I just wanted to ask for other people’s opinions. I am a staff nurse working at a bedside in acute care setting. I was just recently diagnosed with Jak positive ET and my hematologist put my on aspirin. I’m not on any other meds. I’m not sure if I should take any extra precautions with the Covid 19. My workplace does not let me wear a face mask because they say it’s a waste of resources and that we need to be role models... I wanted to wear it at first because this virus is such a new thing that no one really knows what impact it will have on people with MPN. In addition I’m worried about taking aspirin now because of what some sources say it may contribute to worsening of the symptoms of the virus... I just wanted to reach out to all of you and ask what would you do if you were nurses working at bedside? Should I ask my doctor to write me a note saying that I should wear a mask where I’m in a hospital? I would appreciate any thoughts!
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Karolinka1
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I hope someone can advise you soon. The only thing I know is that the MPN advice is we should continue with our medication. Meanwhile, thank you for everything you are doing. Sallie
Am not able to give you advice speak to your haematologist I’ve taken aspirin for 14years and will continue unless told to stop am waiting to see if I will get a letter from government am ET/MF it’s scary for all of use !
Hi. Take care. MPN advice is a bit complicated as it seems to be different dependent on age and treatment- Maz posted a couple of days ago. I fear we are in the 12 week category so please look after yourself. You are all fantastic - not just now dealing with the virus but at all times the NHS has been there for us. Take care. Jacquie
Oh dear I feel for you. My advice and it’s all well and good saying this as I’m not in your position. If you feel a mask is going to put your mind at ease then wear it. We need you. They are hardly gonna discipline you during this present climate.
I, like you, have ET and am on aspirin. I had a talk to my haematologist last week (who is also a professor specialising in MPN’s) and he said I am no more immune-suppressed/compromised than anyone else my age. But to, of course, take all the necessary precautions re this nasty virus that everyone else should be taking.
Hi, you may be ok as you're not taking chemo, as I am 1500 daily which I think will have weakened immune system. I feel that if you could would be best to contact your consultant, sure they won't mind, they will have the difinitive answer. Will be interesting to see if you get letter, take care, I have been diagnosed 5 years and on the usual scale of things lead a normal life in every respect. (Also 69 years old though dont feel it).
Hi there, I had a thread running last week ‘nursing with ET during concerning times’ might be worth taking a look at,. There are a few NHS /worldwide staff including nurses on this site & it’s interesting to see different situations/opinions & be able to link up with people. Are you based in the UK? What type of bed side nursing are you doing? As I guess some could be considered more high risk than others. Have you spoke to occupational health? Personally I would speak to them regarding PPE / your ET. I’m not sure how ethically ok it is for your workplace to put a blanket rule on everyone not to wear face masks especially considering you feel concerned?
My wife has supplemented with selenium for her MF for many years because it is low in many foods. I encourage you to do an exhaustive study on selenium, as I will make no health claims for It, addressing all your health concerns.
Thank you for your dedication and care for others. I received amazing nursing care when recovering from surgery last year. Made me appreciate nurses all the more.
As a patient in the current circumstances, I would NOT be put off by nurses wearing masks. I would understand. The truth is, the masks protect the patient as much or more than they protect the caregiver. If you are in an acute care setting caring for vulnerable patients, precautions seem reasonable. It seems to me to be better to have you there with a mask than not there at all.
I did see in a recent briefing re. our risks as people with MPNs (not on immunosuppressing meds) that the answer is best summed up as "probably not at increased risk for contracting it, but we really do not know enough about COVID19 to be sure." I think MPN patient body response to COVID19 is likewise unknown at this point as well. I would think that theoretically, like any infection, COVID19 would increase hematopoiesis. Hopefully mostly increasing leukocytes, but possibly inducing reactive thrombocytosis as well. I also wonder about the significance of the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines that accompany the JAK2 mutation. How will this play out with what is being found with COVID 19 and the risk of a cytokine storm? This is just postulating and conjecture. Likewise, I think the note about aspirin is equivocal. Seems to help sometimes, but for some make things worse. Seems like something that is still an unknown.
What I suspect is that we will likely not be any more likely to contract COVID 19 than anyone else unless something has happened to compromise our immune system. Given how differently we tend to present with our MPNs, there may not be a single way all MPNers will react to COVID 19 infection.
Only time will tell how it will really play out.
Meanwhile, I would think you should take whatever precautions will make you comfortable continuing to provide care. Perhaps written orders re. precautions from your hematologist would help. I have heard of caregiving professionals in vulnerable populations being sent home in some locations. Not sure if that is happening where you are.
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