does anyone know do we (PMR) sufferers qualify for a NHS flu Jab?

[steveives]

[Kolla]

Good morning to you.

I am afraid you will not get any sense from me.

I will tell you how they do it here in my village, Hveragerdi, Iceland. Everyone with an serious ailment is asked to get a jab. Our health system is not free you pay a minimal amount. Once you have reached a certain age, or are an invalid you pay very little.

It is the same with medicine, if the medicine is nesseccsry to keep you alive, then it is free.

Why don't you phone your GP and ask, weather you are entitled to the flu jab.

Good luck

Kolla

[Hidden]

In Sept 2011 my GP asked if had the flu jab and I replied that I was not eligible and she said well you are now and proceeded to administer it. This year I was called automatically but then I am now 65 and eligible anyway. However the info at my surgery says that anyone whose immune system is compromised is eligible which I believe steroid treatment can cause. Do ask your GP. You need to do this soon as it takes a couple of weeks after the jab before the body builds up immunity and my friend's husband is stricken with bad flu at the moment. Luckily I have not seen him for a while.

Hope you remain flu free.

Pat

[GreyOwl in reply to Hidden]

We moved home a few months ago and I've found the new GP practice we are with now very frustrating. Even though we registered three months ago they have still not taken possession of the case notes still held at my previous surgery and so we have had problems with prescriptions as the doctors and staff query everything over and over. I booked a flu jap 6 weeks ago and then received a call from them asking why I thought I was entitled to one. When I explained I had a heart condition, PMR and GCA, the reply was "Oh" in a surprised tone. Surely they had that info on their records as I had already been to at least one consultation with a GP there? As it happens I had a severe cold and URTI when it came time for the jab and was on antibiotics so I had to cancel the jab. When I recovered about two weeks ago and attempted to book another one I was told the earliest date I could have it was Nov 30! As it takes about 10 days for the vaccine to take effect, it will be well into December before I have any protection and the flu season will be well underway by that time. Doctors are obviously aware of the need to protect vulnerable patients from flu viruses so why do they allow their slow-moving organisational systems to put those patients at risk?

[Hidden]

In a nutshell YES I had mine last week, as the nurse said "autoimmune disease? that's good enough for me..."

[steveives]

Hi Thanks for all your replies i will contact my medical practice with this information , will let you know the outcome.

[lwhynda]

I have had my flu jab because of PMR and type 2 Diabetes

[Hidden]

Hi All. Re. Flu jab. I have had PMR GCA since 2010 am now on 3mg and feel well, no pain or stiffness just have to pace myself re fatigue. Pats advice to relax and accept things is my way of thinking too. I asked my rhumertolgist last year about having the flu jab his reply was " No as don't want to upset things" so last year I just "winged it" I live in London so walked alot to avoid crowded buses and tube. If the flu jab means there is a chance of starting up GCA again, as he seems to think I will have to risk it again this year. Has any anyone else had this response from doctor or rhumertolgist?

All best wishes. Mossie

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Mossie

Although my rheumatologist recommends the flu jab, he also commented that it could induce a flare in symptoms. I have therefore been reluctant to have the jab, instead ensuring a high intake of fruit/veg, plus plenty of garlic (keeps vampires away and everyone else!) plus Manuka honey (good for the immune system), at the same time crossing fingers, toes and everything else crossed.

[steveives]

Well i certainly have got you lot talking about the flu jab I think i will give it a miss after reading the comments thanks all of you

[mega]

Hello All,

Mossie, steveives, celtic

I too have had GCA (second time) for nearly two years, along with unrelated heart and thyroid problems. I had a 'flu jab last year and this, with no discernible effect on any of these conditions. If it's available, have it! It may not prevent you having 'flu but it could lessen the impact and will do no harm.

My healthy, active Mum died of 'flu aged 49 when I was seventeen and ditto my 37-year-old brother-in-law, in the seventies. I don't think it has become any less lethal in the intervening years so, in the absence of a cure, I feel a jab is your best defence.

Best wishes, Mega

[Hidden]

HI all

I was rather reluctant to have the jab last year, but I did have it. I felt no after effects at all, but saying that, I was on quite a high steroid dose at the time, having had a relapse in PMR a month before.

I think we must evaluate the odds ourselves. I am on 10mg of pred at the moment and still struggling with flares - my disease is still quite active. I recently had a viral infection which laid my low for a month. To contract influenza at this time would probably finish me. Tomorrow, I will make an appointment for the jab.

Pats.

[jinnyone]

i will be asking about the flu jab now having multiple problems besides pmr. will let you know Best Wishes Jinnyx