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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:
Mendeleev · 26/03/2020 20:32

Sunshine because it says in the guidelines that as soon as you get symptoms, you should call 111. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse.
The advice for anyone else with asthma is not to call 111 unless you have difficulty breathing.
They will take you more seriously if you have been identified as at risk.

Egghead68 · 26/03/2020 21:15

@Mendeleev my experience of 111 was that I waited 3.75 hours to get through to them only to be told I needed to speak to my own doctor to get advice specific to me. It was a complete waste of time (although the A&E doctor I eventually ended up seeing said I need to go through all that again, I.e. 111 then speaking to GP or consultant, everytime I need A&E while the epidemic is on grr...)

Egghead68 · 26/03/2020 21:17

I should make it clear I was phoning 111 about possible corona virus symptoms.

A&E weren’t interested and said only to come back if I really couldn’t manage my breathing at home.

So much for getting symptoms treated early...

Mendeleev · 26/03/2020 21:23

Oh wow! Well that knocks my plan out the window. I suppose they are just so overwhelmed.
It’s a very worrying time. As with all of us, a regular virus can cause serious problems, let alone this one!
Hope you’re recovering well x

NeurotrashWarrior · 26/03/2020 21:48

Placemarking. Sorry to hear of those struggling :(

I'm currently on Fostair 200/6. But the spring air has had a magical effect and if it wasn't for this virus I'd be trialling 100/6 possibly on the mart as it's when I get a virus. I used to find doubling clenil effective for that but clenil wasn't holding up in the winter.

I never really go below the top third of peak flow though. I just cough for England and never stop, and become exhausted. I doubt I'll get the letter due to no hospital admissions. I was only diagnosed a few years ago.

I fear this virus now, was ok before this week. Read too much that sounds similar to how I can react to normal viruses.

NeurotrashWarrior · 26/03/2020 21:50

I can't cope with shielding. Two young kids and need to go in garden or a walk.,Wouldn't ever be 3 feet away from them. But I really don't think I qualify.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/03/2020 23:10

I think Asthma uk (sorry to keep bringing them up, but you'd think they were going to be an excellent source of info) have maybe realised they could be overstating the case.
In the last few days they've removed one of the triggers (for needing shielding) from their list (use of oral steroids in last 12 months - not just those needing them weekly/daily) and today have in bold that their list is just for guidance.

It does give the 29th as the deadline for letters and says not to call them or your gp until after that date. Then speak to your gp - if you can get through - if you feel you qualify for shielding but didn't get the letter.

I'll not be doing that on the Monday as it's always a nightmare to get through to them after the weekend anyway.

TeeniefaeTroon · 27/03/2020 00:04

@Kion I'm in Scotland and I'm on the exact same medication as you and I've heard nothing. Thank god!

Oceans12isCrap · 27/03/2020 01:31

“they've removed one of the triggers (for needing shielding) from their list (use of oral steroids in last 12 months”

I wondered where that had gone!

SunshineCake · 27/03/2020 08:09

I'm confused more now.

Recently I have gone in to the red and white inhaler and take a does morning and evening plus when ever I need it. I also have the blue inhaler for when things are really desperate.

Woken up with a very short painful headache, a throat more sore than yesterday and chest tightness.

CatkinToadflax · 27/03/2020 08:17

I used at work at Asthma UK, albeit 20 years ago, and in a very junior role so I wasn't at all involved in their strategy etc. They were very hot on campaigning at that time and I believe they still are. However I suspect that the list we're discussing was put together as guidance for who should be shielding rather than actual instructions. I've always had the impression that their work is more advisory than insistent, if that makes sense?!

Then there's the Government's 1.5 million people. They made the announcement that they were contacting 1.5m, but why that figure? Maybe for whatever reason they wanted to limit the number of people who need to be in the shielding group, and therefore there were changes of opinion during the process of who to contact on which medications should trigger the letter/text?

These are just thoughts and I could be entirely incorrect.

NeurotrashWarrior · 27/03/2020 09:46

I'm being ultra careful and not doing shopping nor are kids going anywhere near shops. Dh is doing that but we managed to get a deliver for 10 days time.

