Looks like shielding might be returning

[2X4B523P]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8727553/Up-4-5million-risk-Covid-told-stay-home-new-shielding-plan.html

Couldn’t see another thread but excuse me if I’ve missed it.

So shielding is currently paused and it looks like there’s a plan to restart it and with extended to more people.

[quote housemdwaswrong]@Lockdownseperation

www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/covid-19-study-good-news-for-rheumatic-disease-patients-on-immunosuppressants/

Actually no increased risk bar prednisolone...I take that, that's was my.point of.reference..apologies.[/quote]
Thanks for posting this link. I'm still not convinced it's actually good news. If you look at a table of the results in that study (I think this is the same 600 patients) the mortality rate is just under 8% and hospitalisation rates 38% rheum-covid.org/updates/combined-data.html. I have Lupus and am on Methotrexate and prednisolone (under 10mg) and am watching the statistics in my county very carefully. Having had a couple of weeks when I went out for the odd meal and met a friend I'm now going back into hibernation. Luckily I already draw an ill health pension so not worrying about work duties.

Someone posted about the new track and trace app. I have an advance release of it as a volunteer responder. There is nothing on it that asks questions about my health. It's very basic.

@dunlurking hmm. I'll have a more detailed look tomorrow. I've done some research since posting the link and there's loads of conflicting evidence :/ I will post some tomorrow.

I have lupus too, and take azathioprine. I only have sterokds when I flare, and usually 40mg and taper. They wouldn't give me that over lockdown though so have been on 20 taper and start again for what seems forever...stop and flare.

I feel a bit out of my depth with knowing what to do. Keeping myself to myself and keeping an eye atm.

If we’re going to start judging CEV for refusing to shield, and blocking beds, can we not make all the smokers and drinkers go to the bottom of the cancer treatment waiting list. I mean come on they all knew the cancer risks.

I am going back to work, I have life insurance and a nice new will. I’ve looked death in the eye once already and I’ve come to the conclusion that if I die, I die. It’s inevitable. The disease is unfair and we can’t tie our lives up in knots trying to push back a flood. The government has had months to sort out track and trace, if they’re going to blame the CEV for any bed blocking in a second wave then please remember that at the ballot box!

My kids need an education, their mental health was severely affected. I’ve written them all goodbye letters explaining why I didn’t want to shield anymore.

@housemdwaswrong that’s such a pain that you couldn’t get your usual flare treatment. Rheumatology refused to start a friend of mine on a disease modifying drug during lockdown also and she’s been stuck just on hydroxychloroquine and a low dose of prednisolone.

When shielding ended Lupus UK advice was to still practice strict social distancing so I’m hunkering down to do that properly again. www.lupusuk.org.uk/coronavirus

Ecosse,

I said the word ‘shielding’ was propaganda, not the act of isolating vulnerable people. You are attacking a straw man.

I don’t think anyone wants a lockdown again, no one is trying to prevent work.

The debate is your leisure versus more freedom for all and you are desperate to prioritise your leisure, despite the cost to some.

The government (and nearly all governments across the world) are now aiming to keep as much of the economy going whilst keeping Covid under control. That seems a sensible and proportionate response to a difficult situation (although the incompetence of its implementation is, at times, breathtaking).

The advice for everyone who was shielded was to practice strict SD after 1/08
The advice had been not to prescribe steroids during the peak and I had conflicting advice from my immunologist and respirologist but my GP said I was at my safest taking steroids as long as I stuck to shielding his view was no point dodging Covid but die because I can't breathe.
But he wasn't allowed to perform a steroid injection on my rotar cuff shoulder impingement. There was so much conflicting medical advice for the needs of the shielded
I can see shielding coming back before a lockdown. I desperately want to keep my children's lives as normal as possible but it's getting harder to keep calm about it all.

I think the problem is that different health authorities have taken different decisions so it really is a postcode lottery. I've been lucky and had chemo (for an auto immune disease not cancer) in a private hospital That was taken over by the nhs as Covid free. I've continued to have both in clinic and video calls with consultants, had ct scans, bloods done 4 weekly and started on a different dmard and raised and lowered steroids. It makes me so angry that this can not be achieved across all the uk when it obviously possible

@pimble me too. They wouldn't prescribe me normal dose of rescue steroids but that's fair enough, if irritating. I have had two face to face consulations with rheumatologists, increased meds followed by fortnightly bloods, and 2/3 gp visits too.

Minor surgery I've been waiting for is on hold, but chronic care has been good. So as you say, absolutely do-able.

Well, it's on front pages that recall is about to happen

(Monday?)