Hya, I've got my flu jab on Wednesday but had a really bad cold, it's eased slightly but I've practically lost my voice from coughing so much, I did a lateral flow test last night which was negative so assume its not covid.
I've also got a slightly sore throat from coughing & trying to speak, I've also got lots of mouth ulcers which seems odd that I'm now having metoject (20mg) instead of oral MTX, I've still got a sore on the top of my foot that's been there since August aswell as a few other sores that aren't healing. My b12 is also low & taking 3mcg of b12 a day & my last blood test showed low white blood cells.
Trying to see a Dr is like rocking horse 🐎 💩 I know my immune system is really low especially since the increase of lefluminode to 20mg a day but I'm worried about the flu jab incase I get a dose of that too 🙄, looking for advice on what others would do, I don't think they're holding another flu jab clinic till November & they may not have a space if I postpone it.
Thank you ❤
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Garnacha
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Hello, you sound like your really poorly with this cold. It’s up to you whether you go for the flu jab, I did read last year that if we have the flu jab when we are not feeling very well that the benefits of the vaccination are lower as it can’t work so well . None of us are doctors . I might leave it fir 2 weeks , till your better, but definitely have the flu jab at some point.
The advice from the NHS is that you can have your flu jab if you have a cold, but not a fever. As you have other issues too, it might be best checking with your GP (perhaps a phone call would do) or ask at the flu jab clinic before getting the jab ?I would probably attend the clinic and ask there, if you don't go as you say you will miss out for several weeks. They won't give you the jab if it is not suitable to do so.
My GP surgery cancelled my flu jab when I told them I had a cold type bug and an infected throat, but no fever. I was due to have my 3rd covid vaccine on sunday just gone and that was also cancelled for the same reason.
I phoned my GP surgery yesterday to rebook the flu jab and was told to phone back at the end of next week when they hope to have another clinic. Not happy waiting that long so I'm off to Super Drug tomorrow and will pay for the jab.
If you qualify for an NHS flu jab you don’t need to pay for one at a chemist. Ask them for an NHS form, you can self declare that you are eligible. Just remember to take your NHS number with you (it will be in the top of repeat prescriptions and hospital letters).
Will do. So disappointed having to cancel the 3rd primary vaccination, which I should have had last sunday. Rebooked for Nov 6th which is longer than I hoped for but it is what it is I suppose. That said, I could have had it a week earlier but it was much farther to travel to that particular vaccination centre plus I'm not familar with the area.
My GP said the vaccination is nothing to do with them and told me to contact my health board as it's in their hands. When I phoned the HB they asked what health conditions and the meds I was taking to put on a spreadsheet, which would be sent to my rheumatologist for confirmation and for him to say if I'm eligable for the 3rd vaccine. My rheumy then sent a letter of approval to health centre along with a copy to me. No sooner had I recieved the letter my area's vaccination centre phoned with an appointment to go for the 3rd primary vaccination, which as mentioned earlier, I had to cancel.
It's worth a go but as far as I'm aware, my rheumy consultant has disappeared off the face of the earth as I can't get him to communicate with me. Although I still get the prescribed meds, I've had all my rheumy appointments cancelled since the end of 2019. I'm more than a little tee'd off.
Having got that off my chest, I had my flu jab at the GP surgery a couple of weeks ago. The staff were very thorough and I was asked if I was feeling well, cough, sore throat, headache, etc. before I was given it. In my opinion, I'd go to the appointment and let the professionals decide whether it's right for me on the day.
That's not very good is it! Not the same I know, but have you taIked to a rheumy nurse via the helpline? Not seen my rheumy since well before the pandemic, but to be fair haven't really needed to, at least not until recently. He has phoned me though, twice I think. Glad you've had your flu jab and hope you get to see your rheumy before too long.
My sore throat has finally cleared, so it's all systems go...well sort of! I restart my baricitinib today and not a moment too soon......
I think we all feel like that …..but I have found now with the influenza vaccination phoning the pharmacy around about September time means you get a big choice of dates …you just you walk in and walk out in 10 minutes!But they do ask a few health questions……you could try booking now for say 10 days time….then cancel ahead if you still have symptoms.
Thanks AC, after a 2 week sore throat from hell, it has finally cleared with help from antibiotics. Super Drug only have the under 65 vaccine, which I 'd prefer for side effect reasons and is what my GP gave me last time. Anyway, have tried phoning Asda and Lloyds but can't get an answer. No pharmacy in my nearest Morrisons.
I'm not worried, I might be concerned though if I heard of any flu in my area. Still, I'd prefer to get it done earlier rather than later, plus avoid it possibly clashing with my 3rd vaccine as I want a week or so's gap between them if possible.
I am not a medic but it doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I would give it another week. They usually ask you how you are when you go anyway. They told me it was a temp they were most concerned about. Of course there is always the chance that you could pass it on to others at the surgery too.
I had a cold when I had my bloods taken 3 weeks ago and although the nurse offered a flu jab, she said I probably wouldn't absorb it as well whilst my immune is fighting a cold, so I opted to wait until cold better.
I would say do not go. Rearrange for a later date. The first thing they asked was had I any symptoms or did I feel unwell at all. Plenty of places offering flu jabs so best stay home, get over whatever you have, then go get flu jab. Call a pharmacist to check as.probably easier than calling GP
Check with your GP practice..it’s unlikely will give an Influenza vaccination as you have an infection.But don’t worry …..you will still be able to get the vaccination ……..maybe earlier than November ….once you are better check with Boots or your local pharmacy……..they seem to have ordered plenty of vaccine.
I would definitely hold off, you risk becoming worse, whilst your body expends energy creating antibodies. You can pop in to most chemists as a walk-in Andy get your flu vaccine, they seem to have less supply issues. If you go you risk spreading it to others which is unfair.
Thanks everyone for the advice, I e-mailed the surgery to ask and outlined how I was eg. a cold, chesty cough, lost voice, sores not healing, mouth ulcers and what medication I was on but no temperature, they replied:
Unfortunately there isn’t much advice we can give you regarding this, the flu vaccination is not a live vaccine so it cannot make you unwell but it is your decision if you would like to have it or not.
If you require more information can you please telephone the surgery.
I replied back to say I can't ring as I've lost my voice which doesn't give me confidence in them as they'd obviously not read my e-mail fully, and asked if a doctor had read my e-mail to put my mind at rest, their reply was:
The email was shown to our head nurse in the surgery, who advised me that the vaccine was not live.
I know the vaccine is not live as we can't have live vaccines🙄
so still none the wiser on what to do, if I wait till the morning to see how I am and find that I still don't feel well am I likely to be blacklisted for a no show, or go along anyway and see what they say, I've got the feeling that even if I ask at the vaccination centre tomorrow whether I should have it or not, those giving the vaccines may not have the knowledge and just say not to have it and to check with the GP which I've already done albeit it was apparently the head nurse, difficult to know what to do 🤔 could be going round in circles 😂 x
Sorry to sound harsh, but I’d be none to pleased if I were the person having to give you a flu jab then became unwell and unable to work a few days later. ???
I'm guessing that colds and flu are passed through the air the same as covid, as we'll have to wear a face mask I hope that it's highly unlikely that anyone would catch a cold at the centre from me, I guess if I'd blown my nose and as disgusting as it sounds wiped my hands on something or someone at the centre this is another way of passing it on but I've no intention of doing anything like that and never have x
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I restart my baricitinib today and not a moment too soon......
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