Flu jab after Rituximab

[Marie41]

Hi all. Just had my rituximab in August now I realise ive compromised my flu jab!🤦‍♀️ Anyone else not had the flu jab? I've always had mine

Thanks

[helixhelix]

Why have you compromised it? Not sure I understand.

[AgedCrone]

Don’t Worry Marie I missed out on my influenza vaccine last year because nobody knew if the attenuated vaccine would affect the rituximab......I was fine ...no flu!

The year before I had the flu vaccine in October and the next January I had the flu.

Just look, after yourself & you will be OK.

[AgedCrone]

Forgot to say you could have a flu vaccination after 90 days...so you could have it late ....in December if it was still available.

[oldtimer]

There is advice on when to have flu vaccines of various types on the NRAS site.

[Hidden in reply to oldtimer]

People often say on here there is something about a topic on the NRAS website and I can never find it. The search facility is hopeless. It generally comes up with hundreds of irrelevant things.

[oldtimer in reply to Hidden]

I'm sorry you have found it difficult to find things: would this help

nras.org.uk/immunisation-fo...

[Hidden in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you.

[weathervane]

Hi Marie , ive have rituximab infusions going on 3 years and have always had the flu jab , if you are unsure speak to your rheumy nurse, best wishes.

[weymouth321 in reply to weathervane]

How have you found the rituximab infusion and how effective and any side effects ; weight gain, hair loss ? ( start rituximab next month )

[weathervane in reply to weymouth321]

Hi weymouth , I feel so much better on rituximab as i was very low and in so much pain before I started it . I was having hair loss prior to starting and now my hair is curly and frizzy, hair oil helps . I had bad gastritis the first time but now they keep me on a slow drip . I have had a bit of weight gain but the problem is i can seem to lose it 🤪. I have had a few infections i do try to be very careful, my white cell count has also been very low at time but its ok at the moment. It took a couple of infusions be I noticed a big difference, and it does take about 12 weeks for that to kick in .

It was the only treatment my rheumy felt would work so i have been very lucky it has 😀😀. Lots of luck, you are very closely monitored during it and don’t be afraid to phone your gp or rheumy nurse if you have problems. Take a good book and a cardigan in case you feel cold and please let us know how you get on, best wishes xx

[weymouth321 in reply to weathervane]

Hi Weathervane, is this your first Rituximab infusion and how are you feeling to date ? ( how long have you been on Rituximab ) ? How frequent are your blood tests ? Are you taking any daily medication in addition to Rituximab? Are you taking daily Omeprazole ? I’m booked Friday morning for my first Rituximab infusion, hoping can walk around with drip stand every now and then. Many Thanks for any advice.

[weathervane in reply to weymouth321]

Hi weymouth , i have been on rituximab for round 3 years now , im a different woman since receiving them . Initially i had blood done every 2-3 months, now it’s every 6 , just before the infusion, unless there is a problem.

I was on hydroxy but was taken off it 18 months ago due to low white cell count, other than that i take lyrica , omeprazole , levothyroxine , anti inflammatories etc . I increased the omeprazole after first started rituximab as it upset my stomach. You definitely can on plug the drip to go to the loo if necessary. I hope all goes well on Friday, I don’t drive after it as feel v tired , rest up for a few days afterwards, good luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[weymouth321 in reply to weathervane]

Thanks you for your update and advice , much appreciated, Sulfasazine became ineffective after 8 years , then Baricitinib 4 mgs wasn’t effective enough, hence forthcoming Rituximab infusion.. yes, decided to catch bus there and back, guess if I take my iPad shall need to buy some earphones. Another poster advised drinking lots water day before and during infusion, did you find this ?

[weathervane in reply to weymouth321]

I did drink alot of water during it , we also got tea and a sandwich at lunch time, 5 star treatment!!

[Marie41 in reply to weymouth321]

I have noticed some hair loss. No weight gain

[KittyJ]

I’m not on rituximab but I haven’t had the flu jab due to a bad experience with one five years ago. Haven’t been able to have one since and haven’t caught flu. Yet. I am very careful around ill people though. But that’s just me and I take the risk, it’s your decision 😊

[Lolabridge]

I’m booked for a flu jab on Monday and I’m on Truxima (Rituximab). I saw my consultant recently and he advised me to get it ASAP as I’m having my next infusion mid-November. He warned me it may not be 100% effective because of the Truxima. My last infusion was 18 weeks ago so he obviously thought I would be ok and that it’s important.

I’ve read what others have said above including the posts from last year. I’m going for it. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[Marie41]

Thanks everyone. Spoke to my RA nurse and she said 90 days after so end November.

[AgedCrone in reply to Marie41]

Yes you have to wait at leat 90 days after a Rituximab infusion before they will give you the vaccine.

But you only need 30 days after having the vaccination before you can have the Rtx infusion.

At this time of year when the Flu vaccinations are being given my Biologic nurses always ask if and when you have had the vaccination.

[wishbone]

I was supposed to have my flu jab on the 14th I think it was, but it's been put off because the vaccine is late arriving...the end of this month for the over 65 and towards the end of October for the under 65 vaccine, or so I've been told by the nurse. Things may have changed though looking at Lolabridge's post, or it's not the same for all areas perhaps.

[cathie]

The nurses where I have my rituximab say to leave a gap 2 weeks before/2weeks after the infusions. That’s in edinburgh western general.

[bpeal1]

I had my flu vaccine about a month after rituximab last year and no one seemed to think it was an issue.

[Marie41]

Thanks ladies. I've been told 3 months but might do it in 2 instead

[Ontwowheels]

I was told any vaccine needs to be 4 weeks prior to infusion or 6 months after.

[Matt06]

I was at Nurse yesterday and asked if I should get my flu jab. I am about 10 weeks in with my Rituximab treatment she said to contact Rheumatology dept foradvice.

[Otto11]

I have not had the flu jab since 2010 when they used up some holding fluid they had from when our soldiers were fighting in Iraq that was added to it that year. I wasn’t told by nurse until after she administered it. I think the swine flu vaccine was also part of it. had a bad reaction & got EBVirus & have never fully recovered. Nothing will persuade me to have the flu jab again. I’d rather take my chance. I’m also on Rituximab.

[Curebless20]

Hi Marie I’ve had rheumatoid for 10yrs & the last 4yrs I started infusions of ritaxamab best thing ever & have never had the flu. I haven’t had flu vaccines. I have read that f you have infusions you shouldn’t have flu vaccines until about 6mths later. I don’t specifically know why but ask your rheumatologist. I’m due to have my infusion next mth but with Coronavirus going around I don’t know if I’m allowed to have the flu vaccine to be honest I’m 60 & worried if it hits melb Australia hard. Lets all pray & hope this virus will come to an end. Lots of luck xxxx

[Ginger46]

Isn't it funny, how these conversations can last so long, I haven't been on for a long time though. I've just had a text today from my GP about my flu jab but I can't phone them as they have a fault on the line hmmm. I know my next Truxima/Rituximab dose is due soon so if I can get flu jab beforehand would be better for me. I last had biologic early March just as covid really started to hit xx