APS and covid19

[Christine7]

Hi all, I’ve just been reading the BBC news article about the new information surrounding covid and blood clotting and sticky blood. These appear to be major issue if you contact the virus. Does anyone know if we’re more at risk or as we take anticoagulants less at risk of serious complications? Should we now be shielding? My GP has sent a letter 9 weeks ago to say I’m in the “at risk” group and haven’t been able to go to work as I can’t social distance. Any advice would be great. Thanks 🌈

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

There isn’t any answer to your question. If you are in the high risk group as I am, follow the social isolation advice, wear a mask IF you HAVE TO go out.

Stay safe and be well!

With good wishes,

Ros

[Christine7 in reply to lupus-support1]

Thanks for your reply. I’m not going anywhere at the moment only garden but if I do I’ll definitely take your advice. Stay safe

[TwoH]

You are asking a question that I'm sure we all have right now but I have not found an answer on it. I honestly believe that no one is sure which is to be expected. It takes time to determine risks and so we will have to wait until they learn more. I understand my risk of getting the virus but not sure on the risk of adverse or serious complications. I just use social distancing and I wear my mask if I have to leave my house. That's all I can do for now.

[Christine7 in reply to TwoH]

Thanks for your reply and stay safe.

[Ray46]

Short answer as to what the risk is if you already have APS: no one knows.

I isolated from the rest of my family starting in the week before lockdown as a precaution, as they were still working outside the house at that point. I haven't left the house since then.

I have since been told by NHS that I am in "clinically extremely vulnerable" group, and must shield. I have other issues as well as APS, so it may not be just APS that triggered that category.

Shielding means you do not go out, at all, no exceptions. No one comes in, only exception is for providing essential medical care. In the house you either distance from all other occupants and have separate sleeping, bathrooms, plates and cutlery, towels etc. OR everyone in the household shields. The latter is what we are now doing, one son having left home so he can carry on working.

Also be very careful of _things_ coming into the house - I know of (via friends and family) multiple people who stayed in, had no social contact, and caught it apparently from deliveries, some of them ended up on ventilators. All our post is left >24hrs before handling and all deliveries in cardboard, anything in plastic is left longer. Food is washed, if it is sealed in plastic it is either disinfected or unwrapped wearing masks and gloves.

That's what we do - to be fair, guidelines do say shielding is optional and that some may not wish to, such as the ones who really are "going to die soon anyway".

[Christine7 in reply to Ray46]

Thanks for your reply. I’m so glad people on this site are taking this virus very seriously. I’m not shielding but in the “at risk” group and not going out at the moment. We to leave all post and deliveries in “quarantine for 3 days. Stay safe

[veganworld]

Hi

Did you see the post on here five days ago by peaky desk ? I thought I was safer and have been thinking out loud about it on this forum but after reading the article I just mentioned it has made me think otherwise. It proved that you can be on blood thinners and still get Covid with all of its nasty effects. We are all basically asking what happens to you if you contract a virus that causes Sticky Blood when you already have sticky blood. Prof Hughes told me that he had only seen clotting storms when patients warfarin was stopped. That was years ago. Although we all have APS we all seem to have a wide variety of different other health issues that goes along with it so it is the million dollar question really. I think we all wish they new more in particular for our category. Like all the others that have replied we have to be extra careful just in case. My husband is a key worker and I am at risk because of his job but I make him wash his uniform as soon as he comes through the door. I pay extra attention to hand washing and not touching my face and don't go out much.

Stay well

Kaz x

[Christine7 in reply to veganworld]

Thanks for your reply, I haven’t seen that post but will take a look now. Stay safe

[altar]

There is still so much to learn about this virus. At first it was thought to be mainly a respiratory disease but now we know more about it causing clotting.

I was unfortunate enough to get Covid (tested positive) back in March and knowing what I know now makes a lot more sense of my symptoms. I got through it, but was seriously ill for 10 days and then a further 2-3 weeks to fully recover.

[Christine7 in reply to altar]

Thanks for your reply and hope your completely recovered now. Do you take warfarin and did your health professional continue with it? I’ve heard that some anticoagulants are not working if you contract covid. X

[gazaeee]

I even wonder if some recently diagnosed with APS have it as a consequence of catching the virus

[Christine7 in reply to gazaeee]

It makes you wonder doesn’t it.

[gazaeee]

There is a new article on the BBC site and it talks alot about the clotting

[Christine7 in reply to gazaeee]

Thanks I’ll check it out

[Stereolover]

Hi I have MS and APS. I haven’t been told I’m at a high risk. The letter I received from my GP surgery had a short list of those who would be at high risk and they were all cancer related,

I haven’t been out since 6th March although I would have if I could. Instead my partner has been busy painting. I’ve spent this weekend in the garden which was lovely.