Flu jab

[risingwaves]

I am due to have a flu jab on 26th Sept. I have 2 questions about the timing. I have just started a short course of steroids for a cough - 10 days only. I think the cough is the after effects from from primary lung cancer radiotherapy treatment.

I take Ibrance and Letrozole for secondary breast cancer bone mets. I am just starting my 2nd cycle. (18th.

I know how important flu jab is for me, but it all seems a bit complicated re low blood count etc. I would be happy to receive any info from your experience of this. I will check with oncology before I have it but at the moment I am coughing too much when i talk to hold a telephone conversation with them Thankyou

[Barbteeth]

Hi there

I’ve never had a flu jab or had the flu

I was offered it at my local pharmacy last year when I had been on Ibrance for about 4 months...but declined...haven’t asked my oncologist either...not very keen to have it...that’s just me

Barb xx

[Teddielottie in reply to Barbteeth]

I am booked in with my GP next month for a flu jab ( this will be my third ) .

I am currently a bit under the weather ... with the nasty virus that is going around at the moment . I have had a temperature of 38.7 , which is high .. I rang the chemo helpline today and my onc rang me back and she said since my wbc were fine only 3 days ago , when I had my bloods done , just to take paracetamol to lower the temperature and continue taking ibrance ... but not to come to the hospital !

It’s that time of the year ... my husband , who has also had it , said that there were a lot of people coughing / sneezing in Sainsbury’s today . Take care !

[Barbteeth in reply to Teddielottie]

I know there are loads of viruses about...often the flu jabs are useless because by the time the vaccine is produced the virus has mutated making the flu jab ineffective

Barb xx

[risingwaves in reply to Barbteeth]

It was my lung oncologist who instructed my GP surgery to arrange the flu jab. So they must think its right for me. But I do think its good for me to put the flu jab on hold and wait until I have finished this course of steroids! Then when I get my bloods checked mid Ibance cycle I can ask if it is safe to go ahead re my bloods.

[risingwaves in reply to Teddielottie]

I think that this cough I have is the inflamation from radiotherapy to my lung rather than a virus. I have had it over 4 weeks now, and it has been wearing me down. i have taken my first 6 steroid tablets today and already I feel an improvement so I am hopeful I will get rid of it. I think that I do need to get the flu jab as soon as safe to do so. I am very afraid to be in peoples company, or pass someone on the street etc if they sneeze or anything.

I was getting work done at the jewelly shop a few days ago and the assistant was constantly sniffing, I found myself drifting towards at the back of the shop frightened to go near him. This Ibrance does make you very conscious of things to avoid. My oncology nurse had put the fear of god into me when I was given my first package of goodies. It did the trick I was terrified, taking my temperature 2 or 3 times a day. Thankfully I have calmed down now and seem to be doing ok on it.

[Barbteeth in reply to risingwaves]

I was a bit wary when I first started Ibrance and bought a thermometer but now I don’t do anything different...I go to the cinema a lot but that’s the only time I’m really near crowds

Obviously if someone is sneezing all over I would give them a wide berth

Unless your white cells are very low I wouldn’t panic

Barb xx

[Mindysooty in reply to risingwaves]

I was exactly same and cancer nurse gave me the same scary advice. Just started cycle 5 and Im much more relaxed about it. Im still careful - no point taking unnecessary risks but I have just got used to living with it. We cant go round with a zorb bubble on our heads can we. Picture that haha 😆. Take care xx

[Teddielottie in reply to risingwaves]

I can understand how you feel , especially if fairly new to ibrance . I only ever take my temperature if I am unwell , but I have been fortunate so far to have had stable wbc ( 23rd cycle) , but my husband and I can spot a cough or a sneeze 🤧 a mile off !

[risingwaves in reply to Teddielottie]

Thats really good to know and gives me hope thank you, 23rd cycle

[Teddielottie in reply to risingwaves]

There are ladies on here who have been on it longer than me , many in the US where ibrance has been available much longer ( I started on it in Dec 2017 just as it was approved for the NHS ) . Are you U.K. ? x

[risingwaves in reply to Teddielottie]

Yes I am in the Uk. The oncology department are singing the praises of the drug so I have my fingers and toes crossed. I take Letrosole with Ibrance and have a weekly injection Denosumab. I was having such a lot of pain, lots of fractures and hence lots if pain killers ie codeine, paracetamol and Oramorph. Now I feel I dont need them so I am off them but still taking 2 codeine and paracetamol at night. Probably dont need them though, might stop them its just that I think they help me sleep, having always been a bad sleeper. Also frightened to chance feeling that pain again. So something is certainly working. Due to have a scan in early November and perhaps will discover whats really happening inside.

