Hey guys,
Bit early to be thinking about it I know but do we need to take the flu jab? Ive only ever had it once when I was working in a hospital. My mum gets its free every year as she’s a pensioner and my dad has to take it every year as he’s a stroke survivor and on lifetime meds.
Do we MPN patients have to take it for the good of our health? And does it matter what meds your on i.e Peg?
Thanks
Kerry 
Hi Kerry I have ET and my GP recommended I have flu Jab every year. I have been having it since diagnosed in 2012, I’m not sure if meds make a difference. I’m on Hydroxy and Aspirin for the ET. I’m sure your doc can advise on that front. Others may have different views or more information. Best Wishes Liz
Thanks Liz!
Hi Liz, Just seen my haematologist a couple of weeks ago , I have PV jak2 maga high white cells and he asked if I had had my flu jab ...I said no didn't think I should , but he replied most definitely you should
have a flu jab in September , so that is that I will book when they becvome available. June.
Hi
I have had the flujab for more than 10 years now, and I have never had any problems with it. I'm on Hydrea. So,I think it's a good idea.
Yes very good to have I have every year since diagnosis 12 years ago and GP surgery automatically invites me for as on HU - never a problem and keeps you well protected.
Hi, I was having a flu jab before ET diagnosed and still do. Last year a study was being done as to wether or not treatment was interfering with it.
I don’t know if the outcome is know or if it’s too early.
All I can say is my consultant recommends we have it.
Hi Mackydee,
I am 63 and have being having the flu jab for some years now on the advice of my Doc. Apparently it is advisable for anyone with a chronic illness to do so.
Hope this helps
redumbrella
I have had the flu jab for 20 years now , as an ET patient I got it free. I have not had proper flu in that time.
Town Crier
Hi, I've also received recommendations to have the flu jab as I have ET. I've now been put on Interferon, previously on Hydroxyrea, but the recommendation is about having a chronic illness. I have reservations as there's been some research that says it increases the chance of dementia if used for more than 10 years - and I have. However, weighing up the odds I decided to have it.
Hi AnitaJ,
Sorry to ask but have you ever found out why you have been put on hydro first and then pegasys.
I never understood why I was on chemo for 2 months? Then 5 weeks with no treatment and then pegasys ( as my platelets went high again)
I asked my hemo but never got the answer
Good morning Elab. I'm fine with you asking why my meds were changed. When first diagnosed with ET no one gave me any advice about which meds. to go on but to go away and read the information they gave me and to choose! Singularly unhelpful. Then, after two years I saw the top consultant, rather than the "Associate Specialist", who recommended I go on Interferon because I was young enough for it to matter (I'm 65) as there is apparently more chance of secondaries with Hydroxy. However, apparently not all areas will pay for this treatment as it is more expensive. The argument for having it though is that in the long run it is cheaper because in many cases the number of injections can be reduced, I've gone from weekly to fortnightly so far, and it is seen as the treatment of choice these days. My platelet count has gone down with Interferon and they now write "C/R", complete response, on my files! Come back to me if I can help further.
Hi thank you so much for your message and I am hoping I can too have reduce interferon injection in the near future.
I am 41 and was diagnosed mid Feb with ET platelets were 1200.
On my first app my hemo told me that he will put me on weekly injection to lower the platelets. Week later I got a call from hospital for an appointment next day. My hemo and nurse informed me that. Need to start chemo ( out of blue) I was petrified. But finally got on with life and was taking my one tablet a day. Had my blood tests every 2 weeks and finally after two months my platelets got to 600 levels which my consultant was happy about. He decided stop chemo ( because my age) and wait 4 weeks. He said that the platelets will rise without any medications. Which they did ......back to 1000 again. So interferon straight away once a week 90 mg.
Have my app next wed to find out what’s happening.
....still don’t know why I was put on chemo first not interferon. No one ever mention any high cost of it so it means I am lucky ( well kind of ) that my area is supported with interferon use.
Also got in touch with Maz ( extremely helpful) from here who recommended to have a second opinion.
Iam going to my gp on wed to ask for referral to Mpn specialist in Chester.
I just want to make sure I am receiving a correct treatment.
Hope you are having a good weekend.
Nice to talk to you
Ela
Hi,
Subsequent to my SCT I have had flu jabs for the last 2 winters (No jab the winter immediately following my SCT).
No problems to report.
Gary
A GP once asked me why I wanted the flu jab and I replied that I was on oral chemotherapy and was immune compromised. (I should of thought he would know this, being my GP). He replied that he didn’t think it was chemotherapy as my hair hadn’t fallen out! Oh dear! Time to find a new GP but unfortunately in the rural setting I was in at the time there was no alternative! I avoided him as much as possible though!
Hello, here is a link with info regarding your question. Hope this helps.
patientpower.info/video/are...?
Brilliant! Thank you 😊
Flu jab recommended when diagnosed with Myelofibrosis and also taken every year since my SCT, Stem Cell transplant.
Chris
I follow a homemakers’ blog and the flu in the Australian Winter this year sounds awful, leaving people coughing for weeks.
I hope the latest flu vaccine will have been developed to protect us from this strain by the time we are called to the GP for our free jab.
I had flu last December, it was very nasty, and well worth avoiding.
Flu jab
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Changing time zones
