Can someone clarify the asthma situation?

[Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady]

At first people with asthma were in group 6

Then they weren't

Now apparently people who use a brown preventer inhaler are back in group 6.

I used to use a brown inhaler but was using my blue one too much (asthma was not controlled) so they moved me to symbicort which is a combined inhaler.

So am I on the list for group 6 or not, as I don't use a brown inhaler anymore.

Does anyone know or could link to the guidance?

Yeah. My asthma is definitely worse than his. And viruses are a trigger for me but not for him (his is triggered by allergies only). I’m going to be worrying until I get the vaccination which could be months away still.

@Smellybluecheese

Yeah. My asthma is definitely worse than his. And viruses are a trigger for me but not for him (his is triggered by allergies only). I’m going to be worrying until I get the vaccination which could be months away still.

I would query with your GP why your husband has had his and you haven't. I'd wait until your DH has actually been vaccinated though so they can't withdraw their offer from him.

@WarriorN

Take, I started having strange bubble sounds in my lungs after second child which initially thought was an infection but antibiotics and 2 rounds oral steroids given by the gps did nothing for.

Peak flow around 400 so not necessarily a "clinical" (?) issue. At an asthma review the nurse suggested a long acting bronchodilator inhaler which is two in one (steroid and a long lasting ventolin) and it's been great ever since. I'd like to try the lower dose steroid (100/6) but not risking it till I've had my jab.

(I do think taking Vit d regularly has helped with shaking off chest viruses better too. Some research shows this is the case.)

Everyone is an individual though and what works for one may not for another. But asthma U.K's helpline nurses are definitely a really amazing and can be so helpful for seeking correct support at the Gp.

Also, the asthma nurse at my Gp practice who did the last reviews on the phone is now also a qualified pharmacist which I think is interesting. (As in, she was a pharmacist who is now employed as an asthma nurse.)

It takes 5 years to qualify as a pharmacist- 4 year masters degree plus a pre-registration training year. Asthma is covered in some detail. Most practices have clinical pharmacists doing medication review, which is primarily what an asthma review is.

Peak flow is not an absolute measure. It varies hugely with age and fitness amongst other things and is hugely influenced by technique. The normal values are also averages. It’s primarily Useful to see control in an individual by the variability in their own readings, rather than by looking at a single reading compared to population average. I don’t think my peak flow has ever been over 380. Most practices have their own spirometer so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue if the nurse wants further investigations

Generally it’s normal to cough for 6 weeks after a cold, 3 months of regular coughing I’d expect investigation

Peak flow is not an absolute measure

Yes, any why symptoms also matter. The whole picture matters. The pharmacist / asthma nurse did suggest more exercise too this last review (!)

I’ve just spoken to Asthma UK. Really helpful, thanks for that suggestion @WarriorN I’ve also just donated to them.

For everyone worrying about their low peak flow rate, she confirmed this could just be my normal and as @BungleandGeorge has just clarified, the peak flow meter is used to track variations in readings during the course of the day.

She explained that our airways close up in the evening and gradually open up in the morning, and suggested taking recordings at 8am then again around 4pm or 5pm. If there is a big variable of readings that could be a concern. If it’s, say, 310 then goes up to 330, that would be considered normal.

For anyone with concerns, I would also recommend giving Asthma UK a call.

Back on topic, I’m really pleased for everyone who has been offered the vaccine, and feel the frustration of the many that aren’t. The woman I just spoke to said it’s not really a case of ‘Mild’ ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ with asthma but more a case of ‘controlled’ or ‘not controlled’ and there are so many variables. As many of us know, it can change so suddenly.

@YukoandHiro @needadvice54321
I just got a text from the GP. I didn’t contact them. This is in London.

I'm really glad that was helpful!

@Takemebackto98 that’s great that you could access that advice. I’ve personally not really use asthma UK before.

