Fostair 100/6 2 puffs 4 times a day & covid 19 shielding with no letter

[Dinky50]

I am on fostair 100/6 2 puffs 4 times a day & had asthma since I was 5 years old.Now 51 & wondering about shielding against covid 19.Received no letter or nothing from my GP. I know fostair 200/6 is listed but I am on the same high dose with 100/6 2 puffs 4 times a day.

[Definitelynotjeff]

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

Over the last 5 weeks the criteria for shielding has increasingly become more and more exclusive. Ive linked the current guidance above.

The link below says "If you have not received a letter, but think you should be in the shielded patients list, you should speak to your GP or specialist."

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[Beach_48]

Hi. I am also on the same dose of fostair and not received any letter from the Health Board or my GP. My employer expects me to go to work as the dose of fostair is not on the shielding list. However, i am on a rota and work alone so can keep away from my colleagues. I am lucky for that.

[starveycat]

I am on fostair 200/6 and I am 79. I have not received a shielding letter.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

From the AUK website; asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

Who should be shielding?

The NHS now say that you would be considered at very high risk if ALL THREE of these things apply to you:

You have asthma, AND

You are taking certain extra controller medicines as well as a preventer inhaler (for example, you are taking Montelukast, salmeterol or formoterol, or you are on a combination inhaler like Seretide, Fostair, Symbicort, Flutiform, Fobumix, DuoResp Spiromax, Combisal, Sereflo, Sirdupla, Aloflute, AirFluSal, Relvar Ellipta, Fusacomb or Stalpex), AND

You are taking continuous or frequent oral steroids.

The British Thoracic Society also says that you are at very high risk if:

You are taking a biologic therapy for severe asthma.

This is the current criteria for shielding. If you’ve had 4+ courses of steroids in the last 6 months then contact your GP. They are meant to be going through and identifying those who have been missed. Hope this helps

[watergazer in reply to EmmaF91]

Yes at first it was all asthmatics are vulnerable then they added the asthma meds and the extras - I think the extra steroids are a key factor for the shielding group and how many flare ups you've had in a year . I'm on fostairnexthaler 100/6 2 puffs 2x daily and my GP phoned me to say I'm a moderate risk All I can say is that if I have a respiratory disease then I would consider myself to be vulnerable and very much at risk. I also have mild bronchiectasis , prediabetes and ulcerative colitis. x Anita

[Beetle53]

Hi I agree with EmmaF91 above... Except the issue of 4 lots of steroids needed to be between July and December 2019 rather than last 6 months... According to my Drs anyway.

Stay safe everyone.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Beetle53]

All the GPs are translating it differently. Some are covering a year (for high distancing/low shielding... or covering those triggered by hayfever who are likely to start spiralling now if they had their 4 sets this time last year), others July-Dec, and others Aug - Feb. Some are saying 4 sets whatever the dose, others are saying only if it averages to 5mg+ a day (so 4 x 40mg). There is no clear and firm guidance for GPs but basically they are looking for uncontrolled asthmatics and if you’ve had 4 sets of steroids in 2020 then you should be counted too.

It’s all very confusing as everyone’s being told different things (especially at the start when the guidelines were changing basically every day 😅), but they are basically looking to cover uncontrolled asthmatics.

Stay safe.

[Teeny123]

Fostair ✔️

4 lots of steroids since Xmas ✔️

Letter from docs ❌

Phoned them and they didn't seem bothered. Second wave due out soon apparently.

[Beach_48 in reply to Teeny123]

Hi, ive only been diagnosed with asthma in the last 18 months. I am on fostair but not needed steroids. I phoned my GP for advice but they didnt seem that bothered either. However, i am sure they could get incredibly busy with people phoning for advice.

[Teeny123 in reply to Beach_48]

I understand this completely I needed to speak to them about a gazillion other things so I thought I would ask at the same time. I have had this "condition" for the whole of my life. (38 years) I'm already isolating, when you have had something for so long you know what is and isn't good and when you can't fight a chest infection it is on the not good scale. I just need the letter for my boss tbh I'm happy to isolate.

[Beach_48 in reply to Teeny123]

I am just learning about my asthma as only diagnosed 18 months ago but know if i have a chest infection or just an asthma chest. I dont feel i am getting support from my gp. I am benefiting a lot from this group though.

[WheezyNanma]

Fostair 100/6 two puffs twice a day is the same as Fostair 200/6 ( which I'm on) one puff twice a day. Both are considered to be a 'moderate' dosage and not a high dosage. I did not get a shielding letter either. I believe you only get that it you are on high dose, long term.