Full shielding would be awful. I need to be able to get fresh air for health. So I'm fairly glad it's just guidance, obviously there for a reason and thus I'm taking more precautions.

I suppose this will have implications for when schools re open though.

whymewhyme · 27/03/2020 17:49

I am confused, who needs to shield? Ive not had a letter, contolled asthm. do i need to shield ? I work in a care home.

CatkinToadflax · 27/03/2020 18:22

whyme supposedly you only need to shield if you've had a letter or text. I suspect it's a lot more complicated than that though!

FaithInfinity · 27/03/2020 18:24

whyme there’s certain criteria for asthmatics to shield. I’m not ‘high risk’ but ironically am currently symptomatic and feel awful.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/03/2020 19:59

So....
(No letter here still, but apparently they may yet arrive by the 30th in Wales).

Asthma uk has now pulled the list of inhalers from it's site, so I wonder if they've been criticised for suggesting that too many people were in line for a letter based on those criteria. It now says that you should talk to your gp to find out if you are on a high dose inhaler and to speak to them if you feel you should hav ehad the shielding letter.

The NHS letter to gps that a PP posted certainly suggested that other agencies (asthma clinics?) would be triggering those letters. Not the gps. And my practice manager mentioned maybe having to 'add people' so they are, I think, expecting some to be calling and to query this and then having to perhaps provide some of their own letters/advice to that effect.

Although - when I called the other week to ask about advice re whether I would be classified officially as vulnerable and to ask to work from home etc they said that they don't give out advice like that and it's up to individuals.

CaffiSaliMali · 27/03/2020 20:58

Good spot DrMadeline, I hadn't realised.

Pleased as now I feel less of pain in the backside ringing my asthma nurse next week - I doubt I will count as I'm on Fostair 100/6 (albeit with Montelukast), however I do carry a high dose steroids alert card which my asthma nurse said was very important to have on me in case of hospital admission so I will play it safe and ask.

CatkinToadflax · 28/03/2020 11:48

Oooh I've got a letter as well now! GO ME! Grin

FourTeaFallOut · 28/03/2020 12:02

Do you get any extra information on the letter catkin?

At the risk of sounding easily pleased, I've found all the following emails quite helpful.

Theodoreb · 28/03/2020 12:04

Probably don't want me in here as not asthmatic I have copd but there is no support group for copd and I'm so very frightened, do you possibly have room for me? I have 3 inhalers eazybreeze, sirdupla and salamol.

FourTeaFallOut · 28/03/2020 12:08

You can be my plus one Theodoreb.

CatkinToadflax · 28/03/2020 12:15

FourTea There isn't really any extra info on the letter that hasn't been covered in the various follow-up texts from Conronavirus Gov HQ. It's mainly about how to stay safe.

Yes, please join us Theo! Plenty of space here as long as we're all 2 meters apart! Wink

LefttoherownDevizes · 28/03/2020 12:16

DS is 14 and has allergic asthma, which is exacerbated by tree pollen which is rife. His allergies are so bad he started oral immunotherapy late last year. Normally he would be on oral steroids to reduce down his response but we have decided not to sure to Covid, so he's just on his brown inhaler, blue as needed and montelukadt. He came down with suspected Covid yesterday, and send ok so far. DD, DH and I are recovering but none of us are asthmatic.

I am terrified, I know we can only try and control symptoms but need to get in touch with his allergy team as suspect it's too risky to carry on with the immunotherapy now as he's more reactive

Theodoreb · 28/03/2020 12:19

@FourTeaFallOut and @CatkinToadflax thanks for welcome. Will be great to have some support.

Original poster
BigTikes · 28/03/2020 14:30

hi Theodoreb you're of course very welcome. I think this whole thing is extra scary when you know all to well that feeling of not being able to breathe properly .

I am having a lot of anxiety today as I have a tickle in my throat and the urge to cough, as does my DH, but I really think (and hope!) it is actually tree pollen as it feels allergic rather than like illness...

OP posts: