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Original poster

Chronic illness/immuno suppressed support thread?

156 replies

ALemonyPea · 04/03/2020 13:09

I'm trying not to get too worried about Corona virus, bit hard when it's all over the place.

I have a chronic illness and taking chemo tablets, so my immune system isn't at its best at the minute.

I've got a head cold which started on Monday, no temperature. I've not been in contact with anyone known to have CV, or not been on holiday anywhere known to have an outbreak. No people in my city have been confirmed as having it. Trying not be silly about symptoms as it's nothing that I've not had before.

Anyone else flapping a little? Could do with some support, if only to mentally slap me.

OP posts:
Original poster
ALemonyPea · 04/03/2020 16:42

Scratch that, someone now confirmed as having it in my city. Feck.

OP posts:
LooseGoose29 · 04/03/2020 16:47

I am sure you just have a cold. Coronavirus virus presents more like than flu than a cold. But call 111 to be on the safe side as you know you don't have a good immune system.

LooseGoose29 · 04/03/2020 16:49

You have said you don't have a fever and from what I can gather that along with a sore throat is the initial presentation. Try not to worry

NeverKnewThat · 04/03/2020 17:10

I can't lie, I am worried. Trying to stay rational but the worry keeps creeping in.

My Lymphocytes are currently 0.4. Must.not.worry.

NannyGoatC · 04/03/2020 17:50

I was just about to start a thread for pre-existing conditions/carers for, so good idea @ALemonyPea. I think it needs a separate thread.
My DH has cancer, and is currrently on an immunotherapy trial.
When you say no temp, what is it? Saw this on the WHO site, was thinking getting up to 38 would be a worry, so a bit confused!
DH goes in every 2 weeks for treatment, there was a note at reception saying report
Cough
Temp
Shortness breath
Sore throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Achy joints
So a few more symptoms than touted as the norm.

Chronic illness/immuno suppressed support thread?
Original poster
ALemonyPea · 04/03/2020 17:51

Yeah the lack of fever isn't worrying me too much.
Worried about phoning 111 as they sent an ambulance to a house the next estate to mine at the weekend.

OP posts:
Original poster
ALemonyPea · 04/03/2020 17:53

X posted.
It's been between 36.7 and 37.5 throughout the day. Keeping an eye on it and trying not to go out where other people are.

OP posts:
NannyGoatC · 04/03/2020 18:13

Might be worth calling 111?

Goldensunnydays81 · 04/03/2020 18:42

I’ve got type 1 diabetes and have had cancer and they have said my immune system isn’t great! So I am a little bit nervous.

bellinisurge · 04/03/2020 19:25

MS person here. The MS society explains I'm no more vulnerable than others but, like any bug, it could trigger a relapse of unknown duration.
At work there were people taking the piss out of an working from home colleague for being "paranoid "
I had to remind them the colleague has Type2 diabetes.
Be sensibly watchful and concerned. If there is a society or trust for your condition, go on their website. Speak to health care professionals.
Ignore tossers who say it's only a cold etc.

eggofmantumbi · 04/03/2020 19:32

I'm also T1 diabetic and 34 weeks pregnant. Wouldn't usually give anything like this a second thought (only been T1 for 2 years) but currently realising how vulnerable I am and wondering if I should avoid my day trips to Liverpool/ Chester etc as planned for maternity leave....

BarbedBloom · 04/03/2020 19:39

I am concerned. I have RA and asthma. Any cold goes to my chest and have ended up in hospital a few times not being able to breathe. I asked my GP and he told me I should be worried, but gave me no other advice. My rheumy says they have had no advice over what to tell people on immune suppressants but advises I avoid crowds.

I am job hunting at the moment which isn't ideal either as some of the interviews would take me across the country. Not sure what to do about that.

AbsentmindedWoman · 04/03/2020 19:43

Checking in as a type 1 diabetic.

I'm tired of the whole thing, trying to assess risk. A bit pissed off at it all.

I honestly don't feel enough effort is being put in to minimise risk to people in vulnerable groups. It's not fucking ok.

Thank you for starting the thread OP, hope you feel better soon. Even though it's extremely unlikely to be covid19 it just causes a degree of worry anyway!

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 04/03/2020 19:43

I'm on methotrexate and sulfasalazine, so immunosuppressed, and work with the public. I'm doing what I normally do - lots of handwashing, not touching my face and keeping.my fingers crossed!

