Covid Testing Kits

[KCRoyals]

Hi, am I eligible for free Covid Testing kits. Had PMRG for 18 years

Thx

Tony L

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you mean free ones, not sure. Contact local pharmacy or ring 119 (Covid line) and ask -depends what dose of Pred you are on. But you can purchase from pharmacy.

[KCRoyals in reply to DorsetLady]

Thx for the answer. No problem buying them but if they say auto immune condition allows them for free then it would seem silly to pay. Anyway bought a couple just to keep me going.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to KCRoyals]

It might say ‘autoimmune condition’ - but from comments on here on all things covid related that seems to be open to interpretation from others who are providing the service [whether vaccines, antivirals, free tests].

Not helpful when you just want something done! Somprobably best to do as you have..😊

[jaycee444 in reply to DorsetLady]

Maybe wrong but I think they have now withdrawn the free tests for those with an Auto Immune condition.

[KCRoyals in reply to jaycee444]

Hi Jaycee, went to my local pharmacy and they gave me a pack of five. The NHS rules stipulate they are free if you have an A I condition.

[Kendrew in reply to KCRoyals]

The new NHS legislation stipulates that, 'Covid19 lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people. However, if you have a condition that makes you eligible for covid19 treatment or work in a health care or hospice setting, you may still be able to get free covid19 lateral flow tests.'

It should also be noted that not all pharmacies offer the service of free covid19 lateral flow test kits but a list of ones that do can be found on the NHS website.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jaycee444]

They just want to forget about it seemingly. Too much spent on it in the past -and much wasted…

[KCRoyals in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi D L. Went to my usual pharmacy and they gave me a packet of five. Been on Google, Smoogle, Joogle and Zoogle all morning trying to get a definitive answer but no success. 119 was a comlete waste of time. As I'm working at the election from 0600 to 2200 tomorrow I don't think it would go down to well if about 2000 went down with it in the following couple of days. Going to check tomorrow at about 0500 and if it is still positive I'll have to get some one to take my place.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to KCRoyals]

I did debate whether to suggest 119 - you just reiterated what many others had said!

Rather you than me tomorrow… 🙄 if okay…

[KCRoyals in reply to DorsetLady]

Do you think it was always overexaggerated considering they seem to be dusting it under the carpet.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to KCRoyals]

Have sent you a Chat message..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to KCRoyals]

"Do you think it was always overexaggerated considering they seem to be dusting it under the carpet"

Covid you mean? Certainly not. It remains a serious condition and above all if you haven't had vaccinations, But even with there is still a risk of developing Long Covid and that is building up a major long term problem, especially for an already over-strained NHS and care services.

[Kendrew in reply to KCRoyals]

Please don't ever underestimate the impact of covid19. My next door neighbours and best friend have all just experienced covid19 for the third time, and despite being reasonably okay on both previous two occasions, have been very poorly this time.

So despite being regularly vaccinated, and supposedly accumulating some natural immunity, this current (and ever-evolving) strain has over-ridden any immunity they thought they had.

I think for many people, catching covid19 will probably manifest as nothing worse than a bad cold, but there will also be for many others, far more serious and dangerous implications.

My neighbours' daughter works in a London hospital as a ward sister and she says that she's again seeing a rise in hospital admissions for covid19 care, and the patients aren't just older or infirmed patients.

Covid19 is still around and can still be extremely serious for many people.

Being complacent is unfortunately not an option.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

Not to mention possible neurological effects - my friend has developed cerebellar ataxia. Google it - not nice, affects her mobility and her speech.

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Hadn't heard of that condition before but having Google'd it, I definitely wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Nasty!

Incidentally, my MP has given the NHS a gentle nudge regarding the difficulties I've encountered sourcing a Pfizer vaccination and I've had an email from the Specialist Administrator for Complaints/Nursing & Quality, to say its apparently all in hand and I'll hear something shortly. Fingers crossed 🤞

[Harrywogan in reply to Kendrew]

Hi,Kendrew ,was reading your post regarding Pfizer vaccine ,I've made appointment at BOOTS for mine and costing £98 , it's moderna just now there giving us, so will pay if I have to. Not happy about it.

[Kendrew in reply to Harrywogan]

Thankyou.

Yes, I could pay £100 for a private vaccination at one of our larger high street pharmacies but I'm loathe to do so when I'm entitled to one free on the NHS.

I wrote to my MP about it and she's sorting it out for me.... allegedly! Fingers crossed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

Assuming she's still in the job..😊

[Kendrew in reply to DorsetLady]

She did actually get in again. She also sorted out some NHS fines I was given for, "making fraudulent claims". (Just to be clear, I didn't make any fraudulent claims!) and her team acted quickly and effectively, so happy days!.... for a change! 😄

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

Good to hear… and no I would never think you made ‘fraudulent claims’… 😊

[CovidHelper in reply to Kendrew]

Just to add (hopefully helpfully) to this post and to pick up on the uncertainty around supposedly accumulating immunity…

It’s always been possible to measure your individual immunity level.

