Confused: I’ve just had a conversation with my medical... - NRAS

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Confused

Matalow profile image
16 Replies

I’ve just had a conversation with my medical center. I was told that my score according to versus arthritis score was only 2 so therefore didn’t not need to shield . I’m 74 ,I have ra , I also suffer from COPD, I’m on Biologics and blood pressure meds as well as many other meds.

If this doesn’t fall into the at risk group what does? I only rang them to find out when I can register to get supermarket at risk slots for online shops. It not critical at the moment as my son is doing our shops but if he falls ill we will be in trouble . Anyway hope you are all managing we have been isolating for the last 5 weeks.

Regards to all Mike

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Matalow profile image
Matalow
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16 Replies
Lyndy profile image
Lyndy

Yes I have had the same response.... despite biologics, pred, bp meds and now suspected asthma. My GP disagrees, thinks I am high risk 🙄

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply to Lyndy

This seems to be getting more ridiculous by the day. I'm 60, in good health other than RA (which is currently pretty well-controlled) only on Methotrexate (& Hydroxychloroquine which doesn't count) but have had the shielding letter - I'd calculated that I was 1 or 2, certainly not 3.....

Dspooky01 profile image
Dspooky01 in reply to Boxerlady

Yes, me too, and same drugs/situation.

sylvi profile image
sylvi

I think someone should have a reality check you need these deliveries more than most.xxxx

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

Join the club! I’m just plodding on & taking care!

Shalf profile image
Shalf

There's something far wrong Mike. This is crazy. You are over 70 and have a lung condition also blood pressure problems AND a suppressed immune system. Are they suggesting you are low risk? I would ask to speak with a GP at the practice.

Take care.

Shocking!!! But not surprised, common sense never seems to prevail in these cases, none the wonder were all confused. I fall into the high risk score as I’m on Prednisolone (5mg for over a year) & Baracitinib 4mg but received no government letter at all. I have registered online with the GOV. COM info left on here but I’m not holding my breath as to getting any help or reply. 🤗X

I’ve had the letter and registered with Gov. uk for shopping 2 weeks ago and twice this week heard nothing

in reply to

Just goes to show that it’s not working with or without a letter or even registering .. Hope you get help soon, stay safe 🤗X

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17

Whatever anyone else (wrongly) categorises you as, you are definitely in the higher bracket from all I’ve seen and read that is official. I’m not being awkward here or derogatory here to GPs, but they are not rheumatologists, so can your rheumatology team help you more? (if you can get hold of them that is.) I want to do exactly the same for home delivery from the supermarket.

Summerrain14 profile image
Summerrain14

It sounds to me that you should be in the shielding group. I spend my days with work trying to get support for people who are vulnerable and needing support to get food and medications. Each council seems to be doing it so differently and hearing mixed stories about getting priority slots with supermarkets. If you can let me know which town you live in I will do my best to find some services that may be able to help. Gail.

Creakywrists profile image
Creakywrists

I’m also in Scotland. I should also be in the shielding group but no letter so far.

My GP practice had already told me that I should be shielding and suggested I contact my rheumy nurse to check. There was a long message on the answerphone listing in great detail who would be in which group (which confirmed I should be shielding) and then there was another message to say that the rheumy nurses can only respond to concerns regarding rheumatoid arthritis.

I phoned the practice back and they told me to shield anyway. We have no supermarkets where I live and our local shop is doing deliveries so I guess it won’t make too much difference to me

sensibleshoes profile image
sensibleshoes

Hi. I’m in wales on mtx and sulfasalazine no other issues I’m in my early 50s so in the scoring matrix I had myself down as a 1. But got the letter which has spooked me a bit. But going to carry on as I was before - being sensible, working from home and social distancing. Fortunate to live out in the country. Keep safe everyone.

Biofreak profile image
Biofreak

Hi Matalow. I too only score 2and I posted about the anomalies with this system a few days ago. Since then, my husband, who doesn't take any immunosuppressive medication and has no diagnosed underlying health conditions has received a text from NHS England saying he is considered high risk. He was gobsmacked as was I. He is the one who has been doing the shopping. We don't know what they have based this on. The only thing we can think of is that he had sarcoidosis 20 years ago and pneumonia 10 years ago. Discharged and given all clear. No lung involved illnesses since. No idea what is going on anymore. Meanwhile I have type 1 diabetes, asthma, RA taking Abatacept and sulpasalazine, osteoporosis and sleep apnoea. I get 1 point for the Abatacept and 1 point for diabetes. 🙃 Don't know, don't understand.😒

MadBunny profile image
MadBunny

There seems to be so much inconsistency. I'm on biologic and mtx , have mild- medium asthma and am on bp meds. My gp told me I am 3, possibly 4 and that I should shield. - even though I'm not over 70. Who spoke to you? I initially was told the same by the clinical pharmacist at the practice but it was the gp herself who told me this. The hospital rheum dept contacted her, so I think the decision might have come from there. The whole system is bonkers and doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Before I got the shielding advice I had decided to use my common sense and self isolate anyway.

bunnycaramel profile image
bunnycaramel

I had the same response was not considered high risk so need to socially isolate. I have RA on MXT biologics asthma bronchietasis and have many infections over the last year with on hospital admission.

That’s exactly what I want supermarkets at risk slots. My son is currently isolating as had symptoms since Wednesday.

Now received a letter from rheumatology with a different story need to shield for 12 weeks

I was told that some people who don’t need to shield have received a letter and others that do haven’t

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