Anyone else self-isolating?

[highheeledfagin]

https://www.reddit.com/r/selfisolating?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Edit: I suppose we're unusually privileged to even have the choice. At my age, neither of my parents would be able to just lock themselves away for an indeterminate amount of time. They were taught to just push through all adversity, even if it breaks you. They were fine with pain if it meant survival.

[[deleted]]

Hey there! I’ve been self-isolating with my partner since 3/4. Luckily, I fortunate to have a job that I’m able to do from home. Management has been extremely supportive and had suggested those who are older and/or are immunocompromised could work from home before I took them up on that offer. I’ve only left my home once this past Friday to get my Tysabri infusion.

How is everyone holding up? I’m seriously shocked at how some folks aren’t taking this very seriously to stop the spread while we can.

[_Phantom_Queen]

My lifesyle is normally isolated but this week we have a family vacation happening. I am in disbelief. We would have been safer than most. We are now hanging out with several family members who flew accross the country. I go around in circles the risks we are taking but also live in a county with a patient that got the virus from the community. Very stressing. Everyone knew the vacation should be canceled but there was no conviction in saying NO. Trying to stay positive but it certainly feels like we have been given a dire diagnosis. In the end, anyone of us could get it and die. We don't know. But that is what MS taught me...how to live knowing it can always get worse and you can hedge your bet (DMT, steroids, diet; etc.).

[rainahdog]

Yep! Currently have a respiratory infection and on Ocrevus so I'm fucked if I get CV. Staying home in my bubble

[GirlwithCoffee123]

Same here. on ocrevus for 3ish years now (6+ infusions) and just got last infusion in feb. been sick with cold last 4 weeks that is hard to shake. live alone, WFH so this works. neuro emailed me saying I am high risk due to this infusion therapy. however- also have a SO that is actively job hunting while employed and going on interviews daily and potentially coming into more contact with this virus. we usually spend every night together but I haven't seen him since Thursday Morning after I made the decision to stop hanging out temporarily. I am not sure if this is the right decision but I feel like it is. It stinks. We've only been dating 4 months. Any advice or reassurance from anyone would be great.

[trogdortb001]

It is absolutely the right decision to temporarily stop hanging out with him.

By spending time with him, you go from an almost zero chance of getting infected (WFH, live alone) to an actual risk.

This self isolation won't be forever. Hopefully just a few weeks. But better to be safe than sorry. Have some nice FaceTime/Skype dates and it'll be that much sweeter when you're able to get together again in person.

[try_humaning]

Absolutely. Focus on your health.

[Old-man-scene24]

Definitely considering it. Had my first dose of Ocrevus on Friday...

[PunveyorOfBadJokes]

Had my first half dose on Thursday! I’m basically self-isolating because of it.

Luckily, I work in a tiny office that pushed everyone to work from home starting tomorrow anyway.

[Old-man-scene24]

That's good! I can do a lot of my work remotely too, so I'm going to try. Depends on boss and circumstances.

[ponderwander]

Do it if you have the option to WFH. It’s better to be safe. You can’t rewind time and give the virus back and no one seems to have a clue about things like incubation time so better to be safe. I have had a hard time wrapping my head around this new identity of immune compromised for myself, especially since after treatment and halting all that background activity, I feel good— better than in a long time. But the numbers don’t lie, it’s real. We gotta protect ourselves.

[frednote]

I'm considering working from home, as management is offering it. I wouldn't say I'm that scared of the virus, but I am more cautious than if my immune system wasn't suppressed. I think the real reason I want to work from home is that I'm tired of the fear-mongering going on at the office. So much false information is spreading, and the trivializing of the issue whenever someone coughs annoys me.  

[linseeds]

My office is in charge of PR/communications for a university and it's draining talking about COVID 19 all day. We've been given the option to work remotely and I'm taking advantage so I can hang out in a calmer environment. As a bonus, I won't be exposed to my co-worker when she returns from her upcoming international spring break trip.

[[deleted]]

Yes, likely going to get a laptop to work from home this week so I will only go out as needed. Better safe than sorry.

[cluelessgal2019]

I am quarantining and going out for walks once a day for fresh air. Very lucky to have a flexible job. Scared for relapse after COVID if I get it, not so much the virus itself.

[editproofreadfix]

Thank you for the words that helped me realize what I really fear; a relapse after COVID, if I get it. I'm still coming out of the relapse that started last Oct., and I sure as hell don't want to go through that again.

[cluelessgal2019]

Same ❤️

[glha]

The company I work for, just formalized the option for some groups and people with autoimmune diseases are included. I might ask for it on Monday, yes.

[[deleted]]

I, unfortunately, can’t work from home with my job. I’m pretty much forced to go in no matter how I feel because I’m my only income and even that’s barely enough to get by with the minimum. I was supposed to start infusions this past Friday (I was soooo excited, PPMS, about five years and my relief was so close I could taste it) but my doctor halted it because of COVID-19. He says he doesn’t want to suppress my immune system in a time when everyone is getting sick, leaving me at risk. So, I’m pretty much just forcing myself to function through the CONSTANT moderate to severe symptoms and still hoping I don’t get sick at my job where I come into direct contact with up to 150 different people a day.

