Shielding asthma help

[Trollsinthedungeon]

What is the definition of 'severe asthma' ? i can't find whether I need to shield or not.

Asthma uk say they're asking the government to define 'severe asthma'

I use fostair 3 x a day
I've had steroids 3 x this year
I'm on montelukast

So do I tell occy health I'm vulnerable and my asthma meds have changed or do I wait for a letter? I didn't have to shield earlier this year but things have changed

Hiya

If you didn’t need to shield earlier then I don’t think you will now, as they changed in the direction of fewer asthmatics being classified as having severe asthma, not more.

For example, I was in the shielding group as “severe asthma” after getting a letter. Then 8 weeks in I got a call from the practice nurse to say I didn’t need to anymore as the guidelines had changed. I didn’t need to shield in November either.

There is some up to date info on the asthma U.K. website though

Sorry, missed that you are checking for updates on there already

I think I’d call your GP to ask. I’m a shielder for severe asthma - Asthma UK has been pretty good at defining what severe asthma means but over the months they’ve had to change their guidance several times in accordance with the DfE making changes to who should be shielding. I would definitely ask your GP rather than waiting for a letter so that you know for sure whether to expect one or not.

DfE?! Department of Health! 😳

Asthmatics have done better with Covid than they were initially expected to. One theory is that inhaled steroids may reduce the effects.

I also think it is unlikely you will have to shield now if you didn't earlier unless your courses of oral steroids have all been recent

Thanks all I'll give the GP a call. Not that I'm going to work at the moment as I've got pneumonia. Gives me some more time to work out wtf is going on

@QueenOfTheDoubleWide they have all been recent

I'm on very similar meds to you, 4 puffs of combination plus when needed, montelukast and 4×steroids in the last 6 months. Complete change from the medication I was on in March.

The doctor did think I would have to sheild but in the end after looking at the current guidance said I didn't.

I am on fostair as Mart regime , been on steroids four times this year , just recently as my asthma is being a bit of a mare at the moment .I tried montelukast couldn't get on with it.
I am still working in community care , have done from the start. Hope you feel better soon.

I'm on a similar combo: symbicort, montelukast and had 3 courses of steroids last year but wasnt asked to shield.

asthma nurse for DS14 said that only kids with injectable treatments needed to shield. Iforget it's name, it clumps IGG together?

I am on duoresp spiromax, montelukast and tiotropium (Spiriva), plus have oral steroids so frequently that I have permanent spares at home. I am shielding. I’m not entirely sure where they set ‘the bar’ but in my case I think it’s the tiotropium - possibly the combination of that and the courses of steroids for months on end - that put me in the shielding group. My tiotropium isn’t injected but I know someone who is on injected asthma treatment and she’s shielding too.