OFFICIAL NHS LETTER

[Kags1068]

Hi yet again!

Quick addition to my earlier post! I have just received the 'official' NHS shieldimg letter in today's post. Was half expecting it, but it has still made me feel a bit strange to actually have it (don't know if that sounds a bit silly)?

Anyway, it's addressed to me personally as the person the NHS has identified as being at risk of severe illness if I were to get the virus. It recaps what the various texts have said, plus numbered points about what to do about getting routine medicines, planned GP appointments, planned hospital appointments, support with daily living, urgent medical attention and looking after mental well-being. It ends by again listing the conditions considered to be very high risk. (It's the same numbered list that has appeared on various links already. It's the one that starts with "Solid organ transplant recipients)."

It is signed as though coming from my GP Practice, so perhaps that's definitely one way people are being identified?

I do hope this may be useful information? Any questions, please feel free - I'll do my best 🤞🙂

Best wishes

[allanah]

Glad you got the help you need, but I know you knew you should stay in xxx keep well

[Kags1068 in reply to allanah]

Thank-you very much. Thankfully I won't have to change anything I was already doing. I guess it's just hunker down time for everyone! 😊

Keep well too 🤞

[rab1874]

Stay safe xxx

[Kags1068 in reply to rab1874]

Thank-you! You too!😊

[springcross]

Thanks for that. Stay safe.

[Kags1068 in reply to springcross]

You are very welcome. Hope you keep well too😊

[emzc67]

Hi there, do you mind me asking what drugs you take for you to receive the letter? I've been off work since last week as daughter had a cough. Due back next Tuesday although I have RA and take multiple meds, haven't heard anything from work, docs or hospital as yet 😔thank you xx

[Kags1068]

No problem, I don't mind at all! Have had JIA/RA for 37 years now (since aged 14) so medications are very long-term.

At present, I'm on 5 DMARD's. These are HUMIRA (12 years), PREDNISOLONE (27 years continuously, varying doses currently 7mg per day), CYCLOSPORIN (24 years), METHOTREXATE (30 years) and HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE (5 years). I have given you the years I've taken them just in case it provides context.

I also take daily anti-inflammatories, blood pressure tabs, etc.

I hope you hear something one way or other soon, as the thought of going back to work must be very worrying? 😳

I assume it must be something you can't do from home?

Hope this is helpful. Take care😊

[emzc67 in reply to Kags1068]

Thanks for your help, all sorted now, take care 😃

[Kags1068 in reply to emzc67]

You are very welcome. I'm pleased to hear that everything is sorted.

Take care🙂

[Justanothermama]

I have Seen the letter the UK rheumatology put out, and I also score 3 or more. So what exactly does that mean for you? Should absolutely no one be coming and going in the house that you are in? Or can your spouse and you separate and socially distance and still live in the house together? I ask because my husband is still coming and going to work, but I am self isolating. I moved into a separate bed and bath from him. We share other parts of the home, kitchen and living room. But no touching, not sitting near each other. And I sanitize the kitchen in the morning since he was in it before I woke. I just don’t know if I am doing enough to protect myself? I live in the USA. And we do not have a response like yours—we have an idiot running our country. So I’m asking for guidance from my friends across the pond. Many thanks.

[KittyJ in reply to Justanothermama]

Here you go, this is what shielding people are being told to do.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Mmrr]

On a positive note , you know you have been identified and will hopefully get any help you need. Isn't the NHS wonderful?

[Kags1068 in reply to Mmrr]

Isn't it just? I'm very grateful forour NHS at normal times, let alone now! I'm hoping we're quite well set-up. I usually have my prescriptions delivered anyway, and unless anything changes, we have a reserved weekly slot on Ocado. One of my friends is an Assistant Head in a primary school so will have to be going out. She has kindly offered to drop necessities off to me and my parents, to try and stop them going out too!! My husband is staying shut in alongside me. In comparison to many, I feel quite lucky really. I won't be planning to put any extra demands on any other Government assistance on offer if at all possible.🤞

I feel those without any back-up support should get priority.

I hope you are reasonably well set-up too?🙂