Goldenlump

[Goldenlump]

I’m trying to decide whether I should have my flu jab. I’m now on a low steroid dose of 3mg & I am worried that the vaccination will affect my PMR & cause further inflammation in my body. Am I being silly? There has been some evidence of vaccinations triggering PMR & I don’t want any more flare ups.

[Koalajane]

I don’t think anybody wants to have a flare but I don’t want to get flu badly so I have my flu jab every year and don’t seem to get any problems after. It is your decision of course.

[SnazzyD]

Any triggering of the immune system can cause a flare and that includes the diseases as well as the vaccines. I guess with the vaccine you’ve got the added benefit of being more likely to get a milder bout.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If the flu jab causes a problem - think what the real flu could do! There is a risk of a PMR flare but I have had PMR for years and had every flu jab offered - it has never caused a problem beyond a sore arm. I have had real flu - as opposed to a fluey cold - once, I couldn't get out of bed for a week, I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

I had my flu jab about 6 weeks ago as soon as it was offered so I could leave a gap before my Covid booster which we also get annually here in Italy. We are interviewed by a doctor before getting the Covid jab and we had a long chat about having/not having vaccinations with autoimmune disorders and he, like me, considers that the vaccines potentially do less harm than the diseases they are to protect us against. They give our deranged immune systems a head start if we do get something.

[soreoldbiker]

I contracted "true" flu as a child during the 1957 epidemic, and also once in the sixties. Both infections were really (really!) nasty, notwithstanding the robustness of youth. As a result, I've gotten flu shots pretty regularly over the years, including as a PMR sufferer. But each to their own! Good luck.

[readingbooks in reply to soreoldbiker]

That could have been me writing writing your post, soreoldbiker, except that I was a student nurse during the 1957 epidemic and training in a London University teaching hospital. Beds had been closed to make space for flu sufferers. I still remember how severe the symptoms were. Really, really nasty. Likewise once again in the sixties. I have never failed to have my annual flu shot since then, including, as you say, as a PMR sufferer. Each to their own and that is certainly mine !!

[Angelsmummy]

Morning Goldenlump,,had the flu a few years ago,would not wish it on my worst enemy( or maybe I would!🤣🤣🤣) Have the flu jab every year,was on about 7 mg at the time,sore arm and that was it.Do what is best for you but believe me,I would sooner the jab than the flu!.Good luck in whatever you decide.xx😜🎄🤶🎁

[Pusph]

Hi, I had mine at 4.5mg Pred a month or so ago! No problems, hardly even an achey arm!

[agingfeminist]

better the jab than the flu. I am just off to get my annual flu jab. It hasn't affected my PMR in the past (5years with PMR). But at my age (75) it isn't very effective...so I still avoid people over the winter and wear a mask. But always better than nothing...even if it doesn't stop me getting flu, it is likely to make an infection less awful.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to agingfeminist]

No vaccine 100% stops you getting the disease it is for - but it does make it less worse because your body has had some practice.

[PMRnewbie2017]

I had flu jab and planned covid a fortnight later. I caught Covid so cancelled vaccination. I wasn't well at all. I've now had the covid jab with no ill effects from either vaccination. I was on 4mg before I caught covid, flared, now on 6mg.

[Rosina1871]

I’ve had all my flu and Covid jabs as well as the RSV jab and never had a reaction.

[Zebedee44]

I was just as anxious as you about my Covid jab after reading about reactions to the Moderna vaccine, and having reached 3mg AT LAST I didn’t want anything to rock the boat. The flu jab left me with a slight ache in my arm just like the Pfizer jab which I eventually managed to get. Be brave, and stay well.

[Bcol]

Nothing extra I can add to the comments already made. I've had all the flu and Covid innocultions over the last four plus years, time with PMR, and had no adverse reactions from any of them. This year's were the first since being off Pred and again no problem.

[Marcy47]

I have had a flu jab every year since I got PMR in 2015, never had a problem. I am due 1 on Friday so fingers crossed, I am a carer for my hubby so can't afford to get flu.

[Odosmum]

I had mine last Thursday, 3 days ago, having had the Covid one about 4 weeks ago.

I always plan 4 days or so "sick" after vaccinations and have often spent 2 or 3 days in bed after them, but this year, neither have been bad reactions for me. With the flu one, I took 2 doses of paracetamol overall. Had an intermittently sore arm, and a headache about 7 hours after the jab. That's it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Odosmum]

Yes, I noticed they were both very "gentle" this year!