What would you do?

[OldHippy]

Hello folk, I'm after some objective opinions. I had HA and stent last year, and having now come off ticagrelor, I'm feeling just like my old self again. I'm also pretty broke, and want to get back to work which I haven't up until now as felt ill, and then broke my ankle! I'm a mental health nurse, and looking to get back onto the wards in an adult acute ward. Am I at any more risk than anyone else, I wonder, from developing serious symptoms of Covid as someone with history of HA? There are patients with Covid in the hospital, and although there is PPE I believe, I'm still worried. I need to work, but should I risk it? I'll be in Tier 4 as of Boxing Day. I'm 59.

[Frenchbulldogsx]

Hi I'm a 54 year old woman who had a quadruple bypass in 2017 and another MI last year. I worked as a community support worker. At the beginning of the year I was able to work shield from home. I went back to work in the office doing administrative work as my employer did not want me taking higher risk out in the community. As luck would have it I'm a quick learner and applied for a planner position for 1y to cover our current planner who is on maternity leave. I got the job, when we went into lock down again I was able to work proficiently from home and that is where I'm at.Surely your manager has home work for you? Even telephone consults? Staying at home but making a difference with your talents. Have a conversation. I came of Ticagrelor about a month ago and I hadn't noticed a huge difference other than no more bruising for unexplained bumps.

Hope that your manager is fair but in my opinion you're skills are in demand and telephone councilling may be an alternative for now. Good luck

[OldHippy in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Many thanks French. I don't have a substantive job, I'm an agency nurse - I take on assignments which are generally a 3 month rolling contract, so altho I'm 'part of the team' I get absolutely no input from the NHS Trust HR unfortunately. I started a CPN job mid year but had to stop due to broken ankle - during that short period I pressed the team managers for a risk assessment for my CV disease and Covid and nothing was sorted for me at all. Some of the work was virtual, but I was expected to make essential home visits for injections etc. Any job I get now will be Agency, as it suits me to not be tied down - but the lack of HR support is an issue. It might be different if I'm on the wards.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to OldHippy]

I see tricky then but don't underestimate your skills and abilities they will be in high demand. Always think of another plan....

[Pegleggreg]

I have some ad hoc employment as a Mental Health Act manager which I haven’t done for nearly a year. HA in January coming off Ticagrelor in a month. The works being done virtually anyway at the moment. I plan re commencing in New Year. I had an email from my manager the other day advising me he had to do a risk assessment in regards to COVID my heart condition and returning to duties even though I’m not going into an hospital environment anytime soon.

I’d suggest any organisation worth their salt should be doing the same so I’d enquire about this. It may help alleviate your worries. All the best to you anyway.

As a matter of interest what difference have you noticed since you’ve come off Ticagrelor?

[OldHippy in reply to Pegleggreg]

Thanks for your reply Pegleggreg. Since coming off ticagrelor, my energy levels have returned, and I no longer need regular 'feet up' rests during the day. I feel like my old self again. A lot fewer bruises of course!

[OldHippy]

Thanks Colin, yes I'm keen on getting vaccinated ASAP.

[OldHippy]

Many thanks PJ2020. It was hard to pin down specific symptoms of ticagrelor due to all the other medication I was on - it was a couple to three weeks after I came off that I realised I didn't need regular half hour rests, or longer, and was just feeling a bit brighter. A few weeks later I realised I was like my old self again. Suddenly I had energy again, and that draining fatigue I had before had vanished. I've put it down to coming off ticagrelor, tho of course can't be 100% sure - but the evidence points to it!

[beamish21]

I came off Ticagrelor in July and it worried me.A month later I had another heart attack.Probably would have happened anyway.Just take care.

[Qualipop]

I would be very wary of going on the wards. A friend's sister went in for an operation 2 weeks ago. While she was in, a lady was brought into her bay before her test results had come through. When they did, she was positive for covid putting all the staff and all the other patients at risk and all have had to isolate. My friend's sister is testing negative so far but has a while to go yet. My friend said also there was blood and other mess all over the floor and when asked about cleaning the nurses looked surprised and said "Do you want me to get a cleaner in? Not saying this would happen everywhere but it shows it CAN happen. I recently went to urology,thankfully not at that bigger hospital but our local one and the toilets and equipment were absolutely filthy. I had to ask them to get the cleaners in, especially to the toilets. In the middle of a pandemic it shouldn't happen but obviously does. No wonder people are scared to go to hospital. Also in the bigger hospital, covid patients who could were wandering around the corridors and shop in their dressing gowns.

[Maninblack in reply to Qualipop]

I am surprised. Our hospitals are scrupulously clean and I would have no qualms if either my husband or myself had to go in. I want to say a big thank you to the NHS, Royal Papworth and Hinchingbrooke hospitals who have been there for us in these difficult times. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2021.