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Just received shielding text

21 replies

Littlemiss74 · 14/05/2020 10:32

I’ve just received a text from NHS saying I should shield until end of June. I had a letter from the rheumatology team in early April advising shielding due to meds however there was some confusion as other websites said only needed to strictly social distance. I phoned my consultant who said the letter they had sent was a general letter as they could not be sure of every patient’s circumstances ie if they had another health condition aswell as RA. He confirmed that I did not need to strictly shield but advised wfh if it’s possible and keeping distance from people as much as poss, both of which I’ve been doing.

It seems like a long delay between sending me a letter to receiving this text. I heard something about the shielding lists being reviewed. I know this is a massive task for the NHS and they are doing a great job but I think the whole shielding vs vulnerable group thing is a bit unclear, especially if you are relying on it as evidence for your employer. I will be taking the cautious approach anyway and staying at home and wfh for the forseeable apart from my daily walk.

Anyone else only just received the text?

OP posts:
ElizabethMainwaring · 14/05/2020 10:39

Hi. It will be because you are taking medication to suppress your immune system. Do you take methotrexate?
My husband is shielding due to this (also has etanercept) and he has COPD too.
He got 3 (!) letters ages ago and a raft of texts. At one point there was one a day, but that's calmed down now. We're expecting another letter soon.
Best wishes to you.

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 11:01

My DH is in mtx and humira and has been very quiet wonder if he has had a text too. he's hoping to go back to his work next week...

Summerflowers79 · 14/05/2020 11:16

Received the same text an hour ago. Letter came 1st April

Emlou07 · 14/05/2020 11:17

I got one last week. No other health issues than a higher bmi. Only 7/8 weeks too late! Hmm

You'll get 3/4, more texts with different info.

I'm not going to start shielding now as I don't feel it necessary after all this time

Knowhowufeel2 · 14/05/2020 11:23

I've only just received a letter advising shielding; but I've not had anything previously and when I asked my nurse she said it may have got lost in the system as I should've received one at the beginning.

It's not relevant now really as I've already caught it, and I'm still quite poorly 7 weeks later.

I've not had any texts though, but my aunt who has many serious conditions gets weekly texts at least, if not more often.

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 11:25

It's a bit late to be sending these now is it with the return to work perhaps

Are the gov going to provide any financial support for the shielded specifically? Dh will get the self employed grant I suppose

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 11:26

Only to end of June though

Winnipegdreamer · 14/05/2020 11:38

I’m surprised I’ve not received one at all, I have quite severe asthma and was expecting a letter due to the meds I take (which are apparently on the list) but nothing.

I have been strictly social distancing though, I’ve not left the house since 20th March apart from an occasional walk

Littlemiss74 · 14/05/2020 11:40

Yes I take methotrexate & humira. I think it must be generated automatically through a database of who’s on what meds. Having spoken directly to my consultant and discussed my circumstances I’m going to continue being very careful but not completely shield as in not leave the house. He said that I have no other contributing risk factors so just to take extra care when going outside but no need to stay indoors until end of June.

OP posts:
Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 11:56

We have just taken delivery of 'a box of food from the government'

think he must have had a text...

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 12:07

Yes I read on the IBD thread on here those meds are 'moderate' risk not extreme. I think we have had it also.

Good plan to discuss with docs, there is a thread on this on here as well.

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 12:07

Box has things like Lynx and chicken meatballs in it Confused yum! Kind thought I suppose

Sidge · 14/05/2020 12:12

I’m on methotrexate and adalimumab (Humira equivalent) and don’t have to shield, just classed as vulnerable not extremely vulnerable. There’s a risk assessment system, I score 2 and you need 3 to be shielding. I think it’s on the Rheumatology Society’s website.

I had a hospital letter from my rheumatology team.

rosie39forever · 14/05/2020 12:14

DH is on Humira and Methatrexate, his consultant advised to stop Methatrexate and just take Humira, if he wanted to continue with mtx then he would need to shield otherwise with just Humira could get away with social distancing, luckily he works from home anyway so has been staying in.

wonkylegs · 14/05/2020 12:15

My consultant said that that combination put me in the middle group not the shielding group and that's why when they changed my meds at a emergency consult they wouldn't put me on steroids or infusions (as originally discussed but now considered too high risk) and instead did a sideways step to a JAK inhibitor as shielding would cause a whole raft of other issues with my DH (hospital dr & my biggest risk factor) and looking after the kids
Unfortunately the JAK inhibitor doesn't seem to be working - today I feel like a truck hit me , I'm really need to get some work done & look after the kids but I'm exhausted and in pain so it's a real struggle just not to sit here feeling sorry for myself.

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 12:39

Yes, if you look at this guidance it is people with advanced age and things like heart disease and on the meds who are in the shielding group isn't it.

DH even though over 50 and on the two meds would be in the middle

www.bsg.org.uk/covid-19-advice/bsg-advice-for-management-of-inflammatory-bowel-diseases-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Orangeblossom78 · 14/05/2020 12:40

and as you say wonky, steroids..

Littlemiss74 · 14/05/2020 22:11

Sorry to hear that @wonkylegs I have also been struggling this week with stiffness and pain. Trying to work and have the dc’s home is not easy and I’m exhausted by the afternoon and could just curl up and sleep. Not easy when your 8 year old wants you all the time. I feel like a rubbish mum at the moment.

OP posts:
Ifonlyiweretaller · 14/05/2020 22:58

I'm on adalimubab (sp?) injections for a skin condition, no other underlying health conditions. Got a letter a few weeks ago which explained due to my injection to take extra care with social distancing. Then today got a text to say I should be shielding? Hang on...we've been in lockdown for 8 weeks, consciously social distancing. and I'm suddenly being told to shield? It all seems a little late in the day and I feel sticking to what I'm already doing is safe enough to protect myself.

Ifonlyiweretaller · 15/05/2020 16:28

....further to my previous post - phoned Dermatology today to discuss the shielding text. They said they had no idea where the texts originated from in the NHS, seems like a database has flagged certain things so they just sent @ tex5 to everyone who fitted certain criteria! The consultant and lead nurse had assessed every one individually before deciding the level of risk, hence my letter did not advise shielding.

They have been taking calls all day from people in a similar position...

Orangeblossom78 · 17/05/2020 16:16

Hi just thought I'd share Chrohns and Colitis have a useful guide to the situation and also a link to a blog post of someone with a flare recovering form the virus, I found this useful and just thought others might as well

blog postcrohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/blog-being-a-coronavirus-inpatient

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/advice-for-people-with-crohns-and-colitis-self-isolation-social-distancing#safe%20work

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