Sick note

[Buckybri]

So what I am kind of seeing is that we don’t have to self isolate but be very careful what we do and if we do feel ill then ring 111 so if I decide to self isolate would the doc give me a sick note or would I only get one if I was told to self isolate ? I can get ten weeks pay from work but I would have to have a sick note .

[Lolabridge]

Does it depend upon whether you are in either the “vulnerable “ or “high risk” categories according to the government guidance?

[Buckybri in reply to Lolabridge]

That’s what I was thinking and I’m still unsure what we r biological and mtx

[Rachypants87 in reply to Buckybri]

Biologics put you at high risk 😞 sorry to be the bearer of bad news xx

[Eiram50]

Really? That’s not my understanding.

I thought we were to socialise as little as possible and avoid supermarkets, bars, cafes etc . But also, if showing symptoms, to self isolate for seven days but no need to ring 111 unless symptoms deteriorate ?

[KittyJ in reply to Eiram50]

That is my understanding too Eiram.

[Buckybri in reply to KittyJ]

My rhumy nurse is ringing me today so if what you are saying is the advice then I’m given then I would of thought that a sick note would not be a problem . My daughter is now off school so I could do with it , I have no one to look after her as her grandparents are old and heave heart conditions , this is a nightmare for everyone.

Stay safe all and do what you deem to be right .

[Buckybri in reply to Eiram50]

Yea that’s my understanding to but as I work with around 1200 people from all over the world I think I need to keep away

[Eiram50 in reply to Buckybri]

I understand. What is it you do? Isn’t your work making no provisions? Working from home etc. I get why it would be such a concern for you and it’s a difficult and terrible decision that people are having to take between protecting themselves and protections. Their income.

[Buckybri in reply to Eiram50]

I’m kind of lucky I’m entitled to ten weeks sick so I won’t lose money but that’s if I can produce a sick note , honestly I work in despatch for a m&s suppler and there r people from all over the world and believe me even if they were having symptoms of this virus they wouldn’t care they would still come to work . So it’s hard for me to keep away from anyone but on the plus side if anyone wants a curry then give me a shout 😉

[Eiram50 in reply to Buckybri]

It’s a difficult one isn’t it? Perhaps speak to your doctor for some advice.

I wish you all the best

[mjrminor]

Here's a link to the government guidlines of who is high risk. If you scroll down to the bottom and look at the table, it tells you where we all fit in and what we should be doing in terms of social distancing/ self isolation.

The way they're putting it to make it easier to understand is that anyone who is required to have an annual flu jab for medical reasons is high risk.

And looking at that table, the measures for high risk strongly advise against having friends and family visit your home.

I'm on dmards but not biologics, which still require an annual flu jab. I also have asthma so that's me staying put. We can still go out for walks and exercise. It's just a matter of staying away from all the mentioned places and staying away from others at a distance of two metres.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[achyknitter in reply to mjrminor]

Like you, I had decided to self isolate - I take DMARDS and have asthma but the main reason was that it takes months for me to recover from viruses. However, I can no longer get my groceries delivered from Tesco, so I shall have to brave the shops - won't that be fun. I originally started shopping online last year because I was finding shopping such a struggle.

[mjrminor in reply to achyknitter]

It's a nightmare, isn't it? I cannot get paracetamol anywhere and because of the asthma it's the only painkiller I can take. I just spoke to my GP pharmacy line and they won't give it to me on prescription because they're reserving it for people who already have it on prescription. I didn't even know I could get paracetamol on prescription until now.

Stay safe out there!

[achyknitter in reply to mjrminor]

I am just hoping that the panic will subside over the next two or three weeks and we will be able to buy the essentials again. Have just heard that the local shops are trying to get a delivery system up and running.

[mjrminor in reply to achyknitter]

Our local farm shop and butchers are doing the same. It's great to see local businesses pulling together to help the wider community. But yes, all the panic buying needs to stop because it's only making life even more difficult for everyone else.

[fitfatty in reply to mjrminor]

I have bought some online from Express Chemist and Pharmacy 4U. I have just checked and Express Chemist still have some.

[mjrminor in reply to fitfatty]

Thanks. I'll check now.

[Hidden]

I have sent emails galore to medics to confirm this. My Gp is under the impression it’s business as usual with extra precautions. NRAS says we are at High risk. My rheumatologist/ clinic haven’t got back yet. I have several family and friends who are doctors or nurses and surgeons this about 10 people and all said self isolate. My son is adamant he’s going as many of his friends he may not see again. He was due to sit his GCSEs he’s gutted. See if you can get a letter from clinic. I work in a school so I don’t need a note now. Stay safe x

[Jue8]

Hi

I’m on Sulfasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine. My problem is that my Rheumatology nurse said I am vulnerable and should be asking my employer what measures they can put in place to support me so I’ve asked if I can be supported to work from home. However as RA is not listed on the government’s list as an underlying health condition (even though it’s an auto immune disease and we have to get the flu jab) my employer does not class me as vulnerable and will not support me. I’m finding this so stressful as I’m worried about going to work and am trying to social distance as much as I can. I’m going to try and speak to my Rheumatology nurse again or my GP to see if they can provide any written evidence but I know they will be busy.

