Yesterday I had my fourth cycle of chemo and avastin. I was advised by the chemo nurse to get a flu jab.
I phoned my doctors surgery this morning and they said they're so sorry but I'm not eligible. I need to get it done at a chemists.
It's not the money I'm bothered about but the principle. Surely I'm eligible?
Many thanks.
Suzanne x
Morning Suzanne, after both my chemos (carbo/taxol & 20months later carbo/taxol/avastin) my GP wouldn't let me have the flu jab until my neutrophils & white cell count was back to a safe level. He described me as 'not yet Tesco-proof' & until my immune system was more robust he kept my dose in the surgery fridge. So suggest you ask your GP before going to Boots?
Hope today is a good day,
Lesley
Hi
Thank you for your reply. I like the 'tesco proof' bit.
It seems my surgery are reluctant to give it as I'm in between chemo cycles. My CNS is phoning me back and hopefully she can advise.
Hope you are ok. Xx
Hello Lovely,
Yes you are eligible for a flu jab and as it's important for your immunity. Call the doctors back and tell them it's been advised by your oncologist and cancer nurse that you have it and that you will complain to the General Medical Council if they don't give it to you, you'll soon get it 😊
Hi.
I phoned the surgery again asking to explain exactly why I'm not eligible. She said it's because im inbetween chemo cycles. I've just had 4/6 yesterday. Surely this is exactly the reason I do need a jab.
Anyway I've told her I'm waiting to hear back from my CNS who will advise.
Thank you for your reply and I have so much trouble with this doctors surgery that I think I will report them to the GMC anyway. 👍🏻👍🏻
Hope all is good with you.
Take care. Xx
I just support someone with OC I deal with her appointments and stuff but often read posts and occasionally ask for advice xx
Aww. That's really good of you. This site is great as there's so much support and knowledge on here. Xxx
When I was going ng through first line chemo I got a letter from hospital telling me that I had tgo have a flu jab before my next cycle of chemo. I got itend oif week 2.
HI Suzanne, your gp should do it but wait until you are nearer to your next treatment, for now the chemo is working and reducing your white cells for the next ten days or so but you should be able to get the flu jab in about two weeks if you are feeling okay. I dont know why they said you arent eligible, maybe too early in the morning for the secretary? Having said that my practice nurse was slow to give it to me after the two weeks last year. This year was seeing gp anyhow and since I was waiting a long time to be seen it was a present from him,
Hi.
Thank you for your reply. The chemo nurse said the same. Get it done just before the next chemo.
My CNS will get back to me as I've left her a message.
My surgery are pretty rubbish.
If I had left myself in their hands and not gone to A&E twice before being admitted, I think I'd still be in a waiting list to see a gastric specialist. Well actually I would have blown up by now as I had bad ascites. Lol.
Xxxx
Hi Suzanne You are eligible and you also should be able to get it during chemo (even more important to be honest). I've had the flu jab for the last 9 years (and during chemo). I also got the pneumonia jab which is a one off 'lifelong' one, might be worth mentioning that too. Hope you get it sorted. Kathy xxx
Thank you Kathy.
I'm sure I will get it sorted. My surgery are seriously useless. Nothing has ever gone right with them. Think I'll change them.
I will mention the pneumonia jab too. Thank you for that tip.
You are right about having the jab during chemos as that's when our immune system is compromised. Exactly the reason for a flu jab.
I hope everything is ok with you. Xxx
I have to say my GP was pretty useless to be honest lol, used to spend most of his time (when I did see him, which wasn't often) telling me he couldn't understand why I still worked and that I'd end up the richest person in the cemetery! Tact not in his makeup lol. He never did get the fact its my way of normalising my life. I just don't want to spend time sitting at home. Anyway he's retired now so when/if eventually I do go to see the new GP I'll see if they are any better. I'm doing ok and I hope your chemo is going as well as can be expected. xx Kathy xx
Hi Kathy.
I think a lot of people don't have much faith in their GP's hence why they go to A&E and A&E are always full.
I was actually in hospital when the nurse from my practice phoned me and said that they're referring me to a gastric specialist and could I come and see the doctor. I told her I was admitted through A&E and had 9 litres of fluid drained in which they've discovered cancer cells and will need a biopsy to confirm its ovarian. She didn't really know what to say. If I relied on them my ascites would have gotten so bad I would have popped. Xxxx
Beggars belief......
Hello Suzanne
All prescriptions should be free of charge because you have a cancer diagnosis- including you flu jab. There's no reason why you shouldn't have one because it is not a live virus.
