Carer check for Covid.

[Elbowpiece]

I have LVV so stay close to camp. However wife goes out several times, how often should she check with the Boots Covid kit, everytime. Now the gloves are off and Delta is flying around what are you doing other than shielding.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, if you mean she needs to keep you safe with regular testing, it wouldn’t be much use unless you isolate from her after each trip out to cover the incubation period. Testing too soon after a contact will give a false negative. By the time she tests positive she’s probably already been infectious to you mad the horse has bolted. Lateral flow tests are not reliable especially if the outcome is critically important to your safety. Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think your wife needs to continue to take the precautions that presumably she’s been doing up until the last week - mask, space, hands etc, etc…...we have to continue to look after ourselves…

… and agree with SnazzyD about LF tests.

[Elbowpiece in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes she's been doing that, is that all their is in the armoury, granted it seems effective. Also a friend of mine wants me to meet up but l don't know what to do. He works in a factory where there are lots of people. I'm sure he follows guidance. On top of this l forgot to take my methotrexate and feel vulnerable, l suppose the smart money is to stay at home. I never got a shielding letter, although rheumy told me l was in that group. I was in hospital 19 days while they sorted me out between December '20 and January' 21 when covid was rampant. GP said they were to busy for letters at that time. So l don't know what was on a shielding letter that may help now. I even got pinged while in hospital but they couldn't isolate me, they had no bed space.

[Elbowpiece in reply to Elbowpiece]

Got to wait a week before next Methotrexate dose. Couldn't remember if took or not

[123-go in reply to Elbowpiece]

You need a system whereby you record taking your meds. A sheet of paper with dates and a tick each time is simple and reassuring. Take care.

[MrsNails in reply to Elbowpiece]

Hi,

Do you get your Methotrexate Prescription monthly? It’s worth doing a little chart with the date(s) on & ticking them off when you’ve taken it but you’d also be able to count the tablets to see if you’d forgotten or not.

I’ve attached the link for Shielding Guidance which you may find helpful.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

I’ve met up with two sets of Double Vaccinated Friends, we all followed the current guidance about distance etc & spent time outdoors. Are you & your good lady vaccinated yet?

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Elbowpiece in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks for Shielding link which l have read, we are both vaccinated. I think l will wait till l get Methotrexate on board before venturing out. How long did you stay with your friends?

[MrsNails in reply to Elbowpiece]

We met at a very nice Pub/Restaurant that had open windows & terrace doors, were seated on a large table & spent about two hours with them. On Monday we went out into the garden with our friends after we’d eaten.

We’ve been very gradually building up what we consider ‘as safe as it can be’ & had lunch outside in the garden centre last week, which was excellent!

We haven’t been to Supermarkets, as we have our food delivered but we have been going to M&S Foodhall but chose quieter times.

You can only go out when you feel ready but take advantage of the good weather when your ready & sit outside for a coffee then you may feel ready to meet your friend.

It’s very much a personal decision, we started with garden centres & spent the majority of the time outside.

How are you getting on with the Methotrexate? I have written quite a lot about it & you’ll find them in FAQ’s

Kind Regards

MrsN

[123-go in reply to Elbowpiece]

I would be wary of meeting up with anyone who works in a place where distancing is difficult. Your friend may be careful but the others?? If it's just the two of you outside with lots of space - well, only you can decide. Yes, you are vulnerable and your GP, in my opinion, is negligent in not sending letters. You have to take care of yourself.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Elbowpiece]

Not clear why FORGETTING to take the mtx makes you feel more vulnerable? mtx is an immunosuppressive too.

Personally I'm behaving as I did last year - we are at no MORE risk than we were then and hopefully have at least some protection.

I use one of my phone alarms for special reminders - you can set it for a time on one day - or up to every day. I do occasionally switch it off and forget the tablets but that is during the day. Just before bed tablets are never a problem.

[Coffeebeans]

If this is any use, I must do a lateral flow test twice a week for work if I'm out and about (which is never because shielding too). School kids do twice weekly too. They are useful in that they can pick up asymptomatic illness with a high viral load. They are not there for people to assume they are safe if the lateral flow is negative. I would say pick 2 days a week to test as an additional measure to what you are doing.

If symptomatic, you must get a PCR test by booking on the NHS system.

The risks meeting outdoors are so small. I prefer meeting in my garden where I have chairs out near the table at a good distance from each other. Keep it short then they won't need the loo. Have a think about it 🙂

[Pixix]

To be honest it’s a risk factor and your choice! I’m shielding again and we haven’t met any friends. I have one who is really missing seeing us but she’s not doing testing, visits her family, goes shopping, leads a normal life as she is allowed to do! We shielded for 20 months, we decided it’s too risky right now and we will wait three weeks to see what happens with numbers rising and everybody free! My husband has asthma and COPD so both shield. If only one of you shields you are open to the virus and I concur with the comments re testing! It would be too late for you if one tests positive the other will mostly likely have caught it by then. If you read the new guidance from govt you will see their recommendations on meeting people. If you want better protection you can buy FFP3 masks which have a good filter system and will protect you much better than the disposables. But most people meet friends for food and/or drink so it doesn’t help! I wear FFP3 to all my hospital appointments, they fit much tighter to the face too. Hope you stay safe, we are all having to make our own decisions now, good luck with that!