares. People who recognise that you are in an at risk group show that they are thinking about you. Please don’t see it as a negative.

[Tugun]

I'm just hoping that they find a cure/vaccine quickly.

[Tugun]

It doesn't freak me out but I find myself having to dampen their fears for me. This is hard when I also have to do the same thing to myself. One friend suggested that I leave the city I am in when the first case came to light. Ummmm - not possible.

[Calmcat in reply to Tugun]

It sounds like you have to put in a lot of emotional work dampening other peoples fears. I find that very tiring. I have to do that for my child but for everyone else I’m trying to retrain myself to ‘be selfish’ and put my energy into getting better (currently in a three wee flare up so signed off work)

[Tugun in reply to Calmcat]

Wishing you all the best. Keep warm and look after yourself.

[Calmcat in reply to Tugun]

Thanks 😊

[Jandm]

I pretty much live in isolation as a way of life during the whole of virus season due to multiple respiratory problems. The only contact I have is with my other half. Now it’s even more difficult with this new virus as there are no early indicators of disease. Our contingency was always split up at the first sign of illness, stay away somewhere alone, and come back home when the illness passed. Now we are living separately in the same house, 2 metre distance, separate bedrooms, constantly cleaning all areas that have been touched. This all may sound like overkill, but he is a doctor and comes into contact with a lot of people. I’ve been told i’d be lucky to survive a cold, so this has now taken it up a notch. In some respect Im probably more fortunate because I’m unable to work, and I’m used to the isolation. That’s easier than being ill.

Stay positive, stay vigilant and stay safe. Baton down the hatches and let’s get through this.

[Matthewwales]

I have been speaking to a lady on Facebook who has the virus ..asthma support on Facebook. She has been bad with it but not in danger. She also suffers blood clots on her lungs. She said the worst was the fever. She uses her blue inhaler a lot but is 4 days in and so far so good. She thinks she is coming to the end of the virus.

[Hidden in reply to Matthewwales]

Thank you for that it makes you feel less afraid to know that someone else with Asthma is coping and not too poorly with the virus.

[Hidden]

Hi Faith I've had a few friends telling me I'm extra vulnerable. They smile with relief because they feel are at less risk than me. It's patronising. I know we "Asthma Angels" are vulnerable but we don't need to keep being reminded. Imagine if we constantly told a smoker that they are in the high risk group for cancer. Stop using my condition to make yourselves feel less vulnerable. 😞 It's hard enough without giving us those pitiful looks.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes Hidden thank you that’s exactly it with some!

[Bearrules]

Hi everyone I feel what you are saying. It’s so scary facing this not being ‘at 100%’ and I’m in the middle of an asthma crisis. I’m so scared. But it may be reassuring to know that I was reading a study from China showing risk factors and asthma was not one of them. Surprisingly. So let’s think positively. Big hugs Edit: found the link: eaaci.org/resources-list/re...

[Hidden in reply to Bearrules]

Thank you for that Bearrules that is very reassuring.

[JPCoetzee in reply to Bearrules]

Have you got a link for that? Many thanks xx

[Bearrules in reply to JPCoetzee]

Yes! Just added it in my original post 😊

[DollyDutchGirl in reply to Bearrules]

Unfortunately Bearrules, the government does consider asthma among the underlying illnesses.... I also have hypertension plus, carry the blood clotting gene, Factor V Leiden as well as asthma and - am over 70. Consequently, we have to cancel an upcoming cruise due to be ‘very vulnerable’....

[Pooka in reply to Bearrules]

Thank you so much for that link, I've been trying to find proper clinical guidance rather than rumours for days! Feel better now!

[Nifflerluck]

I'm a little more freaked out about it as well especially after being in hospital twice this week due to my asthma. My work has sent me home to work from home and my wife who works in the same company has been sent home aswell even though she could go into the office yet to decrease the risk to myself.

Yet have family and friends who are quite flippant about ot sayings it's nothing so have a mixture of responses. All one can do is the best one can.

The panic buying doesnt help though as cant find anything and we not even panic buying.

Keep safe everyone

[Hidden in reply to Nifflerluck]

Sorry to hear that you have been in hospital recently due to asthma! Your company sounds very sensible taking precautions. I haven’t heard of any known cases yet but I guess it’s just a matter of time! Half of the people I know are treating it as if it is nothing to worry about whereas the others are worrying!

All we can do is to be as prepared as we possibly can I guess and hope and pray we all pull through it.

