Corona Virus/covid 19

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  • Sharon_K
    Sharon_K Member Posts: 460
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    Hi Sandp27

    I am sorry you are getting conflicting evidence, I think it is difficult to keep up to date as things are changing so quickly but of course that doesn't help you. Presently the information on the Government website is If you do need the annual flu jab then the advice would be for you to follow the more stringent social distancing measures

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

    We will be updating our information daily so this may be a godd page to book mark for update.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19-what-is-it-and-where-to-go-for-information/

    Best Wishes

    Sharon

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
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    I take methotrexate (a DMARD) and humira (a biologic). Any disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug works by suppressing the immune system to reduce disease activity thus leaving us more susceptible / vulnerable to infection. Another complicating factor is that being immuno-suppressed means we do not produce symptoms until an infection has taken a real hold, i.e. we are unaware we are ill until we are in real trouble. I have no idea why you were told what you were told by that nurse but I thought then, and still think, it was nonsensical.

    I presume you have the annual flu jab, I have had one since they began thanks to asthma and now the PsA. Tomorrow I resume my humira then my meth next Monday: I have cut all un-necessary face-to-face social interactions indefinitely. DD

    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Mike1
    Mike1 Member Posts: 1,992
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    "Social distancing"? Seems no different to normal for me, living alone and virtually housebound anyway, home help once a week and maybe a visit from my sister! Home delivery from supermarket today so can't wait to see what I have got, such is the level of my excitement.

  • silverfoxxxx
    silverfoxxxx Member Posts: 131
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    Has the government actually told vulnerable people the start the 12 week isolation?, my work have said they haven’t so will not currently provide time off for this.
  • Mike1
    Mike1 Member Posts: 1,992
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    So far as I know it is 12 week social distancing not isolation, isolation is only required if you or a family member has the symptoms. Info at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

  • silverfoxxxx
    silverfoxxxx Member Posts: 131
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    Which is where for people like me it’s turning into a farce, I work in a supermarket so can’t distance myself, not a key worker so children can’t go to school, not sure what the government expects me to do, can’t stay home as need to work, work is dangerous to my health and my children are to young to be left at home alone.
  • Weepth2k10
    Weepth2k10 Member Posts: 27
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    Yes dreamdaisy i have been thinking of using gloves. My work provide them for assisting wheel chair using passangers.
    My wife is getting on at me to get advice from the rheumatolgy clinic or gp, i just dont think its thw best time to be calling front line staff. Is there anywhere that we lot could call for advice...? I was thinking HaH. With all schools finishing up tomorrow we have decided to keep kids off to limit bringing the virus home.

    There is to much conflicting advice for me to decide. I dither around as it is.

    Really would'nt be surprised if the virus has already run through our house hold.
    Between newyear and middle of feb we have all suffered with a cold/virus.

    Weepth.
  • Mike1
    Mike1 Member Posts: 1,992
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    Wearing gloves is not a protection, they still transmit the bugs so need treating the same as your hands, i.e. cleaned regularly and kept away from your face etc.

  • Weepth2k10
    Weepth2k10 Member Posts: 27
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    Yeh i undetstand this mike. Just trying to limit touching surfaces with bare hands at work. If i go.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 19. Mar 2020, 11:33
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    The advice is conflicting but it's bound to be. It has taken the Chinese at least five months to reach the point of achieving one day without new cases but they have a very different culture to ours: a proscriptive government with an obedient population who are used to the State telling them what to do.

    I know I am in a very fortunate position but for many others this is an awful time, made harder by the selfish and uncaring who will be eating pasta for the next five years and seting fire to toilet rolls next winter to keep warm. I have taken the edict to social distance to heart and have told my friends I will see them when we reach the end of this long, dark tunnel. In the meantime there is the telephone and, just to make a change, endless repeats on the telly. DD (whose avatar is a selfie)

    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • YvonneH
    YvonneH Member Posts: 1,076
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    The information on our website has been updated to reflect the change to school closure and the new information re ibuprofen.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19-what-is-it-and-where-to-go-for-information/

    If you click on the link earlier in this thread the information is the same, just repeating it here for members just joining this thread

    Yvonne x

  • Aleina
    Aleina Member Posts: 1
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    Evening everyone, this thread is super handy as I suffer from RA. I'm still just a little confused about having to self isolate if you are on immune suppressed medication. I'm currently on a monthly infusion of Tocilizumab and am still unsure if I have to stop work. I have tried to call the Rheumatology specialist at my local hospital and all you get is an answerphone message saying they are busy and to leave a message.,

  • YvonneH
    YvonneH Member Posts: 1,076
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    Hi @Aleina

    It's great to meet you, to get straight to the heart of the matter, use the link above to find out all the current information issued by the government. You will find links there to the NHS and .gov sites

    Take care

    Yvonne x

  • silverfoxxxx
    silverfoxxxx Member Posts: 131
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    I’ve just had a phone call from work and been told to not enter the building for 12 weeks as I’m on the list of vulnerable, starts today, unreal as we haven’t got many cases in Somerset, I think it’s to soon, but better to be safe I guess, hopefully financially I’ll be ok.
  • lucybadger
    lucybadger Member Posts: 6
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    What do you think is the practical difference between "social distancing" and "self isolating?"

