Flu

[Vonnieruth]

My surgery rang today to check if I had had my flu injection Very good of them as some don't bother My worry is will there be a chance of it triggering a episode of PAF that the hospital said I may have had previously

[Hennerton]

They are keen for you to have it, because it represents a bonus to them, I believe.

[seasider18 in reply to Hennerton]

Last year I said that I would get it at the local pharmacy as I could just walk in for it. Don't do that they said we need the money.

This year they cancelled our first appointment as they had no vaccine nor did the pharmacy.

[Hidden]

In truth I think it’s unlikely. Whenever it’s raised at our support group meetings, them’s that really know about these things always say there should be no problems.....

[Hidden]

It never has for me and I can go into AF at the drop of a hat. You re over worrying!

[Vonnieruth in reply to Hidden]

Not over worrying just never had the injection before

[seasider18 in reply to Vonnieruth]

As the nurse always says 'Just a little prick'

[TamlaMotown]

I had my first one ever & I was a bit dubious like you but no problem at all I'm pleased to say. The under 65 by the way

[Vonnieruth in reply to TamlaMotown]

That's the one We young ones do worry at times but like the saying Goes Better safe than sorry

[TamlaMotown]

Havn't been called a young one for a while 😉 must admit I felt old in the queue with the pensioners. I'm a born worrier though & I wish I wasn't with this foul condition but such is life 😝

[Vonnieruth]

Some of us worry more than others I haven't had a alcoholic drink since being diagnosed I'm too scared to try incase it's a trigger now I don't feel like the person I was

[jillybeanposh in reply to Vonnieruth]

Hi there. I haven’t touched alcohol in 12 months now, even made 12 Christmas Cakes and out tea in mine. I think it was alcohol that started me off. Touch wood have been fine. I am scared to touch a dtopnow. Xx

[TamlaMotown]

Ditto Vonnie & I hate it. I think we mourn the person we were before diagnosis

[Slim2018 in reply to TamlaMotown]

Interesting remark TM about mourning the person we were before diagnosis. You have in those few words encapsulated exactly how I have felt since the end of August this year when the flutter started me on this different path into a whole new world of AF. Holland-Dozier-Holland would be proud of you as a wordsmith. I am a very positive person always taking the view my glass is close to being full, but I continue to struggle with the sense of panic every time I feel a vague ache in my shoulder or chest or the sensation of an ectopic. Having a brilliant young consultant Cardiologist who happily looks at my Kardia print outs and reassures me that the different patterns after exercise are not an “oh my god” moment but actually just the effect of the adrenaline created by the exercise does help. And this Association both provides a “I am not alone” feeling and a sense of how insignificant what I have is compared to many others. I have a loving supportive wife (ex nurse) and daughters (one about to qualify as a doctor) but AF seems to be a condition that you really need to have experienced to really understand.

[TamlaMotown in reply to Slim2018]

Oh wow Slim I'm actually touched by your reply. You're very correct in that unless you actually have AF other people just do not get it. I too suffer greatly with that sense of panic whenever the ectopics start & pray I don't go into AF. It just strikes terror to the core. I have always been labelled a strong woman & I don't think I am by any means a wimp but AF has the power to turn me into a quivering wreck. It's a truly horrible beast. I'm highly honoured that you have likened me to Holland Dozier Holland. You have made my day 🤗

[Slim2018 in reply to TamlaMotown]

I now have “This ol’ heart of mine” going round in my head...not the Isley Brothers but the less well known version by Tammi Terrell

[TamlaMotown in reply to Slim2018]

I can see you have Motown knowledge Slim. I know Tammi's version well. Here's another by Tammi, Give In You Just Can't Win. Quite apt for us AFibbers don't you think? 🤔

[seasider18 in reply to Slim2018]

Not because of AF but because of another condition my wife said to the doctor 'I want my Seasider back'

[Vonnieruth]

Deffo I loved going out with girls from work stumble in at 3am next morning I mean it lol well upto this year I did

[rosyG]

Ive had it every year with no episodes!!

[Vonnieruth in reply to rosyG]

That's good to hear Rosy Thank you

[pottypete1]

I have had flu jabs for over 10 years. I have never had any side effects.

In my opinion you are more likely to have problems with AF if you were to contract flu if you were to refuse the vaccination.