[Hidden]

I'm asthmatic and had a suspected case last week at work when they told people to go home until a deep clean was done. My company know I have asthma but don't really care about my welfare, so wouldn't expect them to take any extra steps to protect me. I just get by everyday trying not to worry, my only worry is the stress it causes my wife & daughter as they're worried sick about me catching it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

So sorry to hear that. By law surely they have a duty of care to protect you! I totally relate to worrying more about your loved ones.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was given a letter on Thursday 19th March highlighting the vulnerable ones and i fell into 2 areas. i came home now im off til June 11th. My company have been great but sadly its only sick pay i will get which is un-fair due to it not being my fault. hopefully the government will make up my wages. My husband works at Asda and he said people were queuing up at 5am and it didnt open til 8am he said there were about 400 people. i feel sad for those who cant go out. Our families suffer too due to worrying about us. The peak in the uk should be in around 2 weeks or so the government says.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

So sorry to hear that it will only be sick pay Hidden although you can’t risk your life! I worry that you’re husband is still having to work at Asda where he will be coming into contact with so many! As for people queuing at 5am for food when they don’t open until 8am that is very scary!xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply. My husband has been given 3 months off. im so glad.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That’s fantastic news Hidden look after yourselves and stay safe.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks you too x

[Angel6767]

I know I am in the at risk group (life long asthma now copd) I have had pneumonia once have since had the jab but understand it doesn't protect you from the coronavirus. It's not a nice feeling to know you are one of the people at risk I hate knowing that but it's the truth and those that are have to face up to it. My family & freinds are very aware of my condition & act accordingly which I am grateful for.

[mx5mada]

its a difficult time for all those with underlying conditions! life goes on though xx i understand its worrying though

[redstar9]

I am in the at risk group as I have severe asthma and was hospitalised for five days in February after I caught a virus. My husband is also at risk as he has type 2 diabetes and COPD. We are both agency support workers mainly looking after individuals with learning disabilities and autism in supported living. We are also parent carers to our disabled son. We work opposite shifts so that someone is always home for our children. It's hard to know what to do. At the moment we are following all the guidelines issued and are continuing to work. Don't know how we will manage if we have to self isolate. The other worry is that one of us may become stuck at work due to staff sickness or infection and end up quarantined there. Trying not to panic but these are worrying times.

[Hidden in reply to redstar9]

So sorry to hear that it sounds like it’s quite challenging for you on a daily basis let alone with the added worry of this damn virus!xx

[redstar9 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Faith007, it's hard but we do what we can to make sure that our children are ok. We share the working and childcare down the middle. I used to be at home full time but we can't manage on one wage and carers allowance. As we both have health conditions this is the fairest way to work it but our job puts us at risk and we risk taking infections home to our son as well. Not ideal.

[Bdawn]

I'm trying to figure out how to navigate visits with my grandchildren. Their ages are 9, 11, and 13. I stopped by to visit them last night and apparently they have no concept of social distancing. I hadn't seen them for awile and they were all right up in my face. I miss them too but when they are standing mere inches away from me and breathing right in my face I get nervous. It doesn't help that their parents don't seem to grasp the risk to me. The one time I asked them to stand back aways from me one of my granddaughters looked hurt, my grandson deliberately coughed on me because he thought it was funny and their father, my son, gave me a dirty look like I was being insane. I don't want to isolate myself from my grandchildren, I love them, but their parents are not educating them on or backing me up. They are still going to school everyday and being exposed to God only knows what germs.

[Tinsel1010]

Faith

I completely understand.

I am a front line healthcare worker with asthma, i work very very closely with coronavirus infected patients for prolonged periods.

If i even catch a common cold it progresses every time to a chest infection. So i am extremely worried that possible pneumonia associated with coronavirus could have drastic consequence for me.

I do not have an understanding boss and our protective equipment in minimal if the virus is only suspected.

Just want to stay home but cannot.

[Hidden]

So sorry to hear this you must be feeling really afraid right now! Are you in the UK as the government have now recommended that anyone with Asthma taking inhaled/oral steroids stay at home for 12 weeks?

I am also sick of so called healthy people and their selfishness thinking that they will be ok jack because they don’t have an underlying health issue!!! My fear is that they will be the ones that past it onto us and the vulnerable!

[Tinsel1010 in reply to Hidden]

Faith

Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes I am in the uk and didn't know about the government recommendation regarding the inhaled steroids which i do take.

I totally agree with you, healthy people have really shown how flippant they are regarding everyone else. Little do they know they could contribute to communities collapsing.

I hope you can stay home and well.

Would you possibly have the link to the government recommendation you mentioned please?

And i wonder if that counts as sick leave or special isolation leave.

Many thanks again

[foxie7777]

I think the thing we can do is reduce inflammation in our bodies. What I am about to say isnt easy, it takes real motivation and you have to reach deep to find what will morivate you. Covid 19 is a great motivator.

Asthma is inflammation. Recent studies on milk and asthma showed that over 50% of asthmatics improved, considerably without milk in their diet. I have tried it and it works. I have also reduced weight and avoid sugar. doing Buteyko and reading Dan Brulee. Its my life so I will do anything. 10 years ago I could not run 10 yards. Now I can run 20 minutes without a puffer.

Really we all have time now to improve our health, especially with Covid 19 everywhere. Save the NHS improve your health

[Hidden in reply to foxie7777]

Tried all that, got the t-shirt, didn't help me one iota. Except for Dan B, never heard of him

[Uppy in reply to foxie7777]

That’s good to hear if your asthma had improved with diet. I’ve heard the Keto diet is good for the lungs and can improve them.