Flu jab

[lesleyt71]

Hi All. I am new to this group having just been diagnosed with RA earlier this year. My question is whether it is ok to have a flu jab while taking methotrexate and folic acid? I have had one in previous years before my diagnosis with no reaction. Thanks.

[PinkLamb]

Hi lesleyt71

Welcome to our friendly informative group!! Sorry that you have had to join us!!

I inject methotrexate, and take folic acid, and have a yearly flu jab without any problems,

X

[nomoreheels]

Absolutely! Your GP surgery should have you listed as being in the at risk category so if you're not sent a reminder prior to their dates for flu clinics do enquire to make sure you're on it.

I've been on MTX 10 years & had the flu jab each year. Usually the nurse who does my drug monitoring bloods gives me mine if they've had had their stocks delivered to save me having to queue up with people who may have the sniffles.

Welcome by the way. I hope you find it helpful being here. 😊

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome. A flu jab is a must you will be on list of vulnerable people with your surgery and you will probably need the pneumonia jab as well. The meds we are on means are immunity is compromised.

[JFlay in reply to Hidden]

I was advised to have the pneumonia one as well but they haven't had it in stock at the surgery 😕

[Bookworm55 in reply to Hidden]

I don’t think my surgery has a list of vulnerable people as I have had to chase mine every year since my diagnosis in 2016. Ironically I was called for one unexpectedly the year before I was diagnosed because a blood test had shown some high levels in my liver. Since then not a word!!

[Pinkypie2018]

I was diagnosed this year also and my rheumatologist strongly advised to get the flu jab, so once I receive my letter I will definitely be getting it.

[cathie]

We’re encouraged to have flu jabs. But if you’ve any doubt check with GP.

[lesleyt71]

Thank you all for your advice and for such a friendly welcome. I usually pay for my flu jab myself but will definitely contact my GP's surgery about getting one through them.

[Pamelah5]

Hi, yes because of RA have the flu jab also pneumonia If you haven't had one before. I have mine done at my local pharmacy. Best get in soon as you can, they ran out quick last year.

[beeckey]

You should be called for a flue jab every year pneumonia jab just once

[PinkLamb]

I forgot to say before, I have never had a letter from the GP yet to get my yearly jab, I have always had to telephone the GP's, the receptionist gets her GP head on, and says 'Your not down to get a jab' I always end up getting extremely upset, and have to put my hubby on the phone, anyway I did complain about this, they looked into why it was getting flagged as not needing the jab, reason been, it's because my drugs prescription is completed by the hospital and not the GP's, I was informed last year that the system would be changed, so I will see, I won't hold my breath though!!

X

[lesleyt71 in reply to PinkLamb]

That might happen to me too as my prescription is done through the hospital and not my GP. I will give it a few weeks then chase if up if I don't receive a letter. Thanks.

[Mum100 in reply to lesleyt71]

You don’t need to go to your GP, any pharmacy can check if you’re due a free jab or not (helps if you have your nhs number) so no queues at the surgery.

[Tinpol]

I am on Methotrexate and always have a flu jab

[Yaris1234]

Yes ive had RA since 1998 and have also had my flu jab. So far I've had hardly any colds. Good luck

[Juliachoo]

You should have also been given pneumonia jab before you started on Methotrexate xx

[lesleyt71 in reply to Juliachoo]

Thanks. I will enquire about that with my specialist nurse as haven't had a pneumonia jab.

[WickedWeaver]

Hello lesleyt71,

Sorry to be a bit of a naysayer here, but I was offered and received a flu jab lat year, as I had been with no issue for every year that I've been diagosed with RA, and less than one hour later I had one of the most horrendous reactions, blue lighted to hospital with crash cart kind of reaction. It took a full team case review of my GP, the practise Nurse, who injected, and all hospital staff involved to find out just what caused it. They finally officially decided that it was that years particular flu jab, my RA condition (immune compromised) and medication combined. So no more flu jabs for me! Remembering that I had never had any issue previously and that each years flu jab is specific to only one strand of flu, I would never say to anybody, not to get the jab, but what I would say to all fellow RA folk, is please be wary for a few hours afterwards, and if you start to feel light headed and woozzy then maybe phone the place where you got the jab.

