Asthma - At higher risk?

[RagamuffinCat]

I have had asthma for years, and have just increased my medication to Fostair 100/6 4 to 8 puffs a day depending on whether it is a good or bad day, 10mg of montelukast a day, and salbutamol for emergencies. I wasn't shielding last time around, but am on more medication now. Does anyone know if I am at increased risk, as work in a supermarket and there have been confirmed cases in store, and want to know how careful I should be? Thank you if anyone can advise.

That is what I take (albeit Fostair 200 x 4/day) and I am on the shielding list. Talk to your doctor. I have been told to stay at home for the duration of lockdown and teach on zoom.

I phoned the GP surgery, and the receptionist asked the doctor who said there is no shielding currently so not to worry about it. But I am concerned, especially being around so many people and knowing colleagues are testing positive.

Shielding has been reinstated although it’s not as strict. However, my letter is very clear in that it says I must not go to work.
I think it’s worth calling them again. The new guidance only came out on Wednesday. Maybe print it off and highlight what it says about clinically extremely vulnerable.

Thank you, I will try again next week (They are closed for the weekend now). I will try as best I can to social distance in the meantime.

Good luck. I hope you get the support you need to stay safe.

Thank you, I hope you stay safe too.

do you work for a large company, if so have you asked their occ health or HR dpt about this.

Yes, I work for a large company. HR said that if I don't have a shielding letter then to carry on as normal.

I was on fostair 200 x 4 a day and told that its acommon dose and isnt a shielding reason. We did shield initially though as I was anxious as I have other conditionsm

@Atomsaway have yoh also had recent hospital trips or something like 3 x series of steroids? I cant remember exact number but fostair on its own wasnt enough last time.

I going to be asking the GP tomorrow as my Dc is on Fostair 200 X4 daily.

We were told to shield in the first lockdown and received a letter and a text.

I had a course of predisolone a few weeks ago, but before that they just upped my dose of my old inhaler, then moved me onto the fostair, then increased my dose of that. I haven't been to the hospital as I know the respiratory wards are already under pressure, just have been overly relying on my blue inhaler.

I thought it had to be more than 1 (as in 3 or 4?) Courses in the last 6 months. As in uncontrolled asthma.

I cant remember where I saw it bht I was obsessively looking last time. It had to be the regular inhaler AND steroid courses?

I take Fostair and montelukast Pineapple I have had lots of steroid prescriptions but not in the six months leading up to March. Strangely enough, I managed to avoid any colds last winter which helped. No hospital visits for maybe two years.

When I called for a repeat blue inhaler prescription, the gp I spoke to made it very clear I must wear a mask outside at all times. He said I do not want to get covid.

@PineappleUpsideDownCake

I thought it had to be more than 1 (as in 3 or 4?) Courses in the last 6 months. As in uncontrolled asthma.

I cant remember where I saw it bht I was obsessively looking last time. It had to be the regular inhaler AND steroid courses?

I think it was on the asthma U.K. site?

OP if you’re using a lot of ventolin you need to speak to the GP again.

Yes either way anyone relying on their ventolin needs a review...

The montelukast will hopefully prevent the reliance on the blue inhaler once it gets in my system. I have another review in two weeks to make sure my oxygen saturation is increasing.

I spoke to one of the GPs today. I am not in the shielding category, but said the consultant might move me to it once I have been seen at the hospital. In the meantime, I have to avoid being around people or where people have been at work, and wear a shield (not allowed at work). He has written a note to my employer to say that, but I doubt I will be allowed to do either of those things. So I think I will have to hope for the best.

I'm on the same medication plus spiriva. Last winter I had a bad chest infection with 3 separate prescriptions for steroids and antibiotics. I didn't get a shielding letter
I'm front line NHS, community based, and my employer did let me work from home
I won't be shielding this time. I think asthma isn't as big a risk factor as first thought and we have more knowledge about how to keep safe. And full supplies of PPE of course

I hope the fostair works as well for you as it does for me. I rarely use a reliever now

I work with a lady who doesn't have a spleen

She was told to shield last time

And she's gone off again to shield
But the other high risk colleagues haven't been told
So it's very confusing

I hope you all manage to stay safe. It is a worrying time.

Sorry I meant to add

My colleagues with asthma haven't been told to shield

I would just be extra careful

Stay safe everyone xx

I don't have regular courses of oral steroids but I take tiotropium so I'm on the shielding list.