I was hoping I might qualify for group 6 and be able to have the vaccine soon. I'm nearly 40 so know I don't qualify by age, but I have very poor health generally due to a chronic condition (EDS), chronic fatigue and chronic pain from osteoarthritis in my spine and hips. I have Pernicious Anaemia as well but my B12 injections were stopped by my surgery (long story) and now my levels are clearly low again, so I'm feeling even weaker and more poorly than usual as well as my neurological symptoms are coming back (pins and needles or numbness in hands, arms and feet). I'm housebound but I was mostly that way before Covid arrived anyway. I've always picked up any viruses from my daughter very easily and a normal cold will knock me for six, something like a stomach bug will take me 3-4 weeks to get better and last time I had a chest infection it took 8 weeks to go. My body's basically a bit rubbish! My husband is my carer and that means he now qualifies for having the vaccine as part of group 6, he's in his late 40's and very fit and healthy, but because he's my registered carer he's now entitled to the vaccine. I was really hoping we'd both be able to get the vaccine together now.
We also have a daughter in her last year of primary, she was diagnosed with Autism a few months ago. She struggles to cope with most things, but her mental health has taken a real dive since lockdown 3 and school closing before Christmas. She only wants me for support and comfort most of the time, and if she's having an anxiety attack or meltdown she just gets angry with her dad and pushes him away if he tries to help, she's always been very clingy to me but it's become much more intense since the pandemic started. I'm finding it harder and harder to have the bodily strength to help and support her. I feel like my body's just run down completely now after the last year.
She's developed insomnia as well during this lockdown and most nights now she's finally going to sleep at about 2am, then waking about 6am and struggling to get back to sleep. She usually then gets another couple of hours sleep but I'm worried about her because she looks so exhausted and pale, she can't stop yawning but she's still unable to sleep because of anxiety. It's a vicious circle. It means I'm not getting as much rest as when she was at school, obviously she's at home now 24/7 and we have the sleepless nights as well. I don't think I've felt this weak and unwell since she was a newborn and you just limp through each day at a time.
On another thread someone mentioned that having PCOS was a reason for being in group 6, I also have PCOS but I can't find any info anywhere online about why PCOS would be a condition for group 6? I have had anxiety and periods of depression since I was in my late teens and been on medication for almost 20 years, but I don't think that would be a reason to be put in group 6, from what I've read it's only severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that are group 6 conditions.
Do you think there's any point asking my GP if I'd be able to have the vaccine as part of group 6? None of my conditions are listed for the group 6 underlying health conditions, so I don't hold out much hope, but at the same time I'm feeling so at rock bottom with my health that I'm hoping possibly I might be classed as vulnerable health wise? I'm almost scared to ask my GP though, and that he'll think I've wasted his time. Should I ask? If my daughter goes back to school in a few weeks like the media is saying, it will be great for her, she can't take much more of this lockdow, for me I'm going to be so happy for her when she does go back, but also constantly worrying myself in case I catch Covid from her (how I was last term). If I was in group 6 and able to have the vaccine it would be perfect timing. I just don't know if I should speak to my GP about all this or not...?