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
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    My husband self-isolated last week due to a cough. He stayed in one bedroom, I left food and drink outside his door and collected the empties. Laundry increased as I washed his bedding and towels on a daily basis: he threw out the dirties, I threw in the clean.

    I am social distancing as I am immuno-suppressed which I have interpreted as follows: I am staying within the confines of my house, garden and car. Deliveries are being left at the gate, I have cancelled my three-weekly manicures and any social meetings with friends but will continue to see my personal trainer in the garden if it's not raining. I shall drive to the coast and look at the sea but not get out of the car. DD

    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • emmar97
    emmar97 Member Posts: 5
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    Hi all
    I'm a 22 year old who is on methotrexate 25mg injections and hydroxychlorquine 200mg twice daily. My work have put me on the vulnerable persons list and I have been asked to stay at home for 12 weeks starting Monday, they said I can come in if I really want and have to sign a form saying I'm going against recommendation. I am just so on the fence about staying home for such a long period. Eventually money will become an issue when I end up on SSP. I can't decide if I should work for another week or two then go off or if I should stay home from Monday. Working from home isn't much of an option for me as I am a veterinary nurse so I'll pretty much just be doing nothing. Just wondering if anyone had any food for thought?
    Sorry for the lengthy message
    Emma x
  • Sandp27
    Sandp27 Member Posts: 7
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    Found this online - Very useful especially page 4 onwards. Seems to clear most of the confusion.

    https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/clinical-guide-rheumatology-patients-v1-19-march-2020.pdf

  • zingiber
    zingiber Member Posts: 2
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    Hi all, new to the forum - this Covid19 business has brought me here in search of answers too. :) I'm in the same boat as some of you - on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine for RA, am given the flu jab every year and so am assuming I'm 'at risk', but it's not super clear, is it. Is it right that DMARDS are less risky than biologics etc? I work in a patisserie/cafe so face to face with general public all day. I've been off for 2 weeks with what seems to be a run of the mill upper respiratory infection, and have just texted my boss to say I think I am 'at risk' and so need to stay away - no idea how that's going to go down!

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
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    The high risk category includes those with suppressed immune systems and /or those who have an annual flu jab. I don't think it could be much clearer. This is undoubtedly causing some annoyance, confusion, disbelief and irritation amongst the populace but I guess all that goes with the territory of a pandemically inexperienced government trying to deal with one. I remember SARS and others but this is in a whole different league.

    I am not sure what you mean by DMARDs being less risky than biologics. I inject meth and humira, as far as I am concerned that is a belt-and-braces approach to immuno-suppression. Double the meds, quadruple the vulnerability, eight times the whammy! 😀 DD

    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Brynmor
    Brynmor Member Posts: 1,755
    edited 19. Mar 2020, 22:29
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    Hi @zingiber and welcome to the Versus Arthritis community.

    Quoting from our information page on the Coronavirus (https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19-what-is-it-and-where-to-go-for-information/)

    At risk groups include:

    … anyone under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds)

    Our page is updated daily as we get new information and will link to the latest advice available.


    In addition, the current advice is that you should not stop taking your medications unless advised to do so by your rheumatologist or rheumatology nurse.

    By stopping your medication, you're more likely to have a ‘flare’, which could make you more likely to pick up an infection.

    If you have concerns about your medication, please speak to a member of your healthcare team.

    Best wishes

    Brynmor

  • Weepth2k10
    Weepth2k10 Member Posts: 27
    edited 19. Mar 2020, 23:31
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    Iam sure i read somewhere that nhs services will contact those at risk with advice on the days after 23/03.

    On reading the link that sandp has posted it has sent a shiver through me.
    I see its published by nhs england but iam guessing it will apply for the whole of the UK.
  • Brynmor
    Brynmor Member Posts: 1,755
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    Hi @emmar97

    Replying to your post above: "My work have put me on the vulnerable persons list and I have been asked to stay at home for 12 weeks starting Monday..."

    Government advice is that you should be “particularly stringent in following the social distancing measures”

    As the situation and advice is changing so quickly, it is perhaps best to stay safe at home and keep in touch with your employers by telephone as to what is happening.

    Do come back and tell us what you have decided.

    Best wishes

    Brynmor

  • Brynmor
    Brynmor Member Posts: 1,755
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    Hi @Weepth2k10

    Replying to "Is there anywhere that we lot could call for advice...?" in your post above.

    If you need to speak to someone directly, you can call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 free Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 8:00pm

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/get-help/

    Best wishes

    Brynmor

  • emmar97
    emmar97 Member Posts: 5
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    @Brynmor decided to stay home for my own safety. My boss is giving me odd jobs to do at home to keep me going and to save me from boredom 😂
    Thank you for your input
    Emma
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