Covid 19 and Flu Vaccinations

Good morning, I have just recently met my new Consultant. I think she is great. I was confused though with her response to my declining to take any further vaccinations. She indicated that it would be difficult then to recommend my treatment to continue based on this decision as i am now in a more risky position. Surely this is wrong on every level?

[Hidden]

I am troubled by this and not sure if I misunderstood. I think the sensible thing might be that I wait for my letter and see if there is any mention of it on there.

[AgedCrone]

As recommended , the majority of us here seem to take our influenza vaccinations regularly.I think with Covid still very much around, it might be wise to continue having them.

Why are you so opposed ?

I had terrible side effects from the first two Covid19 vaccinations, but after waiting for them to settle….I went ahead with a third different vaccine… which gave me no side effects, & thankfully I still haven’t caught Covid.

But of course you have a. choice…..but so does your Consultant….you will really have to have a discussion with her about it.

[AgedCrone]

I don’t think a health authority will try to tell a Consultant what treatment to give an individual patient.Each doctor uses his/her own professional discretion about treatments.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya ColleenD, welcome. I must admit it seems odd, even excessive if I've understood correctly that treatment would be discontinued if you choose not to have further vaccinations. In your place I would see what the report to your GP says, for clarification.

On a personal level with rheumatic diseases it is beneficial, even important, to be immunised against flu, pneumonia & now Covid as we are more susceptible with our immune systems being as they are. Can I ask which meds you are/were on, that could be telling of your Rheumy's decision?

Of course, if you have valid reasons not to be immunised you have the option of changing Rheumys, though there's no guarantee the same issue wouldn't be a problem.

I hope you enjoy being here, & I’m sorry your first post appears to be such a potentially contentious one.

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

I think you are correct in that I need to wait for the report.I am currently on Rituximab and methotrexate. I understand that this particular drug and in combination will make me strongly immunosuppressed. But I am making an informed choice, knowing the risks. I think taking responsibility for your own choices is very important. Thank you for not asking me my reasons which I regard as highly personal to me.

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

Whilst it may not be my choice what does concern me are the restrictions you could be faced with. Not only this you potentially face now, but yes, that's your decision, you may well have a valid medical reason. Wait for the report, & if needs be, talk with your GP about changing Rheumy, I think that's all you can do.

Just for info, if you'd prefer to make your post less public you can lock it to community members only. If you return to the template the tick box option is just above the Post button.

[Gilliancheche]

Maybe she feels the medication makes you more vulnerable/at risk to infection and without the added protection of vaccination she is not happy to do that. Have you discussed your reasons with her? You need to understand each others thoughts and work together.

[pino99]

I think there is a difference between agreeing with your consultant to stop/change a drug and refusing part of the treatment unilaterally. This may be seen as non-compliance and can lead to them withdrawing the rest of the treatment if they feel it is unsafe.

[Genie11]

I think it is very sad when the doctors, consultants and people in general dont understand how severely some people are affected by medications. Take Ciprofloxacin, which I was given for a bronchiectisis exacerbation. I have ended up with rotator cuff full tears and bicep tears in both arms. Funnily enough it never affected my achilles tendon which is the only contraindication entered on my medical record. Shortly after in 2018 I had the over 65 flu vaccine and since then have suffered memory loss, hair loss, balance and muscle weakness , sleep apnea and something that feels like low blood sugar problems. My GP said it was due to my many health problems! So no help there. I did have one Covid vaccine but it made things worse plus my RA flared up in ways I have never experienced in 40 years. I cannot tolerate the many RA treatments now either but my Rheumatologist has never refused to treat me…yet! I remain on prednisolone. Hope next time your consultant is more understanding as I don’t think you can be refused treatment.

[Hidden]

Morning. I am unclear from your post whether you mean refusal to receive any more injections for RA, or whether you are referring to ‘additional’ vaccines such as Covid/ Flu/ Pneumonia.

All medication for RA has risks attached. Is is up to you to decide whether you take medication or not. Maybe chat through your concerns/ options with your Consultant??

I could not move before medication, and was in constant pain/ agony when I tried to move. Maybe think back to how you were before medication??

Whatever you decide, I think another chat is needed.

[helixhelix]

All doctors have an ethical obligation to listen to their patients, but they are not obliged to provide treatment that they believe is not clinically appropriate.

So if this doctor feels it inappropriate to continue treating you with Rituximab if you refuse vaccines then they are allowed to do so. In the same way you exercise choice, so can they.

A doctors' duty of care requires them to weigh up the potential benefits of any treatment against the risk of failure or even possible harm to the patient. So in this case it could be that’s the conclusion they have come to.

You could seek a second opinion or ask to be referred elsewhere.

People have been refused Methotrexate if they weren’t prepared to stop all alcohol. I was told I would not be allowed biologics unless I spent three months taking some heavy duty antibiotics. Doctors have to exercise their clinical judgement.