Again, sorry for being a bit gloom and doom, but if I hadn't spoken (written !!) up and something happened to somebody else, I'd feel truly guilty.

Happy Autumn everyone, it's arrived with a vengence, yeah!

[PinkLamb in reply to WickedWeaver]

Thanks for making us aware of that

X

[Longlocks]

Hi me a newbie again. Can you tell me why some of you inject MTX and some take it orally. I’m not on the meds yet as I have to have a bone marrow biopsy next Tuesday but just wondered what the difference is please

[Hidden in reply to Longlocks]

I’m on oral methotrexate (3years) I start methotrexate injections next week. My application for biological was turned down by nhs why ???? So I have to have methotrexate injections instead as they may be absorbed better. If you suffer nausea they maybe kinder on the stomach

[Juliachoo in reply to Hidden]

Afraid you have to “fail” on 2 Dmards before you become eligible for biologics.. took me two years to get them. They are of course very expensive so are not prescribed lightly xx

[Hidden in reply to Juliachoo]

I know methotrexate is not working and I’m allergic to hydroxychloroquine that’s 2Dmards and my symptoms get worse by the day🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[Juliachoo in reply to Hidden]

How long have you been on MTX? I was on it along with sulfasalazine for 2 1/2 years... mine worked well for nearly 2 yrs then it slowed down ....do what I did, start putting your case in for Biologics & really push for them. Take photos of every swollen joint because it’s maccys odds when you see your consultant you’re having a good day. Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to Juliachoo]

Oh with you on that one been taking photos for months showed consultant at last appointment and email them to him😁😉have become a right stalker 😂😂got the Gp involved too started crying told her a just can’t wait so she is going to ask for a review . Hate being this kind of person but you just get left behind if you don’t. I have been on mtx for 3 years but the last 9 months just not working.

[Juliachoo in reply to Hidden]

All I can say to you is push, push, & keep pushing! Ring your rheumatoid nurse & ask to see her & show her your photos etc.. I also think it’s a bit “ageist” as I was 61 1/2 when diagnosed, & I didn’t like my consultants attitude towards me, but I was fit played tennis, decorated, loved diy & more to the point I had 43 working years in & felt cheated.. & so blinking angry! Also it’s a postcodes lottery to some extent, I’m in Nottinghamshire..as treatment has to be funded by NICE..If you’re not happy with your treatment go privately for a second opinion, good luck with your fight, I am on week 7 on Imraldi Humira biosimilar & the improvements are really good, I have put updates on here if you want to follow me, sending hugs 😘

[nomoreheels in reply to Longlocks]

Usually, under the NHS, when it's initiated we're prescribed oral MTX. The reason is likely because they cost buttons & if they're well tolerated it saves lots! Subcutaneous injections are usually considered if there's been an inadequate response to tablets or if/when side effects become an issue, outweigh the benefits or not eased by an increase in folic acid. The difference being the MTX goes into the bloodstream therefore bypassing the stomach, the route which causes most common side effects, nausea in particular. Injecting has another benefit of being absorbed better therefore it's more effective. This could mean it may be possible to reduce the dose slightly, which in effect may reduce side effects further. All this means greater tolerance & the likelihood of remaining on it. If it still doesn't control us well enough though & we need to progress to biologics it's handy if we've tolerated subcutaneous MTX as it's the DMARD most often used as an anchor drug.

Hope you can understand my exposition!

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

👍 nice and clear explained much better than RA nurse

[Juliachoo in reply to Longlocks]

Hi I couldn’t tolerate oral MTX made me ill, not had any problems since going on injectionsxx