It probably well understood now that immunity to covid wanes, and that’s because immune resistance to this particular virus is different.

Autoimmune conditions per se are not necessarily a reason to assume immunity against Covid will be compromised. Some immunosuppressants for version autoimmune conditions will however suppress key parts of the immune response during periods of time. Sometimes however only for 2-3 weeks post treatment, so again no broad assumptions.

There is one test for immunity which provides an insight into immunity on a scale of 1 to 10. The Covid19 BioCard (UK made), identifies the critical IgG spike antibodies (in isolation of generic Nucleoprotein, IgA, IgM etc). It’s also confirms T-Cell existence, albeit they are not the key to immune defence for this particular virus.

The reason the level is crucial is because;

The original variant did not generally infect people who tested above level 2 out of 10.

Delta generally did not infect people tested at level 3 out of 10.

Omicron could cause vaccine breakthrough at level 7 out of 10.

The most recent variant may infect higher than 7.5.

So much like for bacteria, where giving out partial antibiotic courses encourages mutations which cause antibiotic resistance to develop, widespread partial immunity levels to this virus have resulted in variants emerging which circumvent waning levels of immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

Past vaccinations against viruses don’t have this problem, because T-Cell response persists often for a life time. This virus circumvents than evolutionarily bias, meaning you need to have sufficient specific antibodies of a particular type to block infection.

So given past viruses could be blocked reliant upon life long T-Cell development, evolution simply didn’t need to maintain antibody levels when T-Cells did the job. Hence given spike antibodies are key, and immunity to covid wanes, immunity needs to be more actively managed.

The waning of antibodies is particularly unfortunate because it takes only 7 days (once immunity has previously been established), to redevelop peak levels of spike specific IgG antibodies. If you get exposed with a weak level of immunity, you are stuck with only those finite antibodies until day 7, giving the virus a head start.

For people with no acquired immunity, these spike antibodies could take 28 days to appear, hence the virus was free to cause more damage unimpeded for much longer. Having immunity reduces the immediate mortality risk by about 92%. Hence vaccines for people without out it saved lives.

For past variants like delta, almost everyone could regenerate above level 3 on day 7, hence feeling poor in week one, but recovering quickly in week 2.

But what if your immune system struggles to get to high enough levels to overwhelm the virus on day 7?

Well, you may not recover as fast in week 2 as you would have done for prior variants. Which may explain that lingering malaise and 100 day cough.

So best to not get infected in the first place.

Remaining immunity level + viral load when exposed = risk of infection.

If you know you have weak immunity, accepting a booster (personal choice), wear a mask in high risk settings, hand sanitiser, etc might just reduce the viral load to keep infection at bay.

The number of cases currently is higher than most think.

[Kendrew in reply to CovidHelper]

Exactly my point. Thanks for your commentary. Very interesting and informative read.

[HarcHill in reply to KCRoyals]

I lost two people to Covid. They died way too young, in terrifying conditions without family around them . So no, not exaggerated.

[PRL1957 in reply to KCRoyals]

Who are 'they' that are 'dusting it under the carpet'. Yes, currently, numbers of Covid cases are rising, but from a relatively low baseline (fortunately).

Personally, I hope the numbers remain low, because the risks from Covid are not insignificant. Some people (e.g. me, apparently) get very mild symptoms, but others (e.g. my wife) can get very ill. A significant number of people have died from Covid. Others have developed Long Covid, which has severely affected there lives for months or even years. So, not 'always overexaggerated'.

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to PRL1957]

Well said, I live in the area mentioned and yes parts like everywhere in the country need some attention, but its a fantastic place to live. I have brilliant NHS health care which I am not sure would be improved if I went privately.

[lennysmummy in reply to KCRoyals]

Crumbs I bet you wished you had never mentioned it now! 🙈❤️

[KCRoyals in reply to lennysmummy]

Nope, nice to hear other's thoughts, even though I don't agree with them all.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to KCRoyals]

See my chat message

[Pixix]

I’m on day 27 of Covid & have bad breathing problems. Was prescribed asthma inhaler yesterday (I’m only asthmatic when I get a chest infection, ha ha or Covid, now I’ve found out). We shielded for 3 years & have to shield each winter (not connected to PMR). I bought Covid test kits. I had 3 years of free ones, as many as I wanted, I’m not that tight, buying a pack now & then should be OK. I tested positive for 15 days & tested each day as my husband had pneumonia & I had to live in our motorhome on the driveway! You wouldn’t expect the Govt to pay for cold remedies, or ‘flu remedies, so I don’t think they should pay now, personally. Many don’t test now, they just go to work to pubs, restaurants & spread ur around. It’s so selfish & stupid behaviour, imho, & don’t get me started on people who moan about missing one party, or one week they have to stay home! I’m still fighting hard to be rid of it (but again, not just PMR, I have lung issues). Wow, the polling…another way to increase Covid today. We have a postal vote because it’s too risky, a great big catching place…it’s any bugs for me, the common cold is quite lethal to some of us! When somebody in the office had a cold & cane to work, I had to go home & work!!

