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Asthma uk website

133 replies

Jungfraujoch · 22/03/2020 19:28

Did anyone get on it before it crashed?

Wanting to know if I’m a 12 weeker!

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5
Splodgetastic · 23/03/2020 06:18

The shielding page seems to have come down from the website.

tangledyarn · 23/03/2020 06:43

@splogetastic if you go their Twitter theres a link which allows you to see all the info you need. (Sorry cant figure out how to copy it!)

covetingthepreciousthings · 23/03/2020 06:48

Do we want to argue for the letter though. Surely it means we wont get treated when resources are scarce?

It probably does BUT on the flip side, it could help people not have to go into work and prevent them getting it / spreading to other family members etc.

I don't think I will get a letter however I am still worried about my asthma, and I am still working in a non essential shop serving customers as I'm not in this category. So I can understand why this letter would bring some relief to some if meant their employer would send them home.

covetingthepreciousthings · 23/03/2020 06:50

*I'm on preventer brown inhaler (steroid) 2 puffs twice a day, plus blue inhaler when needed.

When I get a cold etc it goes to my chest, then I need blue inhaler quite a lot.

Do you think I will get letter?
Some say if you on a steroid inhaler then you are classed as quite I risk??*

I'm in the same situation as this, but my brown preventer inhaler is only 100mcg so on the list but not for that dosage, so I'm assuming I won't get a letter.

wecandothispeeps · 23/03/2020 06:58

You will receive a letter today or tomorrow so that you can have food and meds delivered to your door.

My dd has asthma and we will be observing the 12 weeks anyway, as she has become ill in the past with viruses, and we do not want to take the chance. I am not expecting to be on the list but if we are we won't be using the service, as we can manage ourselves, and would rather those in real need had the services.

Look after yourselves what 'category' you are in for asthma and other conditions.

SoloMummy · 23/03/2020 07:05

@Splodgetastic
I saw that too.
Wondered if they've got to improve their website or add to it? Or clarify further as there were many questions raised from it.

SoloMummy · 23/03/2020 07:06

@covetingthepreciousthings it doesn't sound like you would be on the list.

wecandothispeeps · 23/03/2020 07:07

covet just so you know our doctor informed us to put our dd in isolation and is likely to suggest the same for you.
My sister in law has been advised the same re her job and is now at home.
If you feel you are at risk working in a shop, and you may well be, then you have every right to speak to your GP and take advice, and if it is the same as ours, you should be staying at home. Your employer will have to either sign you off, or make alternative arrangements.

Even mild asthma is not ideal with CV. You should be protected.

ihatethecold · 23/03/2020 07:13

Can I give you all some useful advice.
I’m an asthmatic and my friend who is a frontline GP told me this.

She said to get some equipment so if I am ill with CV and need medical assistance I will be asked my stats.
If I can give this info over the phone it will tell the dr what state my body is in and if I need to go to hospital.

Oximeter. To measure the oxygen in my blood. About £12 from eBay.

Blood pressure monitor varying prices online.

Peak flow meter.

She said the readings from these 3 devices will tell them how well your body is coping and may prevent you going to hospital unnecessarily.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 23/03/2020 07:40

Thanks. Very useful, I'll look into those.

Kaykay066 · 23/03/2020 07:58

My son is on seretide, montelukast & cetirizine does use his blue inhaler for pe at school and recently 5 day admission on oxygen, mag sulph hourly nebs so quite unwell.

I’m also a paeds nurse on frontline so I have to work but am so so worried for him
Boss has made sure I’m away from the receiving ward but if it’s busy or people are off sick that could change. His dad is police so between us we need to be very careful and vigilant with hygiene etc

tangledyarn · 23/03/2020 07:59

@ihatethecold Yes really useful. My oxomiter reading this week meant 111 nurse didn't call an ambulance for me. People probably know this but just a word of caution it is possible for that you can have v good O2 but still be struggling significantly with your asthma..so peak flow is helpful at the same time xx

SquashedFlyBiscuit · 23/03/2020 08:20

I have oximeter and peak flow but not the blood pressure measure. I expect its sky high with worry 🙄. Checking mine daily and currently fine despite the coughing.

FrenchMagpie · 23/03/2020 08:46

Can anyone help? I cant get through to the Doc and don't understand the Asthma UK guidance...

