evening all.
i’m in the Shielded group as i take methotrexate for Psoriatic Arthritis. i also have a large substernal thyroid goitre and am on levothyroxine. the thyroid is scheduled to come out whenever normal NHS service is resumed.
i’ve been in isolation for 3 weeks now. my GP surgery called me on thursday to say i need to go for blood tests. they will come out to the car to draw the blood.
but, i live alone with no transport. i would have to ask a friend to drive me. i’m notoriously difficult to get blood from, and it’s usually a struggle to tap a vein in my hand.
i explained to the receptionist that i’m in the Shielded group but they are insisting i go for the tests.
my methotrexate dosage has been stable for over 6 months now. i last had a thyroid check with the consultant in January after a failed attempt at surgery. because my thyroid has grown so large, my trachea is all squished to one side and they struggled to keep me oxygenated under anaesthetic so stopped the operation as it was unsafe.
so. if i catch coronavirus and become seriously unwell i’m going to be hard to ventilate. i’m only just 47. i don’t want to die.
should i break my isolation at this point to go for blood tests? i don’t want to, but am aware that i might not be thinking entirely rationally at this point.
anyone with any guidance or ideas? please help - my mental health is also shit and i have anxiety and OCD amongst other delights.
i just don’t know what to do for the best.