What would you do? Influensa shot

Misssweden13

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

Kittkat

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.

dreamdaisy

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

jillyb1

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

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

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.

stickywicket

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.

Misssweden13

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

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 .

daffy2

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

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.

chez86

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

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.

chez86

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

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

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

Kitty

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!!