Here goes!I have severe COPD and I had a flu jab approx. 1 month ago. About 10 days after that I felt I was going down with an infection and I used my rescue pack - Amoxycillin and Preds. I felt functional, although poorly, whilst taking the steroids but the day I finished them was devastating. I could not breathe at all and felt really panicky. I called the emergency doctor and was given more antibiotics (Doxycillin) and Preds. And for 5 days I took them and waited to feel better and they made not the slightest scrap of difference and so back to the doctor again. Now here's where it gets really bizarre. My surgery is an amalgam of many different places and just across the car park there is an x ray dept. So I was sent for a chest x ray. I sat in the waiting room for an hour-ish waiting for an emergency appt, whereupon the doctor says "I can't give you MORE antibiotics, you'll have to go to A&E (across town) where they can swab you for flu, do blood tests and have a look at your x ray which I can't see" Said x ray having just been done in that very same building we were standing in!? So off I go to A&E - wait 3 and 1/2 hours to be swabbed. "Congratulations, you've got flu." Wear a mask in the waiting room - another 4 hours to see a doctor, pack of Tamiflu, throw the antibiotics away. Finally - 5 days later - I feel much better.
I can't fault the NHS here. On each occasion I asked and was given an emergency appointment. The staff were caring under grossly stressful circumstances - winter flu and norovirus at A&E. But, I do not understand the organisation which means I could not have been tested for flu the first time I went to the doctors. The number of times and places I have trudged about - I'm like a walking epidemic. I've spent approximately 10 hours sitting in waiting rooms in the last 3 weeks, along with vulnerable and sick people. Apart from seeing at least half a dozen different health care providers who also might have caught flu from me. Why could the doctor not see my x ray? And how did I get the flu after having the jab? I think my problem (with hindsight) was a simple one and in fact, it's been awful. I'm self employed so no sick pay, and I've lost a lot of money right before Christmas. My daughters have had to look after me AND I've taken needless courses of antibiotic. It's very depressing.
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piggi
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Oh my dear piggi, You have gone through a particularly difficult experience. But hey, you got through it all and still had time to praise our NHS. I have to agree though, a lot of valuable time was wasted on this occasion and possibly a number of other people were placed in a n area to catch your flu. I feel you have pointed out one of the weaknesses of the NHS. and your experience is just one how many other people each day have a similar experience? To functio properly and financially things have to change. Now the elections are over lets hope the powers that be get down to sorting things out and make it the strong, organisation it needs to be. Hope you continue to feel better. Chrys
You were probably unlucky and caught a a flu strain that was not covered by the vaccination. It happens. I think that I am right in saying that (if over 65) it covered 4 different strains (under 65) 3 strains. It is rather a roulette game forecasting, in advance, which strains are going to be prevalent each year.
At least the medics eventually got on top of it and now you are now on the mend. One consolation is that you are now probably immune to that particular strain and will not get it again or at least not as bad.
So sorry to hear you have been unwell piggi. I just cant understand our system myself. Why you would be sent to A & E beats me. Anybody with flu/colds/novovirus should stay away from the public. This could kill some people. I had a problem last time I went to rheumatology as the bloods nurse was full of a cold, I am told to stay away from infections by rheumatology as the methotrexate I am on destroys my immune system apart from having bronchiectasis that nearly sent me off last time I had an infection. When I complained the nurse said she couldnt afford any more time off as she had used all her sick leave, sorry but they should have put her in admin , anywhere away from the public, its infuriating. I am pleased that you have now recovered, make sure you look after yourself and get your immune system back upto normal x
Hope you are feeling better, soon...I think the flu shot takes 14 days to become effective against the flu!! And, then people with the flu, can't seem to stay home!!
I wasn't sure if to have the flu jab? As I have had conflicting reports re problems afterwards, I have advanced Pulmonary Fibrosis, I do not want to be really bad over the Christmas period.
my family are saying I should have it? what do you guys think?
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