Have a good Laugh

[Harrywogan]

Spoke to my pharmacists today,asked about Shingles vaccine, she didn't know at 70 we got a shingles vaccine, was saying I needed the Shingrix and it may have to order it,was like speaking to a 4year old BLANK , She said it was a school day every day,she obviously doesn't TV either. Lol

[Nextoneplease]

Maybe she was more of a sales assistant than a qualified pharmacist? Hope so……🤔x

[Harrywogan in reply to Nextoneplease]

No,it was pharmacist, waited especially to speak to her lol x

[MrsNails in reply to Harrywogan]

🤦🏻

[Nextoneplease in reply to Harrywogan]

Well, words fail me…..!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh dear!

And someone else was saying they were to have a session with the GP practice pharmacists and were expecting advice on managing PMR and tapering. I wouldn't be holding my breath ...

[Harrywogan in reply to PMRpro]

Definitely not Ambassador, I was gob smacked , and thy are supposed to help lol xx

[Hidden in reply to Harrywogan]

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB the ruling body for Pharmacists, Hospital Pharmacists, Pharmacy Assistants, Agricultural and Vet. Pharmacists would be appalled. Their remit is to advance Pharmacists by ongoing continual professional development, I think you pharmacists must have escaped the net!

[HamishPMR in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry PMRpro but I assure you that the pharmacists attached to GPs are on top of their game, not old guys like me that that qualified long ago.

[Suffererc in reply to HamishPMR]

One be a one off then in your area. The older guys seem to be more helpful

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HamishPMR]

There have been a couple of examples on the forum in the last year or so where pharmacists have told patients they must get off pred immediately and use the sort of reduction approach suitable for acute use of steroids. They also have no understanding of the PMR/GCA disease process. I don't expect them to know the medical background - GPs don't either all too often - but they do have to know what they don't know.

[Jigsawlass in reply to HamishPMR]

The pharmacist attached to my GP is brilliant and so helpful. She seems to know her stuff

[Suffererc in reply to PMRpro]

I have to say if I have a query I ask one of the dispensers. They are much more knowledgeable

[HamishPMR in reply to Suffererc]

That's ridiculous!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suffererc]

I find that hard to believe when it comes to the effects of drugs!

[Suffererc in reply to PMRpro]

They always look them up. Couple of times mistakes have been made by the pharmacist

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suffererc]

Not saying they are perfect either - but the knowledge of all staff at the pharmacy is limited.

[123mossie]

Had two medication reviews with pharmacists, both made alterations which were wrong, the last thinking he knew better than the cardiologist 🤔

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123mossie]

My point exactly.

[Cobalt2sister]

Have you had the shingles vaccine cleared with your doctor? You usually don't get a shingles vaccine when you're on prednisone, although Shingrix is an inactive vaccine unlike Zostavax which is live. Let me know because I should get that too and if its all clear when you're on prednisone that's great!!! I had put it off thinking I couldn't get it now. Take good care.

[Nextoneplease in reply to Cobalt2sister]

Hi 😊

Obviously everyone is different so doctor should be consulted…..but I had the Shingrix vaccine when on 12.5mg prednisolone, no problems. You’re right, on no account have the live vaccine (Zostavax). Book Shingrix in advance and then double check that’s what they’re giving you when going for the vaccination!

I think lots of people on here have had Shingrix.

All the best xx

[Cobalt2sister in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thank you...very helpful...am glad I can get that shot. I see doc next month. Take good care.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cobalt2sister]

I think there are details in the FAQs

[paulus65 in reply to Cobalt2sister]

I had it (Shingrex version) when I was on 3mgs pred. No problem, though note that you'll need 2 jabs - about 3 months apart. No probs, apart from a slightly sore arm for a couple of days.Best of luck.

[Suffererc in reply to Cobalt2sister]

I have been offered it and I am on Pred

[Mazxstitch in reply to Cobalt2sister]

I had the Shingrix vaccine. 1st on 10 March, 2nd on 17 May. Didn't feel well after the first one, was absolutely fine with the second.

[HeronNS in reply to Cobalt2sister]

There shouldn't be any issues with Shingrix. I had Shingrix (two-dose series) within the past year and have not suffered at all. In fact I credit it with helping get my taper back on track!

[Bcol]

Morning Harry, yet another one of those "oh dear" moments we, all too often,seem to read about. Hopefully after your questions she went and did some basic research!!!

[Brikel]

I requested the shingles vaccine from my GP and I was given an appointment with the practice nurse who was very efficient.

She had read all my notes prior to the appointment and informed me because of various health risks that I couldn’t have the live vaccine but I had to have the dead vaccine .

It was the Varicella-zoster vaccine for shingles which was 2 doses 2 months apart.

I’m waiting on the second one in October

Having read this post I’m glad I went to the GP.

[Pollyanna16 in reply to Brikel]

I had exactly the same experience last year.

[Suffererc]

Thought they were up to speed. It seem lots of professionals aren’t professional

[Miserypants]

Had my first Shingrex jab last week at my doctors. Second jab in 8 weeks time. On 7mg Pred. Only had a very sore arm.

[Meggsy]

In Australia Zostavax is only free for those aged 70 to 79. Shingrix costs $250 for each of the two vaccines. Happy to be corrected if this has been changed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Meggsy]

It is probably the same in the UK - in that only over 70s qualify for it and it isn't said to benefit over 80s.