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[Circledancer]

Oops, my post went too soon. Do test and protect get in touch with me or do I have to ring them? I am on 20mg MTX and Hydroxychloroquine.I know this has been talked about a lot on here but I often just skim the posts.

[Blueskysunshine]

Hi Circledancer, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve tested positive and hope it’s mild for you. In my experience, I’m in England, I reported the positive test on the gov.uk site and had a call from my local hospital within a couple of hours. The anti viral meds were delivered by courier that day.

All the best x

[Circledancer in reply to Blueskysunshine]

Thanks for your reply Blueskysunshine.I'm not sure if I will qualify for anti virals but I did call the phone number in the link in the text which was for my local health board and I was asked to leave a message which I did.

I'm starting to feel quite poorly with a sore throat, hacking cough and a headache but don't feel as though I have a temperature - yet.

I'll just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow. 😕

[Blueskysunshine in reply to Circledancer]

I was surprised when I got the letter in February stating that I might be eligible, and thought they’d made a mistake. I’m on 15mg mtx so… in theory, you’d be eligible but reading on here, it seems to be an area lottery.

[Runrig01]

The access to antivirals were tightened in March this year, with many on biologics no longer qualifying. Methotrexate is only taken into consideration if it is taken for interstitial lung disease, and not for rheumatology conditions. Hydroxychloroquine is not listed at all. Here is the full document listing who qualifies. This is separate from the Spring Covid booster, for which you would still qualify. Hope you’re not too poorly with Covid, and that your better soon.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[GinnyE in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks for the link. I have tried to understand it! I had my booster vaccine yesterday, for which I qualify, is this just because of RA? And if I'm deemed at risk in this respect why not qualify for anti virals (which I got last year when it was still considered necessary). I take 20 mg methotrexate, which, as I understand it, now doesn't signify.

I couldn't understand the reasoning. I would report a positive test as they have sent me a test kit and let someone on the other end decide how to interpret anti viral use.

Just another point - does the document now say if you have copd you qualify? (Awaiting breathing test in June) Or, thinking about it, was it saying only if you're on meds for it.

My poor old brain can't compute!!

[Circledancer in reply to GinnyE]

Me neither🙆‍♀️. I have my spring booster (7th vaccine) booked for 19th May. Does anyone know how long you have to wait after being infected with covid to have a vaccine? When I reported my test on gov.uk I received another text and email from NHS Scotland ( as well as the automatic ones you get when reporting a test) . I've followed the instructions in the link so we'll see what happens.

I also left a message on the Forth Valley Rheumatology helpline.

Thanks for replies everyone.

I'm feeling pretty rotten at the moment and the most worrying thing is my pulse rate is between 95 and 102 when I'm usually between 68 and 78!

[Runrig01 in reply to GinnyE]

I’m not sure what your meds are for your RA, my response was to the OP. Patients on TNF biologics, or Jak inhibitors have been found not to be at risk of severe disease, according to their studies. Biologics that depletes B cells are still eligible. I would definitely encourage anyone to submit their positive test, as if you are on other immunosuppressants or low dose steroids, or have a comorbidity like diabetes, high BMI etc, they are taken into consideration. It does state in these cases the clinician can use his discretion. I have 2 friends on tnf inhibitors and MTX who were refused recently.

Re copd, it is limited to certain cases, such as those using non invasive ventilation, oxygen, or those with severe disease and an FEV <50%. Here’s a screenshot explaining.

Copd

[Runrig01 in reply to Runrig01]

Here’s the section re tnf and Jak inhibitors

TNF & Jak

[Runrig01 in reply to Runrig01]

here’s further info

Biologics

[GinnyE in reply to Runrig01]

Yes, that's what I thought. Thanks. We will all need a medical degree soon to understand where we fit!

[AnnieJ123 in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you for this. I had COVID a few weeks ago and take Benepali.I was refused antivirals despite feeling poorly. I could not understand why I was turned down. Your link here is a great help and has given me the explanation I was looking for , thank you.

[Runrig01 in reply to AnnieJ123]

your very welcome, glad it helped. It’s reassuring that evidence is suggesting those on TNF & Jak inhibitors, are not at risk of serious disease. I would still chase though, especially if you have other conditions or other immunosuppressants to be taken into consideration. Hope your recovering ok 🤗

[Paula-C]

I tested positive yesterday. I'm on enbrel and mtx, had a call today and I'm not in the group now to have anti virals. Was told beings my RA is well controlled and I don't have any other health conditions i.e. heart, lung or diabetes and I'm not alot over weight I don't qualify now for them.

[Circledancer in reply to Paula-C]

I'll probably be the same Paula. I've apparently been referred to a clinician who is to call back and presumably assess me. I don't have heart or lung conditions or diabetes. My 'only' other problem is my BMI is 31🙆‍♀️😦.

[Paula-C in reply to Circledancer]

It was a doctor that I spoke to today. At the moment I'm not too bad, but I caught it from my husband who was bad with it. If I could get them I wanted to get everything in place incase I get worse and needed them.

[Circledancer in reply to Paula-C]

Hope you are starting to feel better now, Paula. I didn't get anti virals either, very nice pharmacist called from FVRI and although she did chat for a wee while, she said as I wasn't on biologics and didn't have heart or lung conditions, that I wasn't eligible.

I am feeling a good bit better, still very congested with a catharral cough, but still testing positive. It is only my 4th day so I'm thinking that the vaccines have done their job if this is as bad as I'm going to get🤞.