I'm on Fostair 100/60 but taking 4 puffs twice a day. Also on Montelukast. I have been on my 3rd course of steroids this year since 14/02/2020 when I was hospitalised for 5 days. Started on 40mg and told to taper very slowly. Have got down to 5mg but PF has dropped since I reduced from 10mg to 5mg. I have been referred to the respiratory clinic at the hospital but my appointment is not until May. I have not had a letter or text and don't know if I will have to go back to work or not. Currently off until 04/04/2020. I am a support worker working with adults with learning disabilities. I am worried that continuing to work will put me at risk. Don't know what to do.
Update:
I emailed the AN from the resp team at the hospital. She suggested a longer course of Ped going back up to 10mg to begin with and recommended that I start on Spiriva. I booked a phone consultation with GP who has agreed to prescribe it following an email from the AN. I also spoke to my boss who has agreed to furlough both myself and my husband to reduce the risks to me. Feeling a bit less worried now and hoping to get my symptoms back under control.
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redstar9
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The guidelines on the AsthmaUK site say you would be in the high risk group (those that need shielding) if you either have steroid tablets every day or have been hospitalised in the last 12 months, so on the basis of that information I would say you would be. If you haven’t had a letter by the 29th you might want to discuss it with your GP, rather than just assume you’re OK. In the meantime, as you are already signed off sick then if I were you I would adopt the shielding measures given in the government.
I would say you needed shielding and I’m sure all the advice would point to that. Always good to double-check with your gp if you are unsure. Stay safe
The letters are coming from 111 I was told by my GP receptionist as mine was incomplete. I did get my text Monday though. I would try to phone 111 and ask they may need your NHS number. I would still get your sick note extended if all else fails. Good luck and stay safe
If you live in Scotland there's a delay in sending notifications to the sheilding group.
However, it does sound as though you should be in the sheilding group. No doubt NHS England will miss patients that meet the criteria (no process is perfect). GPS don't appear to be involved in the selection process. Have a chat with Asthma UK as they may know if there's a way to alert NHS England that you've been missed. If that fails then discuss extending your absence from work with your doctor.
If you have not had a letter or text from NHS stating you are at extremely high risk and should stay at home for 12 weeks. You have not been lockdown totally. However... given you have been on pred 3 times this year and we are only in March? I suggest you get a gp Tel appt. Duscuss
1 your meds are not sufficiently controling your symptoms.
2 you and your family think you should be shielding from the covid 19. Due to your needing such alot of pred. And have not as yet been instructed officially to do so. Good Luck and Stay Safe.
I’ve included info that I received from the Asthma UK that I was sent on Sunday. Using that info I told my work I would be on the vulnerable list and that I’d see them in 12 weeks. Then on Monday evening I received a text from Coronavirus service telling me to stay indoors for 12 weeks. Still haven’t received a letter mind you, but the text was enough for me. Stay safe
We have had more specific guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care about who is in the high-risk groups. Based on this, our clinical leads have helped us to create the following list, which should help you work out if you are in the high-risk group or not. This list is the best information we have at the moment about who is at high risk. We will update it if we get any new information or if the guidance changes.
Antibiotic tablets or liquid for asthma every week (e.g. azithromycin)
Tiotropium
A combination inhaler that also contains a long-acting bronchodilator (e.g. Seretide, Fostair, Symbicort) at a high daily steroid dose (see the list below)
An inhaler with a high daily steroid dose (see the list below) AND you are taking Montelukast
Then you should follow the shielding advice, which means:
Stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact with others for at least 12 weeks.
Get food, medicines and other essential items delivered, and have the person delivering them leave them at the door. You can ask friends and neighbours to help with this, or use delivery services. If you can’t do this, public services and charities are gearing up to help people who have to stay at home. From Tuesday 24th March you can register for extra services from Government.
Use phone or online services to contact your GP or other services if needed.
Inside your home, minimise all non-essential contact with other people you live with.
People who provide essential support for you, such as healthcare or support with your daily needs or social care, can still come to your home. But if they have symptoms of COVID-19, they should not come. You should make a plan for how your care needs will be met if your carer becomes ill.
If you get symptoms of COVID-19, which means a fever or a new continuous cough, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call 111 as soon as you get symptoms. Do not wait for your symptoms to get worse.
If someone else lives with you, they do not have to follow the shielding guidance. They should follow the social distancing guidance very closely and do what they can to support you with shielding.
There is more information for people who live with you in the government shielding guidance and we would strongly suggest you read it and apply it as much as you can.
We know that shielding is hard. But we believe it is the best way to protect people who could become very unwell if they get COVID-19.
If you are not on the medicines listed above, but any of these apply to you:
You have had an admission to hospital in the last year,
You have needed 2 or more courses of oral steroids in the last year, OR
You are using your blue reliever inhaler 3 or more times per week
Then you may benefit from stricter social distancing and shielding. If you are using your reliever inhaler more than 3 times a week we would also recommend that you speak to your GP or asthma nurse about improving your asthma control as soon as possible.
Social distancing advice for everyone not in the very high-risk groups
The Government has strongly advised that everyone reduce the amount of contact they have with others. This is called “social distancing” and it helps cut down the spread of the virus.
Sorry, where is the list of high dose medication? I'm on 2 puffs twice daily Fostair 200/60, daily ventolin and sometimes waking up to use it and have been on daily montelukast for the last 2 years. I've been intubated for over a week in hospital in the last 18 months. No letter though
I am a care worker and have severe asthma. I take Symbicort and Montelukast. I have not received a text or letter from the NHS. I had a telephone appointment with my GP this morning. She said that I am in a high risk group and should not be working. I have informed my employers that I will not be working until advised to do so by my GP.
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