What group am I in?

Hi everyone,

Following the guidance on Asthma UK’s email this morning, I am confused as to what group I am in. I am taking Fostair but 4 puffs a day and not the 6 that is listed.

Am in the the group that needs to stay in for 12 weeks, or am I in the group that has to be extra careful with social distancing. I also started taking a new medication for my Rheumatoid Arthritis today called sulfasalazine which lowers the immune system although I am on an increasing dose for 4 weeks and not been on any other medication for my RA recently. Thanks in advance and take care everyone x

[Wheezycat]

It depends on the strength of Fostair you are on, so if you are on 200/6, then yes, if 100/6 then no. As Fostair is a combination inhaler, it contains both a long acting bronchodilator and a steroid. The first number refers to the amount of steroid, the second the amount of bronchodilator, not number of puffs. I think 4 puffs daily is pretty standard. Hope that helps.

[Poobah]

I've received the text saying to self isolate for 12 weeks but I'm only on Fostair 100/6 2 puffs pd, Becotide 200 twice pd and Eklira Genuair twice a day. Also take Montelukast.

I really thought I'd be in the social distancing group. So confused.

The NHS will be sending out messages & letters all this week up to Sunday so you may yet get notification.

[Wheezycat in reply to Poobah]

But that is quite a lot added up. And the steroid quantity that you take may have pushed you into the very vulnerable group.

It is hard though if you are someone who has co-vulnerabilities. That hasn’t been addressed.

[Poobah in reply to Wheezycat]

Trying to register for online prescriptions. Have to go into the GP surgery to fulfil ID requirements. I see a flaw in the stay at home process 😂

[Wheezycat in reply to Poobah]

And they have not amended that for these circumstances. Strange!

[Poobah in reply to Wheezycat]

I've emailed my surgery to ask for the requisite letter to complete the process pointing out that I have to isolate for 12 weeks. I know they will be snowed under so will give them a couple of weeks.

I worry about the elderly who aren't online. Everything is digital these days inclu. including all the information. I suspect some will continue to go out to get food etc.

[Wheezycat in reply to Poobah]

You are so right! I am ‘elderly’ at nearly 71 ( but still work a little when life is normal). Luckily I am already online for meds, but my pharmacy has no home delivery service as far as I know......must check. But there are many my age group and older who will struggle. Hope they have help. By the way Iceland (not a normal shop for me) currently only deliver to people considered vulnerable, and they deliver pretty fast. I have checked and no longer is everything they sell frozen. I have registered with them, but not yet used them.

[Poobah in reply to Wheezycat]

Ooo, Iceland, that's good to know. I was hoping that the 12 weekers would be given priority by supermarkets for home delivery. Will have to sweet talk friends and relatives.

[Recordergirl in reply to Poobah]

I appear to be in the category as I have seratide evohaler 250 two puffs twice a day which is on the list. My question is what if I don’t get a text or a letter? Can they make me go to work?!!! Or can I quote the asthma UK advice ? Would that be enough if everyone is getting texts? Would I only get a text if I’m under a consultant, as I’m just under GP? Starting to panic again😢

[Poobah in reply to Recordergirl]

You should discuss this with your GP. At the very least your employer should be making adjustments so that you can be protected by strict social distancing at work. If this is not possible because of the kind of job you do then discuss with your GP. There should be a way to ensure your safety considering the risks.

[Recordergirl in reply to Poobah]

So we have to contact our GP to ask for the text? I'm confused. I am a teacher and terrified that they will make me go in and work with NHS workers' children. I am scared to speak to my school until I have something concrete to tell them. I was hoping that the Asthma UK advice would be enough, but if everyone else has a letter/text and I don't, I won't have a leg to stand on.... Sorry to be so panicky but I'm in a bit of a state. Sorry.

[Poobah in reply to Recordergirl]

I'm talking about patients who don't automatically get the shielding notification but who would be at risk by the nature of their job. As a teacher can your employer ensure that adjustments are in place to guarantee strict social distancing?

A large employer would be aware of legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010 that links to reasonable adjustments at work to ensure those protected by the Act to enjequal access to work. In this instance, strict social distancing would be the reasonable adjustments OR paid absence would be another reasonable adjustment.

Smaller employers are less aware and have little capacity to introduce social distancing etc. So being able to discuss the issues with the GP could provide another way to protect the patient, by including them in the shielding group.

I would expect both employer and GP to be reasonable in the circumstances, but nothing is guaranteed.