Swine flu injection

ichabod6
ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
edited 10. Sep 2010, 04:10 in Living with Arthritis archive
The blip in my life is rheumatoid arthritis.
I swallow methotrexate and inject humira.
Ra and my medication mean I have a low immune system.
Last year my gp did not offer me the injection.
I have now had a letter to tell me current medical thinking
is that those in my position should have the injection,
altho the pandemic is now at an end.
Dont know whether to or not.
Any advice or comments?

Comments

  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi

    I had the swine flu injection last year. my gp called for me. I had to have two. one then another a few weeks after.

    I also have the flu jab and a few years ago the pheumonia jab

    Don't know if swineflu jab is every year if so i will have it again

    I too have RA.

    juliepf x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have one every year. I am also on meth and humira plus other stuff too. It makes sense to me to have it done - I have never had the flu. I had three last year, ordinary flu and two swine flu. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ichabod :D

    I'm on Mtx and ant tnfs and always have the flu jab and the pneomococcal one each year.
    Last year I was called in for the swine flu jab too.

    none of them seem to have done me any harm and it's good to know we have some protection from these bugs as with our compromised immune systems getting the flu or pneumonia would be so much more worrying. :roll:

    The alert card I have for anti tnf advises to get these immunisations and my rheummy also recommends having them... so that's good enough for me. :wink:

    If in doubt speak to your doc or rheummy department.
    Iris xxx
  • nanasue
    nanasue Member Posts: 465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there, I have RA and always have a flu injection and pneumacoccal. Last year I had a swine flu injection and had a bad reaction to it, I had a pounding headache, felt really ill and was vomiting. When I told the doctor and surgery nurse no one seemed to know why. I have spoken to other people but it seems I was the only one. Just unlucky I guess. I didn't go back for the second one, my theory was I had some protection against it. You will probably be absolutely fine, it may be nothing to do with RA and the meds we take. I know I've probably confused you more now, but you need to be aware in case it does happen, at least you'll know not to worry.
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ichabod

    I have RA and I was first in the queue last year for the swine flu jab and also the normal flu jab .. I will be doing the same this yar for the normal flu jab..

    Marion
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ichabod

    I always have the annual flu jab but wouldn't touch the swine flu jab with a very long bargepole! Too far untested and rushed through the system in my view so I decided to give that one a miss. Will keep having the ordinary seasonal flu one though.

    Good luck with whatever you decide.

    Love Tilly x
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ichy,

    Last year I had ordinary flu and swine flu jabs and had no side effects at all.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have had the annual flu jab for about 12 years now, and wouldn't miss it. (never get a chance to miss it as the nurse hardly lets me get through the door before she's 'got' me :wink:

    I had two swine flu injections last year, and although I had a sore arm for a few days, this was the only effect I noticed.

    DIdn't get flu though :wink:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I received my letter yesterday, appointment booked as per usual. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks ladies.
    After reading your posts and speaking to the
    biologic nurse and the nras helpline I am having
    the swine flu injection tomorrow am.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good. It is a wise thing to do. Mine is on 06/10/10 which, happily, is a meth day! Yippee! No meth! RESULT. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • oneday
    oneday Member Posts: 1,434
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    gps get paid per each vaccine - makes me think is that why they are so keen for people to have it.
    wasnt it on the news about some untested adjuvent put into it and not tested etc - i have refused it and who knows why they sent a letter to me?? - never had any flu jabs etc before!!! ££££££
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Of course money is involved oneday, health is a business. H&B etc rake it in with the healthy people, the drugs companies rake it in with the likes of us. I am more than happy for my GP to be paid a fee for jabbing me with stuff that stops me getting flu, which is bad enough for fit people, could be catastrophic for me. I would spend more on Lemsips and Strepsils etc than the cost of the flu jab! I'm saving me money, always a good thing. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • oneday
    oneday Member Posts: 1,434
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    yes, DD, am not too skepticial, if thats the right word about flu jab but swine flu one,um,not happy with it. The fact gp had sent letters to my family with conditions that sort of warrant and invite but then to send me one, i thought it was a money thing. i do know they send letters to carers etc but this felt like a money spinner to me.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    They were expecting a pandemic with the swine flu, hence more people being called in. I think this year it's 'As you were' on the flu jab front, so high-risk bods only. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hels78
    hels78 Member Posts: 60
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have the annual flu jab and last year was offered the Swine Flu jab which I turned down.
    I recieved my invitation for this years flu jab yesterday and our surgery are not offering the Swine Flu jab this year.
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