Anyone else received the text to self-isolate for 12 weeks? ***title edited at OP's request***

[Crunchymum]

Wasn't actually expecting it and feel quite upset.

I have 3 children, I don't know how this is going to work?

@ArtisanBreadBin If you are on that dosage, or above, you are on the list to be shielded for 12 weeks.

@DrMadelineMaxwell Don't worry about not getting a text. Letters are being sent out from today, to arrive tomorrow.

and here is a link to the template letter (nothing we don't already know really)

www.rheumatology.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/At_risk_patient_letter_210320.pdf?ver=2020-03-22-171419-000

I was surprised, tbh. I do have asthma and diffuse pleural thickening but it's mild. I didn't realise my medication was a high dose.

I'm a bit concerned as I now have 16 doses remaining on my preventer inhaler and no repeat slip and the doctors aren't answering the phone or taking messages and I can't buy one from the pharmacy. So... er :/

Do they expect you to stay away from family members in the same house?

Yep.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

I haven't received the message/text yet, I expect I will soon, due to my asthma.
I'm on montelukast and symbicort smart (×8 dose daily).
I'm trying to get my head around not going out for 12 weeks.
Shopping is going to be fun.

I knew I was high risk, didn't know I was very high risk.

4 adults, in a 3 bed. Not much room for isolation.

I think asthma wise I've heard that the asthma uk site is including more people than those will be contacted. So if you have a diagnosis of brittle/severe asthma and under consultant led care you'll get a letter but not necessarily just because you are on one of the named drugs on the asthma UK site.

@YeahYou thank you. Very worrying.

@YeahYou I'm really confused by that list. I have a Flixotide Accuhaler 250mg 2 puffs twice a day, and it's not listed. The Evohaler is though, so I can't see any reason why the Accuhaler wouldn't be?

OP I'm now right there with you reeling in shock. I've not had my asthma diagnosis or medication very long, and now I'm finding this out. I really didn't realise that I was at higher risk.

Crunchymum Our doctors have been phoning people to tell them they are in the shielding group and then answering all their questions.

The text sounds rather impersonal and likely to worry people. Hope that the letter is more informative and reassuring when you get it.

Get onto facebook and connect with you local (ie town) council, they are providing help.
Big virtual hugs, it is a hard bit of news to digest.

I have a disabled toddler, how do I isolate from her?

@Crunchymum are you on methotrexate alone? I take 15mg methotrexate and 20mg Leflunomide, I didn't expect a letter/text but wondering whether I will now.

You're surely not expected to stay away from your own children?

@HRH2020 you are right about the possible overestimation and talking to doctor.

My DH falls into two of the "risk categories" on the GOV website and was anticipating a letter today. He called his doctor and they've agreed that he doesn't need to completely quarantine but exercise absolute caution, as he was anyway.

@FluffyAragog

I am on 20mg MTX per week. Nothing else and thankfully no pain medication at the moment either (in a period of remission!)

Apparently you are, somehow, meant to keep away from your children.

If you're just on methotrexate and have no other risk factors, you don't technically meet the criteria so they might just be being over cautious. I'm not going to be able to isolate from my 7 month old baby!

I thought the guideanve already said autoimmune

I’m a bit confused by the asthma medications above. I thought children with asthma weren’t high risk, but my daughter takes Clenil twice a day which is on the list for children.

So should she be isolating? I have managed 3 autoimmune disorders, but was not expecting to be high risk.

Surely if you’re in one of the most vulnerable and at risk groups you’re aware of that already?

You’d think so. My daughter’s condition was on the list previously which caused confusion because on the face of it there is no reason for it. We weren’t sure if we would get a text or not, so far there has been nothing.

Poor you OP. You only need to stay away form your children in the absolute sense if they exhibit symptoms. Otherwise, if you also keep them at home with you, they will also be safe.

Do you have a DP?

I have a disabled toddler, how do I isolate from her?

You don’t, you isolate with her. If she isn’t going anywhere, she is no risk to you.