Asthmatics - have you had the 12 week text/letter/call?

[SistemaAddict]

I'm asthmatic on long term step 3 management with Fostair. I still need my reliever most days. For the past 3 weeks I've had some kind of virus and have increased the fostair to 4 puffs twice a day. I still need my reliever. My worry is that I've had prednisolone at least twice in the past year and that this might put me in the 12 week group.

Is anyone in a similar situation and had a text/letter/call? Is there any guidance anywhere?

I'm self isolating anyway at the moment but mentally I'd like to know what's what. My GP practice is down to one GP due to illness so I've not had a reply to my email yet.

There doesn’t seem to be any consistency. Reading other threads, some people have received text messages and others have been told they won’t be getting one, despite having the same medication (possibly even worse symptoms).
Whilst no one wants to be confined to their house for twelve weeks, I feel quite anxious about not receiving a text. I know they have until the 29th though.
According to asthma uk, I would be on the list but other threads are suggesting the information on this site is not correct.
I take Fostair, montelukast and still require my blue puffer more than once a day.
I haven’t be hospitalised for about five years but I was signed off for over six weeks at that time because I could shake of a virus which caused me terrible trouble breathing.
I have been hospitalised on numerous occasions before that and have had more prescriptions of pred than you can shake a stick at. However, as I have not really had a cold in the last year, my breathing has been reasonable.
It’s all very confusing and to top it off, I can’t get through to speak to someone at my GP centre.
Last Wednesday, I went into the reception and was told I should be isolating for 12 weeks. I mentioned the upcoming letter for the very vulnerable and neither the receptionist nor the GP, who popped out to speak to me, had no idea about the letters.

I think anyone who hasn’t received a letter by the weekend who should have according to the list, then contact your GP and ask them to write you a letter.

Post has been today. Looks like I will be taking my chances out there after Easter 😕

My GP doesn't think I fall into the category 🤷🏼‍♀️

Have you spoken to them? Did they actually say no? Are you on the meds listed on the asthma uk site?

@Bercows Your GP appears to be correct unless you are prescribed 800mg of fostair per day aka 200mg two puffs twice per day

I take 8 puffs a day of the 100/6 and still need my ventolin and have had two lots of steroids since last summer.

@wouldyou66 I am on that dosage, plus take montelukast I have not had a letter or text. I don't know how accurate that list can be although it is updated daily and I would have thought they would have removed any that aren't correct. Its very stressful.

No letter for me. I use reliever everyday and 4 puffs per day of Fostair 100/6. I WFH.

@Bercows God knows why you are on 8 puffs of a 100mg inhaler. I would demand a 200mg you must burn through that very quickly.
@nonsenceagain based on your dose you shouldn’t receive a letter according to asthma UK.

Thanks would you. I'm actually on 8 puffs a day, 4 in the morning and 4 at night. And yes, I absolutely burn through them.

@Petetongue I think If you haven’t received anything by Monday you could print the list and take to your doctor and ask them to write you a letter

@Bercows @nonsenceagain okay then both of you should receive a letter and in my view are not being adequately managed. The reason they prescribe the 100mg is because it is cheaper for the NHS, but if you are on such a high dose then it’s not great for you (unless of course you are happy getting endless prescriptions). I would seek an asthma review if you are unhappy and agree you should be moved up a dose. If the nurse dismissed you then tell the nurse you will speak with a doctor.

@wouldyou66 yes, that seems like a good idea. Thank you.

Asthma U.K. have had some very specific and detailed guidance for asthma patients from central government. It even gives a list of medication doses which are at what risk levels.
Here's is the link:

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

It confirms everything in a lot of detail for asthma.

@Wouldyou66 thanks. I order my inhalers online and the dosage on there is my original one: 4 puffs per day. My GP changed it without adjusting the online record so I probably won't get the letter. I guess I should self isolate in that case?

I've had a text from my go surgery saying letters will be recieved by the end of the week if they deem you bad enough.

Mine is very well controlled.

No letter here I'm on Fostair 2 puffs twice a day but 100mcg I think

I’ve asked for clarification from my GP ( mainly for advantageous online shopping slots) and they’ve emailed me to say it’s nothing to do with them and that the letters come from the gov , which is obviously rubbish as surely only my GP knows which drugs I take .

Well still no letter here despite the biologic injections. Is it because it's done at the hospital and my GP hasn't noted it on my record do you think?

I've now had my inhaler changed to the Fostair 200/6 but don't expect to get the letter as only just changed.

Bercows I’m coming to the conclusion that Fostair 200 isn’t a trigger for high risk. I take montelukast too but still nothing.

My gps changed my inhaler from seretide to fostair. I started with a cough which would not go. Back and forwards to gp, they sent me for an x ray notlhing untoward. It was only when I said to the asthma nurse 8 months later that I wondered if it was the swap from seretide to fostair she said possibly it does not work for everyone but it is cheaper and so had been tried out. She put me back on the seretide and the cough went.

www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

This site implies you can register yourself. Any ideas?

Pseudo I haven’t had a letter either and am also on biologics. Sure we should be getting one unless there’s been a significant oversight