In extremely vulnerable group but don't understand why

On Monday I got a text, followed by a letter, informing me that I have been identified as someone at risk of severe illness and thereby extremely vulnerable if I were to catch coronavirus. Instructions are not to leave home, even for food and meds, and stay away from others indoors. There is a list of conditions affected in the letter, including organ transplants, people undergoing chemo, blood cancers, people having immunotherapy, other targetted treatments, those who've had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the last 6 months, cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, COPD, metabolic disorders and pregnant women with significant heart disease. 26 years ago I did have lymphoma and a bone marrow transplant, but I fully recovered.

I had reasoned that I was only at increased risk at worst, on the basis I had a heart bypass last year, entirely successfully with no angina remaining. I do still have mild hypertension and a very small dose of Ramipril controls it, and take the usual Bisoprolol and 75mg Aspirin, aside from the anti-epilepsy meds I have taken for about 40 years!

I don't understand why I've been placed in this extremely vulnerable group.

[Sunnie2day]

I have also received the letter. My cardiologist's secretary telephoned the other day and explained I was on the list owing to the combination of multiple mild heart conditions (including angina with normal coronary arteries and the continued presence of minimal pericardial effusion) and my neurological condition of Essential Tremor. Apparently the decider was the combination of conditions despite all being mild and medically controlled

Have a look at this latest Government guidance - scroll down to the part 'I received a text or letter and do not think I should be in the shielded patient list':

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[Hidden in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you. Very useful. From that link you shouldn't be on the list either, except your cardiologist thinks you should!

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hidden]

He's the boss - but I don't think I should be on that list either.

Still, as irritating as the inclusion is, I will go along with it as far as my staying on my property - but I'm retired, married living with my 'healthy' husband in a downsizer one bedroom cottage and there simply is no way we can avoid one another (nor do we wish to).

He's doing Click&Collect pick-ups for truly vulnerable neighbours (and our home as well) and has no intention of stopping that. We have a 'disinfect at the door' system set up so he's not going to accidentally bring anything in with the shopping.

If one of us becomes unwell we've agreed the patient will take up residence in the bedroom - en-suite fitted last year. Not pleasant, but doable only if one of us becomes unwell. Until then, lol, we'll bumble along arguing over jig saw pieces and which box set to watch next

[Hidden in reply to Sunnie2day]

Ah well that's sort of ideal for the situation. We live in a small flat with one double bed, I'm 65 my wife is much older, and due to cancer treatment years ago her right leg no longer works. I had been going out scavenging supermarkets for food etc. as best I can with no car, but since Monday I haven't. The new info your link gives me confidence, well a bit. Thankfully Sainsbury's have my wife down as vulnerable so early this week it was poss to order online. In another week it will be poss again. I do need to go and find some 5%fat beef mince as lots didn't arrive.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hidden]

Getting an online shop in has become something of a Lucky Dip in my opinion. We're using ASDA as they have drive-thru collection but it is so frustrating to put something in the virtual trolley only to arrive to the virtual till and be told 'sorry, out of stock'. And then the shop is collected, brought home, and I find three or four more items missing with a note they've refunded for the missed out items. grrrrrr!

I've heard Morrisons is doing an essentials box for a reasonable price - choice of meat or vegetarian versions, and I'm thinking about looking into that.

I don't think for us it will come to that - our local butcher and the dairy both deliver. I set that all up last year when I had a bit of a wobble with the pericarditis and common sense told me we needed to avoid catching whatever bug was floating around. I also use Amazon Prime Pantry, and Subscribe and Save - those schemes have been genuine sanity savers even before this coronavirus thing.

All the best to you, please keep this updated so I know how you and your wife are getting on.