flu jab and poss covid booster

[cycli]

I've just been offered one and expect they'll offer a booster covid when available. mine was pfizer. Never had flu in my life save on one occasion and rarely get colds. Always relied on being fit and having a good immune system. Therefore never had a flu jab. I'm 70. Any advice please.

[Seacat30]

I am only 58 so am not at the top of the flu jab offers list but expect to see one soon. I have never had flu either. Unhappy and uncertain.

[Coffeebeans]

I'm 48 and booked in for my flu jab on Saturday.

My thinking is that we all have a degree of immune suppression being on steroids, how much depends on dose and illnesses can be worse if you catch them and cause flare ups of the condition.

I've enough on my plate without flu and covid and it is possible to have both at the same time therefore I will take boosters when offered.

[Koalajane]

I have no hesitation in accepting my flu jab this year. I am ready and waiting.

[herdysheep]

There is likely to be more flu around this year. Your decision. Mine - have it!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Definitely accept flu jab, I had one all through my GCA years.Started them even before normal age range because of hubby’s health, and every year since. As herdysheep says, flu likely to be more prevalent this winter.

[bussell]

There's always a first time! My decision is to have whatever is offered - remember very well having flu when I was younger, fitter and healthier, and it was deeply unpleasant. I don't want a repeat....

[cycli in reply to bussell]

thanks bussell and everyone else. I shall take the jab and the booster when offered. PMR and GCA are more than enough to cope with.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Life with an autoimmune condition and on pred is a bit different - especially at the GCA level of dose. I didn't qualify for the flu jab in the UK - so it had nothing to do with PMR developing but I have been given the flu jab every year since I have lived here. Never had a problem - and never had flu. The one year my husband didn't have his - because he had a chest infection on the day and forgot to get it later - he caught flu, was really ill for 3 weeks, developed pneumonia and that too 6 months to clear up. He wasn't on pred.

[TheMoaningViolet]

I didn't have flu jabs before PMR (I don't remember ever having flu), but I have had 2 since and intend to have the next one as soon as it is available (in my neighbourhood, it will be from 14th September). At worst, it will not work as well as hoped, but if I can eliminate any possibility of complication which may disrupt my tapering, I will. I had no side effects with flu jabs previously, but as is the case with most things, this is my individual experience. I am 54. My husband who is only a couple of years older than me but works in the NHS has one every year. My mother has always had one and while she had Covid last Christmas (long story), she has never had the life-threatening flu. My employer offers free flu vaccinations to everyone (regardless of age) every year.

All of that said, I am completely comfortable with my decision and you need to be with yours.

[Kendrew]

Hi cycli.Like others, I've had flu jab every year since diagnosis and this years is already booked for two weeks time. Anything that might help protect us better from developing a potentially preventable illness can only be a positive thing. I will also have my covid booster as soon as I'm eligible. Steroids cause a weakened immune system and so can't necessarily rely on it to act as effectively as it once did. It needs a little support.

[yogabonnie]

Get the flu jab. Nothing to it and it could save your life.!! (or someone else's) With prednisone as you know your immune system compromised. I had the flu..after having the flu jab a couple years ago *same type .. and wondered what would have happened if I hadn't had the shot.!

[Janstr]

I never used to get the flu jab either- that is until I got the flu.It’s really not something you want to have. I was in bed for a week, eating very little & then started to force myself to I eat as thought I would die otherwise. I did very little the week after.

So now I have the vaccine as soon as it’s offered.

[Bcol]

Morning Cycli. I have had the flu in the past and it is definitely something to avoid. Had the jab ever since its been available and never had a reaction. Not had the flu since either. My advice, if it is offered to you then have it. Mine booked for next week.

[cycli]

Thanks everyone. Going in today. Mind at rest. Your cumulative reports have reassured me. Good results with my splitting pred. dose to morning 7am and evening 7-8pm. Seems to be stretching pred. effect much better for me and getting no discernable GCA symptoms now in the night. Fingers crossed I can get to a position to start reduction soon. PMR seems well controlled. I'm in my 5th week of positive pain free daily functioning . Still can't do what I used to but I'm now thinking about proper exercise to start rebuilding lost muscle. Legs are drastically weaker than 3 months ago.

[borednow]

After suffering from really bad chest infections following the flu jab, I stopped having them. However, was persuaded to start them again last year and was fine. So booked in for next one in 2 weeks.

[cycli in reply to borednow]

Hi borednow. thanks. Been reading back to the exercise bike farrago lovely depiction. I watched a programme on this a year or two back where it showed his getting the bike prepared as original as possible. Will get the book also as I'm a keen cyclist. Shame hidden is no longer on forum as would have enjoyed chatting about the tours. By the way, this years T de F was the best for 30years and bodes well for real racing and very unpredictable. How's the exercise and progress with this disease going for you? If you love a really good read that is so funny try The Boat Who Wouldn't Float. Legendary adventurer and author Farley Mowat dreamed of setting sail from the shores of Newfoundland to roam the seven seas. Unfortunately, the boat he found, The Happy Adventure, was the worst in the world. A very funny nautical adventure. Filled with romantic ideas of putting an old wooden boat to sea,