Flu jab

[Suet3942]

Yesterday I went to volunteer at our hospice shop and all the staff had been to the next door chemist to have their flu jab. So I went as well. Woke up at 2am this morning aching all over with a headache. Even paracetamol didn't help. I feel awful. I am doing a slow reduction from 6.5 to 6 and after a couple of days feeling yuk I've been ok. Do I carry on reducing this week or up the pred for a couple of days?. Would add that ive had flu jabs before and have been a bit off colour but nothing like this. Any input would be very helpful. Thank you.

[SheffieldJane]

I just wouldn’t reduce this week. I don’t think increasing would make much difference either. Treat it like flu with pain relief, lots of fluids and bed rest. Our immune systems are unusually burdened this year. Get well soon! 🌷

[Longtimer in reply to SheffieldJane]

That makes me wonder about the booster...

I hope you are feeling better after your awful experience....I think staff in A&E are very brave....

[SheffieldJane in reply to Longtimer]

The actual diseases are going to be so much worse though.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Longtimer]

I was interested to see these tiny assertive women putting annoying drunkards in their place and how well it worked.

[Longtimer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes, you would have to be a strong assertive type to deal with these people...An elderly lady I know broke her arm a few weeks ago, she was in a cubicle next to a male doctor struggling with a drunk....when he attended her she asked if he was ok, he said I 'm looking for another job, can't take much more.....and we are desperately short already...so sad.....

[SheffieldJane in reply to Longtimer]

That is really sad.

[pigeonstreet in reply to Longtimer]

Unfortunately there’s going to be a catastrophic shortage of staff in care homes and the NHS when the vaccine mandate is enforced. I was a support worker in a care home for many years before I retired, and there were always vacancies even during times of high unemployment. Sadly the government decision coincides with a time of record job opportunities in other fields. Rather than ‘fix’ the care sector, I think it will become much worse. Of course, it’s the patients and remaining staff who will bear the brunt as usual.

[Longtimer in reply to pigeonstreet]

Yes, I agree....just hope they raise the wages etc, an awful situation...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Just put a hold on the reduction .and plenty of TLC for the next 24/48 hrs. Then see how you feel - but don’t start reducing again until you feel okay.

[bonio]

Hi I had my flu jab on Saturday and started to feel unwell that evening, worse on Sunday and now feel like have a heavy headcold. Am on 12mg Pred but using paracetamol and not uping my dose yet. Aches are improving. Hope you'll soon feel much much better. Yes, i've always been ok before but that was pre PMR days. Take care X

[SnazzyD]

I’d hold a bit because the vaccine is still ‘cooking’ and there can be a return visit of symptoms. A few days or a week is not going to make much difference to the grand scheme.

[Longtimer]

It affected me the same...and I have never had side effects before....I`m better now than I was....I got the headache...and felt at a point of collapse....just more tired right now....I was going to start lowering from 7mg, but not at the moment....

[Hidden]

That's a shame and sorry to read you feel unwell. I've declined the flu jab at the moment as it's too early to have it done in Sept. Flu comes into it's own during the winter months, getting it done too soon how much immunity would we have left. I get it every year too, but not until the end of Oct or middle of Nov. Hope you feel better soon.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

The date of flu jabs is carefully worked out to provide cover for the flu season which does actually a bit vary from country to country and the UK seems relatively early for some reason - maybe the amount of international travel. The effect of the flu vaccine, like all vaccines, takes some weeks to develop - at least 2 for protection and then it improves for a bit longer. The protection then lasts at least 6 months.

lloydspharmacy.com/blogs/co...

Since flu starts to appear in the UK in October, having your jab at the end of September is perfectly reasonable as being indoors a bit more starts then. By April you getting outside again and the risk falls again.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Your immune system is rather out of practice - it hasn't been meeting much in the way of colds and other bugs on a regular basis. And now it's been kicked into action again.

Put the reduction on hold and indulge yourself with some TLC.

