Still undecided about the swine flu jab!

jojo03

Hi All,

I've read the previous posts here on the swine flu jab, and having now been offered it by my local health centre, I am really undecided about what to do! I have had RA for over 20 years, and take a DMARD drug and an anti-inflammatory. I have had the "usual" flu a few times over the past 20 years and have been laid up for a few days as is normal.
The thought of the swine flu scares me though - as it's "unknown", and we don't know how ill we would be if we got it. I've read up on the vaccine and I'm a bit scared to have that too, due to the various side-effects and complications.
Has anyone else had the jab yet, and if so, did you have any after-effects from it?
Has anyone actually had swine flu, and if so, how poorly did it make you?
Does anyone know anyone who has died from swine flu, and if so, what were the underlying health issues? Has anyone with arthritis died from swine flu?
Sorry about all the questions, but I'm really not sure what to do! Your opinions and comments will be gratefully received!

Regards,
Jo.

hels78

Hi, I have also had an invitation for the Swine Flu jab and am undecided what to do. Both the GP and Rheumatology dept. recommend that I have it, but I have a gut feeling that I shouldn't. My friend is a nurse and she says she won't be having it!!! I agree that it is too new and unknown and reading some of the ingrediants and possible side effects the thought of having it scares me witless!

jojo03

Hi Pixie and Hels,

Thanks for your comments, and it's good to know I'm not the only one who's undecided! It might be an easier decision if quite a few of us had already had the vaccine, but it seems as though we're only just being called to have it, so no-one's got any experience of it yet.
Perhaps we'll have a bit more info in the next couple of weeks. I'd rather not have it, but I saw on the Welsh news this morning that 6 people in Wales have died from swine flu in the last week and we're being urged to have the vaccine. As I live in Wales, I felt a bit scared!!

Jo.

jackie1955

hels78 wrote:

My friend is a nurse and she says she won't be having it!!!

:?: :?: :?:
I thought all people working in hospitals HAD to have it.

My nephew has had it because he works in a hospital in Scotland and he had no choice!

woodbon

Hi, For people who work in health care, the injection is available straight away, but, its still personal choice. When I was a care worker, employed by the County Council, we were aways invited to have the ordinary flu vac . I always did. Firstly, because verious health reasons, some of our residents couldn't have the vaccine and also I did'nt want flu anyway! You can't make if a condition of employment but, if you are in an environment with lots of frail people, personally that made the decision for me and still would, but it is a hard one to make.
Love Sue

jojo12

I have been told that I will be invited to have this jab due to RA and will have it done. I was diagnosed back in the summer with swine flu and after the first 48 hours felt fine and got bored as not allowed out in public. Apparently you can get it more than once. You will have to make up your own mind on this mind. All the best.

mmarshall

Hi Jo
Just read your post, I actually had Swine Flu, I contracted it from my grand-daughter as she had it and we did not know at the time or I would not have been with her.

The frist few days I was really unwell in the same way you are if you have flu, shivering, temperture, sore throat and runny nose etc.
When I saw the doctor he said that it was only a mild version of the Swine Flu and that I was lucky that I was not as ill as I might have been so I was given antibiotics. After a few days it was more like a cold but it took nearly three weeks for me to get rid of it.

I have RA and I am on Methotrexate and Suphasalzine and recently have been taking Amytripiline because I have had a problem with a sore shoulder for months and co-codamol was not giving me any pain releif so taking the Antibiotics along with all the other drugs gave me a bit of a upset stomach.

I am fine now but having a mild dose of the Swine Flu took a lot of out me and it has taken me a while to get back up and running.
I am going to get the Swine Flu jab on Monday bacause I feel it would be better to get it than risk having a more serious dose of the Swine Flu and also my Doctor has advised me to get it.

I will let you all know how I get on.

jojo03

Thanks to all of you for your messages. It does seem to be a difficult decision to make - and obviously the swine flu itself affects people in different ways.
I'm a little more inclined to have the jab after hearing that you can get swine flu more than once. I thought you might have a natural immunity to it if you'd already had it - although I don't know why I thought that, as you can get normal flu many times!

Perhaps we could all keep each other posted if and when we have the vaccines, see whether they affect us in any way.

Thanks again,
Jo.

kazpaz

Dear All

I have RA and am on mtx, sulfa and humira.

I think the question about the swine flu vaccine has been one of the hardest decisions I have had to make for a long time.

I am a doctor myself and would probably not have had it if I didn't have RA, (as many of my colleagues are choosing not to), but after some advice, decided my risks from the swine flu itself outweighed the potential risks of the vaccine.

I had it on Monday and whilst I felt a bit under the weather on Tuesday, (but I am in a bit of a flare as well), I am otherwise fine and no unpleasant side effects! I have been told I will need a second dose in 3 weeks because of the drugs I'm on. Once it was in my arm and it was too late to get it back out I relaxed and have no real regrets now.

I have been following Nick's posts and have to say his situation seems quite different to the risks that some of us have and I don't think his arguments apply to those of us with reasonably difficult RA. At the end of the day though, it is a personal decision. My husband and children won't have it, they are quite certain about that and I respect their views too.

I've done what felt right for me and time will tell.

I hope it is not too agonising a decision for the rest of you, but rest assured, no horror story from me!

Kaz

dobbie

Hi everyone.

I have RA and had my swine flu injection on Wed. I've had no problems other than my arm aching a little. I'm waiting to start TNF therapy so my immune system isn't supressed yet, this means I only needed one injection. Everyone who has lowered immunity will need a 2nd injection three weeks later (as do children under 10). Everyone in the same household is advised to have the vaccine too.

tkachev

My 10 year old son has had the injection for Swine Flu(a week ago today).He has had a hacking cough since ,mostly at night.Seems a bit better today, day 7.All the children at his special needs school had the injection as many have underlying illness.My son is very healthy and a good height and weight and never ill, other than a few days a year.Apart from the cough he has been fine.
I havent heard of any adverse reactions from any of the other children yet.
I always suffer badly from flu so I intend to have the jab unless I read something bad b4 I am called by G.P.
Best wishes
Elizabeth

suzster

myself, my husband and my 2 daughters (10yrs and 2 yrs) will be having it next friday. the letter i got from my gp surgery said that myself and my household are invited to have the swine flu vaccine, i double checked and then made an appointment for us all.
i have to say i didn't think twice about it and nor did my husband.
i spoke to the nurse yesterday when i had my normal flu jab and she said she was having it next week to.
i've had some parents make nasty remarks to me regarding my decision to get my children vaccinated but my attitude is i'd rather do that than risk them getting swine flu.
i'll let you know how we get on!
sue

page35

Hi all
i am undecided too. this is my first winter knowing i have RA. had my normal flu jab couple of weeks ago and was fine. but the swine flu is still worrying me. and i have 2 yr old and 13yr old so worry what to do for them too.
OH is no help just says if i have it he will :roll:
i really dont know what to do for the best

trisher

Hi

I have had the flu jab last week.

The doctors where I am want me to have a swine flu one. I do'nt know what to do.

I have got breathing problems though, I still not sure. I alsoo have RA and OA .

trisher x