With my 2 separate issues of also having a primary lung cancer its going to be an important time. My oncologists are great, sharing information and will be sharing the results of CT scan.

[Teddielottie in reply to risingwaves]

It sounds as if you have a good team behind you ... wish you luck x 🍀

[risingwaves]

Yes thank you I think that is good advice, there is time to wait

[Hidden]

Hi,

I feel it would be best to call your oncology nurses, oncologist or GP and ask if it is safe for you to have the flu jab while you are also on steroids. You also need to take your low blood count into consideration and not compromise your health. As you are having trouble speaking on the phone, can you ask a trusted friend or relative to call and then briefly give your consent to them speaking on your behalf over the phone?

I hope you feel better soon.

Sophie

[Hidden]

My family doctor insisted I get my flu shot last year and I did and avoided the flu. Normally if you are sick they won’t give it to you, ie. fever, cold. Your doctor will know what is best

[Mindysooty]

Had this conversation with my onc yesterday. She says we should definitely have it however it needs to be as soon as possible in the cycle following your week off ibrance/palbo as thats when neutrophils should be at their best.

I agree with Sandra though I wouldnt have it whilst you've got other issues. X

[Thrifty51 in reply to Mindysooty]

That is exactly what my oncologist said when I ask last Monday!

[Fighteragain18]

I’m on Ibrance n letrozole too and I had my flu jab last week , all good at the mo abs I’m on round 12

[Teddielottie]

My husband does the same ... I didn’t know you could be allergic to all vaccines... that can’t be easy !

Anyway , after coming down with a cold/ flu virus and high temperature over the last few days , I now know how these can affect us ladies on ibrance (or similar) ... and I was lucky that my wbc was good at the time ...thankfully my temp is now back to normal this morning after taking paracetamol for a couple of days . Take care ! x

[mariootsi]

My onc wants to give me a flu shot when I have my next bloodwork done.

[NPmary]

Ask your oncologist.

[Hokie]

Hi, first of all I agree with the other ladies to check with your oncologist, that being said, I gave flu shots for over 10 years and there were quite a few times when we could not give them. First if your running a temp, also if your on antibiotics as that would affect the efficacy of the shot. It does take 2 weeks to get your immune system up to fighting level if the flu come your way. I was told that because of our immune systems being depressed that we would not get the full flu fighting effects from the shot but was still recommended to get it and I have. As far as the steroids go, my instinct is to wait till your done before getting the shot, but again check with your doc. Don’t feel bad about staying away from crowds, I have done a 180 when a lady and her sick, coughing kid came into the aisle I was shopping on. I’ve also ordered masks from amazon. They have some great reusable one with designs, i go with if I have to wear it it might as well be snazzy. Best wishes, hope this helped somewhat

[Mimiholl]

I would definitely check with your oncologist , first because of your cough and also when you are on steroids all of your blood work looks better than they really are. My red blood cells and platelets were a little lower than my usual low and I was told to wait on the flu shot until they are back to what mine normally are. I am going to Europe though so I hope after my visit next week I will be able to get the shot. I will be exposed to too many people at the airport. Wish me luck, and to all of you too.

Mimi

[Red71 in reply to Mimiholl]

I’m going to Europe in October so I got my flu shot yesterday. Today I have a cough and runny nose that I know isn’t caused by the shot. It’s just coincidental but it’s the first time I’ve been sick with anything since my diagnosis 18 months ago. What bad timing!

[Hidden in reply to Red71]

Hi Elaine,

A bit off topic, but whereabouts in Europe are you travelling to? Are you coming to the UK? I hope you feel better soon.

Sophie 💓

[Red71 in reply to Hidden]

We are doing a Budapest to Bucharest Viking river tour followed by a few days in Vienna. I think the U.K. will be our next trip. This is my first big travel trip (we are in Oregon) since diagnosis so I’m a little anxious about my energy levels. The river tours will allow me to spend an afternoon napping if I need to!

[Hidden in reply to Red71]

Hi Elaine,

I wish you well on your trip. I can certainly understand your concerns. I have been on four overseas trips since last November and was also worried, but I was fine. I would just advise you to get plenty of rest before you travel, take any necessary precautions and to listen to your body. Taking naps is definitely a good idea if you are feeling tired. I also found that staying well hydrated while travelling made a huge difference. I must have drank my body weight in water on my way to America, and I normally drink 3 litres as it is! But I hardly had any jetlag going that way. It was just on the way back I felt tired.

Sophie ❤

[Rbeth]

Hi. Last year my oncologist had a flu shot waiting for me at one of my regular appointments. Guess he’ll jab me again this year. Smiles. Reenie