Shielding letter

[MrsC2403]

Hi I

Am a little confused. I spoke to rheumatology and they said I wasn’t classed as high risk but then I received a letter from my GP saying I was??

I only take 7.5mg methotrexate no flare ups I’m 32 with no other health issues.

Not sure what I’m

Supposed to do. I certainly don’t feel high risk! X

[Sue4983]

Hi there

I’m older than you and take 15mg of Methotrexate but was told by my GP right at the beginning of the pandemic to shield.I have been doing that ever since but have never received any letters and when you go on the Rheumatology website it says only social distancing as I’m vulnerable not extremely vulnerable .

I would rather err on the side of caution and maybe that’s what my GP was doing but obviously that can’t be permanent .

[Sheila_G]

You will be in the clinically vulnerable group and need to isolate apart from shopping and exercise. Keeping 2 metres apart. Only the clinically extremely vulnerable need to shield. On saying that, you need to do what you are comfortable with but always socially distancing. x

[MrsC2403 in reply to Sheila_G]

Thank you so the same as most people at the moment I guess.

I’m a teacher and due back at work in 3 weeks and wondering what I’m supposed to do

[Hidden in reply to MrsC2403]

Same here. I’m onMTX and a Biologic. My nurse said can you work from home. No I can’t . Can I stay 2 meters from everyone. 🙄🙄not a chance . I need to talk to my employer. Next breath we can’t change your meds at the moment because you are not able to have a face to face appointment due to your medication. So I can’t see my Rheumy team or my gp or my physio because it’s not safe but am expected to work if I can distance???? COME ON GIVES US A BREAK. Yes I can do what’s best for me but what about my job what about money ???!

[MrsC2403 in reply to Hidden]

I have just phoned Rheumatology and she said she has me in the moderate risk category and she will get back to me whether I can go back to school.

[Downtime]

I’m in the moderate group as I take 12.5 mg Mxt. I’m careful but I do go out, and even meet a friend for a distanced walk and chat. I’m very careful with hand washing and social distancing. I don’t go to supermarkets and busy places. I did receive a letter from the doctor and I called him and said I wasn’t going to be taking all their advice but I would be (alert😂) He said we sent it to everyone on Mxt as we have to for the sake of people who work and need it for their employer , and also daft people who dont seem to understand the distancing thing. He didn’t say that exactly....

[MrsC2403 in reply to Downtime]

Thank you I phoned today and they said I have a score of 1. So just be sensible but no need to shield just to adhere to social distancing. I only take 7.5mg weekly x

[Bookworm55 in reply to MrsC2403]

Yes I’m 1 as well. Under 70 and just on 12.5 mg mtx (plus sulfasalazine which doesn’t add to risk apparently). I just social distance - only out for shopping and exercise. However I am retired and, as a former teacher of young children , very aware of the problems re opening schools will pose to everyone.

[bubblyalex]

I thought MXT was a tick ‘you need to shield’? Can’t remember where I saw this though.

I think that the gov will still support the shielding and the vulnerable groups.

[crashdoll in reply to bubblyalex]

It’s usually the combination of meds, not MTX alone.

[AgedCrone in reply to bubblyalex]

In the doses Mtx is prescribed for RA, unless a patient has otherv serious conditions or is elderly there is no need to shield.

Look on the British Society of Rheumatologists website

[Dreamer85]

Somebody asked about mtx in the paper and the doctor replied its ultra high risk and to shield. I've had no advice from rhumatology or docs and take mtx and leuflunomide 20mg both. Looking at charts its says I'm high risk but not in shielding category. I'm going to have to return to work soon.

Just trying to do what's best for my situation. Xx

[Boxerlady]

Yet more stories of inconsistentsy (sorry, don't think that's a real word but you know what I mean!)

I'm on 20mg Metoject and according to all the charts I've seen I'm only moderate risk so just strict social distancing. However, my rheumy clinic decided to categorise all their patients as extremely vulnerable so I've been told to shield, have had 2 shielding letters and get texts every day reminding me.... Not a real problem for me atm as I'm able to work from home but when the autumn comes I may have to reconsider as I may need to choose between working and not earning (self - employed). It's a real issue for those of you whose employers want you to return to work though. 😢

[veg_c2000]

I had a virtual Rheum appointment (by phone) in the middle of March when I was told to "stay home and not go out" to which I replied that I needed to go food shopping to which he said "no - get your neighbours to shop for you". I didn't get a letter so called my GP in early April for clarification and was told that I should definitely be shielding so I asked for a letter for work. Letter arrived about a week later and 10 days or so after that I received a call from my GP saying I didn't need to shield as I was only a "moderate" risk. Last Thursday I got a text from "NHS Coronavirus Service" saying I had been identified as someone who may be at high risk and I would get a letter from the NHS saying this. I'm just confused as to what I'm supposed to be doing.

V.

[Bookworm55 in reply to veg_c2000]

Now that aspects of the lockdown are being lifted it is even more important that those with any risk factors are protected.

[AgedCrone]

Believe your rheumatologist.....GPs are not reliable judges where RA is concerned !