Vulnerable or not?

[Alw75]

Hi I'm new to this but could really do with some advice. I have been told in the past that I have chronic asthma, i dont know if this is the same as severe. Many of you seem to be worse than me, so I'm not sure maybe I dont. From the age of 12, had numerous attacks over the first 15 years or so including two periods in intensive care. I was also told recently that i cannot be stetolised as my lungs are not strong enough for a general anestetic.My attacks are usually bought on by chest infections. Fairly well controlled now unless I forget to take my medication which is , theophylline tablets 500mg per day, Ventolin 100 micrograms and Sirdupla 25mg/125mg inhaler. Dont now how vunerable I am, as ive not had a letter

[Mark-f]

Hi ... if you haven’t received a letter a think you are in the extremely vulnerable group then contact your GP ... I had both a text followed a few days later with a letter ...

I take 25 different tablets daily , 4 different inhalers and I receive monthly biological injections at the royal Brompton ... my asthma isn’t controlled and in have constant symptoms..

good luck

[twinkly29]

I agree that it might be an idea to contact your GP - it sounds like you're in the band where GPs are identifying people who should be shielding. Can't be sure of course but you almost meet the medication criteria (combination inhaler plus theophylline, but not not daily/frequent steroids)...but you've been in ITU in the past. So think you'd need to talk to GP.

Chronic asthma is just ongoing asthma, not necessarily a measure of severity. As opposed to acute asthma which would be a flare up of symptoms.

[Poobah]

You may be in Group 4 and your GP has yet to send out the letters for that group. Call your GP surgery and ask if they are going to be sending out letters for their patients per the Chief Medical Officer's letter dated 23 March.

This is a sweep up group who were missed out on the selection process so far.

Some have found that their GPs aren't up to speed with this so you may need to be patient, but insistent.

The shielding letter is necessary if you work and if you wish to register for assistance on the gov.uk website (the data is shared with supermarkets who will give you priority home delivery).

Hope this helps.

[Travelling]

Hi there I think you qualify for the shielding group based on the guidelines from both the government and AsthmaUK. Your asthma sounds very fragile and the fact that you have had hospitalisation is significant.

Here’s a couple of links which may help... please also remember that it was made clear in the first announcement that not all shielding patients may be reached via letter or text and those who think they are in that group should contact the LA or GP or your consultant.

My GP told me to self isolate strictly on 14th March when I called for a other reason. So I had a bit of practice before the official lockdown.

Sorry will post links below

Stay safe and stay well 🙏😊

[Travelling]

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Travelling]

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

[Travelling]

Also call the helpline when it opens at AsthmaUK the nurses are very helpful indeed.

asthma.org.uk/advice/resour...