Asthma and life post-COVID-19

So, because I havent received my letter from the government, my work rang me to say I need to go back to work...  Although I'm  not diagnosed as being a chronic Asthmatic, im still worried about my safety.  Im absolutely amazed that your own health and wellbeing doesnt get even an ounce of thought...

 

 

My sister works for Somerset NHS and has basically spent the last three weeks practically 24/7 answering queries just like this. I asked her last night about it and they have been basically telling people if they are worried to self isolate for 12 weeks if possible. People with really severe asthma and copd should shield, which I hadn't heard of. Basically it means that if you are like me in that group you shouldn't go out of the house at all except to sit on your doorstep for the 12 weeks. It is so confusing and misleading. 

I have been a chronic asthmatic all my life, I have chosen to self isolate for 12 weeks due to the fact I know if I get so much as a cold my asthma is awful, I have not received a letter despite being on several of the medications listed. My step mother has copd and still as of today not receiving any letters, how have the gov made decisions of who gets a letter and who doesn't as the blanket description of who is eligible is not clear. My anxiety over this letter issue is through the roof. 

@Perdita1708‍ I completely agree with you.  I have taken inhalers for the last 35 years and was changed over to a steriod based inhaler 10 years later.  I too suffer when I get a cough, so much so the last two years I've had two courses of steriod tablets aswell.

I received a letter yesterday from the government.  I think this is not the one that is required, as it doesnt state my name, just that i should stay at home.  How do you find out?

My mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer 4 years ago, I have to stay at home and not go to see her.  So if i catch this virus, I wont be able to say goodbye.

No the letter I eventually received was from NHS, was addressed to me in person and was 4 pages long. Among other things it says that if you work you should show your employers the letter and they will give you the 12 weeks off to self isolate. In my opinion the letter the government sent out to everyone just confused the issue I have been told that I am off reacted by people who have only received that one and haven't realised that I have had a second letter. It is this second letter that there have been problems with and from what my Dr implied there has been a lot of well it is only asthma type of attitude.

@TracyT68 it is all very confusing how they set the parameters for this letter, there seems a lot of people who suffer badly with their asthma when they get a simple cold nvm a virus. I don't know whi u can speak to, my gp said they don't do it, 111 don't know 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️   guess there is a lot of 'oh u only got asthma attitude' flying about. X

I live in Scotland and have Bronchiectasis and Asthma.                  I have two turbo ihalers, Symbicort 200/6  1 dose morning and night. Terbutaline sulphate when required. Saline solution in a nebuliser when required. I also use steam inhalation to help open up my airways.  Like many of you on this group I haven't had any letter from my GP either. Not even from the government. Nothing at all. We are evidently not important enough to warrant the courtesy of a letter. The whole thing is a complete shambles from the beginning, including any 'advice' (which kept changing) given out to the public.  Sorry for the rant, it makes me so angry when those in charge ignore the most vulnerable people and decide who lives and who does not. 

@Marissaras I'm an asthmatic on the pink inhaler Fostair should I be isolating, I'm a carer so I have to work 

@Claire40 yes u should be but as the guidelines are not clear and most of us have not received letters🤷‍♀️I have chosen to isolate because I know how bad my asthma gets with a simple cold. Sorry I can't be more helpful 

@Madmax if u feel u are at risk, then self isolate. It is up to you as guidelines are not clear for asthmatics. They have decided who is serious enough but it seems to be they don't care  so much about asthmatics. I have chosen to isolate as I know my asthma and how bad it gets with just a cold. Stay safe x