Your receptionist doesn't know what she's talking about- ask a GP to call you and put it to them xx
Hi Lyndy.
You are right about the receptionist not knowing what she's talking about. They're not very good at my GP practice.
Many thanks for your advice. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻Xxxx
I think Suzanne, if you can get a gp who is well recommended in your area, just go and change. Your hospital can give you a letter outlining your illness and treatment you are on etc. This is ridiculous to be putting up with that. I have been attending the same surgery for many years, they have new staff and they are not the most efficient but I wont be long beating them into shape.
Yes I think I need to change. It's just one thing after the other with this practice. Gets me quite annoyed and I don't want or need to be stressed. They're supposed to help us, not stress us out.
Time for a change.
Hope you are ok. Xxx
Suzanne,
Thank you for your reply earlier (mine was the first reply this morning) - I feel for you have a 'crappy' GP surgery - mine is just the opposite and I know how lucky I am. If you do have a good one in your area, then I'd seriously start asking questions. OC & its treatment is bad enough without feeling your GP & surgery staff aren't much help; as you say, you don't need more stress.
Take care,
Lesley
I was given the pneumonia jab while having chemo.The oncolology team was not happy about this so please check with them first.
Take care x
Hi.
Thank you for your reply. 👍🏻👍🏻
I won't get the pneumonia jab but do want the flu jab. Xx
Ditto to what everyone else has said.
There's a post going round on Facebook that says 'it takes a GP 7 years to train to become a doctor and a receptionist 2 weeks to know better' or words to that effect.
The fact you have been advised by a specialist nurse should be enough to get the jab, I'm sure the advise was based on your present health and bloods?. I had my treatment weekly and still had the flu jab, it's not a live virus so you should be fine, I was. Maybe ask for a telephone consult with your GP? Receptionists are not called 'gatekeepers' for nothing, I know this as I used to be a medical receptionist and always referred to medically qualified people to make the medical decisions but there are some receptionists that I have locked horns with on many occasions who believe they know best. Push to get it done by your GP, you do not have to pay for it. Good luck with this ❤️Xx
Hi.
Thank you for your reply and the tips and info.
I too was a doctor's receptionist. I lasted two weeks. I left as I found the others to be so bossy and know it alls. It wasn't me. I can't be like that.
I will be speaking to my chemo nurse today as she wasn't in yesterday so will hopefully get it sorted out.
Many thanks xxxx
I'm sure I had a flu jab while on weekly Taxol 2 years ago. I'm back on chemo now, but fortunately was able to have my flu jab before starting the course Di
My GP surgery experience very different. I was put on the flu jab list automatically. I hadn't even thought about it as chemo had finished a month previous. Whereas my friend (who I met during chemo) and who lives only 5 miles away had to ask her practice.
It isn't a live vaccine but they would want your immune system to be as normal as possible I think.
T
I was told to wait until chemo had finished for my flu jab. I went to the surgery and booked it. Went in, rolled up my sleeve and the nurse gave me my jab. Then she looked at the computer screen and said you aren't eligible. My reply - but I've got cancer - in a very little girl hurt sort of voice. Oh she said that's alright then.
I think their computer system wasn't set up to include cancer patients. (Duh!)
I don't know whether I'll now be on the list to get one next year?
You are most definitely eligible, you are high risk as immune state is affevtedfaffevtedf by chemo. Stand your ground on this one! Ann x
Hi Suzanne
I had the opposite experience. My GP s receptionist asked if I wanted the flu jab just before my second round of chemo in Sep. My GP as a matter of courtesy rang oncology and the CNS said no ! I checked with the vaccine dept of the HSE who said that it was important that I have it. It is not a live vaccine and cannot harm you. I then rang oncology and got the CNS who again said no..I did not take no for an answer and rang the oncologists secretary and told her to pass on nessage to the oncologist that I was angry at being refused. Next day he phoned my GP to tell him to give me the vaccine. I think I am probably the only oncology patient there who has it ! The problem is there are lot if these anti vaccine conspiracy theorists around spreading their theories online . I am glad I fought to get mine as I felt much safer. Hope you can decide from all the advice here. Take care
XXX
I'm sure you are eligible. My GP went on about having it for ages plus there is a poster in the surgery with cancer and chemo patients as a vulnerable group. I'd have a look at the NHS choices page
LA
When in the chemo cycle should you have a flu jab?
All clear after first-line treatment :)
Wondering what to do
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