Flu vaccination

[Karendeena]

I am nervous! I had an ablation (RF) at the end of March this year and so far as I am aware no episodes since (last January 2024).

My heart rate is slightly faster, around 72bpm, previously around 62bpm.

I have booked my flu vaccination for the 9th of October but terrified of waking the beast up. Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

[BobD Volunteer]

Never had a problem,. with any jab.

[Elephant1234]

Last August I had my 3rd Cardiac Ablation. I had my flu and covid vaccine in 12 weeks later in October. No problems! still in normal sinus rhythm.

[DawnTX in reply to Elephant1234]

like Bob I have never had issues. I will not get the boosters for Covid. That’s my personal thought. That’s all. I am against them too many come out too often. I swear by the flu shot the only two times I missed it. I got the flu. we are all different of course but it seems like them majority of us haven’t had problems. Best of luck.

[Karendeena in reply to DawnTX]

Thanks, I am not having the COVID booster, never had one since 2022

[Pumpkkin33]

I don't have them never had one or covid jabs

[secondtry]

Since when was flu so scary at 67yo hopefully with no comorbidities. Stress is a strong contributory factor to triggering AF. I am 71 and will be having no shingles, flu or Covid jabs. So cancel the jab would be my advice.

[Buffafly]

It’s a gamble either way - the jab might trigger AF but flu almost certainly will.

[Tapanac]

no problems here with the flu jab but many problems with the covid booster setting off my afib/tachycardia

Good luck

[Karendeena in reply to Tapanac]

I am definitely not having the COVID booster, not had one since 2022

[Ppiman]

I can well imagine your fears and I would share them. However, have never had a problem and I rather accept the view that catching influenza proper without any antibody protection from a vaccine would be far riskier than having the vaccine.

I guess the body is busy making antibodies on a near daily basis whenever it inhales an infective virus. I should imagine that the vaccine only mimics this natural behaviour.

Steve

[Auriculaire]

There is a lot of hype about flu and flu vaccines - mostly designed to sell them. For a start very few people are actually tested to see whether the respiratory infection they have is actually caused by an influenza virus or If they have an ILI -an influenza type illness caused by some other virus . Flu vaccines do not protect you from ILIs. There are also studies which show that if you take away the "healthy vaccinee" effect flu vaccines are ineffective. They are particularly ineffective the older we get as older immune systems do not mount a very good response to the vaccine. People would be far better off boosting their immune systems by maintaining an optimal vit D level, getting proper rest and sleep and eating nutritious food. Personally I stopped having flu vaccines in 2011 and feel better overall in winter than I did the12 years I had them. I also take NAC which has been shown to protect against respiratory infections. Since March 2016 I have had 2 colds both within the last year.

[Cookie24 in reply to Auriculaire]

What dose of Vitamin D and NAC do you take?

[Auriculaire in reply to Cookie24]

I take Calcifediol for my vit D. This is prescribed by my GP here in France and as far as I know is not available in the UK. I have a high level 70ng/mL but cannot say how much cholecalciferol (the vit D available OTC) would be needed to produce such a level. My stepson and granddaughter visited us in July and got their levels tested at our local lab. They had levels of 50 ng/mL after taking 8000iu of vit D a day for nearly a year. My granddaughter's level had been rock bottom deficiency last year and her extremely white skin was what made me take her to be tested. She obviously spent no time in the sun! Her twin sister was also deficient and had been prescribed that amount by a doctor in the UK. As everybody assimilates vit D in an individual fashion depending on many factors the only way you can know what dose is necessary for you individually is to get a blood test then get retested after supplementing for several months. I take 800mg NAC 4 days a week. NAC is supposed to have some " blood thinning " effect so most people taking an anticogulant would not be happy taking it but I consider it an important supplement and have been taking it for several years.

[Cookie24 in reply to Auriculaire]

Are you taking an anticoagulant?

[Auriculaire in reply to Cookie24]

Yes but I was taking the NAC long before I was prescribed Apixaban.

[marcyh]

I have chosen not to take any flu vaccines since I had my two ablations in the past 3 years and have done just fine. No difference from when I took them. I don't plan to take any more and my husband has never taken them and does well. He is soon 86.