I have had an NHS email letter and unsolicited testing kit sent to me, advising I should test for covid if symptoms appear and submit the result for release of the new anti viral treatments. Although I have a history of GCA and PMR (currently on 5mg prednisolone). I did not think I was "vulnerable". Checking the NHS link of the qualifying conditions the following is included:
certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
Have others in this community had this offer? (I have had all three jabs)
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DevonMichael
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I think the letter is likely to be standard - but a lot of people with the letter have been rung after testing positive to check on conditions and symptoms and then told they don't qualify for the antivirals because they aren't considered ill enough at that point.
It is still better than not having had the letter and discovering you need it.
I have also received the testing kit and the email. I also have had the two jabs and a booster (but will wait to see if offered another booster). It would have been helpful if the email had included what they now consider the symptoms to look out for. I feel they missed a trick there. Hopefully we won't need to take advantage of this offer although it seems that everyone we know seems to be catching Covid at the moment.
According to Tim Spector, they have steadfastly ignored the ZOE study showing the symptoms have changed. OTOH - I mentioned cough to my GP here in Italy and she said that was';t a common symptom now. That was the worst thing my cousin was showing when he caught it here while skiing!
Latest symptoms from Zoe app - 31 March - screen shot so maybe not vey good quality..
Please note - these are symptoms reported on the App by patients -however the government has steadfastly refused to accept them over the last 2years. So the government list may not be the same.
According to Zoe, the first 5 are the most important to take into account….and as you say most of others could well be associated to others thing.
Plus ZOE study covers all ages….so some of the symptoms would be more unusual for a younger person…..if not old crocks like us….speaking personally of course 😳
I’ve updated The Covid Post to include all the Updated Covid Symptoms & the latest from ZOE - so all the information is to hand, it should also be in Pinned Posts after the weekend.
Yes I did too. Reported a positive lateral flow test and within 24 hours was telephoned by a nurse from my local hospital who said a doctor had reviewed my notes and I was not immunosuppressed enough to qualify for either of the new treatments. I said that was fine by me. I am on 3mg.
I received this letter just after Xmas with a PCR test. Happily never used it but kept an eye on things with Lateral Flow tests. Last week I had a box of Lateral flow tests which I never requested and then an email from the NHS. The email explained that if I develop symptoms to use Lateral Flow test if negative then to test next day and the following day. If positive then to record it and my GP should contact me (they probably won't)if so then ring 119. It depends on severity of symptoms if you are to get anti virals. The PCR test I have not to be used.
Hi Devon Michael yes I too have received letter, test kit and email I too have had all 3 jabs and booster next week...thankfully not had to use kit up to now and 🤞 won't need to but very grateful I have received it, just in case! Currently down to 6.5mg but being very careful as still don't want to catch Covid but numbers here in Devon seem very high so probably inevitable sadly!
I received the test kit a couple of days ago and the email yesterday which was opportune as I tested positive that morning. Waiting to see if I receive a phone call today, should be within 24 hrs. As I’m only on 3.5mg Pred I can’t see me being offered it!
Interesting to read the above posts re the anti viral treatment - I got Covid three weeks ago and sent off the PCR test which I’d received a few months ago, got the positive result Monday and Tuesday received a phone call saying I was eligible for the drugs, no questions asked! I said I was only on 3mg and felt like I was coping well with my symptoms and to save them for someone who was struggling more - she said that’s fine but if I change my mind to just call the hospital back in the morning 🤷♀️I live in Essex, but that shouldn’t have any bearing, surely it should be a uniformed decision nationally and not regionally??
Yes, but my GP says I’m not vulnerable on 5mg. It’s sent from central NHS, without consultation with gp surgeries, I understand. Topic has been covered so many times…you will find lots of posts if you search…& look in the excellent FAQs!
I have Covid at the moment and, soon after registering my positive result, I received a text, email and then phone call telling me I’m eligible for antiviral drugs because I’m on steroids. They were delivered by a courier yesterday and I have to take them for 5 days. I received an email yesterday saying I was still eligible for free lateral flow tests, and a box of them came in the post today.
PS forgot to ask what dose of prednisolone are you on? Many of the posts above seem to indicate that the anti viral treatments do not apply for those on low dose. I am currently on 5mg but have a history of initial doses of 40mg for GCA and 15mg (twice) for PMRs.
The government guidelines are now extremely confusing. We're told not to use PCR tests, only lateral flow. But the instructions on the email say only to use the lateral flow if you have tested positive for covid. Uh, how??
"The government guidelines are now extremely confusing"
Were they ever anything else?
That sounds like a typo - LFT to establish likelihood and PCR to confirm is the logical way round as the LFT gives an instant result - PCRs can take a few days
This bit is also worth noting: "You can use any lateral flow tests supplied by the Government. Tests bought from a shop cannot currently be registered via GOV.UK or 119 and you will not be contacted about treatment if you test positive using these tests."
Makes you wonder the worth of the bought ones - so why shell out for them. They aren't exactly cheap if you don't earn an MP's salary. One is considerably more than my payrise on my state pension ...
Yes, I received a box of Lf tests in the post this morning. No email or letter so I don't know why or how I got them. I'm currently on 3.5mg. I had Covid over Xmas - not too bad.What do we do if we test positive after a Lf test? There are no more PCR tests via the NHS. I suppose you just have to assume the Lf test is accurate and rest up. But there will be no record of you having had Covid on your Nhs record.
May I just chime in and say how very blessed y'all are in the UK? I had Covid back in February (I have PMR, Rheumatoid, and many other high-risk health issues) and was unable to get ANY anti-viral treatments! Horrible! I called all of my doctors who in turn told me to contact my Primary Physician who in turn, directed me (yet again) elsewhere in an attempt to get any of the anti-viral treatments (of which apparently) were few and far between. I was very lucky and my body fought off Covid this time. We do not know for sure how long the anti-bodies remain so as to avoid another bout of who knows what variant is next...Covid. US pretty much removed "masking" requirements too. Personally, I still wear mine when I am out in public! BTW...I hope everyone is safe and healthy!
Hi DevonMichael I have had the same. Not sure if it's because of the PMR of the afib I have. It's scared me a bit as I didn't think I was that vulnerable on 5mg pred
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