What do you think?: Good Morning Lovely PMR People... - PMRGCAuk

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What do you think?

whitefishbay profile image
31 Replies

Good Morning Lovely PMR People,

So my Covid 19 experience is mostly over and my self-isolation ends at midnight on Tuesday 12th October. My question is - how soon should I go and get the flu jab? I don't want anything to set off my PMR. Maybe it's a dumb question (I'm good at those) because who knows what really sets it off. Should I wait two weeks post CV19 or does it matter? Thanks in advance.

(Very grateful to have been doubly vaccinated - my CV19 experience was not bad at all and I didn't have to go to work - silver linings).

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whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay
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31 Replies
jinasc profile image
jinasc

Can't answer that but others will be along.

Just wanted to remind you to carry your Steroid Warning card for a least a year as it can and does take up to at least a year for those adrenals to be fully functioning.

Good wishes and a safe remission.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Hmmm - now there's a question!!! I wonder if ANYONE has thought about it.

Logic tells me that if it is OK to have the covid and flu jabs at the same time, it shouldn't matter when you get the flu jab since I assume the Covid infection will have raised antibodies pretty efficiently too. You are supposed to wait a month post a Covid infection before having a Covid jab I think though - so does that apply here?

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toPMRpro

I will wait a month for the heck of it. Thanks.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply towhitefishbay

PS, forgot to say, glad you got through it OK. Any leftovers?

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toPMRpro

Haha. The only left over is no taste or smell but it is slowly coming back (I think) and it has not stopped me eating. Oddly enough I still get hungry.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply towhitefishbay

Strange - because usually people who can't taste their food go off it. My friend has never has a sense of taste - a pituitary problem - she counts on texture to develop a liking or otherwise for a food. Hates tomatoes ...

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toPMRpro

I have never missed a meal in my life. What I miss most is tasting coffee.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply toPMRpro

That's interesting you say about Covid and flu at the same time being OK. As I mentioned on a previous post, I was booked in to have the 3rd vaccine last Friday, but when I got there, I asked if she would put it in my right arm as my left arm was still slightly sore from the flu jab on Tuesday. She said she couldn't do it and to rebook for this Friday if I had only just had the flu jab. She then put my details in the computer and it flagged red! So back I go this Friday 🤷‍♂️

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSophiestree

And yet Kay Burley got her two the other day, one in each arm. They appear to be making it up as they go along. I would rather have them at least a week apart but the main thing is to have them!

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toPMRpro

I will definitely get them both but not close together. When I was last in my GP's office and asked about immune issues with PMR she didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I tried to ask if I was more at risk - she had no idea what I was talking about. I don't think she ever reads my notes. She is the one who didn't know sudden deafness meant a visit to A&E. Good thing I have you and the forum on my side. I do not rely on the surgery for any real advice.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply towhitefishbay

One is left to ask what she DOES know!!! I find it very scary when the GP claims/feigns ignorance - being as they are the gatekeepers.

cycli profile image
cycli in reply toPMRpro

yes, but if the gate is always left open?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply tocycli

Seems more likely to be firmly closed - anyone would think it came out of their salary!!!

cycli profile image
cycli in reply toPMRpro

maybe they are on a numbers bonus incentive?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply tocycli

I think there is something to encourage keeping people out of secondary care ...

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply towhitefishbay

Goodness. I'd be looking to change my GP practice

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toSophiestree

There is one practice nearby. The better GP is always booked up. At least I have all of you but I feel sorry for the single old people. They are at the mercy...

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply towhitefishbay

Exactly that...

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply toPMRpro

Ha! Classic...

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toSophiestree

Nowadays you have to be your own advocate. You need to read up on things. I find British doctors never give out many details or tell you that you have to learn to live with whatever. Women seem to give out more details.

cycli profile image
cycli in reply towhitefishbay

not necessarily. It's about them retaining an air of knowledge slightly beyond your ability to comprehend. Some feel more secure when they seem more knowledgeable than you. When they don't know, or haven't done their homework or read your notes fully they revert to terminology. Get them to explain in plain English. It is ALWAYS possible to break it down so that it is comprehensible. It just requires them to translate their specialist knowledge, which they do have with 7 years of training, onto a level in which you can share that expertise. It takes them time in other words.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply towhitefishbay

I know some pretty arrogant female GPsBut it's a sorry state when we have to be clued up on things BEFORE we see anyone.

cycli profile image
cycli in reply toSophiestree

sad but true. In a market economy it is buyer beware. You are now more of a consumer rather than a patient and the service you receive varies according to the medical and commercial constraints being exercised at varying degrees across the whole profession. Some surgeries are more commercial than others. Knowledge is power and good doctors recognise genuine concern and an informed individual. Inadequate ones feel threatened by them and it helps you decide who you wish as your consultant.

Rache profile image
Rache

Sorry I can’t answer your question but glad to know that your covid experience wasn’t too bad following the vaccinations. Would you mind saying which vaccine you had?

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay

I had the Oxford Astra Zeneca. It started as a cold and then two days in I just knew it was the dreaded CV19. Not too bad but you feel fine and then all of a sudden it hits you again and you have to go to bed. Still no taste or smell. I did not have it too bad at all. Phew.

Rache profile image
Rache

Thanks, that’s reassuring. I too had the AZ vaccine. Hope you can take it easy until fully recovered.

whitefishbay profile image
whitefishbay in reply toRache

Work never waits. Haha. I get no respect but always work. Roll on retirement.

Rache profile image
Rache

Oh dear that’s not fair. If you’re not fully recovered you should be entitled to sick leave 😥

dancersize2 profile image
dancersize2

In Oz we are told to wait two weeks after our covid jab before getting the flu jab (or visa versa).

keeptalking profile image
keeptalking

I have been told 2weeks between flu and 3rd covid jab. But 4 weeks between either when I have my Shingrix vaccination for shingles. Seems sensible to me because if we are immunosuppressed we don’t want to challenge our immune system too much. Give it a chance to recover in between.

Alebeau profile image
Alebeau

Thanks for sharing that, gives us more confidence that being double dosed is definitely a good move for someone with PMR who might have the misfortune of catching COVID. Don't know about the FLU jab, will ask my GP about that.

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