[Angjoplin in reply to Jue8]

I'm in the same position. I've asked twice and not got anywhere. 😕

[Jue8 in reply to Angjoplin]

Hi

A lady in my office has COPD and has been sent home from work to isolate for 2 weeks on special leave. I’ve taken this week off as unpaid leave. I just want to be recognised as vulnerable so provision can be put in place but really struggling. I’m hoping the government list will eventually be updated and list RA as it’s causing so much stress and uncertainty for lots of people. I’m just about to phone my Rheumatology team again. There is a also a Q and A on the NRAS website later which hopefully may clarify things 😊

[Angjoplin in reply to Jue8]

I'm also worried about even having a job. We sell supplies to the hospitality sector. Part of me wants to stay at work as long as possible to get in as much money as I can while I can. I don't know what to do for the best. I'm trying not to get stressed so I don't have a flare, but it's not working, I'm stressed out.

I hope you manage to get working from home soon.

[Jue8 in reply to Angjoplin]

Hi it’s really hard isn’t it as it’s such a stressful situation and stress is not good for our condition. I’ve decided I’m going to phone my GP next week (he’s off work this week) and see what he recommends and maybe broach the subject of a sick note. I have been feeling fairly well of late but all this stress is causing me to flare.

[Hidden in reply to Jue8]

I personally emailed NRAS on Monday. Response was high risk but cannot find guidelines or policy to back this up for workers who need a clarification note for employers

[Jue8 in reply to Hidden]

Hi the NRAS are doing a live Q and A this evening at 7 pm I’m hoping they may clarify some issues for us.

[Hidden in reply to Jue8]

I know I’ll be listening after my next sale shopping 😁I already sent my question in

[Jue8 in reply to Hidden]

Me too! I’ve read lots of the submitted questions and hope we can finally get some clarity on our vulnerability

[Dreamer85 in reply to Jue8]

I had this argument with my manager yesterday. And really it's clear, we are immune suppressed. Really frustrates me as my work is the same and I'm still here working.

[Dreamer85]

I'm also not sure what to do, I'm high risk but can't work from home. I'm public facing in an opticians, my employer told me I wasn't high risk and had to argue the facts getting myself upset in the process... and now schools have closed and have no childcare. It's a hard situation.

If I leave work I presume it will be unpaid.

[Hidden in reply to Dreamer85]

What medication are you on? I worked in a opticians for 20years. Dispensing spectacles etc requires close contact and certainly cannot be done at the safe distance advised .

[Dreamer85 in reply to Hidden]

I'm on leauflunomide and methotrexate, thanks for your reply.

[Hidden in reply to Dreamer85]

I would contact your clinic for advice...

[Jue8 in reply to Dreamer85]

I’ve just listened to a recording from my Rheumatology team and methotrexate is classed as an immunosuppressant drug and therefore classed as high risk and advice is to social distance

[Dreamer85 in reply to Jue8]

Thankyou!

[Hodc]

My gp gave e me a sick note for 8weeks and said to self isolate. Can't watch my granddaughters or go out.

But now my work authority has put all of us vulnerable people on special leave, which means that we still get paid and it doesn't trigger sickness review. But was warned it might be for longer.

So check it out with your HR and ask for a risk assessment.

[CagneysMum]

I’m on methotrexate and hydroxy for my RA and I have no other medical conditions but my consultant has advised that I should self isolate, as recommended on national health guidelines for any one taking steroid or chemo drugs to your suppress your immune system.

[Buckybri in reply to CagneysMum]

My docs are saying that my employer has to guide me , but can’t get in touch with them . My rhumy nurse haven’t got back to me to tell me what risk I am . I can’t go to the docs , this is a nightmare. The docs should look at my medication and tell me surely

[Buckybri]

Rhumy nurse rang me today and told me that we are high risk from the condition and the meds but from next week she thinks we will be told to isolate .

[Flowersaregreat]

I got a phone call at the start of last week to say I'd been flagged up on their NHS computer system for inflammatory arthritis (as autoimmune condition this is why I got the phone call) they switched my appointments (not rhuem) to phone appointments only, said to stay away from the hospital if possible. I was a bit upset that I "wasn't allowed" to go face-to-face but now it's 12 days later I'm glad. Gp has been good on phone also.

I am finding the whole thing really stressful, making my already bad mental health much worse