Shielding

[Spej]

Hi,I have Bronchiectasis. Should I have been shielding. I did not receive a letter and have not been out unless it was necessary.

[Jaybird19]

Ididnt either . So phoned doctor who said he would do what he could . Phoned me next day and i had to go to next room to answer phone. He commented i was out of breath and he decided to put me on list and the governent box arrived after a few days. i have got on priority list for sainsburys and had no problem getting delivery. Have you tried phoning your doctor?

[cat50]

I have severe. bronchiectasis and have been shielding since March .My Consultant sent me a letter To say I was on the shielding list.My GP then contacted me to confirm this and to make sure I had everything in place to support me. I would contact your GP .I think it may depend on the severity.It sounds like you are doing the right things to protect yourself .

[B0xermad]

Hi I have bronchiectasis also and was put on the shielding list hospital consultant, letter and food boxes were provided although much to be desired.i did go on the government website to add my name to the list at the beginning of lockdown for that.my bronchiectasis is mild to medium but have asthma and copd also.you still have time to register your status as if we have to shield in the future you will automatically get priority

[Hidden]

Not everyone with bronchiectasis is on the shielding list. The guidance was: anyone who takes azithromycin regularly, if you have had 3 or more exacerbations in the last year, and if you are colonised with pseudomonas.

I think in the end you use your own common sense about what you do or don't do. As far as I can see the only benefit of being on the shielding list was to get priority supermarket slots.

Bronchiectasis was only added to the list late on after lobbying from the relevant specialist group. I, personally, filled out the government shielding form and then spoke to my GP who had only just received the updated guidance on bronchiectasis and shielding.

The government doesn't seem to think we need to shield any more after August 1st anyway and is saying shielders can go back to work. This gives the green light to employers to insist people come back into the workplace.

Just do what you think is sensible which seems to be what you have been doing.

[Cade1]

I have bronchiectasis & I haven’t been asked to shield. As Stones says it’s important to use your common sense with all of this.

[Bronchi1]

Bronchiectasis is on the list for shielding. I have it and asthma. Contact GP to get letter organised and support will be forthcoming.

[Ladyindistress79]

I too have Bronchiectasis and I didn't get a letter either so obviously not considered life threatening. However I have followed all the guide lines and will continue to do so better safe than sorry, although I am now tempted to have a little trip out with mask and gloves of course.

[Izb1]

Hi Spej, I too have bronchiectasis but didnt receive a letter but have been sheilding to the best of my ability. I dont go out unless I have to and wear gloves and mask when I do. Its all down to common sense. Be safe x

[Response]

My mum has Bronc and has to shield. She doesn' take antibiotics unless she has an exacerbation. She's only had one since shielding and was given (as were most Lung and COPD patients at her surgery actually) an antibiotic rescue pack early on during her shielding .

Why not just register on the list on the Gov uk website (extremely vulnerable link) before they cut that off this month - and they will check your hospital number and either be on it or not. You will get priority on supermarket deliveries too, which helps enormously with the stress of how to shield.

If I were you I'd be shielding as much as I could just to be on the safe side. Better safe than sorry. Especially now that people are going to the pub!

[Hidden]

Hi Spej. I was missed off too. Speak to your GP once you get a letter then register with the government otherwise it doesn't work ( I know because I tried).

Best to register now Incase there are more lock downs.

All the best.

[Spej]

Thanks, everything is so unclear, I had to look back at old paperwork to see what my diagnosis was.The doctors never talk about it when I go!

[B0xermad]

It makes sense now as I do take azithromycin

[Beth1949]

I live in the states and I also have bronchiectasis. I always wear a mask when I go places. I have bought several masks and I also have sewn several. Better to be safe than sorry.

It seems that as soon as the local government starts letting local businesses open up, people think it's ok to not wear a mask. The new cases of the virus is now increasing.

Beth