I have been on Pred since December 2019 and currently down to 2mg (dropped to 1.5mg but pain returned) Having gone back up to 2mg I’m experiencing neck shoulder pains/fatigue ....
Waiting for advice on my dose as I think i need to increase dose but in the meantime I’m anxious about having flu jab ...
Hi, I too was very anxious about the flu jab: I’m on 6mg Pred: I’m in the UK and had the regular jab for my age- 73: no I’ll effect whatsoever - not even a sore arm 👏🏻Good luck. X
I had the flu vaccine a week ago today. Just a bit sore in the site of injection for a couple of days but negligible really.
Had mine for my age group (78) no problems. Beats having 🤧
You should be anxious about NOT having a flu jab. It can't give you flu (it is dead virus) and whatever minor niggles you might have they will be far less than you are likely to experience with real flu. It is also to help the healthcare services by reducing the likelihood of influenza patients needing hospital care with pneumonia. Almost all healthcare services throughout the world are already on the edge of major major problems due to the resurgence of Covid cases - and the seasonal flu season isn't here yet.
Hi
I had it for the second year 3 weeks ago
Just a slightly sore arm for a day had a headache as well but not saying it was connected to jab.
I went to Boots and was very impressed had it done in private was given all infomatoin had to wait 5 min outside encase a reaction.
Was shocked at GP surgery it was like herding cattle when I took my Mum
I agree, I took my mum who has dementia to the GP and the nurse did it while she stood in the car park, they have an open tent but didn’t use it - I’m going to go to Boots!
Yes, you need the flu shot. It's not just about you. It's also about others in your household, workplace and community.
You may experience a slightly elevated temperature that results in a mild headache and additional body aches, as well as some soreness and/or redness at the injection site, and that may last for a day or so. That's your immune system at work manufacturing the antibodies that will help protect you from a flu infection. Don't worry. It will go away. You can't get the flu from a dead virus. And most people don't get these side effects.
For a virus to spread, it needs lots of unprotected bodies to act as hosts. If you get the flu, it's a good bet you'll infect at least one other person who will infect at least one other person and on and on. To achieve the "herd immunity" that protects those who are unable to get the shot - infants, people on chemotherapy and radiation, people whose immune systems are far more compromised than ours - 80-90% of the community needs to be immune.
Yes, the measures we're taking to protect ourselves from COVID - social distancing, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, avoiding crowds - will help protect you from flu. But the shot will make you virtually invulnerable.
If you think PMR is bad, try thinking about having PMR AND the flu. I had the flu once when I was strong and healthy in my early 40s. I couldn't work for 2 weeks, and was still knocked on my butt for and additional 6 weeks trying clear the cough and get my stamina back. Since then, I have had the shot every year, and noticed that not only did I never get the flu again, even the usual 1 or 2 colds I got every year were less severe.
Please, get the shot, not only for yourself, but for those you know and love, and for people you may never meet.
Don't be a victim and don't be a vector.
Up to being diagnosed with PMR last November I have been having flu jabs regularly for the past 15 years (following a case of flu that I NEVER want again) - I was asking the question because I’ve read some posts where people’s PMR symptoms have increased following the jab.
Thanks for your helpful advice.
Well, yeah, your PMR symptoms may increase for a few days, since your immune system will be activated by the shot.
How do you think your PMR will react to actually having the flu?
This is a good point. I definitely had some additional hip pain int he nighs after the flu jab, but a few days later I am back to normal.
My rheumatologist insisted I got a flu jab back in January (so rather late in the flu season), and since then the only question I ask myself is when rather than if. I had my jab last week at my GP's practice. My sister-in-law who is a cancer survivor tells me that in her London borough these are not available at the moment as she is under 65. If this was the case for me, I would have paid for it and had it administered at our local pharmacy (like I did the last time) and I suspect this is what she is going to do. You are doing so well with your tapering, but if you get flu, your steroid dose will have to be increased to get you through it; I would not want to risk that.
Very true .... I’ve just had to go ahead for my jab next week (just turned 60) and was expecting to pay for it this time as currently not working.
Yes, yes and thrice yes!
I'm on 7.5mg of prednisolone, having tapered down from 15mg in the last 3 months. I had the flu shot 10 days ago, and a week later had the pneumonia vaccination (in the other arm). No problems at all. Good luck
I am waiting as they don't have the the medication for the flu shot yet at my doctors, rather wish I was in your boat where I could just go and have it done. My doctor was saying that there is a current study indicating that with the flu shot you are 30 percent less likely to die or become seriously ill should you contract Covid 19 virus and that alone is a good reason to rush out and get it done, in my opinion. Good luck and stay safe
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