Clarification on self isolation

[BazzzaK]

Hi, I take a prescribed steroid seretide inhaler but there’s no clarity in whether this falls under the 12 week self isolation category. I’ve called my doctor and they are not giving any advice and I’ve not received any notice from the NHS. I done deem my self to be severe asthmatic as I don’t suffer from asthma attacks and I’m very rarely off sick. Can anyone shed any clarity on this plz? Thanks

[twinkly29]

Which dose seretide are you on?

[BazzzaK in reply to twinkly29]

Hi, seretide 100 1 puff twice daily and ventolin when I need it

[twinkly29 in reply to BazzzaK]

That comes under the threshold for the shielding for 12 weeks so you aren't advised to do so but should still be looking to avoid contact with others with the social distancing measures.

[BazzzaK in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks 👍

[Wheezycat]

The guidelines are here: gov.uk/government/publicati...

As you haven't said what strength of steroid inhaler you are on it is not possible to tell you. Many of us are on steroid inhalers, but that does not necessarily mean you are in the very vulnerable group. I take Fostair 100/6 and I am not, but those who take Fostair 200/6 are. So you need to check the list all the way down to the bottom of the text to establish where you are. I can’t now find the Asthma U.K. guidelines that were there a couple of days ago. Maybe someone else knows where they now are. It

[BazzzaK in reply to Wheezycat]

Thanks 👍

[dkw80 in reply to Wheezycat]

I wish this were true, I’ve been told by a doctor and a paramedic that Fostair 200/6 does not mean you are vulnerable. Only go with what the nhs or doctor says.

[Wheezycat in reply to dkw80]

Fostair 200/6 was on the list, 100/6 wasn’t. I double checked.

[dkw80 in reply to Wheezycat]

I know, so did I. But I was told unless I’m using oxygen every night, I won’t be considered.

[Wheezycat in reply to dkw80]

In that case there is confusion, as that wasn’t stated at all on that list of qualifying reasons. Bizarre! Or is your surgery doing it’s own thing?

[dkw80 in reply to Wheezycat]

My surgery is a pain, but I needed a paramedic today and he said unless I was on oxygen every night I would not be considered serious. I’ve had panic attacks all day because of this but unless something else changes I’ll be back to work on Friday

[dkw80 in reply to dkw80]

Remember asthma.org.uk is a charity, not the government or the nhs.

[Recordergirl in reply to dkw80]

dkw80 I thought that too, but surely they must be getting guidance etc from official sources before putting up the advice? My seratide dosage puts me in the shielding group, but I’ve not had a letter. Surely caution is the better option?

[Wheezycat in reply to dkw80]

I am so sorry that you have to go back to work! Are you ‘ an essential worker’? Otherwise you should not go to work, though I am aware that some employers try to get round it.

Again, I would say that both the paramedic and your GP are not just unsupportive but also wrong! EmmaF91, who has commented on this, is very knowledgeable round Asthma, and as I thought having oxygen nightly is not the norm for asthma. Perhaps you could try to talk to the Asthma U.K. nurses. I am sorry, I don’t have their phone number and contact details at the tip of my fingers, but it is all

on their website. I get the impression that your medication does suggest you should be on the very vulnerable list.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to dkw80]

This is a lie. And that’s more likely to be COPD not asthma. I am a diagnosed severe asthmatic, under a tertiary hospital and on the severe asthma register. I am on maintenance steroids and biological injections and long term antibiotics along with the usual asthma meds. I do not use oxygen at night. Asthmatics generally do not have sats that drop until we are into dangerous levels of asthma because we can compensate (unlike COPD etc)

[Margerita]

Hi there

If you go into Asthma uk website there is a green banner at the top which says your questions about Coronavirus and an arrow. Click on this and it gives very clear guidance as to who is on the 12 week shielding list

Hope this helps keep safe

[Clairebear35]

I received my letter Tuesday, they have a list f conditions on there but in regards to asthma is says’ people with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe copd’. I think if you need more clarity speak to your asthma nurse.

[Misha789 in reply to Clairebear35]

And what inhalers/treatment are you on if you don’t mind me asking?

[Clairebear35 in reply to Misha789]

Fostair 200/6, spiriva, I have to currently take ventolin 4x daily, montelukast and I’m currently taking 40mg steroids again as I’ve recently just come out of hospital.

[ferny_123]

You are only deemed in this ‘vulnerable’ category if you have received a letter from the NHS which means you come under the category of a ‘severe’ or ‘brittle asthma’. It may be wise to take extra precautions but the government may not deem you as as much as risk as other severe asthmatics who have a history of life threatening asthma. I had my letter on Tuesday, I thought I’d gotten away with it but I have life threatening asthma (I have been ventilated 7 times since I was 17) so this is why I am deemed very high risk. All asthmatics of course are at risk and all asthma can be very serious so just be as sensible as you can and stay safe!

[Helen0304]

From what I can see it is which inhaler you are on and the amount that you are prescribed eg Fostair 100/6 isn't in the list but Fostair 200 /6 is BUT only if you have at least 2 puffs twice daily. So it is dependent on how much you use as well as which one.

[tracyvamp73]

Hi Fostair 100/6 is on the list if your taking it to maintain your asthma it’s on the apendum list

[Wheezycat in reply to tracyvamp73]

Where is that list? I must try to find it.

[Jahalu55]

Hi I’m an asthmatic nurse on seretide on the front line. NHS guidance to staff is that if you are a severe asthmatic then the 12 week rule applies. If you are a controlled asthmatic like me it doesn’t at present so I’m at work. Hope that helps. J

[Wheezycat]

Goodness! I have just checked the Asthma U.K. /British Thoracic Society latest guidelines, and I am more borderline than I thought! A week ago I would definitely be classed as being in the group. It is because I am on Fostair MART regime, and had self increased my dose since 7/2 (saw GP), I am also on Montelukast. I am also 70. However, due to struggling with oral thrush I went down to normal levels a few days ago, and as the weather is warmer, and I can’t try to walk distances, it is so far OK. I have not had a letter or anything, but anyway I am basically following all advice about self isolation. I just know I do not want this virus, and as I am no longer employed it was a relatively easy decision to make.

[LDloveslattecoffe]

Guidance from ACAS

Discrimination and unfair treatment

If an employee is still being asked to go out to work and they believe they're at a higher risk, it's important they talk to their employer.

If they can show that their work or travel to work stops them from social distancing, they should tell their employer that they need to follow government advice and stay at home.

The law on unfair treatment and dismissal

An employee is protected by law against unfair treatment and dismissal, if it's because of:

pregnancy

age

a health condition that's considered a disability under the Equality Act

It does not matter how long they've worked for the employer.

It could be unlawful discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy, disability or age if an employer either:

unreasonably tries to force someone to go to work

unreasonably disciplines someone for not going to work