Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Asthmatics’ during Covid19

270 replies

BigTikes · 23/03/2020 22:27

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.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 26/03/2020 12:41

I had to have nebuliser twice in October. I rang first then went too GP surgery to get it. Our postman has not been yet but have still not had text.

IamHyouweegobshite · 26/03/2020 13:03

I spoke to my doctor, he prescribed another course of antibiotics and oral steroids. Plus need to up my dosage. Take care everyone.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/03/2020 14:13

Hmmm.... that very much reads as though the gp won't write to us and asthmatics who are on the meds listed as triggers by asthma uk, but who don't see hospital consultants or other clinics may well be passed over.

Mendeleev · 26/03/2020 14:35

This is altogether very worrying that many people will be overlooked, despite their high risk.
What’s the point of asthma uk sending out a list, if many of us will be overlooked because we haven’t been seen by a consultant in the last year?

DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/03/2020 15:55

I'm going to expect no letter then.
But will follow it up with a call to the asthma uk helpline next week and maybe a clarifying call to my gp.

CatkinToadflax · 26/03/2020 16:00

I spoke to a friend a couple of hours ago whose young son may or may not have fitted the Asthma UK criteria. She said she'd phoned her GP this morning to ask him, and the GP didn't know for sure who would be receiving the texts but that everyone who's supposed to get one has now already received one.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/03/2020 17:10

Its letters in Wales I think and it said should be here by Sunday.

CatkinToadflax · 26/03/2020 17:25

Madeline ah OK - my friend is in England. (As am I.) Hope you get your letter or at least can get it sorted with your GP.

FourTeaFallOut · 26/03/2020 17:55

Did those people who got a text to says they were extremely vulnerable also get a letter? I'm not sure what to do, there's the extremely vulnerable register but it asks if you have had a letter. I can't tell if I am being too literal in waiting for an actual letter and I should just say yes and get on with it.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/03/2020 18:14

I keep seeing this quoted in the news or on websites for certain conditions....

If you fall within one of these groups of people, you will be receiving a letter from the NHS informing you of the steps that you should be following. You should receive this letter before the 29th March

So I'm holding out to see if I do. (I'm a very literal person).
Will a text be good enough for your work? Do they just take your word for it that you are in that category?

CatkinToadflax · 26/03/2020 18:14

The text I got included a link to the extremely vulnerable register - so I said yes I had had a letter, as the text was instead of the letter.

Egghead68 · 26/03/2020 18:14

I just got the text no letter. I said yes to the letter when registering online because I think they mean notification i.e. text and/or letter.

SunshineCake · 26/03/2020 18:22

Is asthma uk a website we are supposed to use to see if we have to be shielded?

Original poster
BigTikes · 26/03/2020 18:31

Hi all, I received the letter today but (as I explained earlier in the thread) it was aimed at my three year old daughter not me (cancer patient). So my experience was that we got a text from the centralised NHS system and then a letter from the GP surgery.

I think anyone concerned they should be on the list needs to contact their GP and ask why they aren’t. In our case our GP received a list of potential people and then made a final call themselves regarding letters.

Hope everyone is holding up okay.

OP posts:
Original poster
BigTikes · 26/03/2020 18:32

I don’t think asthma uk is to be used to see if you should be shielded. I think it was there best guess from the guidelines. There’s clearly a grey area with it all as it seems to have been triggered by hospital appointments in particular rather than just inhalers.

OP posts:
Original poster
BigTikes · 26/03/2020 18:34

If anyone needs to see the letter for advice on staying safe then pm me. It is mainly very common sense but some useful guidance on continuity of care. This is why I think it’s only aimed at v severe asthmatics. It talks a lot about carers coming to the home and routine hospital appointments - these things apply far more to my daughter’s cancer care than it would even when my asthma has been at its worst (I’ve been hospitalised etc).

OP posts:
DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/03/2020 18:41

Then why have they gone to lengths to specify who they think they have been told (by the health board or whoever they cite) should be getting the shielding advice and why?

It doesn't make much sense really.
But then, what does?

SunshineCake · 26/03/2020 18:46

If you think you are unwell enough to need shielding then shield yourself. Why does anyone need a letter ? Is it for work?

whymewhyme · 26/03/2020 18:49

Are any of you shielding? if so would you shield if you only had contolled asthma? i dont know what to do, im shitting myself i am a key worker delivering care and social distancing is impossible!

FourTeaFallOut · 26/03/2020 18:52

Thank you catkin and egghead, I think the stress is freezing my brain.

SentimentalKiller · 26/03/2020 18:55

My surgery only wants online messages. The response to my message was that they wouldn't respond to any queries about vulnerability as they are too busy. The gov website says to contact GP if you think you are vulnerable and have not had a letter /text

Nursing83 · 26/03/2020 19:05

My GP surgery have been a nightmare, I think i had CV, really struggled to breathe doing almost 10 puffs an hour of salbutamol. Called the GP after trying to get through to 111 for 5 hours. They promised theyd represcribe my beclomethasone as I've not used it for a few years. 2 weeks later and numerous phone calls back and forth and they still haven't done this so I'm still using salbutamol 4-5 times a night which I'm certain i wouldn't be if they just gave me my prevented. Its infuriating

CatkinToadflax · 26/03/2020 19:22

Madeline sorry only just seen your question re will just a text be good enough for your work.

I’m lucky in that I have an incredibly flexible employer and very kind boss, and I work from home a lot in any case, so I’m just getting on with things as usual. However if I was questioned and asked to show an employer the text, I’m sure it would be fine as evidence - it’s very clearly from a legitimate source (NHS Coronavirus Service) rather than Wayne the local prankster, and has various NHS and government links in it.

Rosesofeyam · 26/03/2020 19:22

I've had asthma all my life. I'm 50.
On montelukast, symbicort (smart 200/6 × 8 per day),ventolin and cetrizine.
I was at the emergency GP yesterday for a chest infection and they confirmed I'm in the shielding group. I need to stay in for 12 weeks.
I know it's to keep me safe,but gosh, it feels like a lifetime.
Not helping being on antibiotics and oral steroids.
Thank you for starting this op I'm going to need a place to vent.

Swipe left for the next trending thread