[autumnlass in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro …. It’s like having a Doctor In Ones House with your brilliant answers! Thank you!

[yorkieme in reply to autumnlass]

Definitely agree with that comment,the likes of PMRpro and quite a few others have given enormous support to all of us on this forum ........... and at a time when finding or getting advice has proven almost impossible.

[Suet3942 in reply to yorkieme]

That is so true. Invaluable.

[Mcdurmott in reply to autumnlass]

So true! Thank you PMRPro and all the other well informed and caring people who help countless folks in every day on this website. 🌺

[Suet3942 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your advice. Xx

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Strange how so many people my age are getting coughs and colds despite wearing masks...those little critter viruses just get in anywhere. Fortunately for me I rarely catch cold. Maybe due to my Vit C daily intake. I think we usually go by Oz and see what flu they had this year....apparently, according to my friends sister who lives out there no flu about again this year. England hasn't had it bad either for a number of year. Pity about putting more vaccines into us when maybe flu will be scarce. Sods law if I don't get the jab I'll catch it. So I will take it up at the end of Sept, or starting Oct.

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

Got mine booked for the 25th, suspect I'll be getting a call for Covid booster around then as well which might be interesting!!!

[Manihiki in reply to PMRpro]

That is what they are saying in New Zealand. We are at the end of Winter but this Winter saw a huge increase in the Respiratory Virus which usually only affects babies. It has affected the whole population because of lockdowns last year and so our immune system was not encountering such or building immunity.

[Telian]

I agree with the others - lots of tlc and no further reduction until you feel better. You’re at that delicate stage with your current dose as well so no rush you’ll get there. I’m nearly onto 7.5mg second time around and doing okay but aware of the fragility it causes. 🌺

[MrsNails]

Hi Sue

How are you feeling today? Which ‘flu jab did you have?

Keep Resting & Get Well Soon 💐

Angela xx

[Suet3942 in reply to MrsNails]

Hello Angela. I'm feeling a lot better today thanks. Dont know which jab I had. Thought there was only 1 for my age group.

[Hidden in reply to Suet3942]

So glad you are better. I have never had the flu. My kids had the flu years ago and I never did. Too busy cleaning. Ha ha I eat organic and take supplements. I took the flu shot only a couple times and then quit. I haven’t had it for years. Do you take vitamin D, C, zinc, magnesium and minerals? Keep sugar intake low or zero. If I eat sugar, I tend to get sick easier I hope today brings you good health😊😊

[Bennijax]

Thanks for sharing - my GP nurse asked me to have the flu jab last week while in for a blood test and an ECG for strong heart palpatations. I looked at her as if to say, are you crazy? now? and she smiled with understanding. I will have it after my son who is about to visit me from LA, first visit in 2.5 years, leaves in early October and assume I'll feel as if I have the flu for several days. I'll start my next slow taper after I recover from that jab. Then the booster - for that I'll put aside another several days to rest and recover, with a friend on alert to check up on me.

[Suet3942 in reply to Bennijax]

Bet you can't wait to see your son. X

[Gardendaffodil]

I had my first flu jab two years ago. Two weeks later I got PMR. I’ve never had the flu jab since as it’s taken me two years to get down to 1mg every other day and should stop altogether on 22nd September. I still take paracetamol or ibuprofen to keep me going. So you can imagine, this year, I am reluctant to have the flu jab even though doctors said they didn’t think it was the cause ?? What to do ?? I keep putting it to the back of my mind as I don’t know yet if my symptoms of PMR will return 😤😤 Your opinions would be appreciated.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gardendaffodil]

If it hadn't been the flu jab that finally triggered the immune system to play about it could have been the flu you caught having not had the jab. There is no single cause of PMR, it is an accumulation of things that upset the immune system and finally one is the straw that breaks the camel's back. It can be all sorts of things - an infection, trauma, stress of any sort, chemical, environmental, a vaccine, shingles can do it too,