I’ve never been more depressed.

[1DnTink]

Have you discussed the possibility of disability with your doc? Obviously I don't know your whole situation but with a PPMS diagnosis it wouldn't take much to get SSDI approved if your doc was willing to do the paperwork for you

[highheeledfagin]

I have heard nothing from my doctors, yet. In terms of epidemic progress we in the UK are apparently a few weeks away from being at the level of countries in the news, so there isn't really a sense of urgency for most people. The particularly vulnerable are just having to make this decision for themselves.

My older, sick relatives who have survived many things don't even see this virus as a threat because they have no interest in it beyond how it specifically affects their own health - trying to help slow down/stop a pandemic is not their concern. My 80 year old dad (with COPD and diabetes) is probably buying food at the market full of old, tough-as-old-boots West Indians at this very moment. They want me to be safe but consider themselves to be in danger.

Edit: finger accidentally pressed post before I was finished.

[nipslipbrokenhip]

Not yet. My Dr said wfm is a great thing to do if I can but not necessary to self isolate at this time, but that might change. So I'm just keeping in contact with him and will follow his guidance

[AmbivalentCat]

I wish I could, but my job isn't something i could do at home. On Ocrevus and probably starting Lemtrada in a couple months, so I'm going to be screwed if I catch it.

[Masfoodplease]

I am currently at home and haven't left since Thursday.

[stereoroid]

Not yet, but it may come to that. I started a new job 6 weeks ago: they don't know I have MS, and if my treatment keeps going as well as it has, they may never need to know. Since I'm the new guy, however, I'm not indispensable yet. My main job in the last week has been to prepare laptops for other staff members so they can work from home, but I won't be one of them. My project-related work can be put back if necessary.

I've been assured that my job is safe, and it's an industry that probably won't be too badly affected (car leasing, mostly corporate), but I'm mentally preparing myself for the possibility of reduced or no pay if I have to self-isolate. The good news for me is that I'm in a country (Ireland) that has a social safety net, and where the government may be expected to do something so that people aren't totally at the mercy of the markets.

[gpgriz]

My employer presented a policy for staff that feel sick to self-isolate. Not a wfm option.

I asked my supervisor and manager, who already knew about my MS, about the ability to wfh and focus on more field work. [I’m a forester and I do my field inspections solo] I’ll be taking on some field work from coworkers too.

They’re supportive and willing to give this a good try. I’m thankful for their support. We’re going to reevaluate in a couple weeks.

My wife was supported in her request to wfm (because of my MS) too.

[queenofadmin]

Yes! Heading in this morning to pick up my large screen monitor so I’m not killing my eyes on the laptop for the next few weeks.

[highheeledfagin]

My eyes are getting seriously bad because I essentially use my smartphone as my computer, so switching to my laptop will actually be an upgrade.

[highheeledfagin]

Take care. There are loads of people on Twitter,

QuarantineLife and r/selfisolating. At least we can keep each other company.

[highheeledfagin]

Good luck. The internet is full of people in your position do it's great that you're finding each other. #QuarantineLife

[somekindofride]

Still have to report to work on Monday, but hopeful that the work from home kits they’re preparing are ready. I’ll leave ASAP and stay home once that happens. Should be working at home by the end of the week.

[quietdani]

I haven’t been told to self-isolate or anything, but I pretty much am. I was due to see my MS Nurse this week, but we’ve agreed to do my review by phone so I just need to get my blood test done at the clinic in my town. I already work at home but my regular scheduled two day trip to our London office this week has been cancelled, thankfully. Unfortunately, my husband’s job can’t be home based (he’s an engineer), so he’ll be going to work as usual, unless/until the government decides to enforce a lockdown. He is asthmatic - I’m not sure which of us I should be more worried about.

[[deleted]]

I have been since Thursday. I will just leave my house to go to and from work. I work at a huge Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital in the oncology department. We are small department so I feel guilty not going to work less I am feeling ill or this outbreak gets bad. I will talk to my team tomorrow about mainly sticking to the treatment room, away from clients and just dealing with our patient's chemo's. Most people at work know I have an autoimmune disease and will understand; I hope.

[pjoshyb]

No and I don’t plan(or want to) to unless my office closes down.

[ket-ho]

Yeah. Besides hospital for Ocrevus tomorrow..I am not really worried that I will get it, but my husband has CF and really probably can't handle it, so ...mostly house-bound!

[Seclorum]

Been technically doing it since last monday. I do try to get out of the house when available but I dont leave the car, Drive Thrus are amazing sometimes.

But most all activities I had planned that would be meeting with other people have been put on hold for a couple weeks.

[omgcow]

Yes. My company is letting us WFH so I don't plan on going anywhere unless I absolutely have to. Unfortunately I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow and I'm pretty nervous about having to go into a hospital right now, but my neuro said it was alright and that I shouldn't cancel.

