Vaccine worry from GP

[Lacelady]

I contacted my GP to get a prescription for 1mg Pred as I am down to 10mg and needed them to taper further . I asked about the vaccine and was I ok to have it while on 10mg and she said maybe it would be better to wait until I was off my pred before having it.

I am very worried that she has put that on my file and I won’t get it. I should have said “ but that could take years “ but I was so flabbergasted I didn’t say anything. Now I am waiting to see if I get a call or not.

I don’t know which doctor I spoke to as I get a different one every time. I think that she is the sort of doctor that thinks it all goes away in months.

[Rache]

I so identify with your predicament. Have had much the same at my practice with other issues. You’ll have to phone and check whether she has put anything on your file and have it removed. Others here may be able to provide the link that says those of us on pred can have the vaccine, in case you need to share it. All the best!

[Lacelady in reply to Rache]

Thank you for your reply. I know things are difficult at the moment so I try not to make a fuss but it would be nice to get some consistency and have the same doctor. I find it difficult because we only moved here in November 2019 and where we were before you knew exactly which doctor you would see and they knew all about you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How stupid - the authorities do all the work to get patients to have the vaccine and one ignorant GP throws it up in the air. She needs to read the training manual. However - I doubt she will have written anything on the computer progamme that matter.

Of COURSE you get the vaccine - some protection is better than none so even if the reaction is less than someone not on pred it is thought that the longer term immune reaction involving the t-cells still works.

And SHE needs reporting to the practice manager.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your advice. I hope I get the vaccine soon , I should get a letter maybe this week as I am 78 so I have my fingers crossed.

[Longtimer in reply to Lacelady]

If you aren't contacted by middle of next week, try to chase things up....ignorant doctor!......

[Cosmos22Marigold]

Hi. My Dr advised me to have it and I was on 17.5mgs. I had it on the 23rd Dec without problems but 2nd jab was cancelled unfortunately till end of March. She has told me to virtually stay in until then unless it's a must to go out as the immune system is so low. I will do as she says but have been in so long now like everyone else you do feel as if you would be OK. I shall stay put.Hope you get sorted but a worry if she has put that on your file. Ask for another opinion. My surgery is the same. You don't know who you are talking to most of the time. The Dr who diagnosed me in the first instance tell me when she is going to ring me again and I must say she does right on time. Good luck.

[Lacelady in reply to Cosmos22Marigold]

I have read that we still have to stay isolated even after the jab but I would carry on doing that anyway. It has become a way of life for us all now hasn’t it. Even out walking you make a big detour around people although I have noticed some people seem to be easing off and not being so careful. Very silly, it just isn’t worth it.

Thank you for replying.

[Francesbarbara in reply to Lacelady]

I feel that my husband and I are now conditioned to taking avoiding action when out walking. This is no bad thing and I can't see us changing any time soon. We've still a long way to go with this virus.

[Lacelady in reply to Francesbarbara]

You are right, it will be a long time before we feel normal again if ever

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Does she have a crystal ball - who know how long you’ll be on Pred! Stupid comment.

[Lacelady in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes I agree . Maybe she hasn’t read the latest updates.

[HeronNS]

This person has a much more clued-in GP: healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[bakingD]

She’s talking nonsense- being on steroids puts us all at slightly increased risk of worse illness if we caught Covid, even though steroids are used for people with severe breathing problems due to Covid- have the vaccine.A professor Olof immunology at Southampton advocates having it to all his cancer patients, even those with mucked about immune systems from steroids and other drugs.Much better to be protected from vaccine.I was worried about having it but soo relieved I went for it- 3 weeks after vaccine you should be pretty much protected

[Lacelady in reply to bakingD]

Thank you for your information I agree with what you say. So glad you have had the jab and that it went well. I received my notification from NHS this morning so now I am waiting for the surgery to get in touch, as is my husband.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to bakingD]

They don't know how much protected 3 weeks after the first injection - it is a week after the second to be as fully protected as you can be and even then it is probably 90% at best. For us it could be less - distancing and masks are still essential until far more of the population has had their shots.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRPro.. We feel that carrying on with all the safety measures is definitely essential how long we will have to live like this no one really knows. We are all pining our hopes on his vaccine even though we know it is not 100%.

[HeronNS in reply to Lacelady]

I don't know if any vaccines are 100% effective. This covid vaccine is way better than the average flu shot! It's that little bit of "not effective" which makes it all the more important that as many people are vaccinated as possible.

[Lacelady in reply to HeronNS]

Definitely

[bakingD in reply to PMRpro]

Depends which vaccine too !

[Lacelady in reply to bakingD]

Yes I would prefer the Pfizer one but I will take what I am given.