I’m so sorry to ask another question about shielding, but wonder if anyone has any advice as my employer is nagging me. I am still waiting for the text, and waiting for a call back from my GP and consultant. I have been diagnosed with BOOP and shortly starting steroid treatment. Will I need to shield myself?
Andy
I’m sure someone with more experience will pop along in a minute. But I did not get a letter (mild bronchiectasis in both lungs) but my Consultant told me today to self isolate as much as possible over the next 12 weeks. Ring NHS 111 and ask their advice?
Thanks I thought about ringing my GP but thought they’re super busy at the moment and have emailed my consultant and just awaiting a reply.
The guidelines I received by e-mail from the British Lung Foundation a couple of days ago indicate that your consultant may have been over-cautious. BLF said in their e-mail (edited version for your circumstances)
"We’ve had some information from the government about which people with long-term lung conditions are in this vulnerable group. We wanted to tell you as soon as we could, while we work to get more detail.
Who is classed as vulnerable?
*People with severe long-term lung conditions:
*all types of cystic fibrosis
*severe asthma
*severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
*lung cancer and mesothelioma, if they are having active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
*severe bronchiectasis
*interstitial lung disease, including pulmonary fibrosis
Check our website for full details of what counts as severe asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis." [The website says "Severe bronchiectasis: This includes people with bronchiectasis who:
* meet any of the criteria for severe COPD [see below] or
* use nebulised treatments]"
......................................... (! skipped a bit) ............................
"People who are extremely vulnerable are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks, from the day they receive their letter (referring to a letter that he NHS are sending out). This period of time may change.
They will also be able to register for coronavirus support in the next few days.
Remember, everyone who has a long-term lung condition and who is offered a flu jab every year is strongly advised to avoid unnecessary social contact, called social distancing."
So, if you don't use nebulisers and if you do not meet any of the criteria for severe COPD you need not go so far as self-isolation/shielding, but you should adopt social distancing practices. The criteria for severe COPD are:
"Severe COPD: This includes:
*Everyone who has severe or very severe airflow obstruction. This is measured using a breathing test called spirometry where you blow out as hard as you can. If the amount of air you can blow out in one second is less than 50% of the normal range of values, it is classed as severe. Severe or very severe airflow obstruction is sometimes described as GOLD grade 3 or GOLD grade 4.
*People who are limited by breathlessness – this means that you can’t walk as fast as other people of your age because of breathlessness. This may be described in clinic letters as an MRC breathlessness score of 3, 4 or 5.
*People who have had to be admitted to hospital in the past because of an acute attack of the lung condition.
*People who have had 2 or more exacerbations or flare-ups in the past year that needed emergency treatment with steroids or antibiotics from the GP or hospital.
*People who are on regular steroid tablets, called prednisolone to treat their condition
*People who have oxygen therapy at home
*People who use non-invasive ventilation at home – using a mask connected to a ventilator, sometimes called BiPAP, to support their breathing at night
PS I don't know why I received an e-mail from BLF - possibly because I have been/am a donor. In any event I was very appreciative of it, particularly as I feel slightly cut off from real expert personal advice, being an expat living in Thailand!
Give it another couple of days to receive a letter.
Am in same boat ,have been on steroids for 15 years and have asthma.
Have self isolated but losing money as if don't go into work am not paid.
Good luck
Thanks, yeah I’m the same I’ve basically been told if I self isolate without NHS say so I’ll only get SSP which is worrying, but I’ve been told I am vulnerable etc. Especially where I work, constant people around even tho they are at a distance at the min.
If you're in Scotland I don't think you'll get a letter however severe you are . If you're in England maybe you just didn't get yours yet?
Hello LovelyJubbly- , 👋
That is a worry. I really don't know about your letter. I think it would depend on how badly your lungs are at the moment. BOOP is curable in many cases. But the high course is steroids will make you more susceptible to infection. Did they explain about the steroid treatment at all? Will it be inpatient? Intravenous?
I hope you hear back soon. Take good care.
Cas xx 🍀🌿
Hi, I’ve been told that it will be tablet form of steroids, it’s a strange feeling we’re all going into the unknown
Are you supposed to be working anyway with the latest instructions that only essential work is to continue if you can't work from home. That said I am aware that not all employers are abiding by the lockdown.
Hi, unfortunately I’m an essential worker (Work for a company contracted to the police and council) and can’t work from home.
I understand now. I hope that you are able to get your problem resolved soon. Such a difficult time for you.
I have received a letter from my GP practice on behalf of the NHS. In simple terms it says the NHS as identified you as some one at risk of severe illness if you get the virus due to underlying disease and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. The safest course of action for you is to stay at home and avoid unnecessary face to face contact for at least 12 weeks. This may be an alphabetical dispatch so that might be why not everyone is getting them so speedily. My surname begins with B Hope this helps you understand. Oh I have COPD/Asthma disease of my lungs and at risk of fall due to arthritis as well as being over 70. The rest of the four page A4 letter suggests who is at severely high risk and suggestions on how to cope with staying home . Most of this is for your safety & to stop spread of the virus. At the end of the day you must impliment these actions or face being arrested for flouting the suggestions. Please use common sense underlying lung conditions would be worsened by having the virus, so take heed and look after yourself.
Apparently, if you haven’t received word by 29 March you should ring your GP. The texts are trickling through, I gather BT had some hiccups yesterday.. Stay well.
Hi lovely bubbly,have only just received my letter today (Friday) so they are trickling through ,came from my GP surgery with NHS heading.
Not sure we can get SSP was directed to another benefit from government website.
Good luck
Still shielding.
Another question regarding my dad
Another quick question:
Broken my shielding 
another question. . . 
