What would you do? Influensa shot

Misssweden13
Misssweden13 Member Posts: 12
edited 13. Jan 2014, 12:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
It's the time of the year when scary influensa reports start to pop up in the media. And as usual I get scared and don't know what to do (well it's too late this year)
I am heavily medicated with prednisolone methotrexathe and simponi.

I have taken the flu shot once and that was in 2009 when swine flu was raving. I got a massive flare in my RA, the inflamation indicators rose and my knees got swollowed, injections of steroids did not help.
My RA was pretty active at the time (CPR 40) maybe that was why I got a reaction?
Also there was this adjuvant called squalen in the shot (in Sweden) in 2009. Not any longer.

Now I am scared of the flu shot but equally scared of the influensa.

What do you think about this ? My doctor is a bit hesitant too, he doesn't have a good answer.

What are your experience and thoughts?

Anna

Comments

  • Kittkat
    Kittkat Member Posts: 309
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I wouldn't get it that is just me and my gut reaction there. Hopefully someone with experience will come along. I am on meth and didn't get it but not the other stuff you are on.
    How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've had a 'flu shot every year (I am asthmatic and that was followed by arthritis) and realise I am lucky in that I have not experienced any complications. I am on a triple therapy for the PsA - that kind of arthritis won't kill me but influenza could. My view is that it's worth the risk of a flare compared to the alternative. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have the flu jab every year and have also had the pneumonia one . My hubby ( a needle phobic ) also has the flu jab , as being my official carer ; he needs to be healthy too .
    Jillyb
  • mig
    mig Member Posts: 7,154
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I and my hubby have the flu jab every year and we have both had the pneumonia one as well ,I'm on humira and hydroxy ,we have to try and protect our selfs how we can,my daughter who still lives at home has the flu jab as well in case she picks anything up at work,none of us has had any side effects. Mig
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Anna..and I dont think we have,met so welcome
    Flu is horrendous..you get people saying I have the flu but if you get it then you will know...I have OA so cant really comment on your RA..both hubby and I have the jab and thank goodness have been well for 4 years.
    Love
    Barbara
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,761
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Those of us on meth are advised to have the flu jab every year. I always do. As Barbara says, flu is horrible and even worse for those of us who are immuno-compromised.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Misssweden13
    Misssweden13 Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all! Hi Barbara12!

    Thanks for the input, I value it a lot!

    The thing with the flu, I can't remember ever having it! When I get a cold it is not that severe but It takes ages to get rid of. I never had the norovirus either (winter womiting) never had pneumonia. I have been on biologic drugs since 2001. What I have had is erysepilas in my arm. I have edema.

    The flu shot......My head says I should take it but my gut says no.
    Not easy.

    Thanks again
    Anna
  • Mormodook
    Mormodook Member Posts: 130
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm on methotrexate and hydroxy and I always have a flu jag. Last winter I got pneumonia and it was a terrible thing to shift and feel ok again..... i was so run down with the pneumonia that it gave the RA a god kicking and a big flare up that a year on I'm still trying to get under control .This winter I got both the flu jag and pneumonia jag and (touch wood) I've been fine all winter . I'd say go for it as the positives far outweigh the negatives in my experience.I don't want to get pneumonia again if I can help it. You will know deep down what to do - good luck with your choice . :D
  • daffy2
    daffy2 Member Posts: 1,636
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This sort of thing can be difficult to decide on, as you say your head and gut reactions are at odds. I don't fall into the flu jab category, but would make a couple of observations. The flare post-jab in 2009 could have been coincidence, or exacerbated something that was going to happen anyway. The 'cocktail' of the flu jab changes each year to try and keep ahead of what strains are predicted to cause problems so you might have a different, or no, reaction in subsequent years.
  • Kitty
    Kitty Member Posts: 3,583
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Like many others have already said, I have the flu jab every year and have done for a while. Although no longer on methotrexate, I'm still using Leflunomide, and I also have Bronchiectasis with pseudomonas. Hubby has them now too as he is over 65 and my carer. I also had the pneumovax, but he's not had it yet.

    "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." Robert A Heinlein

  • chez86
    chez86 Member Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree Barbara, it annoys me sooo much when people clearly have a cold and they say 'oohh I've got the flu'..I have to bite my tongue. I've had some right rotten colds and even had time off work for them but I know I've never had the flu.

    Myself and my husband have the flu jab every year ( my hubby has diabetes) and we've both never had a problem with it. I feel for people that do find themselves having to weigh up whether its worth the risk or not cuz its not fair...its supposed to be something that helps people not make them feel worse :( x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,761
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    chez86, I think one of the most annoying phrases going is 'a touch of flu' :shock: Flu doesn't 'touch' you: it whacks you in the chops and lays you low. I've noticed footballers never get a cold: they always get a 'touch of flu' which enables them to play again in a few days' time. Last time I had flu - the millennium - it took all my energy to just stagger to the loo.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • chez86
    chez86 Member Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Haha! Yes! Definitely heard that before... Oh dear, some people eh!? Well I say 'some' people but you expect nothing more from footballers really... :roll:
  • jojo03
    jojo03 Member Posts: 77
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I've had RA for 28 years and had never had a flu shot - until a few weeks ago! Like you, I've always been wary of having it, despite the fact that I have had flu a few times in the past, and I know how ill it can make you feel and how long it takes to recover from it.

    I've been put on methotrexate and my consultant said I was to have a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as my immune system would be compromised, as I'm on two lots of DMARD drugs now. I reluctantly agreed, and I was pleased to have no effects after the flu shot (I had a bit of a sore arm after the pneumonia one, but only for a day or two).

    I can understand your dilemma!

    Jo.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    One of the dangers of being immuno-suppressed is this: we don't produce symptoms until an infection is pretty well established. Healthy people do not have this - they sniffle and they know there's something up. We can harbour an infection for some time and may not even realise that we are 'properly' ill.

    I am assiduous with hand washing, every handbag I possess has a little bottle of gel in it for when I am out and about, antiseptic wipes too. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Kitty
    Kitty Member Posts: 3,583
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've only had flu once, I was 17 and went to the bathroom. Mum found me unconscious on the floor 10 minutes later. Spent almost 2 weeks in bed after that - and that was before I was immunosuppressed or ill in any other way!!

    "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." Robert A Heinlein