shielding

[cakerbaker]

sorry if I am repeating something and sorry for all the questions. Can I ask what we.should be doing re shielding. I am on 5mg of prednisolone usually but unable.to.cope so upped to 10mg with ok from rheumy.i will then reduce over 3 weeks. Also on Hydroxychloroquine and Azathioprine. I've just read an article about shielding and wondered what others are doing and what we should do. Currently I swab and risk.assess who I see and work from home but worried in case I get anything. Can anyone e offer any help please? Thank you 😊

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi CB.you do what feels right for you.i guess I technically still shield...I dont want covid or flu so i keep my distance,mask up and still don't go into busy places like supermarkets even though ive had all my vaccines. My pred dose is 17.5mg and I take mmf. 🤗 Best wishes

[Life_of_Riley]

Hello, I started immune suppression midway through covid so I did not shield to start with. I was then very cautious and, as covid moved to 'living with', was then told shielding is not in place in my area anymore. I take azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine too. I had the advantage of my first dose of vaccine being before I started aza which I know can give it more effect. I've since had all my vaccines including the extra boosters and caught covid for the first time last month. Antivirals were issued by the hospital in tablet form to me very quickly. I was scared to catch covid (and wasn't great) but now take some comfort knowing a treatment is available which was able to help me. Its given me more peace of mind to go out and about and enjoy myself with friends. I hope you are able to find a balance which works for you too.

[cathie]

I’m on rituximab so although fully vaxed I can’t take risks. I limit social contacts to immediate family and do the rest on zoom. I’m quite happy am busy with various things

[Krazykat26]

I'm still sheilding too. I wear mask when I'm out n about n I try to steer clear of people as much as possible. Close family are starting to visit but only if they have clean bill of health..any sniffles or any inkling of a big n we cancel our plans.qhen my daughter visits we socially distance in the house n ventilate the area.

Husband has Covid at the moment so I'm even sheilding from him currently!!

You do whatever you feel most comfortable with CB 💜🌈😽😽

[juneybells]

hi CB sounds like I'm on the same meds as you. I am not shielding but very cautious. I have had covid twice and the support I got from the NHS was amazing with the help and antiviral meds I didn't end up in hospital. I think you need to do what you feel comfortable with regarding shielding it's a difficult time for everyone who has a low or no immune system. We all need to stay as safe as possible.

be well

[cakerbaker in reply to juneybells]

Yes we do indeed. Thank you for your advice jb. I do think I probably need to take a bit more care but i am aware.of the impact it has on my husband too. Keep well.

[Sara_A]

im on methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and 10mgs pred daily. I initially shielded when it all started etc and worked from home for 15 months as a nurse blah blah....wore a mask for ages and ages, I had covid in march this year luckily I was absolutely fine not unwell at all just had a really horrible taste in my mouth that came and went. I had antivirals tho.

I've just had my 6th covid vaccine and i figure by now that I should be well protected and that evidence shows that most of us that are immunosuppressed should have as much protection after a couple of vaccines as any other person.

yes there are some of us that may need to be more careful but the majority who have been vaccinated multiple times should be ok if careful and don't take unnecessary risks.

[cakerbaker in reply to Sara_A]

thank you. All of your responses have helped me. I hope you keep well.

[sewalongwithme]

Hi there. I am the same doses and meds as your usual doses. Saw my consultant last week and he has advised caution. I too wfh but this week attended a lupus coffee and chat and today am going to meet my colleagues for a development afternoon. My consultant said if I was in a room on my own he wouldn’t worry about me but as I am front facing social care he has advised to wear a mask when meeting folks I deal with. He has advised to continue to assess and choose my friends from amongst those who take matters seriously and prioritise me. I don’t go out shopping or to busy places and am just careful. Life is different these days. I did get Covid in March and was unwell. I didn’t receive antivirals and received an awful service re my care from the covid medicine decision maker locally. Currently got a complaint going through the system. However I did need antibiotics and I was okay after a few weeks. My consultant said I should have received anti viral treatment and the three referrals(all which were met with refusal) were correct. Guidance keeps changing and who kkkws how it would be again. I was okay and I am trying not to worry and get on with life. It’s hard tho and not straight forward. Hope that is a helpful response.

[cakerbaker in reply to sewalongwithme]

Yes thank you it is. I hope you get a decent response from the complaint. Keep well