Morning everybody hope you are all doing ok😊
I’ve eventually had a letter from the NHS dated 29th April saying they do not believe I’m part of the group who needs to shield - I’m very confused as I have Lupus and am taking Methotrexate so believe that I’m at risk - I will have to wait until Tuesday now to give my surgery a ring and ask them why I’m not at risk 😖
The only things keeping me sane at the moment is Bea and her puppies 🐶- I will post more cute puppy pictures tomorrow 🐶😍
Er - Monday isn't the Bank Holiday! Last year, Theresa May moved it to Friday for VE Day
Since she waited to annouce it until after all the 2020 calendars were already printed and on sale, most of them don't show it!
Not that it makes any difference in todays Covid-world, there were a lot of very annoyed people who had arranged their weddings for the long weekend!
How confusing and not nice to have the uncertainty too. Yes a call to the surgery will clarify things and in the meantime you have your gorgeous Bea and her beautiful puppies to keep you going! All the best 🐾🐶💐xx
No one knows you better than yourself so do what you think is the right thing to stay safe.
Hi svfarmer. The guidelines say you need to be on prednisolone 5mg or greater for at least the 4 previous weeks in additional to methotrexate in order to be on the shielding list. See here (I hope) rheumatology.org.uk/Portals...
Sorry to hear this. Its probably best to give your GP a call to verify. Did you receive a letter to shield in the first place??
Thanks for reply no this is the only letter I’ve received from the NHS x
Yes I think according to the chart and scoring system being on mtx alone doesn't put u into the shielding category. Being on one immunosuppressant doesn't give u enough 'points' as it were unfortunately which seems silly!
Hi Ya , i have Lupus too.I called my Drs because i am not classed as at risk. They said i am in a grey area because i am on Hydroxychloroquine so I am staying in lock down . Hope this helps you . From Karen Stay safe and take care
Yeah I think if u are able to and u dont HAVE to go to work then definitely stay home and shield. Hydroxychloroquine wasnt on the chart as a shielding category no but I'd still be v careful and stay home if poss.
I'm on mtx and long term daily steroids so did fit into shielding so unfortunately have to shield and also unfortunately have had to probably rather dangerously at this point had to have both of these doses increased! Not great timing, thankfully my partner who is also a medical key worker like myself has been given furlough because of me being high risk by his well known company on full pay!!! I'm not even on full pay from my company ha!!
Take care x
Hi everyone, I have lupus and I'm on hydroxychloroquine. According to the rheumatology guidelines it's strict social distancing as I don't score enough points for sheilding, however when I went to see my GP for a flare up of Raynaud's I was told I was to shield. A few days later a letter was sent by the GP to confirm this.
You can't put everyone in the same box. Lupus varies from one individual to another. I end up with severe flares after colds/ infections even though on paper my lupus seems controlled with hydroxychloroquine,I still end up on steroids and being bedridden for weeks in end.
Look after yourself, stay safe.
X
It may be the dosage you are on. I am on the max 30 mil. That’s why I am at risk as it is auto-immune.
I have had the letter from NHS Saying I’m vulnerable and high risk but I had to ring my doctor who agreed that I was. I have now been furlough from work!
Two months later, received a letter, but not 'the letter' - Confused?
Is a letter for employer required?
Message from the NHS - at risk category* new picture added* 
High risk letter
Second wave of NHS letters?