DS is 7. Recently (in the last 4 weeks) given a working diagnosis of Asthma after years of issues (viral wheeze) and investigations. Hospitlalsed in January overnight on oxygen after getting a virus.

He is now on Serotide 250, 2 puffs twice a day. Currently has a deep chesty cough and wheezing (no temperature and well in himself but quite breathless) so we gave started antibiotics (3rd set this year). Using blue inhaler regularly - 4-6 puffs. We have steroids to use if needed.

We are all at home and have been for 10 days (pulled kids out of school early) Not planning to change this. I am very scared for him as any virus tends to result in an attack

But is this classified as severe asthma and are children part of the vulnerable or "at risk" group?

LostStars39 · 23/03/2020 08:57

Just to check with that list if the dose of inhaler you take is lower than the dose on the chart does that mean you’re not included as those to be shielded?

DrMadelineMaxwell · 23/03/2020 09:08

@FrenchMagpie I would say that the seretide dose and the prescribed steroids would both be triggers going off the list on Asthmauk's site.

tangledyarn · 23/03/2020 09:23

@loststars39 yes unless you meet any other parts of the lists eg. Multiple oral steroid usage, hospitalization etc. Xx

Riv12345 · 23/03/2020 09:23

Morning guys

I think us with mild asthma should be on this list as well surely.

wecandothispeeps · 23/03/2020 09:27

french how often are you using the blue inhaler - every day at 3-4 puffs? I would say this is too much, and his asthma does not sound well controlled if this is the case. Blue inhaler should not be regular used and if you are needing to use it often he needs a review, as quickly as you can get one.

In the meantime the daily inhaler will start building up in his system, and should start to offer him some relief and protection. Dust the house and particularly his room every day, buy a purifier for his bedroom to ensure the air is as clean as possible. Ventilate the room.

Isolation for you, should be complete isolation, as we have done. Its the only way to keep them safe. He would be an absolute priority in the worst case, so do not overly stress, he is a child.

Getting peak flow and oximeters are a good idea too.

I have asked my dd to stop running, and to do gentle exercise only, we are also ensuring her diet is super healthy, multi vitamins and lots of vegetables to ensure her immunity is good.

I think shielding asthmatics as much as possible is essential, not necessarily with food and meds delivery organised by gov, but just doing it yourselves.

Also read that asthmatics per se, are not esp at risk apparently heart and diabetes etc proved to be a bigger risk at least in China, that is not to say we are complacent, just that we have to be more careful than others.

FrenchMagpie · 23/03/2020 09:38

@DrMadelineMaxwell Thanks, I think so too but nobody has been in touch and given its such a recent diagnosis, I'm worried we have been missed?

@wecandothispeeps We are using 4-6 puffs every 4 hours! Or as needed, but several times a day. He is currently wheezing and breathless on exertion, as well as having the awful cough so I would agree we aren't well controlled at all! I am so worried we are heading into another attack.

We saw the GP last thursday who prescribed the antibiotic and the paediatrician 2 weeks ago but he was ok then and the cough developed subsequently. It's the same cough he's had for the last 5 months Sad
I'm not sure they are even doing asthma reviews anymore. Perhaps I can email the GP for advice

LostStars39 · 23/03/2020 09:49

Thanks @tangledyarn :) xx

FthisS · 23/03/2020 09:52

I have spoken with my surgery today and have been told only people with a severe (brittle) asthma diagnosis will be contacted. This is around 4% of the people with asthma, also it can be difficult to get this diagnosis it usually takes years. My son was born like this and it was only 3 years ago he had a brittle asthma diagnosis. Do what you can and if that is self isolate then that's even better, the advice is so conflicting and worrying especially if you slip through and your asthma is very unstable.

tangledyarn · 23/03/2020 09:52

@riv12345 I think the rest of us can still be as isolated as possible...its entirely up to you how isolated you are. Its more about protecting a very small minority of patients who are extremely high risk but you can still follow the advice if you want to.

SquashedFlyBiscuit · 23/03/2020 10:26

FthisS - there's a lot more than brittle asthma on that list though.

Wecan - i read that too about heart disease and diabetes but they're on the normal high risk list not the shielding list of super high like bad asthmatics?!

MindyStClaire · 23/03/2020 10:36

I guess with asthma, there's millions of people who have it but a huge range in severity. The small proportion of severely affected people will need to be extremely careful, the rest very careful.

Still not sure which category I fall into. Think I'm going to have to request a call with a GP later in the week.