Asthmatics’ during Covid19

[BigTikes]

Would anyone like to join this thread for asthmatics during this outbreak?

I’m mid 30s in England. Have had asthma since childhood, hospitalised a few times (not for 5+ years now) and the odd course of oral steroids for flare ups plus daily inhalers. I got the extremely vulnerable text message today.

I think you have to be bad enough to need oxygen.

Egghead sounds similar to mine. Tightnessbut not like I usually am it is different. I was a bit wheezy but that was well over a week ago and put it down to the dust as builder was hacking tiles off and had to go back to the stone. Then plastering. So also wondering if cv or anxiety. Trying not to read or watch too much and have a good book.

It was in our local paper and on local news about the letters.

Following with interest. Looks like I would be on the list (Symbicort) but I’ve only had one course of Montelukast, not two.

This lists the criteria for determining if asthma is serious or not

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19

My teen son is on Relvar but the lower dose - he's 18 so I'm counting him as an adult.

His job will be closed tomorrow and he's happy to return to his default state of self isolating and that will reduce my worries too.

I'm type 2 brittle asthmatic.
Haven't been able to work for years, get PIP because of it, take every med there is.
Dd is 18 and she has it too.

@Bumply , it does list the criteria.
Yet some on the other asthma/vulnerable threads said they were on meds listed or had other things listed on that site but when calling their gp were told that the list that their gp was notifying was narrower than that.

As usual, general announcements made direct to the public from above without getting things at the lower levels ready to act straight away and in a consistent manner - a little like my headteacher finding out the schools were going to be closing via the secretary seeing it on twitter. Then the county scrabbling to sort out (and change, and change) the list of qualifying parents. Then not putting advice in about what the schools should be actually doing to accommodate those children as safely as possible.

I thought they said we'd get informed by Tuesday and then today some health expert on the BBC said we'd be informed within a week. How do people feel about shielding!

The asthma uk advice can be taken with a pinch of salt. It depends where eyou are. I am on the list according to asthma uk but the Scottish government has listed it as only those requiring steroid tablets.

I read through all the information that was linked with the text and it says:

"try spending time with the windows open to let in the fresh air, arranging space to sit and see a nice view (if possible) and get some natural sunlight, or get out into any private space, keeping at least 2 metres away from your neighbours and household members if you are sitting on your doorstep"

So, going in to your own garden seems fine even if you are being shielded, so long as you can maintain distance from everyone else.

Got my text yesterday evening. Tiotropium, duoresp spiromax and montelukast. My garden is quite big with high fences and lots of trees/bushes on the borders - so I’m hoping it’s safe to use!

Im only on the fostair 100 but think as it’s a reliever and preventer in one that has triggered the text. I’m waiting to speak to my doctor this morning as I don’t even want to be on that inhaler. I’ve been years between flare ups on no inhalers so I think I just need a standard brown inhaler really. It’s very confusing and the text yesterday really sent me into a tailspin.

The Montelukast bit of asthma UK's website is confusing. It reads like Montelukast is a trigger for the vulnerable group, but only if you are already in the vulnerable group due to your preventer inhaler (for example Fostair 200/6), in which case why mention Montelukast as those patients are already on the list?

I was diagnosed 23 months ago. I was tested as a child (1999, age 11) and told I was borderline asthmatic and given no treatment. Symptoms improved in teens and early 20s, aside from frequent chest infections and 6 week odd coughs.

Finally diagnosed at 29 after years of being dismissed by GPs as I have no wheeze. I had bronchitis and once recovered went on holiday to somewhere very polluted and really struggled with my breathing and I finally got a diagnosis.

In the 2 years since I have been put on Fostair 100/6 and Montelukast. The Montelukast means I haven't needed to be put on the Fostair 200/6. I have had numerous exacerbations in the last 2 years, and needed two courses of antibiotics and prednisolone 5 months ago when a chest infection saw me need 14 puffs a day and a trip to urgent care. I carry a high dose steroids card in case of hospital admission.

As I'm on Fostair 100/6 rather than Fostair 200/6 I don't think I'm on the list. However, I don't know if the Montelukast puts me on it or not.

Bowerbird5 I think anxiety about my breathing is definitely causing some (possibly/hopefully all) of my respiratory symptoms. Yes - distraction is the way forward. I need to get on with some work!

