Covid treatments

I never did count as CEV, but there was another group of people who were identified as "high risk" and I was in that group. I never really did understand what it was all about. I received texts telling me to stay at home, if possible, but I would have done that anyway. There wasn't any extra support for people who were "at risk", so didn't make any difference to my everyday life.

growstuff

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

I think the advice changed in April this year.

growstuff, your GP or consultant will be able to tell you if you are CEV. The lists were reviewed last year, after we came out of lockdown.
I was not surprised to find I was still on it.

I'm not on any shielding list - at least, I didn't think I am. I have T2 diabetes. In the first few weeks of the pandemic, there was some confusion. I was sent texts telling me that I was in a high risk group and to avoid going out, but I wasn't CEV and there was no support in place.

Even before I went into hospital for my cancer op, I was advised to test, but nobody gave me any tests and nobody checked whether I'd actually tested myself.

That's why I was a bit surprised to receive the email about being eligible for treatment. The reason is that I've had radiotherapy, which affects the immune system, and I guess my name is on a list at the hospital.

I'm still reasonably cautious about being in crowded indoor spaces and wear a mask in medical environments and occasionally elsewhere - I don't care what other people think. I'd rather not catch Covid, if possible, although it's reassuring to know that treatment is available, if I do. I don't know much about the treatments.

www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

If you're on the shielding list I thought you could order tests.
check if you’re eligible to order rapid lateral flow tests

growstuff

Callistemon21

growstuff
You can get free Covid test kits still, or you could just a few weeks ago.

Not in England. My partner caught Covid a few months ago and I tried to get some free ones for precautionary tests, but I had to pay for them.

Oh, sorry.
Misinformation.

From the email I received:

"The Government will send you one pack of lateral flow tests. Only use them if you develop symptoms. If you run out, you can order more from www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by calling 119.
You can use any lateral flow tests supplied by the Government. Tests bought from a shop (including pharmacies) cannot currently be registered via GOV.UK or 119 and you will not be contacted about treatment if you test positive using these tests."

(My bold)

Callistemon21

growstuff
You can get free Covid test kits still, or you could just a few weeks ago.

Not in England. My partner caught Covid a few months ago and I tried to get some free ones for precautionary tests, but I had to pay for them.

Oldbat1

Dh stage 4 cancer had a letter ages ago and a box of Covid tests. If positive he has a number to ring for antivirals. We haven’t had Covid as yet. My neighbour has prostate cancer and recently had radiotherapy treatment - he caught Covid phoned the number and antivirals were delivered to him at home.

Thanks for that info Oldbat. That sounds like the same as I'm being told. I guess I just have to wait for the tests to arrive and read the instructions.

growstuff
You can get free Covid test kits still, or you could just a few weeks ago.

The anti-virals arrived too late and were near their use-by date.
I was feeling a bit better by then so didn't take them.

It's taking a while to get back to near normal, whatever normal is.

joannapiano, in my experience, it was both my GP and my consultants, who deemed me CEV.

My neighbour, who recently had a bowel tumour removed, caught Covid and had anti viral tablets delivered to his home the following day.

It may be worth questioning the fact your husband hasn't been contacted. Errors do happen and people are missed off the register.

DH has stage 4 cancer with chemo and radiotherapy, and we have heard nothing about this. We caught COVID last January. He was over it within 5 days, me not so much and had to get steroids from my asthma nurse after 6 weeks to clear my cough.

Dh stage 4 cancer had a letter ages ago and a box of Covid tests. If positive he has a number to ring for antivirals. We haven’t had Covid as yet. My neighbour has prostate cancer and recently had radiotherapy treatment - he caught Covid phoned the number and antivirals were delivered to him at home.

Diabetes alone doesn't qualify for special treatment but my daughter has had Covid twice and she said she has had worse colds. She is type 1
I have had it twice also the first time I only knew from testing and the second time I felt a bit tired for a day or two again only picked up positive by testing
The vacinations are doing their job

I am indeed very fortunate.

My tests were official ones, as I can still order from NHS Scotland, when necessary. I have never had to buy tests.

GagaJo

growstuff

I'm probably one of the few people who (to my knowledge) hasn't had Covid yet. I don't know whether it's worse the first time or not.

I had it about a year ago. I've had worse colds TBH. I appreciate we're all different and there are different strains. But I do have a few reasons I was at risk from it. I'm fine. Whereas my bro had it very early on and it has wrecked his health and will limit the length of his life.

The reason I'm now eligible is because I've just had radiotherapy. Age and diabetes put me at higher risk of severe illness, but apparently they're not enough to make me eligible for treatments.

Marydoll

After sheilding for two years, I caught it from my asymptomatic grandaughter, who caught it at school.

I didn't need to use official tests. As soon as I had said I had two positive LFT results, after phoning the dedicated number, I was fast tracked.
Firstly a clinician phoned me within an hour, then a hospital pharmacist, after discussing my pre-existing conditions with other clinicians to decide the best treatment.
The anti virals saved my life.

Growstuff, do you not have a dedicated number to phone?

I haven't received the tests yet. Maybe all the details will be with them. Apparently, I do have to use the official tests. Tests bought from elsewhere won't be registered with their system.

Really glad things have improved Marydoll.

growstuff

I'm probably one of the few people who (to my knowledge) hasn't had Covid yet. I don't know whether it's worse the first time or not.

I had it about a year ago. I've had worse colds TBH. I appreciate we're all different and there are different strains. But I do have a few reasons I was at risk from it. I'm fine. Whereas my bro had it very early on and it has wrecked his health and will limit the length of his life.

After sheilding for two years, I caught it from my asymptomatic grandaughter, who caught it at school.

I didn't need to use official tests. As soon as I had said I had two positive LFT results, after phoning the dedicated number, I was fast tracked.
Firstly a clinician phoned me within an hour, then a hospital pharmacist, after discussing my pre-existing conditions with other clinicians to decide the best treatment.
The anti virals saved my life.

Growstuff, do you not have a dedicated number to phone?

I'm probably one of the few people who (to my knowledge) hasn't had Covid yet. I don't know whether it's worse the first time or not.

The email says I'll be sent "official" LFT tests. I haven't received them yet, but hopeful I will. I then have to report any result. It's the bit about accessing the NHS I'm concerned about.

I had an anti viral infusion in hospital, less than 24 hrs after testing positive for Covid, because I am CEV and immunocompromised.
You really need to act quickly for them to be effective. I think there is a 72 hour window.
Some patients can be given anti virals in tablet form at home, it wasn't suitable for me.

In Scotland, you are given a dedicated number to phone for assistance. I had no problems at all.