Hydroxycarbamide and Flu Vaccine

[Connie46]

Hi everyone,

I have just started taking Hydroxycarbamide and am into the sixth week (500mg three times a week) of treatment. I have been told that I can have the flu vaccination whilst taking Hydroxycarbamide but I am unsure as to whether I can have the vaccination so early on in my treatment. Any advice appreciated.

Connie

[Ramy22]

I didn't give that a thought and had the jab as usual... I think it's a good idea to have the jab.

I take 2 tablets a day and the flu jab just happened as usual.

Good luck!

[Connie46 in reply to Ramy22]

Thank you for your reply.

[Superwoman]

Hi Connie, I have the Flu jab every year, I think that it is the shingles jab you cannot have, and you only get that if you are over 70.

This years strain has already killed quite a few people in Australia, and the NHS highly recommend it. Better to safe than sorry.

Jean

[Connie46 in reply to Superwoman]

Thanks for your reply Jean. I know that I need to have the flu jab as soon as possible but still not sure if it's a good idea when I have only been taking Hydroxy for a few weeks.

Connie

[francesb]

Hi, I had the flu jab very soon after starting Hydroxy, I had no adverse affects, my consultant said it was important to have it. Best wishes, Frances

[Connie46]

Thank you for your reply Frances, it's very helpful.

[lucieboo]

Very best to you. I have been taking 2x500mg daily for some years and my bloods are totally under control, no need for phlebotomy. Few problems, occasional mouth ulcers but I have a gel which zaps them, otherwise I think it is great, suits me very well, cheap and long tried.

I don't have 'flu jabs, think they are useless and I never even get colds now I have left the UK for France and Spain, but it is entirely your decision, don't think Hydrea should interfere in any way.

[Connie46]

Many thanks for your reply. Hope you are enjoying some good weather.

Regards,

Connie

[lizzieET]

Yep my haemo suggested I have the flu jab when i'd been on Hydroxy for 8 weeks, and I have a jab every year - which reminds me! Mine is now due!

LIz

[Connie46 in reply to lizzieET]

Many thanks Liz, very helpful.

Regards,

Connie

[Borage]

You don't want flu, and the latest combination of the flu jab is the best way of avoiding it. The jab is free at your GP.

The one you cannot have is the shingles vaccination, because that is a live vaccine.

[Connie46 in reply to Borage]

Many thanks. I think I have almost decided to go ahead and have the flu jab.

Regards,

Connie x

[Hombre in reply to Borage]

You can have the Shingrix shingles vaccine, which is not live

[Helpatlast]

Yes highly recommended to have flu jab as getting flu whilst on HU and just with an MPN isnt a good thing. I have all the years i have been on it.

[Connie46]

Many thanks for your reply.

Regards,

Connie

[michaelg]

Hi Connie, I have been taking HU for over 8 years now and have certainly opted for the flu jab as far back as I can remember. Fortunately I have had no side effects from HU other than the occasional mouth ulcer and no problems at all from the flu jab. Best wishes.

[Connie46 in reply to michaelg]

Thank you Michael, it all sounds very positive so I will probably go ahead and book my appointment.

Regards,

Connie

[Bippers]

Connie - I took daily 500mg Hydroxuria from 2004 to 2009. Then my hematologist started to ween me off with 5 days/week, then every other day and finally off completely in 2012. Platelet count went from the 700's to 350 today. Hemoglobin count, around 11 now, is my main issue. Had a bone marrow biopsy this year in early July. Nothing serious shows up. After the BMB I started taking two non-flush 500mg niacin daily and two 65mg iron pills. I take a sublingual 500mcg vitamin B12 the first thing in the morning while making a smoothie. After the smoothie and a walk, I take a sublingual 1000mcg B12. Later in the afternoon or early evening I take a sublingual 2500mcg B12. After taking the large amounts of B12 for about a week I noticed an increase in energy and have felt good each day.

While taking Hydroxuria my thinking wasn't at 100%. The degradation was slow so I didn't notice the change until I stopped taking the drug. My thinking improved over the next six months and has been good since. I didn't have any other side effects that I've read others have experienced.

Hope this is useful to you.......Bippers

[Connie46]

Thanks for the info and pleased you are doing well.

[Chris3875]

Hi Connie - I am in Australia and also on HU x 2 per day and had the flu injection at the start of our season (March) and then had a second flu injection in July as I was told that it does not "take" as well because of being on the ET medication so a booster was recommended. I have had no adverse reactions and so far no signs of the flu or even a sniffle.

[Connie46]

Thank you Chris, I don't think we get boosters here so it seems things are done differently all over the world.

Connie

[Chris3875]

Connie, I was told that the flu vaccine only covers you for a maximum of 4 months and as the flu season lasts longer than that, it is wise to get a second jab (especially for us special people!!) This advice came from both GP and Specialist.

[Connie46]

Thanks Chris, I will certainly ask my GP about this.

Connie

[HazeBlue]

I have flu jabs every year and been on hydroxy for years . No problem for me .