Shielding chat continues - thread 2

[AuntieSocia1]

Shiny new thread for anyone shielding.

You can vent/moan/cry/chat/lurk whatever you need.

It's an LBC link btw

Thanks for sharing that @ofwarren

Gentle hugs to all having a rough time x

I'm up and worrying (what's new!) DS1 (the one with all the health issues) is currently on a 6 week course of Penicillin for reoccurring, aggressive strep throat, he had it 3 times back to back and the last one was incredibly scary, hdu job and sepsis.
Anyway, he's been fine every time as soon as the penicillin started and the strep would only come back once he stopped it.

Yesterday he started constant sneezing and sore, swollen eyes - hayfever, something else he gets badly every year and is on daily fexofenadine for it but it's flared up anyway, fine. I dealt with it, got him some nails spray and eye drops.

Anyway, this evening he's got a really croaky voice which was the first sign of the strep last time, I don't know if it's the hayfever, he doesn't usually get throat issues with it. Or if he's managed to become resistant to the Pen V, I've read that it's not recorded anywhere that he can become resistant but my Das has defied the odds with medicine a few times so I'm not comforted tbh. This lockdown has sent my health anxiety haywire. I don't think I can cope with him being really ill again, he's only been off IV antibiotics for 2 weeks, he usually does 7 weeks in between them.

Thanks for the link @ofwarren. Not a surprise but still awful.

Thought people might be interested in this open letter from several charities to the government saying that the lack of clear plans to support people who are shielding is leaving millions at risk.

Morning!

I'm glad you like shieldies . I know it's bit silly. It just popped out of my fingers.

Went for a walk at 5:30 this morning - my first taste of freedom since March. It was wonderful.

I'm pleased to see that we're being advocated for. I know that some MN users (not on this thread) think it's pathetic that some people need guidance spelled out, but being ignored by government, while everyone else has had beaches and BBQs waved at them by Boris - in bizarre, child- catcher mode - has been surreal and isolating.

I think that, coupled with the early reporting in which we were comforted with 'only people with underlying health conditions' dying have made this the most stressful, frightening time.

for Methtones and Titsalinabumsquash (and to all who are struggling).

I am sneaking off to the beach
My choices are 7am tomorrow when it will be 10c or 7pm tonight...
I've picked a place where I can park almost on the beach and walk straight out, no touching anything and a clear view of how busy it is

finally got clear xrays, now just to wait til the gp receives the results. Never heard from the stor emanager about my complaint so ive emailed and asked them to excalate it, its been two weeks now, i should have had some contact from them by now over what i feel is a very serious matter. I admit, we didnt come straight home from getting my xrays,w e went and got drive through coffee, figured i was out anyway and only got out of the car at the hospital so the risk was minimal. honestly though, id forgotten how to get in and out of the car properly, with my legs being bad and being on crutches, i have to get in and out in a certain way and id totally forgotten how so just kinda threw myself in and hoped for the best!

From the Guardian online today:

Analysis of around 2,000 of all employment cases Citizens Advice has seen since 14 April showed that more than 70% of those who are shielding or are at higher risk from coronavirus – such as those who are pregnant or have diabetes – were not furloughed.

Further research from the charity found that four in 10 (41%) of those in the shielded group have lost at least 20% of their income since the coronavirus outbreak began, more than a quarter (27%) have lost 60% of their income, and as many as one in 10 (12%) are working outside the home despite this potentially putting their health at risk.

Hello, not sure if I joined one of the earlier threads, I can't remember. I am supposed to shield as I have a lung condition. I've pretty much moved myself to social distancing now. I can't shield anymore, it was impossible with DH out at work and two small children anyway. I have been going out for walks and speaking to people. We saw family today. It was stressful just meeting but also a relief to be with them. We wont see them again now for several weeks as they are retuening to work next week. My mental health will kill me before this virus does I think. There is literally no end in sight now and I just can't do it any more.

Someone have me the link to this thread on my thread.
I’m broken. I’m struggling so much.
I can’t cope anymore. I can’t cope.

I’m glad you’ve joined us @BanKittenHeels. It is truly shit isn’t it. I think the recent pieces of information/letters/rumours about extensions are pushing lots of us over the edge.

I feel like I am cracking up. That thread has me on the floor crying.

I’m sorry your other thread went the way it did. I’ve had similar with people calling me ungrateful and apparently blaming me/us for the whole lockdown.

I think you are living alone apart from your DH to add to everything.

Yes he is a doctor, so is living in a hotel and has been since the middle of March.

I can’t leave my children without a mother but I don’t know how to continue this.
I know I will continue this because Catholic guilt is bred into me and I’m a HCP who could deal with my choices hurting others, but I don’t know how I will continue.

That is really hard. Is he going to stay in the hotel indefinitely?

How have you coped until now? Has there been anything that’s made it slightly less shit some of the time?

I’ve barely coped.
I’ve had a stash of diazepam until the last few days.

Glad to see you BanKittenHeels - but also sorry you're in this boat with us.

Your thread upset me too . People head-tilting and disingenuously asking what you expect to happen. Wankers.

We have been shielding since beginning of March with 2 ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ toddlers who also have lots of learning and development additional needs.

I think as a family we have been doing pretty well but the thought of this being extended beyond the end of June is keeping me up at night. DH is going to have to go back to work, how am I supposed to care for them both by myself!?

I am keeping everything crossed it isn’t extended. Even if we go on to the lockdown rules the rest of the country had last month. They are vulnerable but still toddlers, they need to be able to go for a walk or even a drive!

I'm going for a walk every day now. It's keepinge sane. I live rurally and it's rare for me to see a soul but if I do, it's a quick nod and straight past. It's only half an hour a day but I need air and I need space.

Hello I signed up to Mumsnet so I could join this thread. I’ve been shielding since I got my letter in March. I live alone and am finding it tough especially as lockdown eases for everyone else - at the start it seemed like everybody was in the same boat - now I just feel totally isolated and forgotten about.

at new people - sorry you find yourselves here - but it does help.

BanKittenHeels I'm a bit worried about you. Think about calling your GP on Monday. Don't just
Struggle on alone

Welcome @Tulips01. I think most of us are feeling the same. It’s rubbish.

@BanKittenHeels as an HCP do you have any Covid emotional support available though your trust or the NHS? I have 0300 131 700 as the national support line for NHS workers and 0800 174 319 for Care First.

I’ve just found this thread. I can’t thank you enough for being here!!

I’m shielding for my 2 daughters. The eldest is brittle asthmatic and on so many courses of pred. As well as having arthritis.
My youngest has a multitude of health issues whereby her immune system over reacts to ridiculous triggers and she stops breathing as a response!!
Dh is wfh and we haven’t been out since the end of March.
I have a son who’s 7hrs away at uni and can’t come home due to us shielding.

It’s all crap. I feel scared out of my mind as to how long this will be. And what decisions we will have to make in the coming months.

BanKittenHeels. I saw your other thread. I too was outraged and upset by it. There are some narrow minded people out there. Sending you a huge hug. X