I have just received this text from the GP surgery:

“ You must follow Government advice and stay at home. You may receive more detailed advice re your health condition soon. Visit www.nhs.uk”

Does anyone know if this is THE text relating to specific conditions (asthma in my case) or is this the same for the whole population?

Thanks

For severe asthma I got:

NHS Coronavirus Service: We have identified that you're someone at risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus. Please remain at home for a minimum of 12 weeks. Home is the safest place for you. Staying in helps you stay well and that will help the NHS too. You can open a window but do not leave your home, and stay 3 steps away from others indoors. Wash your hands more often, for at least 20 seconds.

Read more advice about staying safe at home.
www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable-guidance

We will send you more messages with information.

To opt out reply STOP

Ok thanks egghead I presume then that my text is just the same advice as for the general population then rather than meaning I can’t go out even for an infrequent food shop due to asthma.

mycat I got the same text as egghead, so yes I would think that the one you got is more of a general one.

I got the same as egghead

It’s a shame it’s so confusing. But I guess they are running mostly off algorithms rather than anyone looking at individuals and making a decision.

Doctor calling me back this morning hopefully.

How is everyone feeling this morning?

Yeah, I'm good. We've decided if my DH is able to continue with work within the next 12 weeks then he'll move out. We have a caravan which technically we are not allowed to keep on the driveway because of some covenant from 30 yrs ago but we might ask the neighbours if they can tolerate it for a while. Then we can manage the childcare and maintain a (self employed) income and a way to get food to us without risking infection and without me having having to isolate from the kids, which will be impossible in any case.

I'm on Fostair 100 with montelukast. No text or letter.

I've had a tight chest on and off for a week which I think might be anxiety related.

Hello, I'd like to join too please.. Asthma since childhood. Have been on Fostair 100/6 for ten years now. Only hospitalisation ten years ago, but as a teacher had a whole series of years when I seemed to be on antibiotics and steroids several times a year. Now I've given up teaching things have improved!

Had a gravelly throat for the last 2 weeks now - have to keep clearing it. Makes me cough very occasionally, but I keep thinking if it was Covid, surely it would have evolved into something different in that time.
Staying home - have been for 13 days now. The conflicting info about asthma really worries me.

Had to call an ambulance last night because my breathing was so bad (a first for me). Nebuliser helped it settle, paramedic said normally they’d take me to hospital but at the moment it’s probably riskier than staying at home, he said it could be COVID19 but if it isn’t, I’d be in with all the other respiratory patients who might have it! Opted to stay home and it settled fortunately.

Honestly, my asthma is generally well managed. if you’re in doubt, choose to stay home!

FaithInfinity that sounds scary, how long did it take for an ambulance to reach you? Did you only have asthma symptoms? I'm glad they were able to sort it for you to stay at home. I definitely want to remain at home at all costs for the foreseeable.

Pebble21uk welcome! we sound similar in terms of asthma history. Did you get the text about being extremely vulnerable? Is your inhaler the Nexthaler beclometasone dip/ formoterol fumarate? Just can't work out why I got the message, unless my inhaler is actually different.

wrongsideofhistorymyarse I have never been so conscious of my bloody chest and breathing. Mine is definitely anxiety induced as I keep checking why peak flow and it's fine.

FourTeaFallOut that sounds like a sensible solution but must all feel very surreal for you. I think the text message saying not to get close to people even in our own home was what really upset me, because of my children, it's both impossible and such a sad idea!

Going to make myself a cup of tea now and watch Peter Pan with the kids.

I'd say my asthma is usually very well controlled. I need my inhalers more over cold winter months and hayfever season. I'm on flixotide accuhaler, 1 dose twice a day, and ventolin accuhaler 1 puff when required.

I have been tight chested for a few days now, which I wouldn't normally worry about because it's the start of hayfever season, but it has got me worried now. I haven't had the text message or letter (yet) and dont expect to as I've never been prescribed Montelukast. DS has montelukast though, but he's not on it atm.

BigTikes yes, I think it's the same inhaler 100/6 Beclometasone dip / Formoterol fumarate - pressurised and used with a spacer, I haven't had a text or letter (so far) I have a telephone GP appt on Thursday about something else so will be asking about it then.