Dmards question.

wibberley

Do those of you on Dmards get the flu injection?

Don't want it if it's not necessary, but also don't fancy spending 2 weeks in hospital with pleuracy as I did aged 15!

Also, is there anything else you do to guard against Winter bugs?

Lois x

valval

can not remember which are demarts but some one will be along and let you know i take naproxen and hydroxchloroquine and do not have to have it with these val

robertls

DMARD's reduce the immune system.......

Anything 'infectious' should be avoided......

I would/and do certainly have the flu bug........

Rob x

dreamdaisy

Yep, I am on DMARDS and have always had the flu jab. It is a sensible precaution, because, as Rob points out, your immune system is compromised by the meds. DD

annie_mial

Yes, do have the flu jab and as early in the season as I can.

Annie

wibberley

Thanks guys.....knew I could rely on you more than I can my local GP surgery!

Just phoned them and she said 'the flu jab letters haven't gone out yet'. I asked when, and she said 'Some time in the next few months, I presume'! Gee, there's an assertive answer....I despair!

Think I'll make an appt with GP to discuss....god knows when the earliest is I'll get to see him!

Nice to know our care is in their hands.....

Lois x

frogmorton

I do too if I remember

Val yo should be really - I am on hydroxy and it is worth it

I'll hold your hand

Love

Toni xx

wibberley

Hiya Lynn, hope the holiday went well?

I like the idea of hosing down family and friends! Like you, I don't really like to have something if it's not going to make any difference but I do seem to be having more colds of late, so think I'll go for it.

It's been hammered into the kids to wash hands more than regularly, but some of their friends' hygiene habits.......well, room for improvement shall we say!

Lois x

dreamdaisy

All visitors to my house get a squirt of hand gel to clean up, adults and children alike. I'm not risking anything! DD

agslegs

I've been thinking about what to do about this one especially since I have just started working as a teacher in a school so I am going to be exposed to all kinds of nasty bugs. I am currently taking MTX and Enbrel. I asked my GP about the flu jab a couple of weeks ago and he said he would get back to me. Unfortunately for me the GP I spoke to is newly qualified and so said he would need to look up to see if the flu jab would interfere with any of the medications I am on. I guess I should have been more assertive and said "I don't think so".

I really don't want to get the flu. I've had it once years ago and it was not a pleasant experience. Guess I should speak to one of the other GPs in the practice and ask what's up.

dreamdaisy

I had a flu jab when on enbrel - anti TNFs are fine with it and vice versa. DD

wibberley

Hi Lynn,

You're right. The flu jab won't protect you completely from flu because there are so many different strains but I suppose it will give protection from some at least.

I think we should all decamp to Australia for Winter.....it's Summer there!

Lois x

julie47

Hi

Yes I have flu jab too for the last few years
I am on Mtx leflunomide hydrox and celecoxib

I also last year had 2 doses of swineflu jab (dont know if thats yearly or if it was a one off)

I catch colds easily and get chest infections too so anything i can to try and prevent a bad strain of flu.

(eat plenty of raw onions but dont know if it really helps )

juliepf x

marion1952

Hi Lois

Oh - thanks for the reminder - I need to put it in my diary to get a flu jab!!

I'm on methotrexate and had the flu jab and 2 swine flu jabs last year and was fine..

Marion

salamander

hi Lois, my surgery usually does them early October and because of my meds I get called automatically. Make sure you are on the list of 'vulnerable' patients and you should automatically get invited to have one.