Any other very mild asthmatics not knowing wtf to do?

[SachaStark]

I haven’t used my blue inhaler for over two years. My GP doesn’t even let me have the flu jab for free anymore, I have to pay.

So... am I supposed to be in the vulnerable category or not?

My plan was to keep working for as long as possible (teacher), and I’m not feeling the need to self-isolate yet.

Anybody else in the same position not knowing what to do?

Do you take a preventer inhaler?

How are you with viruses?

The guidance on the website says chronic asthma, so I think at the moment you should be able to carry on as the rest of the public is being advised to do but definitely make sure you're being careful to wash your hands etc., just to be sure.

How do you describe chronic asthma? Needing steroid inhalers?

Same but it’s my DS and school is still open. Have no clue whether we should be in or out and no yardstick as he’s not had a temp/cold/virus for over 18 months.

I'm in same category as you OP.

I think we're fine.

Albeit I'm a bit older than I'd like to be at 56! But quite physically fit for my age.

I have a preventative inhaler, but I haven’t used it for over two years.

I don’t get ill very often to be honest, so I can’t remember how viruses affect me. I remember having a couple of bad chest infections as a teenager, but that’s 15 years ago.

Asthma is by its nature a chronic disease, as opposed to acute which is sudden.

I was just thinking of this! I only use it if I wheeze from being around cats and dogs and maybe before a run in very cold weather. I think my inhalers are out of date they are so old....!

I'm wondering about this too!

The guidance has been rubbish- especially for children. My 1 year old has a bad viral wheeze and I have no idea if that makes her more vulnerable.

Same. Snap. I don’t feel vulnerable so 🤔

It’s flu jab eligibility. So if you need preventer inhaler you fall into that higher risk group.
If not, not.

OP - I'm in the same boat as you. I have a blue inhaler which I've used perhaps five times over the past year - so far from frequently. I have, however, had pneumonia in the past (about 15 years ago).
So mild chest problems - where does that leave us? I admit to being nervous

I’m in this category too. Also if anyone needs an inhaler but can’t get it on repeat prescription anymore (like me as mine was out of date) I found out you can get it through Superdrug and they can post it the next day. It’s a bit expensive but quicker than getting a doctors appointment. I wanted one just in case I caught corona and it made my asthma flare up and didn’t want to take up an appointment.

I'm in the same boat. Haven't used my inhaler for well over a year. Inhaler is out of date. I've just ordered 2 from an online pharmacy, which should arrive tomorrow. I had a nasty flu bug in December that knocked me sideways, but my breathing was ok. I'm not too concerned at the moment.

No, you aren't in the vulnerable category.

Me too. I had a horrible virus a few weeks ago which has restarted my asthma after 8 years with no symptoms but now I’m short of breath at points every day. No idea what to do. I have a call from the nurse on Wednesday to review my meds so I’ll ask her what she thinks.

I did exactly the same with the Superdrug online service last week.

My blue inhaler would definitely have been out of date! And I didn’t want to waste my GP’s time with a call back appointment just to ask for a new inhaler.

So I’ve got one now just in case I need to use it.

Reading this thread, though, I’ve made my mind up to continue going into work for now. Like a PPA said, I just don’t feel like I’m vulnerable at the moment 🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm the same. My asthma is mostly triggered by hay fever. My inhaler is not on repeat but I logged onto online services for my surgery yesterday and wrote a request for a spare reliever inhaler in the special request. It was approved today and the pharmacy texted to say it's ready to collect tomorrow. I was once told that you either have asthma or you don't. I would suggest that anyone who has had a diagnosis should check now whether their inhalers are up to date and order a spare BEFORE you need it.

I get the brown preventer and blue ventolin through Lloyd’s online chemist. You obviously have to pay but it’s a great service.

@Piglet208 thank you - that's really helpful
Info. I will contact my surgery tomorrow to try to get a spare

I don’t really understand - I had a bit of a panic and had to turn the press conference off, so I’m sorry if this sounds ignorant. My partner has asthma. Uses preventative and blue inhaler daily. Gets the free flu jab. Can he still go to work? We will literally go under if he can’t.

I'm the same. I still get the flu jab free and still have preventers, but don't use my ventolin a lot. Sometimes I do need to though, maybe once a fortnight. I had swine flu a few years ago and my asthma was awful with that, resulting in me being hospitalised and on oxygen for days. It was a truly terrifying experience and I'm so scared of a repeat. I don't know what to do.

My son is 16. He has weaned off his montelukast over the past few months and has only had 1 asthma attack in a few months (his view) although gets wheezy frequently (my ears). He still (should be) takes his preventer. So he should be socially restricting.
But what about his GCSEs? He’s due to have his final music exam on Friday.

Do you need a prescription to get purple inhaler (serotide) from Lloyd's or Superdrug? Is it an easy process? I don't want to bother GP but in same position. Thank you