Can I go the supermarket? Or am I high risk?

[BLW95]

Hi all,

I have had conflicting advice from my GP and ophthalmologist on whether I should be self isolating. I am on 10mg of prednisolone for Punctate Inner Choroidopathy, and have tapered down from 50mg which started in mid January.

It feels like I am slipping under the radar of my hospital as they haven’t been arranging my next appointments for the last four weeks (previously they do this automatically) and I have had to push to be seen. As they weren’t getting back to me, I asked if my GP would prescribe me more steroids as I was getting low, which he did. He advised that although 10mg is a low dose, he would class me as immunosuppressed because I am still taking more steroids than the body makes. He said should I catch coronavirus, my age (24) would likely aid me in getting better, but to practice self isolating to be safe, and that someone else should collect my prescription. On this basis, I would assume that the same would apply and I should avoid going to supermarkets.

I managed to get hold of the hospital yesterday and asked whether they agreed with this perspective and my ophthalmologist was very blasé, he said ‘you’re on a very low dose and everyone is at risk. You’ll be following social distancing guidelines anyway’.

So now I am not sure whether or not I’m being dramatic in being worried about going to the supermarket and whether I am at risk? I am running out of food so I could do with going. My friend has offered to go for me but although she doesn’t have any underlying conditions, I am conscious that it is still a risky thing for anyone to do, and I don’t like the thought of her risking herself unneccessarily (she would have to go for me sooner than she needs to for herself).

And if anyone else here is in the UK, you know that unfortuantly online deliveries is not an option as everyone has taken all the slots for weeks and weeks to come, same with click and collect. I also live by myself and my neighbours and dad (who lives 30 minutes away anyway) fall under the vulnerable category.

Is anyone else in this position or have any advice? Am I immunosuppressed? I don’t know whether to just wear gloves, a scarf and my glasses to protect my face and hope for the best?

[RosMacularSociety Partner]

Dear BLW95,

It would seem that when you are unsure of the safest course of action, then it is safest to err on the side of caution, particularly considering the advice of your GP.

It may be worth contacting your local council regarding local initiatives. Individuals are volunteering to assist others who are stuck due to the need to self isolate. There maybe someone who could collect some shopping for you.

In addition, these links may be of some help:

macularsociety.org/coronavirus

sightadvicefaq.org.uk/indep...

coronavirusexplained.ukri.o...

Please contact us direct citing your county for any further ideas.

The Macular Society Advice and Information Service is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[BLW95 in reply to RosMacularSociety]

Thank you for this!

[Koalajane]

I know eye clinics are closed and only doing injections at the moment

[Catseyes235]

The supermarkets are getting super organised with one in one out policy and distance observed in queues outside the shops and inside so if a friend offers to go and you feel safer staying in then do take her up on this offer. Quite a few of my friends are finding that small outlets and corner shops are okay for supplies as everyone just goes to supermarkets. Make a list and let your friend help! I also found the eye hospital a bit blasé when I called considering they asked me to call them! Trust your doctor on this occasion but mention it when you go to clinic.

[Hidden]

Hi blw95,

If I were you I'd take the advice of your gp. I've found the eye docs dont seem too up on systemic effects of drugs.

As catseye says the shops do seem better organised now and I feel pretty safe in them as no crush anymore.

Whatever you choose to do, the key thing is to regularly wash your hands with soap and water , even at home, and dont touch your face. Docs on the tv in uk have said it's much more likely to transmit via touching contaminated surfaces than the chances of someone coughing on you.

If you shop yourself when you get home wash hands immediately then (whether you or friend shopped) unpack shopping, wiping stuff down, then wash hands again. I would also wash scarf after every use at 60o ( I made a plastic visor instead which is wipe clean by stapling elastic to a sideways A4 piece of clear bendy plastic, added some sticky back foam strip to the top edge, it covers eyebrow to chin and my specs keep it off my face so doesn't mist up).

I also wash my specs with antibacterial soap. I spray/wipe inside front door handle too.

If I use cash ( lots of shops now cashless only) I disinfect coins and notes when I get home. Also bank cards and purse. Then wash hands.

Buy some hand cream!!!!

Doc on telly tonight said put a basket inside by the front door and put car keys, handbags etc straight in it when you get home then wash hands, then wipe each thing down, then wash hands again.

Ps just seen this on another post's thread by Ironbrain :

This by MREH:

"Patients taking immunosuppression medications are not at increased risk of catching coronavirus but may be more severely affected if they do get it."

mft.nhs.uk/royal-eye/manche...

[Bobbie915]

As far as online shopping is concerned, keep checking. In our area Tesco had 2 slots for this week. Someone must have cancelled.

[Hidden]

Hi BLW95,

My daughter suffers from Myasthenia Gravis, and had her thymus gland removed when she was 11 years of age. Lauren takes prednisolone, plus immunosuppressant drugs daily, and she is now 47 years of age. She recently had major surgery, and was actively working in a busy bakery shop. Thankfully, the shop has now closed over the Covid - 19 crisis. However, she actively visits her local supermarket, has to walk everywhere as she does not have transport, and regularly walks her dogs. She is not behaving recklessly, but has to put everything into perspective. As locking oneself away for an unlimited period of time, can predispose oneself of basic immunities. Plus, having to listen to daily death statistics, and scaremongering tactics, will eventually lead us to believe that we cannot survive. It is understandable that we will worry, but worry in itself is also a stultifying disease. Sometimes, we have to defy the odds, and then our confidence builds up. I really have great sympathy for everyone at this time, especially all of the people on this site.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

01776, couldn't agree more re perspective, statistics, and fear. I would like them to also say how many have recovered and estimate how many more had it so mild they didn't realise. It is a fact that many more live than die.

Having said that of course, that's exactly why social distancing and hand washing etc is so important.

I'm less worried about the virus than of clinics cancelling inj on folk!

Ps an American friend shared this site with me, she checks the validity of everything but I haven't looked into it myself ( plus of course one has to trust the country submitting the info).

worldometers.info/coronavir...

[Catseyes235]

If you have been advised to self isolate that applies to everything. Your council website may have advice as mine dies and a number to call if needing help as people are volunteering (though not sure who they are or if they have been tested?)