pneumonia vax

[Seagullcity]

Since being diagnosed with bronchiectasis I have been given an appointment for a pneumonia vaccination. I’ve never had one before, is it likely to make me feel ill?

[Spacecat1]

Touchwood I was OK. Chat to the nurse

[CarolMcl]

Hi. I get the vaccination every 5 years and I've never had any reaction at all 🌹

[Blackcat99 in reply to CarolMcl]

Me too - no problems at all. (I also have bronchiectasis) Good luck!

[Swizzy]

I had no reaction

[O2Trees]

No reaction but then I don't tend to get reactions from vaccinations

[leo60]

no reaction from me xx

[Seagullcity in reply to leo60]

Thanks everyone for your reassuring and positive replies. I was a bit worried as I have an important test a couple of days after the vaccination.

[knitter in reply to Seagullcity]

Is it a written test …..i had a sore arm after my vaccination , had it in my right arm , as had the flu injection in my left . Should have swapped over .

[Seagullcity in reply to knitter]

No, it’s a test for training advanced motorcyclists, so I need to be both mentally and physically fit. Hadn’t considered the sore arm effect but hopefully it’ll be better after a couple of days

[leo60 in reply to Seagullcity]

Good luck with your test 🤞🏻xx

[Patk1]

No,I've had a few & not felt ill

[Chip_y2kuk]

I've had 2 and didn't feel ill with either

[peege]

I dont recall any reaction other than a sore arm which didn't last long. Boy oh boy am I glad I had it because in the previous 18 months I had pneumonia 5 times and not had it since.

[Seagullcity in reply to peege]

That must have been dreadful; thank goodness for the vaccine. I’m not sure how to safeguard myself from infections. I can try and steer clear of anyone with coughs, colds, flu etc., but I’m starting to get the message that it’s the really specific bacterial and fungal infections that thrive in gunky lungs that are the most serious threat. And I don’t know how to avoid them.

[peege in reply to Seagullcity]

I was lucky enough to have hospital allergy tests at respiratory department of the hospital. It was as useful to find what I wasn't allergic to (dust mite, pets & I've forgotten others) and what I was allergic severely to mould and mildly to aspergillus. So I avoid mould, damp leaves/ soil etc and damp air. That helps. As I've got asthma cold air and changes of temperature affect my airways & mucus can get trapped making a warm wet environment for bacteria to multiply, so, I do cover my mouth when out during cold windy weather & that helps too.

Lastly, after all those pneumonia & countless infectionsI worked hard at rebuilding my immune system which was almostnon-existent (antibiotics also deplete immunesystem). For ten years now I've taken daily vitamins/ minerals and supplements which I know helps enormously. At the first sign of sore throat or sniffle I use and antiseptic throat spray and drink effervesant vitamin C 1000mg, those definitely help.

All the above plus regular flu & covid vaccinations etc is how I keep as well as possible.

Hopefully you will pick up tips to look after yourself too Seagullcity (we have a mad load of seagulls in my landlocked town)!

[Seagullcity in reply to peege]

Thanks for all those pointers Peege. Someone else had alerted me to the hazards of mouldy walls, so I bleached and killed the mould around the eves in my bedroom. The recommended 3 times daily lung clearance is problematic as the breathing techniques don’t seem to work that well when phlegm is very thick, but I do try and I’ll ask my gp about saline nebulisers as I’ve heard they can help. Thanks also for the tips re vitamins and antiseptic throat spray. Seems we just have to really be on our guard. S

[Enable]

Exactly the same here I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis about a year ago and and advised to get the pneumonia vaccination and even though I have atrial fibrillation I had no reaction to it at all just sore arm for a day or two which is normal for me. I did read somewhere that you are supposed to get a booster or 2nd jab at some stage but my surgery reception told me no it's a one off so I'm still not sure.

[Timberman]

It has never had any adverse reaction for me or anyone I know. But pneumonia could kill me.

[suzy-lou]

I had the vaccination about 10 years ago and have had pneumonia twice since then. I'm told that we only need one vaccination. Is that right or do we need a booster?

[Alberta56 in reply to suzy-lou]

I wish I knew that. i had the vaccination a very long time ago.

[Hellodolly in reply to suzy-lou]

Maybe you don’t make antibodies to the vaccine. I was tested 6 weeks after having the vaccine and discovered it had done nothing for me. Are you a patient at a chest hospital? Their immunology dpts can establish this.

[soppysokes in reply to suzy-lou]

seems its pot luck and depends who is asked! some say it needs another after 10 years other places say just one for life. Two gp’s two different answers!

[Alberta56]

I never had any reaction.

[LissacFrance]

My wife has bronch and now has pneumonia jab, from memory every 5 years? No problem as far as I can tell. We both also have flu jab every year. Good luck, Chris.

[Izb1]

This is the only vaccination that I haven't had any reaction to at all, not even a sore arm x

[gingermusic]

I had no effect from mine so don't worry

[Lupaal]

No

[Digger0]

I had no problems with mine, and it's offered to everyone oner 70 now anyway!

[Hellodolly]

Some of us (not sure how many) don’t actually make antibodies to pneumonia (partial antibody deficiency). In this case the jab is not protective. Those of us at chest hospitals with immunology depts may get this investigated. They then keep a closer eye on us when we get chest infections.

[anng18]

I didn't suffer anything extreme. I did have a sore arm. To be on the safe side, I would postpone the vaccine for a week and do my test first, if that is possible.

[Seagullcity in reply to anng18]

I understand your thinking but, since being diagnosed I am prioritising my health, so I thought I’d take whatever appointments the gps make for me and anything else can be postponed. Thanks, S

[Tasniaa]

Just have the vax after your test.

[Exflex]

I had the pneumonia vaccine a few years back- no problem. Unfortunately I got Covid a couple of weeks ago, pneumonia and have PF. Post Covid my breathing is dreadful. Been put on 40mg Pred for a week to see if that helps.

[Seagullcity in reply to Exflex]

Hope you start to feel better soon

[watergazer]

I was okay. X

[Collienut]

Had pneumonia jab and flu jab together no reaction. At the time you were supposed to have the pneumonia jab every 5 years, but this was altered to you only need one in a lifetime before I got to have a second one.

[Thinkhealthy]

it’s a once in a lifetime vac . Didn’t make me feel anything at all . X

[jackdup]

i didn’t have any side effects or negative reaction.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Seagullcity, no you will be fine. No problem. I had mine with effects whatsoever. Don't worry. Maximonkey

[Seagullcity in reply to Maximonkey]

Thank you

[Foxit]

I had a once in a lifetime vax for pneumonia about 2 years ago aged 63 but have had pneumonia twice so I’m guessing I’ve built up some natural immunity

[bluedolphin2]

It's different for everyone But I just have a sore arm for a couple of days. Normally doesn't hurt when first apply. But the next might give you a dead arm, but not everyone suffers from it and if it keeps you out of hospital, then go for it.x