Am I overreacting? I started Imraldi in May. Fast forward, I've not been called for my flu jab. I also take methotrexate by injection. Whilst at the Gp’s for an unrelated issue I asked if they could tell me when I’d be called for my flu jab reply was we’ve run out now. Ok, I thought I’d check with them that my Imraldi is on my medication list. I downloaded the NHS App and all my repeat meds are on there including methotrexate but not my Imraldi. So I asked the question, no was the answer. I explained it is a hospital prescribed drug and I feel it needs to be on my medication list. So she looked through letters and found the one and that it would be added to my records and to go to a pharmacy for my flu jab.
(In the meantime I’ve fired off an email to Rheumy nurses explaining that I didn’t think they’ve added my Imraldi to my medication list, don’t know why just did)
I have just received a call from the Gp surgery informing me the hospital prescribe my Imraldi and the Gp can’t (now I’m really getting somewhere 🙄) yes I know! As I explained to you earlier I just want it adding to my medication list. I have to carry a warning card so surely it should be on my records? You’ll have to leave it with me I’ll get onto our Clinical coordinator. So fingers crossed. I think my nurse was correct when she told me that the Gp’s don’t always read the letters we send them. I find that shocking.
It may not have to be on my records but why is methotrexate ? Is this the reason I’ve not been called for my flu jab. My spondyloarthritis diagnosis was only added to my records at Gp 18 months ago when I saw the practice nurse for a blood test. She had a 💡 moment when she saw my record book for my bloods looked on the system and said oh your diagnosis isn’t registered against your name, without that you won’t get called for flu jab etc I’ll do it now.
Sorry for the waffle but i needed to get it off my chest.
Please tell me if my thoughts about all of that are wrong and I’m overreacting 🙂
Written by
Song29
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
No your not . My Baricitnib or methotrexate isn’t on my list. I was told I didn’t qualify for shielding.. explained to Gp he said why do you need to shield? He wasn’t concerned nothing to do with him . Had to get it from rheumatologist. Flu jab they never send out until November so just book my own at the chemist same with the covid jab just do it myself. No GPs don’t read letters. I have to tell them . Gone are the days GPs actually know you . You are just a faceless number.
I can only agree. A GP I’ve never met said I wasn’t CEV as only on Abatacept. But I also have Asthma & Bronchiectasis. She said maybe borderline so I called Rheumy who also said no! Rheumy nurse then read out some other reasons for shielding which were Rituximab in last 6 months. 😐 yes & starting a new Biologic within the last 6 months again yes. Oh she said yes you definitely are CEV! What a carry on.
Given up on GP records. Have electronic access to mine and supposedly have been diagnosed with a whole load of ailments no-one has told me about in addition to the ones I know. Have told them several times about my biologic but to no avail. Just hope if I have an accident, the medics don't rely on those records.
Ugh it’s a constant battle trying to get GPs to update meds that the hospital has prescribed even though they write and tell them! As for flu jab no sign of that from GP yet so I took myself off to a chemist. They just tick the box for immune suppression and let GP know you’ve had it. It might be easier if you have a pharmacy close by. I didn’t want mine at the same time as my 3rd covid jab either. Hope you get it all sorted x
I haven't been called for my flu jab yet, either. I usually have it September/ October.Im probably going to have it at the pharmacy this year. My husband's already had his. I'm on Cimzia and methotrexate , and both are on my GP records. The repeat prescription request form states that Cimzia is prescribed by the hospital, the methotrexate is prescribed by the GP under the instructions of the hospital.
It was Rheumatology who informed the GP of my meds, and there is always a reminder on the letter sent to the GP after I've had an appointment with them .
Thank you all for your replies. We’re pretty much all in the same boat by the looks of it. Personally I think all meds need to be on your records for at least the purpose of the triage system when you call up the Gp’s. Looks like it’s here to stay which is fine, but they need accurate records for all immune compromised patients, (well all patients) otherwise serious infections will be missed. Once again thank you for your replies at least I’m not the only one. All booked up at the pharmacy.
No you’re not overreacting and updating patient records can be very difficult and mine aren’t completely accurate either. Worth a mention to you that Mtx can blunt the efficacy of the flu jab. You probably know this. Ask your rheumy nurse if in doubt.
GP letters get scanned on your file but not read until you have an appointment or review usually at my practice. I am writing one to my GP but I’ll chase up with a call to the practice manager to ask the doctor to read it. You could try the same in future. An ex doc used to read everything he got sent but he was one of a kind.
On my scripts issues by the GP they have a lost of meds separately that they don’t prescribe which are the hospital infusion and sub cut Mtx and details of where they originate from.
