So Confused: Type1 Diabetic and Shielding

[SpiderPlant1]

Can anyone help? I am so confused as to what I am allowed to do.
Have had texts from NHS saying I should stay in until 30th June. Also texts and phone calls from my council and from a government office asking about my needs and if I needed any assistance which I was very grateful for. I have been out food shopping as a necessity but have washed hands and social distanced etc etc. My lovely hairdresser has said that she is starting up again on 4th July and I've booked an appointment with her on 8th July but I'm really not sure if I'm allowed to do this. She works from home so I could sit in her garden with a mask on and only go into her house for hair washing. What would you do? Am torn!!!! - (and desperate for a hair cut) :) :(

What’s your hba1c, if it’s high this alone might have prompted the shielding letter?

That was then - this is now - 9 weeks later

There’s no change. We’re still banged up

If you are in the shield group, for whatever reason/s, then join us on the bench waiting for the update (shielding initially to be reviewed by 15/06, changed to end June, but govt recent statements suggest they might not be done on time)

So you should not be leaving your home other than for daily (rigidly distanced) outdoor exercise, or for strictly necessary F2F medical appointments.

As you are taking a different approach, more in line with general population restrictions, you have already moved a considerable distance from the extremely strict form of isolation that keeps us out of the Covid wards

@SpiderPlant1

Only people with Type 1 diabetes please reply. This is what I hate about Mumsnet - the dicks who throw their three penneth in without knowing what the fuck they are talking about and can't post a constructive reply when the poster is asking a genuine question. Why do you feel the need to belittle and mock a person for asking a question? That's to you *@NervousInYorkshire. And good on you @paddyclampitt* whether you have Type1 or not.

I do have T1. I don't have any complications and my a1c is excellent. I'm on the pump too so don't feel vulnerable at all

OP I think the point that people are trying to point out is that regardless of your letter and your diabetes, you haven’t actually been shielding at all up until now so what difference does it make? Go the hairdressers if you feel it’s a risk worth taking. Or not.

Sorry to get annoyed but I asked a question as to what other Type 1's would do in my situation. And I still don't know what to do.

Diabetes both types 1 and 2 puts you in the vulnerable group not the shielding group which means you are at moderate risk of of developing complications from corona virus. You can check on the digital NHS website which details all the conditions which put you in each of the 2 groups.

@paddyclampitt HbA1c is currently 66 but down from 90 so feel really positive about this. Am concerned that all my hospital appointments have been cancelled (but I do understand why) but have only had one phone call from someone that is not on my ' diabetic team' that I usually see. Also worried about my eyes as have got diabetic maculopathy in both eyes and 'clinically significant macular oedema' in my right eye and also 'pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy' in both eyes. Think I am just scared but the stupid replies I've had don't help!!

Am I allowed to reply? My DH has type 1.

He wasn't told to shield but has effectively been doing so anyway. What I can tell you is that he wouldn't be going to get his hair cut! I've cut it for him. It's not perfect but preferable to him catching covid.

type 1 with fragile control of condition is shielded
op shielding means that you should not be leaving the house - its categoric & its about your risk to your health. You have been lucky mostly because other people have been taking this seriously to be honest. You should really have been using deliveries with both the chemist & the supermarket & unless it was an urgent diabetes eye test or some urgent eye test or you broke your glasses you really should not have had your eye test. As for your hairdresser well things may change but I would suggest, please for your own sake that you listen to or read the current advice.

@CecilyP So I have been OK to go to the chemists etc on a really reduced basis? If I'm not shielded then I've not broken the shielding 'laws'? I've not once been told by the pharmacist that I shouldn't be out and collecting my meds. My GP's have also cocked up on my prescriptions so I've had to go on extra trips to collect meds that weren't
prescribed as asked for. Still confused!!!!!

Not type1 myself but have good friend who is. She has been going out for walks near her rural home since lockdown but has not been to a shop in all that time. She is not meeting me for a walk as yet.

cross post op you were right to go for eye test because of risk - I am just worried about you

@mumwon AArrgghhh This is what I'm trying to ask - what is the current advice??

Youre not breaking any laws. My friend has been getting her meds delivered but is erring on the side of caution.

@mumwon no I didn't go for my eye appointment at the hospital as they cancelled it.

Type 1 here on MDI not the best control been working throughout the entire pandemic in a public facing role. I think you'll be fine to get your hair cut if you want to.

[quote SpiderPlant1]@mumwon AArrgghhh This is what I'm trying to ask - what is the current advice??[/quote]
The current advice if you're shielding in England is not to be within 2 metres of people.

You need to talk to your GP who will advise you better on your individual situation. As has been pointed out, T1 in itself isnt a reason to shield so either you're on the list accidentally or your GP/consultant has felt you need to shield for some other reason/combination of reasons.

I also have T1, never been told to shield, far from it and was redeployed to COVID red zone during the peak (nurse) my HbA1c is within 'normal' range so control is good (also on a pump and CGM) with no other health problems.

I would not have an issue going to the hairdresser as long as all sensible precautions were taken and masks worn by both of you. I can't wait for my first appointment although I'm planning on waiting a couple of weeks after they open to give them a chance to get to grips with PPE wearing etc.

Shielding is not law, it's guidelines and if following to the letter you should not be going food shopping, should be living separately to the rest of your household etc. It's really restrictive. You have been practicing very good social distancing instead which (without any other health conditions) is in line with advice on what T1s should be doing

The guidelines are on gov uk .

My husband is type 2 plus other conditions and he was told verbally by his gp not to out , so he did not .

You have to realise that covid 19 is being researched all the time and things change. They can’t just give dates when things will happen , it depends on how things progress . What do you think on 30th June all will suddenly be ok?!

They know now vitamin d defeciency and certain blood groups can cause more severe symptoms, they did not know that week 1. On the briefings they have repeatedly said they are reviewing the sheilded info. Together with sd. The virus is not working to a timetable .

@Kizziebel Thank you so much for your constructive reply - I've been so compliant throughout this apart from having to get my meds and essential food. I really appreciate your reply. I will make a decision about my hair in the next couple of weeks.

But why did you need to get meds and food ? Did you not register with the government as you should have been given priority online shopping and the chemist or volunteers will deliver your meds.

Re the hair you can choose not to shield it’s your choice. It’s a very risky thing to do though and as you are shielding does it really matter that much what your hair looks like? Who is going to see it.

I will admit that I am struggling with what I should and shouldn't be doing. I do listen to the broadcasts and am still none the wiser but thanks for your replies. I am terrified about getting COVID19 but who knows what the guidelines for Type1's will be on the 8th July. I'll just wait and see.

Spider, I dont think you're quite understanding this. If you've been given a shielding letter then you should be following shielding advice. If you think it's in error you should speak to your GP.