Asthmatics’ during Covid19

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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.

Joining.

One of the criteria is admitted to hospital in the last year. I’m assuming that doesn’t include trips to a&e, but does anyone know?

@ArriettyJones same as me I have to phone doctor back Monday to update her and see if I need a second dose of steroids not sure yet hard to tell as I always react so well to steroids plus sent of a sample so waiting for results.

@ArriettyJones welcome aboard

First part was too @FaithInfinity

Thanks @Theodoreb

I didn't make the government list. Have possible COVID. Currently on Antibiotics and steroids (for the first time ever). Still finding it hard to breathe though even with them, though it's not as bad as it was. Whatever I've had, has hit my respiratory system badly.

I wish you better @Aveisenem.

It is interesting you have been prescribed oral steroids - I thought maybe they were contraindicated for COVID-19.

I have developed probable COVID too while shielding. My respiratory consultant said to simply double my dose of one of my inhalers (Fostair). He did not mention taking my rescue oral steroids.

Sorry to hear you are unwell egg, what awful luck while you are shielding. I hope you are ok. Is that the Fostair 200 or 100?

Sorry to read you are struggling Ave. I hope you are ok.

@NeurotrashWarrior 100 (I also have other meds onc spiriva). Thank you. Touch wood I think I have dodged a bullet as I am on day 14 and, although it’s been rough, my breathing has been mainly OK. I am very lucky (so far).

@Aveisenim get well soon.

Can I ask I sent a sputum sample of last week will they test it for corona virus?

@Theodore - no, it is throat and nose swabs, not a saliva sample and they are basically only testing sone inpatients and now a few NHS workers.

@egghead thank you I am really struggling with shielding right now just want to know if I've had it so I can go for a walk

Sorry to hear you are struggling with shielding @theodoreb. My reading of the current guidelines is that anyone on 12-week shielding needs to stay on that full shielding even if they get coronavirus and recover.
Is there a way you can make this more bearable for yourself? Do you have a routine, exercise opportunities at home, interesting things to read and watch, work you can do from home, skills you can learn, hobbies, projects etc? Enough social contact via Facetime etc? We are in this for the long-haul so we may as well make the most of it.

@egghead I have bipolar 1 and schizophrenia as a result I was already extremely isolated before all this only really having my mum and one friend. Most people think I'm weird and get frightened by my oddities. My mum is moaning that I'm calling too much, so want to let some of the burden of her and call less. I have plenty of diy to do as I'm moving around all the bedrooms and have all new furniture to set up for all 3 dc each has a new bed chest of drawers and wardrobe and I'm moving my stuff into the downstairs living room so they can have their own room.

But owing to my mental illnesses I have to undertake tasks slowly as otherwise I become overwhelmed and struggle mentally. I also hurt my back in a car crash 3 months ago and I am on tramodol and although it takes the edge of the pain there is only so much exercise or manual tasks I can do.

I need more friends but as I said most people find me strange.

But it saddens me that people don't like me because I'm different but then some days I wonder if maybe it's the fact that I'm so paranoid and shut down that it's not that people don't like me but more that I keep people away myself.

That is tough @theodoreb. I hope you have support from your CMHT, online forums etc.

@egghead I usually see my psychiatrist once a month was supposed to see him last Monday. Got a phone call the Wednesday before saying it would be over the phone, which I was happy with then Friday I got a call saying all appointments have been cancelled dk when until.

If I'm in severe crisis I must call the on duty officer and they will get a psychiatrist to ring me back. However as I suffer severe paranoia I won't be able to speak to someone else so right now have literally zero support, don't mean to be poor me and I know everyone is struggling and on the plus side at least I don't have to worry about money like loads as my money hasn't changed, but it's just that Mumsnet is all I actually have.

And at least with my letter I can sign up for online delivery so lucky in some ways.

That’s very hard to have support withdrawn when you might need it most @Theodoreb. I expect you know that Helplines such as the Samaritans should still be running so you can get support there

@Egghead68 No idea r.e contraindications for Covid. I only asked about them for the other medication I was on and because it was a phone consultation with the GP it wsn't confirmed either way. Doing slightly better today, hopefully it will keep going that way once I'm off them in a day or so.

Hope you keep heading in the right direction @aveisenim

I have asthma that is under control (touchwood) and have received this week a rescue pack to hold in reserve containing: Antibiotics to start if I have a fever of 37.8 or more and have two of the three main symptoms of cv (cough/headache/aching); several packets of prednisolone to start if I am wheezing more (trouble is, I don't wheeze) or if my asthma is worsening; plus another reliever inhaler and a spacer; and an information sheet. (I live in the Channel Islands).

Could I ask some advice here?

I’ve not received a shielding letter and do not expect to. I’ve looked at Asthma UK’s list and seen the following:

You are taking ALL THREE OF:

a steroid preventer inhaler (at any dose)

another preventer medicine (e.g. you are on a combination inhaler, or take a medicine such as formoterol or salmeterol, or tiotropium as well as your steroid inhaler, or if you are taking montelukast)

regular or continuous oral steroids (which means you had 4 or more prescriptions for prednisolone between July and December 2019)

I believe I am on a combination steroid inhaler and I take montelukast. In addition this I have had 4 prescriptions for prednisolone this year (Jan 2020 - Mar 2020). I did not have any in 2019.

Do you think it is advisable to shield anyway? Is there a reason that having more recent steroids makes me less vulnerable than those on the list?

@Bluebell32 I got a letter my advice is you know how it feels to be bad with your chest and I would personally sheild if you have the option to, I'd recommend that to anyone who is able to do so, but it sounds like you only just missed not getting a letter so would definitely shield.