Isolated

[Carolsos]

Do we have to isolate ourselves since we have a weaken immune system? It says on the news the people that have to get the flu jab are included. I feel perfectly fine and am working!

Hope everyone takes care.

[KittyJ]

Depends on what meds you are on really. You could ask you rheumy team or look here

nras.org.uk/news/coronaviru...

Social distancing is what I am doing but that might not be the recommendation for you unless you think you have Covid-19 then you should be self isolating.

[Pippy25]

I think it depends upon your own set of circumstances really. I have been social distancing for a few weeks now but given my own health situation it is time for me to prepare to isolate. Take care and stay well.

[springcross]

You too.

[Mum_of3]

I'm in isolation as was warned how dangerous it would be if I got it. I was advised the whole family had to self isolate with me too

[KittyJ in reply to Mum_of3]

Did your rheumy tell you this Mum_of3?

[Mum_of3 in reply to KittyJ]

No gp surgery. The guidelines are anyone on the at risk needs to self isolate. We know our Immunes are low so why risk it? I'm really prone to infection as it is. We just all need to be careful and play it safe as frustrating as it is

[KittyJ in reply to Mum_of3]

Yes it’s very individual, I’m only social distancing at the moment but am practically self isolating really as I’m barely going out.

[Mum_of3 in reply to KittyJ]

Well take care of yourself x

[KittyJ in reply to Mum_of3]

You too x

[gradyjackjacob]

I rang the rheumatology nurse and she said to be on the safe side I should self isolate but she did,nt mention my husband.

[A234]

I phoned my GP today and her advice was to stay at home for 12 weeks and have minimal contact with people. I mentioned that I feel well but she said given that I’m on methotrexate and hydroxycloroquine it’s better to be on the safe side .

Has anyone else been told to isolate for 12 weeks ?

[KittyJ in reply to A234]

No I haven’t and I’m on those and a biologic too. Maybe you have other health concerns?

[A234 in reply to KittyJ]

No other health issues only RA 🤷‍♀️

I’m going to follow the advice I was given , better safe than sorry.

[KittyJ in reply to A234]

Oh well, we do all seem to be told different things. Yes best to follow the advice given for you. Stay safe 😷

[Hidden]

I wonder sometimes if rheumatology nurses and consultants know stuff about their individual patient’s immune systems that they haven’t explained to us? My Scottish GP practice didn’t offer me a flu jab during the last immunisation programme and when I asked i was told that I had fallen off the Scottish gov coding because I’m no longer immune suppressed due to allergies and being taken off these. The GP put RA, Lupus and Sjögren’s into his coding register but none fitted so in the end he put pending dmards and this allowed him to get me a flu jab.

When I asked him and another if I’m at greater risk from Covid 19 because I’ve learned recently that I have an unusual form of immune dysfunction no one has ever told me about before - they got defensive and said it’s not their fault I’m not flagging up under the Scot gov coding - it’s something that has to be taken up by me with the government not with them?

It was an eminent English rheumatologist I saw privately who showed me that I have this form of immune dysfunction called Hypergammaglobulemia. Apparently it can affect people with RA and Sjögren’s. healthline.com/health/hyper.... If I hadn’t seen her I’d be none the wiser.

healthline.com/health/hyper...

Dangers to people with hypergammaglobulinemia

High levels of gamma globulins in the blood are dangerous because these can lead to an increased likelihood of contracting viruses and infections.

Hypergammaglobulinemia leads to increased vulnerability to:

anemia

respiratory infections

skin infections

fungal infections

autoimmune