[ladygigger in reply to Pixix]

Very true - and how I caught my first dose of covid back in May 22: at that time I was a part time music photographer and had been asked to cover an Alice Cooper gig at Birmingham World Resorts Arena. One of the other photographers posted that she'd got covid and wondered whether she should go to the concert. I didn't notice that some photographers were giving her a wide berth, and stood next to her in front of the stage... the obvious happened. This was pre-PMR though - it started developing from August onwards and I was diagnosed in November - and no, I'm not blaming covid for my PMR.

[Pixix in reply to ladygigger]

I think you’re right, the triggers were probably mounting, partly through a high pressure job!! So lousy, why can’t people just be less selfish! S x

[ladygigger in reply to Pixix]

I think you're absolutely right. I covered 3 biggish local festivals that year. The first I walked 8 miles between the 3 stages on the first day with 2 full frame cameras and heavy lenses. Cut down on the 2nd/3rd days, but had to reduce kit through the summer - ending up with a final small festival at the end of October 22 when I could only use 1 camera and my smallest lens. Once I'd shared the review and pictures, took to the sofa for 6 weeks, just couldn't move!

[Pixix in reply to ladygigger]

yes, that’s an overload! I was European director of Marketing for a pharma company travelled a lot & worked very long hours! These things take a toll! S xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ladygigger]

"and no, I'm not blaming covid for my PMR"

But it is actually pretty likely - there has been a wave of PMR developing after someone has had Covid, as well as other rheumatological disorders. Something has to be the straw that breaks the camel's back!

[ladygigger in reply to PMRpro]

Ok, that could be possible then; I'd had the bursitis in my hip for a while and started physio around May/Jun 22 - which is why I think PMR was either oncoming as I got progressively worse over the rest of the year before a virtual collapse in November so it could have been exacerbated by the Covid, particularly because I also had 2 benign tumours. Lung growth removed, kidney growth to be checked out later in the year.

[MaxPac]

I am currently taking a low level of Prednisolone and a weekly dose of Methotrexate. Back in April I asked the same question of my GP. He responded by saying that as my Prednisolone dose was under 10mg a day he did not think I would be entitled to free lateral flow tests. He went on to explain that they are available to patients where anti viral treatment would be started if they were Covid positive. I queried whether this included the fact that I was also taking Methotrexate and he explained that he had factored that in with his response and that this was his interpretation of what the guidance says. I also raised the same query with my local pharmacist where I collect my medication who checked their system and said that as I was taking Methotrexate I was entitled to free tests. I guess it boils down to interpretation of the guidance. Maybe best to check with your local pharmacist where you collect your medication.

[S4ndy]

An acquaintance of mine was a COVID denyer and staunch anti-vaccer. Earlier this year she caught a "cold" (COVID) and it gave her a terrible cough and she began to get breathless. Hospitalised with damage to her heart. She is no longer a denyer having to admit COVID exists. She's now got a permanent heart condition and ongoing asthma type breathing issues. It's still very real folks!

[MaritimeMags]

Question- Are older testing kits still able to give an accurate result with the present form of Covid?

[apttony]

My son and his family recently tested positive for Covid, which promted me to check if the test kits I had had not passed their sell by date. They had! Got in touch with local chemist and they caried a stock or test kits for people who were vulnerable. Yes, the could suppy if I could show I was still on pred. Took copy of my recent pescription, completed form in chemist, and came awey with box of 5.

There is somewhere(?) on-line, possibly via gov.co.uk, a web site that allows you to put in your postcode and then searches for local chemist that carries stock.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to apttony]

nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-1....

[apttony in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DL 😜

[KCRoyals]

Definitely not downplaying Covid but through the years there were so many different thoughts, views, prognosis from so many different experts in so many different parts of the world. Just wondered whether I should up my Pred by a couple of mg's whilst suffering from Covid.

[Bcol in reply to KCRoyals]

I think the usual thought was that if you were poorly enough to be bed bound then go to sick day rules, see FAQ's if you don't have them, but if not then stick with your present dose.

[Poshcards]

I have an A I and asthma, on steroid inhalers too, carry a steroid card in case of emergency, yet I was refused free tests x

[Suedeshayes]

Hi. 18 years seems a long time and I was wondering if you would mind me asking what dosage your are on please?

[KCRoyals in reply to Suedeshayes]

True, I was told at first it would be for approx 3 years but PMR has it's own rules. Probably be on it for life like a lot of others. At present on 2mg daily. If you're just starting on the trip be ready for anything.