Clinically vulnerable essential worker

[Pebbles93]

Hi I'm a vet and currently furloughed as I chose to stay at home despite not receiving a letter from the government. I currently use clenil module twice a day and ventlil up to 4x daily and still experience symptoms daily. I am finding getting advice on when I can return to work or whether I should be staying at home quite difficult and vague. Is anyone having the same issue? Are other 'clinically vulnerable' essential workers staying at home or are you continuing going to work? I want to go to work but it's virtually impossible to completely distance with my job and I have to come close to colleagues in order to examine an animal. If anyone has had some good advice on a similar situation that would be really useful to hear. Thanks!

[sukhy87]

My husband, who has asthma, works in a supermarket. He has not received a shielding letter but we decided the risk was not worth it as he does not drive and commutes to work via public transport. His employer has said he can take the time off but unless they receive medical evidence to say he shouldn't be going to work, it will be unpaid. Been in a constant battle with the GP, however, the only thing they advise is to follow Government advice. Because my husband is not in the shielding group, his decision to not work, is a private one, therefore between employer and employee. So no income, thinking of claiming Universal credit. I am currently waiting by the phone for a callback from Citizens advice. My husband is on a low income so we get legacy benefits and apparently we would be entitled to less on Universal credit compared to the legacy benefits. I am hoping with the updated Government guidance (01/05/20), his employer will change their position on pay. Will post any developments x

[Taima]

I work with animals also and there is no distancing whatsoever at work. When the vet and farrier were in there were 9-10 people on the yard at the same time at one point and we were practically on top of eachother. I sit next to a colleague in a vehicle a lot. I am close to a colleague and my employer when I untack their horses for them. My asthma has been really uncontrolled lately so after needing steroids but only giving in and taking them twice pretty much every month (since last October had a month solid of daily asthma attacks to the point of vomiting, 24/7 wheezing and being unable to speak). I hate the side effects. I’ve been forced to have reduced hours for a long meaning I will have no money left over after rent and bills. I live in the on site accommodation and there is no getting around that. I feel terrible because covering me just for the reduced hours is costing a lot of money and we’re having to cut back on things like bedding and hay because of me. I was also on the standard clenil modulite + ventolin too despite years of ranting and raving at the GP that I was still coughing my dinner up literally every night until my employer took me to the GP twice because obviously they need me to be functional and they did not think it was safe or normal for me to be in the way I was. I was put on Seretide instead of Clenil. So far I like it better as straight off the bat I found Clenil actually made me cough which isn’t helpful. I’m also trialling Montelukast now. It makes me feel a bit nauseated but that might be because a lot of medications do- I also have IBS and GERD which complicates things.

As Montelukast also controls allergies and you work with animals, there is always a chance allergies might be component of your asthma triggers; I think I developed allergies after so much exposure to hair and dander as I have worked with horses since I was a child.

That medication seems to either have horrible side effects (pretty much the same as steroids e.g. depression, anxiety, weight gain, insomnia/nightmares) or it is a complete game changer from the testimonials here. I am hoping that long term it is the latter as I have been left falling to pieces in tears on the job to the point I was putting the animals at risk and being suicidal hence being forced to be on reduced hours (though i am bit jealous of those furloughed who are getting twice my usual salary doing nothing).

It might be worth looking in to even if you haven’t noticed allergy symptoms it might have become an asthma trigger for you.

[dawnhaycock in reply to Taima]

Your consultant should be able to run allergy tests. My daughter works in a hairdressers and we were concerned something there was a trigger so he did lots of tests all which came back negative. Interesting though that since she has been furloughed she has been really well and hasn’t used her blue inhaler once.

[Gwalltarian in reply to Taima]

I take montelukast which I find out ffective but it does cause GERD - inhaled steroids might also be doing that - do I also take omeprazole to stop the overproductionof stomach acid. My asthma nurse said that in her opinion all asthmatics should take Omeprazole.

[Bathtimebliss]

Hi. Apparently the gov letter is mainly for people over 70, with health issues and anyone with copd. This advice I got from my asthma nurse at our surgery. Perhaps you could speak to your GP surgery? I had asked the question previously as I have asthma and take all the medications and inhalers noted on the government website. I work in a nursing home and have decided to take a year off as my health is more important to me and our boss doesn't even know what furloughed is! I am lucky to be able to do this and then hopefully get back to work in the future. The only other thing you can do is PPE at ALL times when you're in close proximity to other staff if you really want to get back to work. I think the furlough is for a limited time but can be extended. Check the government website for details. Try not to worry too much as this has a negative effect on your asthma. There is a lot of pollen about and im actually on steroids at the moment because of this so that could be a trigger as well.

Stay safe and well x

[Stormywater]

Hi. I think you will have to speak with your GP regarding this. I work in same profession area as yourself, was furloughed by employer, fell into original shielding criteria, but got no letter, then criteria changed, rang GP who informed me that I am now classed as high risk not extremely vulnerable but had advised I can go for a walk but that's all, I can't even visit my horses after stating that they r kept in a yard with very few people and time slots in place and have to continue getting friend to muck out, feed etc. At same time employer informing that they may have to unfurlough some staff I not too distant future so not sure where that leaves me? So plan, when and if this occurs I will have to go back to GP. In this area of work nearly impossible to social distance. Good luck.

[Peakyfan2020]

Hi there 👋

It is such a hard one. I am in a similar situations. My job is classed as key work as I am a teaching assistant in an infant school. Work so far have been really good. I haven't been in since it was first announced about the people who were vulnerable. I am being paid in full luckily and have not been in at all. I just feel uneasy. Am I doing the right thing, will I get backlash when I go back for not being in.

Ive had pneumonia in one area of my lung three times in three years. Last year I was sent to resus and hospitalised for 5 days with seasonal flu. I'm on fostair 100/6 and montelukast. I am just so anxious about it all. Not being classed as shielding so worried that work will say I have to come in.

I really hope you are all staying well. Feel better knowing I'm not alone.

Stay safe

Jodie