My Benepali isn’t on my medication list because it’s prescribed by the hospital. Methotrexate is prescribed by my GP so is on the list. Because I’m under 65, I’m never called for a flu jab. My surgery had a flu vaccination clinic last Saturday for those over 65 years. When I asked when I would be called I was told not until at least November and only if I was eligible. I told the receptionist I was definitely eligible but was told that I should contact them nearer November. This happens every year but I usually manage to get one when I go for my Methotrexate monitoring bloods . Last year I just booked it at Tesco in September to get it out of the way.
I agree, I’m on benepali and methotrexate. My gp prescribes my MTX, but has my benepali listed for information, so they can advise re stopping injection when I’m on antibiotics, or it interacts with something else they are prescribing
Yes you’re right. I never thought of that & it’s a very good point. I already have enough problems as my GP & hospital for Rheumy & Respiratory are in a different area & don’t share the same system so can’t access records. I’m constantly the go between which isn’t ideal at all. It’s just reminded me that my Rheumy team won’t know I had Covid as not been. It must be a nightmare for all concerned to keep up to date with us all x
No you aren't .When I called the surgery for my blood test appiontment advised by rheumatology department she said Gp has lots of pile to read when he will bake to access your letter sent from hospital than you will be called back and I tried more than once to ask the update but got same response and than I asked myself am I Overacting 😲.I have been told that gp and rheumatology both can access on my test results as it's from same hospital but never ever found a satisfied answer when to ask about the results .My rhumotied nurse advised to come to hospital for the test if get a blood test form from us because if I give blood sample at surgery than I have to visit once again to get photocopy of these results if want to discuss with rehumotogiest otherwise my consultant would be unaware with these results although results should be sent to both .Not go have given choice to patients to access the results through system online .now have uploaded nhs app but it's not yet showing my any details .snow trying to learn how to use .But I hope you will solve your problem soon although it will drain your energy but donot take as it's you who is showing impatience
When the pandemic hit, I was told by my GP that I was moderate risk 🙄🙄All because my bio drug is not on the system , the Rheumatoid team had me as extremely vulnerable.
You would hope that they communicate with each other but obviously not 🤬
I am pretty certain that it’s been added to my list now
The only problem that I have ever had with our excellent GP service is that there is a very large hole between the GP and the Rheumatology (also excellent)service.This means that one has to take personal responsibility for ensuring things like flu jabs and blood tests are done.
Cymzia never appears on my records and I often have trouble with trying to explain to the receptionists.
This is only a gentle grumble but obviously happens to a lot of people.Is there a solution?
Before I was diagnosed with arthritis I would get a flu jab request from Drs because I have autoimmune hypothyroidism and I thought that was kind of over the top but obviously I was wrong !
Yeah same with medication for me, they didn't have a record I was on benepali. Dr didnt know what benepali was nor did they when I said enbrel or etanercept , they said we never prescribe them so don't know much about them 🥴
I told my GP surgery that if they didn't include Imraldi and mtx on my medication list (they can make it a non requestable item) I would withdraw consent to share my records as I was finding no one asked what I was on anymore so they were looking at an incomplete list. It's now on my GP medication records.
Just go to a pharmacy and fill form in. Tick immunocompromised and anyone in your household is done free. Always go to Boots as GP surgery useless and texts an hour before clinic and I work full time x
I know just how you feel as your GP sounds just like mine. They order blood tests during reviews they insist you have then never contact you when the results need some action. Following a cholesterol test by GP in March 2020 I was told at my recent rheumatology appoint that it was 7.9 ie 18months later & I should take statins.After a lot of frustrating emails and phone consultations following rheumatology contacting my surgery regarding high cholesterol and the increased risk of cardiac problems for RA patients they are doing a Q calculation?. However I was dismayed to be asked if I knew of any cardiac risks I was aware of and when I suggested they read the letter sent to them by rheumatology which outlined the cardiac risks of RA patients the comment was oh!!
Shocking. I’ve had similar with my cholesterol. Funnily enough mines jumped from 2.1 when I was first diagnosed to 6.7. Plus a load of weight gain no change in what I eat and completely cut out alcohol but that’s another story. I mentioned at a blood test my cholesterol was up again on my last test and the HCA (who is v good and lovely) looked on the computer and said she couldn’t see the results as they were requested bloods by the hospital. So I said my nurse has written to the GP. She did my weight bp etc said it goes into a program and said I was not yet required to take statins. So now each year I just try to get them to look at my review letter and do the screening and just keep my fingers crossed.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Flu jab
over 65 flu jab - bad reaction
UPDATE ON SHOULD I HAVE THE FLU JAB