Gyptian · 04/03/2020 20:10

I’m asthmatic so I’m worried although it’s well managed and I hardly ever have chest infections. I’ve been trying to follow the official advice of practicing good hygiene and trying not to touch my face. It’s a bit difficult though as I’m almost out of hand sanitizer and can’t find any for love or money. I’ve also found myself incredibly angry with people at work coughing and not covering their mouths 😡😡

I’m due to get my hair cut on Saturday and I really can’t decide whether to cancel it or not. I want to minimise my risk but at the same time, I have to go to work, travel on public transport etc so I don’t know how much difference not going will make anyway.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 04/03/2020 20:16

Yeah I can't find any anti bac anywhere, I work with vulnerable adults, so not great. Luckily there is lots at work, but like having some in my handbag when I am out and about.

OP posts:
Ifonlywecouldwishuponastar · 04/03/2020 20:25

I'm quite nervous I have complex health issues and low immunity. It annoys me, they keep going on about washing hands.
I always wash my hands anyway. It's just a normal thing to do!! Confused

iVampire · 04/03/2020 20:31

I have leukaemia. So my immune system simply cannot be relied on, even though all my recent blood counts have been normal

I’ve decided to just carry on, as if I wasn’t ill.

Only difference is that I have an oncology/haematology number to find if I show any signs of any type of infection, so that would be my first port of call of I thought it might be Coronavirus.

I’m high risk of neutropenic sepsis from any infection. It’s my permanent Damoclean sword.

Evenstar · 04/03/2020 20:42

Asthmatic and I have had shingles twice in the last month (third and 4th time) there are cases all around us, all within 15-20 mile radius and linked with our area by transport networks, students attending 6th forms etc. We are also in a commuter area, so people travelling constantly up and down to London. The doctor is concerned about my immune system and I am seeing her on Friday to get some tests started, I feel I have to assume I am quite vulnerable in the meantime. I am over 50 too.

aWeaponCalledtheWord · 04/03/2020 20:44

i have psoriatic arthritis and am immuno-suppressed due to the methotrexate i take, which can also trigger chest infections.

my thyroid is fucked as well, i don’t know if this means i’d be more prone to severe symptoms if/when i get coronavirus.

it’s scary. people bang on about oh, it’s only the old and the sick that need to worry. so, that’s everyone’s parents/grandparents, and all of us sickly types.

i have terrible mental health as well, which on the plus side, along with my arthritis pain, means i am mostly housebound.

i’m only 47. this is not how i envisioned my life turning out!

RandomMess · 04/03/2020 20:44

DH has an auto-immune condition, he's stopped taking his chemo drugs that suppress is immune system. He'll suffer because of it but your typical mild cold knocks him for six for weeks on end.

Tough choices Sad

paradyning · 04/03/2020 20:46

My child is severely and profoundly disabled. We end up in hospital with a cold on o2 and antibs as they usually aspirate when they get one, or any illness for that matter.
Although they are saying children are 'safe' I don't know whether that includes compromised children. Am shitting myself.

CrunchyCarrot · 04/03/2020 21:26

I"m concerned. I have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashitmoto's) but I can't find anything online to advise re having that and catching Coronavirus. It's like people with hypo are invisible. The thyroid is so important to all aspects of body function so I do think we must be more at risk, especially if not medicated adequately.

afrikat · 04/03/2020 21:29

I have ME and whilst I am not worried about being particularly vulnerable, I am worried about potential relapse if I get the virus. Am getting pretty obsessive about hand washing/anti bac and am dialling down work travel (which work are advising anyway)

NaturalBornWoman · 04/03/2020 21:56

I have psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. I was on methotrexate and Imraldi which is a biosimilar for Humira. I've come off both drugs on the basis that only my psoriasis was really improved, so in my view not worth the risk currently. I've been ill with a cold (?) since before Christmas, but was starting to feel better. Since yesterday I've started to feel unwell again, sore throat and coughing a lot but temperature is within normal range. My colleague with whom I share a small office travelled to Europe the weekend before last, but not a hotspot. He is well. I guess it's just another cold but it does seem to have gone instantly to my chest. I think I'm just going to start working from home, but whilst I'm prepped and ready to hunker down, my husband will still be coming and going. I don't really know how to deal with it tbh, I want him to stay home too. He's 60, diabetic, high blood pressure and really not a well person. He only works part time due to his health anyway and I don't think it's worth the risk. Worried sick about it all tbh.