High risk??

[Maramara]

Are people with RA and biological treatment a high risk category for corona virus?

[oldtimer]

If you put coronavirus risk in the search box there should be lots of posts about this.

[gkelly1]

The latest guidance (for doctors but worth reading is here) rheumatology.org.uk/News-Po...

If you look at the risk stratification and scoring grid links the info is now very specific and depends on drugs taken and co-morbidities. I have moved from being High/Very High on previous guidelines to being Medium, risk score 2.

The guidelines give isolation/shielding advice but it's not clear which of these groups should be on NHS vulnerable list 1 only? All 3? I'm guessing it might be important in the next few weeks as shops/services might move to using your NHS text/letter as proof you are vulnerable. I've submitted this question to Fb live session for this afternoon.

[Maramara in reply to gkelly1]

Who gave u this scores? How can I find out too?

[Kerensa21]

Know what you mean ajay; I’d only score2 ? on one of those yet got told recently by rheumatologist stay in for 12 weeks/high risk. Easy for me & safer anyway but feel for those working

[3LittleBirds2]

Hi Ajay

I rang my doctors yesterday about something else and enquired about the letters while I had them on the phone . I was told bluntly they come from the government 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m on Rituximab and stuff I’ve read said info would come from the day case units database in that case..but I haven’t a clue!

If you feel you fall into the shielding group but have not received a letter by the 29/3 you can still register..it asks some good, specific questions and asks for your hospital number/NHS number too.

It all seems to be a bit of a minefield..all we can do is wait and see.

Stay safe all of you x

[3LittleBirds2]

I think some people may get missed without causing any alarm! But, that’s why it’s good you can still register if no letter and feel you fit the criteria. I think I’m borderline to be honest but may just register if I don’t get a letter too.

[Kerensa21]

Yeah ajay; I was pretty much isolating bar blood test anyway. Lucky to have phone consult but rheum said didn’t matter whether letter or not as he was telling me stay in for 12 weeks. Hope others get more clarity soon; N Ireland letter was more specific, someone posted it here.

[Hidden]

Hi all, hope everyone is ok.

I have received a letter today asking me to stay in for 12 weeks.

I am 45, on 15mg of methotrexate & 2 meds for high BP.

FYI

[Jewels94]

I have not yet received a text or letter, so emailed my GP and rheumatology Department this morning. I have not heard back from Rheumatology Department but got an almost instant reply from my GP. He phoned me to say that as far as he is concerned I am in the highest risk group and should be shielding, but the letter will be sent from the rheumatology Department. I score 3 points when I do the scoring test, as I am on Rituximab and 5mg daily of prednisilone as well as other meds that don’t score

[Lolabridge in reply to Jewels94]

Yes I'm exactly the same but no letter yet. My Rheumatology department are sending them out but not done all of them yet. Plus my surname begins with W so I'm used to being the last to get anything.....