Chronic illness/immuno suppressed support thread?

[ALemonyPea]

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.

Thanks Iris , yes I know they won’t pay if we just decide not to go, but the small print says if Govt says no to non essential travel, (Which so far they have not done) Or there is a medical reason for not going, they will cover.

So I am hoping my array of current ailments and two past pneumonia bouts will convince my GP to give me the medical escape route.

@TrickyD Definitely call the doctor and ask. I think given the circumstances they really ought to!

Thanks, Concerned. I was hoping someone would think it was a reasonable request. I am due for asthma and diabetes check ups next week, so will talk to them then.

Sorry if this has already been discussed upthread, but I wondered if anyone has heard views on the stopping of immuno suppressants drugs temporarily as a precaution? I have crohns disease, and take azathioprine and Humira. I'm assuming if I were to get covid19 I'd be asked to stop both for a while? Would it be worth just stopping it anyway for now so that I would cope with the virus better if I got it?

Checking in. Another one with psoriatic arthritis. Methotrexate max dose, sulfasalazine and tofacinitib (jak inhibitor). I have working from home as a reasonable adjustment but meant to go in for meetings trying to get out of that as due to an horrific sickness absence policy people come to work ill all the time as they are in fear of losing their jobs. Kids still in school.

One possible bright light is that there are a couple of trials actually using one of the biologics as a treatment. But I think it's in hail Mary situations.

I wish I had confidence in this government to manage the situation to the best of their ability but I just don't. Nothing from rheumatology yet and they are so busy I don't want to ring. We are in Surrey near the cases reported with no known travel.

I'm using hand gel / washing hands as much as possible. Getting kids to can hands more and change out of school uniform straight after school washing it each night. Only having internet grocery deliveries and yes I have a small stockpile built up in January early feb as I could see this was going tits up even then.

I think the advice is don't stop your meds unless you get it. The inflammation that would build up off meds is thought to put you in a worse position than the meds would. Try and minimise stress, stay away from sick people, try and get enough sleep and exercise as much as your condition allows.

My anxiety is in overdrive today. DH is coming home from work and then going into the spare room. Person in his office being tested today as his wife has temperature and shortness of breath and no underlying lung condition/asthma and from a town with a known case.

Think tomorrow I will try and do an online will/write one for us just in case. This is going to keep happening. We are fine that if it’s our time we’ve had a good innings and very happy. This is going to be a long couple of months!

@Covidisdrivingmecrazy thanks. Okay, I guess I should keep taking it. Thank you.

DH has cancer with lung secondaries. I’m scared about whether I could cope if he comes down with Covid 19. This thread shows how many of us are finding this period of fear and uncertainty very stressful and I’m keeping fingers and toes all crossed for you.

I'm trying to find the silver lining in the cloud here.
I do wonder if all the publicity about this virus will have made Mr and Mrs General Public a bit more vigilant in their hand hygiene etc than usual - so, in some respects, less of a threat from everything other than Coronovirus ?
I'm a transplant recipient on immunosuppressants.
I'm avoiding the great unwashed, as is my usual lifestyle, and continuing with regular hand hygiene.
I'm not a worrier by nature but sympathise with those who are.👍

Molly my DH is also on humira and methotrexate and has Crohns, last week had an awful chest infection, called GP and advised antibioitcs and to miss next dose (of methotrexate I think) he is not due the humira for a while anyway i think. To get over the chest infection (presumed, GP didn't see him but did a phone consultation)

I have psa and was on leflunomide until June/July when I gave up - I had mild pancytopenia and dental infections. I waited ages for humira - had one jab October/Nov and didn't like it. I am now supposed to be on entaracept but won't take it.
GP told me it was advisable not to take any immunosuppressants at the moment. This may be because now would be a very bad time to start a new one. But she felt it wasn't a good idea - my inflammation markers are normal, blood test normal right now.

I have lupus and chronic kidney disease and and getting increasingly worried. DH also had a very poor immune system and we were discussing today whether to stop going to places with people. And not just large groups- we both picked up colds from a small church congregation recently. It's going to be a very hard few months for everyone, but especially those with other health concerns.

Another worried person here. I have RA and am on leflunomide, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. I am a single parent to two under ten.

I would love to hide for the next six months but it isn't an option.

I am fit and healthy so not worried about catching it myself but 21 yo son is undergoing chemo for cancer and also has Crohn's disease. We have been avoiding unnecessary social contact for weeks but he has 5 hospital appointments before the end of the month. We are being very vigilant about Handwashing but I am sceptical about how much this is going to help because I am not convinced everyone will do it, despite government advice. I could work from home and we could isolate ourselves except for the hospital visits but practically how long can anyone do this for? So yes, it's very worrying.

I too have RA, on methotrexate and sulfasalazine immunosuppressants. Trouble is I also have no spleen and I’m diabetic on insulin. I currently work as a college lecturer surrounded by sniffly students! 😱😱😱 am a tad worried.

I have Addison's disease, diagnosed a year ago and so far not been ill so no idea what to expect. I'm on hydrocortisone (replacement dose) and know I have to updose for illness but really worried about how I would cope with this virus. Being as careful as I can be, only work with one other person and can work from home if needed (if my job survives this crisis but that a whole other worry). Washing hands religiously and being really careful to not touch my face etc. And got appointment to write our wills tomorrow which this situation has pushed me to get sorted too! Stay well everyone xx

Constantly monitoring my every symptom coz I'm scared I'll pass it on to Dh! I'm a bit warm today, had a slight sore throat yesterday. Tired today. But it's normal to feel like this at this time of year and I had a long drive yesterday! Constantly wondering about Dh and his work commutes, how busy it was etc etc. Need to chill and not stress him

NHS 111 has an online quiz/algorithm (rather than waiting on a phone line) which helps to assess risk if anyone might find this helpful.
Probably everyone already knows this and I’m not intending to be patronising, just offer another option to help with questions should anyone be unaware of it.

Thanks @MrsDrudge ! I didn't know that!

@tobee pleased to have helped

I'm collecting autoimmune diseases and have a selective IgA deficiency so I don't know how prone I'll be - whether the supercharged immune system will enjoy attacking something else for a change, or whether the lack of IgA will doom me... But I'm also on Hydroxychloroquine, and I read something that said quinine was one of the treatments that had some effect, so maybe it'll even out? DS has inherited the IgA deficiency which is my real worry right now - at 16 he's least likely to wash his hands without many reminders ...

I've also been mostly self isolating for years for fatigue reasons - but DH commutes to London most weeks. Gah.

Hi everyone, sorry to see so many of us in the same leaky boat.

(I posted upthread. I have lymphoma, COPD & was recently hospitalised with chest sepsis).

My DCs had their last days at school today. Their respective head teachers were very supportive. I won't be fined, and their places will be held for them.

My oldest is in year 8, and will have work sent home every day online.

My youngest is in Year 4, and the teachers are going to send worksheets for her to do.

I feel relieved, but also very sad that it has come to this.

My daughter has adrenal insufficiency. She’s 11. She has no cortisol so on replacement steroids. I’m scared for her. She is weak during any minor infection so not sure how she will manage