Asthma uk website

[Jungfraujoch]

Did anyone get on it before it crashed?

Wanting to know if I’m a 12 weeker!

On a daily basis my asthma is mild, I take clenil 100 and Ventolin 100, I get the flu jab.

My worry is when I get even a mild cold it goes to my chest, turns into a cough and wheeze that takes weeks to pass. I really struggle with just a cold. The last time I had the flu 4 years ago i was in a&e twice with nebulisers and had antibiotics and steroid tablets and took ages to get over. But that was three years ago and daily I’m fine.

I can’t self isolate from work without the letter from GP, I will wait and see if I get one 🤷🏼‍♀️

I know there is a lot more than brittle asthma on the list, I'm just saying that the surgery have told me that in regards to asthma the only people who will be officially notified are those with a severe/brittle diagnosis.

This includes me as am on Clenil two puffs twice a day and have had oral steroids twice this year, plus use my blue inhaler more than 3 times a week. I am also immune suppressed. My GP called last week to say he thinks I should stay in for 12 weeks but no letter yet. Am in Wales

Surely you only need shopping delivered if you can't get shopping done by a family member or friend?

Also I thought people with asthma were already meant to be self isolating? I left my job on that basis.

MangePasTesOnglesVilain It depends who you work for, lots of employers are requesting a doctors letter first. I’m social distancing and staying home just leaving to go to work

I've been on the higher Fostair for 15 months but still sometimes use my blue in the winter and with bad viruses. I was considering trailing the lower dose in the summer but not with this.

I'm not sure I'm as bad as some others who need shielding; never been in hospital. I very much struggle with viruses and winter air, chemicals etc. So I'm probably borderline.

I'm on Fostair 100/6 two puffs twice a day, but up to 8 puffs a day if needed. I'm also on Montelukast which has meant I have been able to stay on Fostair 100/6, rather than getting Fostair 200/6. I had an exacerbation following a chest infection 5 months ago and needed prednisolone, but that's the only time I've needed it since asthma diagnosis 23 months ago.

I think I'm ok to continue social distancing as it looks like it's only people on Fostair 200/6 who are affected, whether or not they take Montelukast as well.

I have stayed at home, bar short local walks and avoiding others since Monday last week. I am able to WFH and my employer has been supportive. DH has been out to collect my inhalers. He isn't letting either of us go to shops for food - we have a delivery coming next month and a kind neighbour (flats) who has offered to buy milk etc. for others. Our block has a lot of elderly residents - neighbour one one side is 94, she has carers daily who I assume provide food, and the neighbour on the other side is 82. So younger residents are offering to help the older folks, and anyone else who needs it which is kind of them.

@ihatethecold

Thanks for that tip, have a peak flow monitor already and Dh has a blood pressure thing. So one more item and we are ok!

Ironically zero air pollution (I can really tell) and the warmer spring air today has sent my peak flow right up!

@MangePasTesOnglesVilain No, just social distancing unless it was brittle asthma, or you had a nice enough employer that was happy for you to work from home anyway!

It's tricky Caffi, as I suspect I could be ok on 100/6 in the Future, and then increase to the higher level of puffs as needed but the discussion with my asthma nurse was to stay in the higher dose for the time being as I'd just had a baby, and then returning to work/ nursery etc.

I'm doubting a letter tbh which is fine.

My symbacort is a lower dose so not on list although I do take montelukast. I am well controlled though and don't need blue inhaler. Off to work I go then 😭 (NHS)

I have severe/brittle asthma and currently take fostair 200/6 2puffs2xdaily. I stopped montelukast as I had bad side effects although this will be reviewed if I need to restart. I had 2 chest infections within 3 weeks at the start of the year plus was having numerous asthma attacks.

I am in Scotland and my GP surgery have just advised they won't be sending out letters/emails. Does anyone have any advice regarding Scotland. According to Scottish government we should get letters if we qualify although I'm not sure if this should be from our GP?

My medicine is on this list but GP has today advised I will not get a letter. So there is a difference btwn what GP is saying and the Asthma UK website. No idea which is the difinitive source.

The only people who will get a letter are those who have had a diagnosis of severe/brittle asthma. This is around 4% of all asthma sufferers in the uk, so unless you have seen a consultant etc who have specifically said you have brittle/severe asthma. Asthma uk are advising people who are the medications they have listed to take the 12wk advice because severe asthma is difficult to get a diagnosis of and you possibly do have it. But unless on your medical notes it says you have a confirmed diagnosis of brittle/severe asthma you will not get a letter.

I'm on seritide 250 two puffs twice a day and tiotropium (for asthma not COPD). I think I'll get a letter but I was hoping I wouldn't, I just can't see how the distancing measures within the home with children are even possible.

FthisS, that's what I would have said. But looking at the website (I think it's just been updated; just had an email) it's saying Fostair.

I've never been to hospital but was only diagnosed a few years ago.

And I suppose a number of people without asthma have ended up in hospital. I'm not sure I can cope without going for a jog though.

My children are just having to accept it. They can go in the garden (we have 12 feet fences either side plus detached and back onto woods).

Sorry posted too soon, my husband has moved out because he still needs to work and we have enough medication and food (for now). The gp has also given me more antibiotics to have just incase besides his azythromycin.

So am I right in saying for those that are severe they should be self isolating for 12 weeks, and for those of us with milder asthma (I take 4 puffs of clenil daily and ventolin as needed) should be practising social distancing but don't need to isolate?

My hay fever seems to be starting now too so I expect I'll be using my ventolin more

I don't understand. The asthma uk site say they have drawn up the list from guidance from the dept of health, yet gps are not choosing to follow those guidelines in deciding who to write to?

So I have had steroids, take montelukast and need a higher combi inhaler - but because it doesn't have the word brittle/severe asthma I may not qualify (for the letter I don't want tbf)?

I don't know, it makes no sense. So the GP must flag you as a very vulnerable person as opposed to being automatically filed under the term due to the medicine we take? I mean, that's hopeful, I haven't needed steroids for over a year and I don't have any recent hospital admissions because the drugs I take work so well.

It's not like I'll be heading off out to a party but it would be nice if I don't have to operate around my family like they are toxic.

I'm torn. I'd rather avoid the restrictions.
But if taking the meds I'm on means I fall under the category I don't want to be looked over for the advice if it's needed.

Exactly how I feel FourTeaFallOut, I can cope with the distancing and isolation (I'm not leaving the house/garden anyway) but the family thing would prove really difficult. I'm keeping away as much as possible and no hugs, kisses etc, but it's not easy to look after a four-year-old all day from a different room.

Asthma uk seem to have changed their guidance and I cannot see inhalers mentioned just other add on (montelukast etc) I may be wrong.