Pete

[wilsond in reply to pottypete1]

Nor me potty P.Prevention better than cure.....xxx

[Vonnieruth]

Thanks Pete I will

[wilsond]

Well its alwyas a balancing act eh? Flu is certainly bad news for anyone vulnerable....

[Jollies]

Had the flu jab this year and caused no problems at all. Actually had it for a few years now and never been an issue.

[Becksagogo]

It is a worry especially when we seem to fill ourselves full of other medication!.

I've been taking the flu jab for the past 10 years because I also have previous history of cancer. Have never had a reaction to it and like most people I treat it is a prevention!

[icklebud99]

I had it last year and it was fine, no PAF or palpatations or ectopic beats. I still need to go this year.

[Vonnieruth in reply to icklebud99]

Thank you will go when I'm off next

[BC10]

Try it. I mean what possible harm can formaldehyde, mercury and thimerosal do to an already inflamed heart?

[Vonnieruth in reply to BC10]

Take that as being sarcastic instead of a genuine reply if yes or no

[Ger12345 in reply to Vonnieruth]

I'm with bc 10 on this one .

[Auriculaire in reply to Ger12345]

Me too. Flu jabs are vastly overrated as preventative. You only have to look at numbers needed to treat. Most respiratory tract infections contracted during the winter are not influenza and flu jabs do not protect against these. A better strategy is to up your immune system by having a good level of vitamin d- not the pathetically low level the public health authorities in the UK say is adequate. This is the lowest in Europe. A good level of vitamin d will help with all respiratory tract infections not just flu.

[Hidden]

The only time my AF necessitated a trip to resus was when I picked up a nasty virus from my great grandson and that was after having flu jab, pneumonia jab etc. I can’t begin to imagine what my heart would have been doing without some protection.

Di

[Auriculaire in reply to Hidden]

If it was a non flu vitus your flu jab was not actually giving you any protection .

[Vonnieruth]

webmd.com/heart-disease/atr...

Just found this on flu jab

[Maggimunro in reply to Vonnieruth]

Interesting read, thanks for posting.

[Von19]

I stopped having the flu vac after landing up in hospital with fast AF and localised redness to the arm Felt dreadful Two years ago consultant advised me to have the flu vac and said to ask surgery for a clean flu vac and have it in my thigh which has worked fine for me

[jennydog]

I have never had a reaction from a flu jab. I had the new over-65 one last week and so far all is well.

[jillybeanposh]

I am always fine.

[heartmatters1]

A bad dose of the flu could make things a lot worse. I have had mine, as I don’t want to risk catching it. I was fine.

[Hidden]

I had horrid flu at the beginning of the year and didn't go into AF... but having said that, I have the jab. Just in case it works, which it didn't this year! Jab itself has never bothered me, apart from a slightly achy arm.

[Gertsen]

I had no trouble at all.

[Mittzy]

I am asthmatic as well as having AF and CHF. I have been having flu jabs (under 65) for years. I was diagnosed in 2017 and had a flu jab last year and again last year. Having had pneumonia in 2014/15, which was the probable cause of my heart issues, I will just say that I will take a flu jab any day, rather than risk that again. So far so good and fingers crossed but it’s your choice. Only you can decide what’s best for you, maybe have a chat with your GP or a nurse first and discuss your worries. All the best.

[radagast58]

Hi Vonnieruth

I've had the flu jab for years with no ill effects. A lot of people think flu is a simple viral infection but real flu is very serious and potentially life threatening. I think it's a no brainer whether people with heart problems have the vaccine or not.

The poster raising concerns about excipients needs to provide high quality research data otherwise they are just sc aremongering

Take care and keep well

David

[Tapanac]

Well I have had my flu injection this year and last year and touch wood no problems. The first time I had an attack of Afib was at the dentist and I have just returned from the dentist now after dreading going, and again touch wood, no problems. I personally think you would be better off having the injection than the flu. Good luck

[djbgatekeeper]

Had my flu jab last week... All ok so far .. Everyone is different though Vonnie so do what you think is best for you. Take care ❤

[Vonnieruth]

Thank you Will have a good think and chat with practise nurse

[Maura5]

I had mine this year and had no AF afterwards, I didn’t have it last year, got the flu and had lots of episodes! So I would definitely go for it if I were you.

[Pammy59]

I have just had the under 65’s flu jab for the second time and have been fine. Go for it!