Healthcare providers with UC and COVID

Hello. I have had UC for 14 years and usually it’s well controlled. I’m having a few symptoms... nothing too bad, a little blood, some frequency/urgency and mild abdominal pain at times.I wouldn’t be too worried normally, but feeling more nervous because of the COVID cases. My main concern is being at higher risk for serious complications. I’m not on prednisone or any biologics. Just on Canasa. I work in healthcare but not in a hospital. I’m in more of a case management type office role but might be asked to perform hands on care if there is emergency need. I’m just worried that the information isn’t there to say whether some of us are higher risk for serious complications. I keep hearing of middle aged people dying from COVID and it’s mentioned they had an underlying condition. And I’m wondering if I should seek accommodation at work and ask not to be placed front line? Sorry for being human, but I’m afraid I will be told I’m not high risk, and then if I end up dead 💀 that they will say, “Oops, she had an underlying condition.” I am seeing people dying with NO underlying condition. I have young children and frankly, I am not eager to fall on the sword so to speak. There is a lack of PPE here and I’m scared. Anyone else feel the same?

Mesalamine/canasa does not put you at any higher risk than the general public. As it's a topical, mild anti-inflammatory med only.

Thanks everyone. I’m not afraid of being higher risk to contract the disease. I’m afraid of not being able to fight it off if I get it, because my immune system is already a little wacky. My elementary school aged children also both have asthma. I guess the real reason that I am terrified is that one of my work colleagues just died from COVID. She was younger than I am by a few years and had no underlying health condition. I no longer feel safe. I greatly appreciate your responses. Thank you and hope you all stay safe and well.

I suggest you up the medication game and get on oral mesalamine/ and suspension enemas since you are flaring.
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Thank God medicare and insurance companies are paying for telephone consults. My wife rarely has to see a patient in person, only if they are really sick and have wounds etc., that need to be looked at. Apparently there is a covid incident at a Tucson assisted living. Hopefully they can contain the damage. So far Phoenix is doing well.

I, too, am a healthcare provider and also worried about all the unknowns with this scary new coronavirus. I just finished up an Entocort taper for a stubborn flare that wouldn’t quit and although I feel fine, who knows what things look like at a mucosal level. The other day was the first time I felt scared to be at work. I was helping triage and see who needed to be tested and suddenly the testing tents and people hacking/coughing all around just became too much. I also worry about my two young kids, one of which has asthma. This whole thing sucks!

Thanks to all the unsung heroes doing what has to be done. They define courage, and most didn't sign up for it. We're not born with courage, we can develop it, and usually don't know how strong it is until the poop hits the fan...like now.

Back to the thread topic, maybe this helps:

Mayo Clinic expert explains gastrointestinal symptoms related to COVID-19

COVID-19 most commonly presents with respiratory symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath, as well as fever. However, digestive symptoms also can occur in patients with COVID-19, and with or without respiratory symptoms. In this Q&A, Dr. Sahil Khanna, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, answers questions about gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms related to COVID-19. Watch: Dr. Sahil Khanna answers questions about GI symptoms related to COVID-19.

https://apple.news/A7oNmyf7wPZGqm6CZQVUjAA

I'm on Remicade every 6 weeks and work in the hospital as a nurse educator. I have been denied accommodation by occupational health and have not been provided any PPE as I am not a patient facing nurse 100% of the time. So, I have to go to work every day and get exposed and potentially bring it home to my kids and husband. Stress is my flare trigger so you can imagine how I'm doing. Gotta love it when your organization is supportive of their compromised employees...Sorry, a little bitter today...

C_G_K said...
Thank God medicare and insurance companies are paying for telephone consults. My wife rarely has to see a patient in person, only if they are really sick and have wounds etc., that need to be looked at. Apparently there is a covid incident at a Tucson assisted living. Hopefully they can contain the damage. So far Phoenix is doing well.

Yes, Medicare is now covering Telehealth services related, as well as not related, to COVID-19! I just read something about it. If it is related to the virus, then I think they will waive any cost-sharing as well.

Fullcheek said...
I'm on Remicade every 6 weeks and work in the hospital as a nurse educator. I have been denied accommodation by occupational health and have not been provided any PPE as I am not a patient facing nurse 100% of the time. So, I have to go to work every day and get exposed and potentially bring it home to my kids and husband. Stress is my flare trigger so you can imagine how I'm doing. Gotta love it when your organization is supportive of their compromised employees...Sorry, a little bitter today...

The lack of PPE is one of the worst parts of this whole thing. We’ve been having to reuse disposable surgical masks, not even N95s. I’ve instead made myself a few cloth masks that I wash as soon as I get home. I know the cloth masks are likely doing very little protection-wise but something is better than nothing. I’m normally a procedure room nurse but I’ve been floating to more urgent areas since the covid thing started. Stress seems to be a flare trigger for me as well so I totally get what you’re going through. These are trying times for sure. Stay safe out there!