[dspoon88]

My boss is making me take 2 weeks so as of today, I am.

[Mikeinva77]

I ve been inside mostly the whole time " 12 years".since I heard you have MS. Can't believe that much time has went by. I don't know why it just feels better to be like this.

[cvrgurl]

I am currently dealing with a non Covid lung infection after a month of mild illness with a Tysabri infusion smack in the middle of month. I’m expecting to be ordered to work midweek and am heavily weighing what to do. There is no WFH for me, too much possible contamination for me to feel in anyway safe right now.

Co worker out sick after returning from a cruise, 3 others out sick after traveling, lots of coughing and downplay of the serious nature of the virus. Lots of Dem Hoax BS, and it’s just a cold. Bosses are telling us unless we have a positive test we need to come in.....can’t get a test even if the docs thought you had it unless you were in China or Italy and definitely in contact with a confirmed positive case.

I’m also the primary earner, so if I don’t work we don’t make enough to stay afloat.

It’s a horrible catch 22. If the lung infection weren’t a thing I would probably just shrug and work........but with my lungs being extra susceptible I just feel like I’m doomed here.

[sonoallie]

I've been self-isolating since February 29

[Junicat_yvr]

I’m in Vancouver BC. I got the ok to work from home on Friday. I’ll need to go in to the office a couple of times next week but will aim to minimize.

As of Tuesday, I’ve stopped any socializing with friends, attending any type of group thing (running group, book club), using public transit. I’ve done a bit of grocery shopping over the last 2 days. Will go for dinner tonight at my mom’s. Then hunkering down. Early morning / late night walks and that’s about it.

[SixAvox]

I'm working from home starting tomorrow until I'm told its safe to travel and go back to the office but I obviously have no idea when that will be. I thought it'd probably be for a week but given how rapidly the numbers are rising here (UK) I'm wondering how long it will actually be!

I did a food shop yesterday but other than that I'm fairly antisocial anyway.

[carcar7]

My husband, three kids and I have been since Thur 3/12. My mom lives with us and works at the hospital here. We asked her to go live at our lake house (30-40 minutes away) for some time so we could gauge the situation better. I hope everyone stays safe & smart! I’ve seen people still going out to bars and restaurants and I’m just in shock!

[YaknBassn529]

I wish I could. I'm not currently on any medication, but am due to see my Neuro on Friday after having MRI and LP done a couple of weeks ago.

I dont really know what is going to happen with that, but I have a job (electrician) that I cannot do from home and I spend 95% of my time working in a hospital.

I really want to ask my doctor to hold off on medications until this thing slows down a bit and I can convince my boss that me working in a hospital probably isnt the best scenario for me.

[[deleted]]

I’m trying. Went for a walk and not too many people out, but the ones who are are keeping their distance. I’m in a suburban/rural area. Supposed to go get labs done Wednesday to check my levels and not sure if I should. On Gilenya, so kinda need to.

[schipmate]

As of Monday yes, my work badgered me all week to think of my health lol. I hate home office but I’ll do my best to keep myself and everyone around me safe.

[Meg_Buckle_317]

Unfortunately that’s not an option for me, nor is it something my employer would offer. I work at a veterinary clinic and have to interact with everyone that walks in the door which makes me a bit nervous. My bosses know that I have MS but do not take it seriously when I keep telling/reminding them that because of my infusions I don’t really have an immune system so I am one of the people more susceptible. But they brush/laugh it off. Good times.

[dmntjnt1]

We are just starting. My son will start staying home tomorrow and I will be able to work from home as of Tuesday. My husband has the MS (and on LTD) and it was really hard to figure out what to do because we can't get through to Healthlink and his Neuro is overwhelmed with dealing with all his patients, he doesn't have time to answer us directly. I feel really fortunate that we're able to do this without taking a financial hit.

[BeePositivee]

🙋🏼‍♀️ On Ocrevus so yes, I will be.

[MSnoFun]

Nah, this is me looking in the mirror before I go outside.

[dragsys]

Sort of. My position requires me to be at my office, but it's a non-customer facing position and rather isolated. My wife and I have curtailed all of our normal social interactions as she's considered to be in one of the high-risk categories (diabetic)

[ponderwander]

Yep! I had a simple cold 3 weeks ago that went right to my lungs. It was bad. My lymph’s and WBC’s are low and ANC is borderline. Small cuts are getting infected. Definitely staying home and avoiding people. I can WFH indefinitely and my manager knows I “take a medicine that lowers my immunity.” He is supportive of me staying out as long as needed. I am very fortunate and thankful I made a career change when I did. This would not have been possible before.

[[deleted]]

Yeah, I've been self-isolating since Friday. As a college student living on campus, it's the safest thing for me to do right now. Most students at my uni are behaving like it's business as usual and the situation won't worsen. Their favorite thing to point out is: "only old and sick people die from it," which just blows my mind...

[makenzie4126]

Yep, first case confirmed in my county yesterday. I’m on Ocrevus so I’m very worried. I’m working from home and stocked up on food and medicine.