AIBU to think she should she have been classed as vulnerable?

[whatevernext1976]

I live overseas and I am worried about my Mum in the UK. She hasn't received any notice that she is classed as vulnerable, but I believe she is.

She is 68 years old and has had Rheumatoid Arthritis which she has had since the age of 36. She is classed as disabled, has high blood pressure and takes steroid medication. One thing that worries me is that a few years ago she was admitted to hospital with Double Pneumonia. She was in intensive care and was told that if she had left it 24 hours later, she might not have been around to tell the tale. They say it was caused by methotrexate (sp?) that she was on.
Anyway, since recovering she's had a chest weakness. Every cold she has goes straight to her chest and it takes forever for her to recover.

She has been trying to self isolate but can no longer get shopping delivery slots. As she hasn't been told she is vulnerable she will have to venture out. I'm really worried about this as based on her history, I think she IS vulnerable.
I'm really worried as I'm overseas and the country is on lockdown with no flights in or out. AIBU or do you think she needs to contact her Doctor to see if she has been missed off. I know she won't because she won't want to be a problem but I'm very worried about her.

Have a look on her local area council website which might have helplines if volunteers who can help.
Or local facebook groups.
Also try contacting age UK.

She is vulnerable, the methotrexate classifies her. Register her on the govuk site and she'll get priority shopping deliveries

The supermarkets have yet to sort out the existing ‘shield’ list, so do not count on getting deliveries that way on the near future

It might be better to find a local volunteer group who will shop for the vulnerable (not just the ‘shield’ vulnerable). Her local council might be able to find local reputable groups

Most local councils have contact numbers where they are coordinating support efforts and volunteers - look for their website for you mum. It's likely she'll be able to get support regardless of whether she's in the 'shielded' category.
Anyone who is in that specific category is on a list to get food parcels etc, but most places (whether it's direct from council or signposted to local volunteers) will help if someone asks for help.

She should contact her GP for clarification. I agree she is vulnerable, but she may not be one of the “most vulnerable” which is the category you need to be in to get delivery slots.

Methotrexate means she is vulnerable and at risk, but it doesn't necessary mean you are one of the 'most vulnerable' who got the letters and therefore can register with the Government site, etc. I'm afraid.

I have methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis so I am at risk, but no letter.

Have a look for local farm shops nearby - a lot of those are doing deliveries at the mo so you might be able to get her the basics from somewhere like that.

Look on Facebook for a local mutual aid group - there are volunteers in most areas that will help her with shopping etc. There will typically help anyone who asks for help - you don’t need to have official recognition of a need for help.

The local council in our area has a number to contact for help with food/prescription deliveries. Google her local council and see if there is similar in her area.

www.nras.org.uk/news/coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far

www.nras.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions

Every cold she has goes straight to her chest and it takes forever for her to recover
Is she aware to stop the methotrexate while she is ill and to restart it once she is better?

Methotrexate does not put you in the highest risk group and she wouldn't have got a letter for that.

I am on strict social distancing and I have Ra, take a biologic and methotrexate .

Hope this link I was sent by my rhumetologist helps you make a decision

www.leedsth.nhs.uk/a-z-of-services/rheumatology/covid-19

@onanothertrain it does if coupled with biologics and Prednisone

From another thread, a screenshot from something written by a dr
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3869083-GP-says-Just-retire#prettyPhoto

Hi OP, you are correct that your mum should be in the shielding group. It’s not clear from your post but methotrexate plus prednisolone 5mg dose or greater would do it. If she’s off the methotrexate then the fact she takes steroids and also has hypertension would do it too. The British society of rheumatology guideline is here: www.rheumatology.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Rheumatology_advice_coronavirus_immunosuppressed_patients_220320.pdf?ver=2020-03-24-171132-407 and I would get her to contact the GP and ask for a shielding letter. This will hopefully help with getting deliveries.

Sorry my mistake, looks like steroid plus hypertension alone doesn’t class you as vulnerable. Either way this guideline should allow you to find out which group she is in

She should contact her rheumatoid nurse. My mum has been taken off her methotrexate for the duration.

@zenasfuck

She is vulnerable, the methotrexate classifies her. Register her on the govuk site and she'll get priority shopping deliveries

You do realise that those of us on the shielding list and who have registered are NOT getting delivery slots don't you? It may happen in the future, but it certainly isn't happening at the moment.

@sugarplumfairy65
Yes I do realise. I am in that group so I know exactly what is happening. The deliveries will start but if you aren't registered, you aren't getting one 🤔

The deliveries are not happening. I registered on Monday last week. Still not a soul has contacted me. The whole system is a joke.

Rheumatoidwarrior88, thank you so much for that link. That’s the kind of clear advice I’ve been looking for over the past 3 weeks.

@Q1w2e3

No worries hope you find the right path for you and your mom

Px

Currently she won't actually get any more help being in the group of people that have got letters as there is no help. You need to seek it out yourself.

Either you or her need to contact:

1. Her local council and make it clear she has serious medical conditions
2. Contact Age UK
3. Contact volunteers in the area using covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/ These last people will probably act the quickest particularly if she needs any food that day.

My MP has made it clear that even if you are old, disabled and/or have serious medical conditions unless your doctors agree you are "extremely vulnerable" then you are just "vulnerable' and need to find help yourself.

I’m becoming skeptical about whether these priority slots will
ever materialise. You register and hear nothing. If you try to contact a supermarket directly, they don’t answer the phone.

@seventytwoseventythree That's a really helpful link, thank you - I've been trying to find out what category I fall into and that makes it pretty clear.

My mother in law used this, she has also had RA for 40 years and has moved from methotrexate onto Humira in recent years. She's 70 next month. She scored 2 points on the assessment below so only needs to socially distance. The guide has been developed by The British Rheumatology Society.

www.versusarthritis.org/covid-19-updates/covid-19-assessing-your-risk/