Shielding

[Derekthejag]

Why haven’t I been referred to the Scottish Governments scheme for support as a chronic asthmatic?

[twinkly29]

It probably is related to the medication you take and so on. All asthma is chronic as it's ongoing, and all asthmatics are classed as vulnerable in regards to coronavirus.....but not all asthmatics are "extremely at risk". The vulnerable group need to minimise contact with people they don't live with but can go out for walks, to get food or medications etc.

That said, I don't know how it varies in Scotland so it might be good to ask your GP?

[Hidden]

How can we know that? We don’t know anything about you

[Derekthejag in reply to Hidden]

What?

[Hidden in reply to Derekthejag]

Well your profile is blank & you’ve never said anything else about yourself, so we’ve no way of guessing why you haven’t been referred

[Derekthejag in reply to Hidden]

Didn’t know I had to give my life story!!!

[Hidden in reply to Derekthejag]

Not interested in your life story, just tell us more about your asthma & why you think you should’ve been referred? Impossible to answer without more information tho twinkly29 has had a good stab. Maybe the NHS Scotland website will have the explanation

[Derekthejag in reply to Hidden]

Cheers and thanks again for your help

[doonhamer1967]

Phone your GP and ask. They are the only ones who know your condition and what advice to give.

[Hidden]

Have you gone to the government’s website and registered? Once you have done that they contact your doctor and then you may get a letter to say you are extremely vulnerable.

[Jimmy-Lyden in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately that doesn't seem to apply to Scotland.

[Gilsla]

Hi

My experiences might help you understand why.

In the beginning of the pandemic I tried relentlessly to speak to my doctor as I didn't know how severe or not to categorise my asthma with view to sheilding.

I did have anxiety as

I have job and it's a very brave thing to not turn up to work as you think you should be sheilding.

I have had many episodes where my asthma has flared up quickly, iv been rooted to the spot scared to move, unable to speak, carted away by ambulance, numerous hops admissions...

I honestly, due to the above, thought I surely must be.

But I was wrong.

Its all down to the medication and steroids you have required within a certain time frame.

I have worked hard to stabilise my asthma and have not required oral steroids within the specified time frame...

Thus I am high risk, but not extremely vunerable so no sheilding letter.

Hope this has been of some help. This site has helped me so much when I was feeling down. I used all my leave to sheild until the government eventually set out guidelines as to who was very vunerable re asthma.

Take care.

[Smoggy1990Boggy in reply to Gilsla]

I think you should have been by the history you have given there

[Oysters]

I‘m also from Scotland and only got a call from my GP yesterday. GP practices have been asked to review the Health Board List and recommend any additions. Under the general guidelines, I wouldn’t have been asked to shield but the GP is looking at more up to date information and I‘ve had a bad year so far. You may be contacted soon.

[Gilsla]

I don't want to hijack Derekthejags feed but I tried. I normally don't dwell on the past but the psychological damage of of not bring able to breath is very deep rooted.

As I mentioned before, I appreciate everyone's comments.

[Sazyldy61]

I am in Scotland and i was classed as shielded, but i have had numerous courses of oral steriods in the last year or two. To the point my gp has given me a course of steriods to keep at home for when my asthma flares up. I am also on seretide inhaler as well. Hope that helps

[Albertdog]

The NHS have changed their mind on who is at risk on a daily basis.

As I am 83 years old - with COPD and severe walking problems - on heart medication prescribed by GP - and two inhalers on the original list again prescribed by GP.

The COPD medications were the first to be taken from the list - then it was added that (in certain words) that if you hadn't been hospitalised or made appointment with GP - one no longer qualified - despite the fact that at the inception of rules - I had been called in for my annual check up just one week previous.

I am therefore unable to get a slot for groceries - however I have managed to get a delivery of my monthly prescriptions from my dispensary instead of queuing outside the dispensary rear window as I am not allowed to enter the Surgery without an appointment.

I am therefore left with no alternative but to keep safe and stay at home...!