I suspect group 6 is a big group, the ‘deadline’ for groups 1-4 was yesterday so hopefully more people will get an invitation in the coming weeks

Myself and a friend have got messages from our GP today. I'm pleasantly surprised! I had a hospital admission as a child but was told last week I wasn't in group 6. So hopefully they work through asthmatics quickly!

www.change.org/p/jcvi-please-cover-all-clinically-vulnerable-asthmatics-in-covid-vaccine-groups-1-9?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_27296071_en-GB%3A4&recruiter=46348910&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition.

Just dropping the petition link in again - if people would consider signing.

@Butmiss

Myself and a friend have got messages from our GP today. I'm pleasantly surprised! I had a hospital admission as a child but was told last week I wasn't in group 6. So hopefully they work through asthmatics quickly!

@Butmiss - have you had no admissions since?

I got in touch with my GP today and I’m really disappointed. They said they have no record of my hospital admission, only an A&E visit but that the ‘coding’ also included data from hospitals so I should come through that way. I just feel I’m going to get missed...

I am glad some people are getting the texts, but it is so demoralising to hear of people with much milder asthma being contacted. Presumably their GP's are being much less strict with the guidelines?

Why is there so much inconsistency?

Indeed re: some asthmatics getting the jab with relatively mild asthma and others with moderate asthma not getting it.

Here's the latest Twitter thread from asthma UK on what they are doing about this: mobile.twitter.com/asthmauk/status/1360964119109713923

Someone on that thread says their GP told him they are only counting recent hospital admissions towards vaccine eligibility. So he isn't getting the vaccine due to the time that has elapsed since his admission!

Seems the 'clarity' wasn't as clear as it could have been - nothing in what Asthma UK have said suggests the hospital admission has to be 'recent'. Also, how recent is 'recent' - 1 year, 5 years, 15 years? Yet again, it seems to be left for GPs to decide.

Yes its definitely the 'unfairness' of it. In reality I'm glad anyone is getting the vaccine but it sucks to be high risk but not quite enough and not get it while others do...

Lots of angry replies on that twitter thread Caffi!

Yes it’s the inconsistency that’s difficult to deal with.

My GP basically said there are too many people in their 40s with Co-morbidities so it’s just tough luck.

Doesn’t make you feel you feel very valued does it?!

Apparently relatively few will be in grp 6,

From BBC
Covid-19: Millions of asthmatics 'must wait for vaccine' www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56069455

We are still classed as clinically vulnerable and 'at risk' by the NHS.

Presumably that means we have to keep shutting ourselves away and taking extra precautions but in the meantime all the vaccinated groups or healthy groups in society can feel confident when restrictions are lifted.

It's really annoying when you hear 'all at risk groups will be vaccinated' because that isn't true!

Given the press this has got, surely the government will just roll over about this tomorrow, like they do with everything else?

www.change.org/p/jcvi-please-cover-all-clinically-vulnerable-asthmatics-in-covid-vaccine-groups-1-9

I guess my daughter got her vaccination because she has been hospitalised a few times.

@Butmiss that’s interesting that you got a text then, so you still take steroid inhalers? Like you I haven’t been admitted to hospital since my teens so over 20 years ago. I no longer take steroid inhalers, only ventolin so I wasn’t expecting to be in group 6.

Although last year at the start of the pandemic I did get a letter from my local council advising that I had been identified as a CV person and therefore offering support information.

@Wandamakestoast Thanks. We're in London too.
Fingers crossed for this week!

I've just spoken to my GP and I'm in group 6, confused how as I would regard my asthma as mild (maybe not brilliantly controlled..). I did query it and her response was "who cares"! Everyone needs it and the more people who have it the better

Hope everyone else hears soon x

@needadvice54321

I've just spoken to my GP and I'm in group 6, confused how as I would regard my asthma as mild (maybe not brilliantly controlled..). I did query it and her response was "who cares"! Everyone needs it and the more people who have it the better

Hope everyone else hears soon x

I wish I could borrow your Dr