Anyone here young and immunocompromised? I’m in the severely immunocompromised category due to being on a biologic for Crohn’s disease.
The Omicron variant has tipped my mental health over the edge, the only advice I’ve seen directed towards vulnerable/immunocompromised is that we’re more likely to get severely ill if we catch it even if we’ve had all vaccinations (I’ve had 3) and pretty much telling people to not see vulnerable relatives indoors especially over Christmas so non directly telling us to avoid people..
I’m so fed up, I’m barely leaving the house and am not looking forward to Christmas at all. I wish there was a way of knowing what my risk was compared to someone not immunocompromised my age (I’m 30), in some countries my medication is almost considered a benefit if I caught covid as it prevents the immune system overdrive but in the UK I’m considered CEV and the most at risk.
My illness doesn’t give me any day to day symptoms as it’s under control so pre covid I’d be out partying, going abroad and doing everything anyone my age would be doing. I feel like I’ve been placed into a group which includes really elderly people and where my illness has never held me back it’s now my biggest hinderance. I’ve had enough of being called vulnerable and hate that it’s assumed vulnerable = sick and infirm. I’m in a senior position in my career and before covid know one even knew I had a condition, now I’m constantly reminded that I’m vulnerable or disabled when I would never have considered myself as this. This is also massively effecting my mental health.
I feel like I just need to risk it to improve my mental health but the news and government are constantly freaking me out over what might happen if I caught it.
Sorry for the rant, I’m truly at my wits end, I’ve lost so much of myself and feel like I live to work. What’s the point?
I am also around your age and in the same situation - I am transplanted so I need to take immunosuppressants. I decided to listen to myself and do things according to what feels the best to me. That goes in both ways.
I prioritise my friends and my family because that's the most important to me. But I generally avoid non-needed contacts. Since last year I mostly use my bike to go around, wear a FFP2 when I need to take crowded transports. I did travel but chose quiet places and mostly outdoor activities. I don't restrain myself to go out for a drink/for food when it's possible to sit outside.
Also I am more careful when transmission is high - which wasn't not the case where I live between May and October and that was amazing.
I completely understand what you mean. It's frustrating to be put in a vulnerable category when you are young and otherwise healthy and at the same time many people assume vulnerable people are old or very ill/obese.
I do think it's all about balance - I do want to live many more years in a good health and I am more afraid to catch covid as it could have an impact on my transplanted organ and I would hate to spend years in another process of transplantation than dying. So it makes sense for me to keep some form of measures while making sure I am not missing on relationships, activities and travels. Everybody should see what fits them best.
Would it be a possibility for you to get an antibody level test? I did have one after my second dose and a few months later, I had some antibodies then they lowered quite a lot - and it was decided I should get a booster. Last time it was checked I had a very high level of antibodies. It does help me to know where I am standing even though it's not a perfext answer.