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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2010
Posts: 3
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Hi. My name is Annemarie and I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago.
Last year I had pneumonia. I have asked my GP if I need the Flu jab. He said no. Surely I am at risk? I am 60.
Love to all xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Annemarie,
Welcome to the forum!
What drugs do you take? If you take immunosuppressant drugs like methotrexate you should definitely have a flu jab.
I am not certain but I think having RA even without the drugs ,we should get the flu jab.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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I agree with Doreen  YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Is it possible for you to have a word with your consultant's secretary or even your rheumatology nurse? I am almost sure you should be having the flu jab. Also ring the NRAS helpline on Monday - they should be able to give you a definitive answer.
Take care xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Annemarie,
i had the Flu Jab as i am on Methotrexate ... was worried about it but glad i have now and have no qualms about having it again.
it comes up on my GP's screen's automatically now that i should have it.
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I had the flu jab before I started on MTX and was only on sulp...............(still after two and a half years can't spell it).  Both times I didn't have to ask for it, was sent a letter asking me to make an appointment. Paula
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 288 Location: LUTON
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Hello Annemarie, Welcome to this great site, i am on mtx i have the flu jab every year i also had a pneumonia jab a few yrs back, i agree with the other folks talk with your consultant/rheumy nurse.
Take care. Anne-marie. xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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right. made the decision. Going for the jab...how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/21/2010 Posts: 69 Location: North Devon
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Hello it's Julie here I am finding, don,t know about anyone else, but if you have any medical questions go straight to the rheumatologist or the rheumatologist nurse. The first thing the rheummy nurse said was get the swine flu and season flu jabs and have the pneumo jab as soon as you can. When I got to see the nurses at the GP practise they wanted to know (exxcuse the language) the "ins and outs of mags ass" before they gave me the jabs. Then after the nurse consulted her senior, they both concluded that as I had been diagnosed with RA it was best if I have the jabs. Duh that's why I made the appointment! I am supposed to have the swine flu jab because I work with poultry anyway! Good advice is best followed by the art of listening
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2010
Posts: 3
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Aw, thanks guys for the great advice.
It was a b......... docs receptionist that told me I can't have the jab!
I am seeing my consultant next week and will ask him.
Another reason I feel I should have the jab is that I work in a senior school with 1800 people and as catering manager I feed them all! Schools are a breeding ground for millions of bugs and teenagers are at risk of getting Flu.
So, Thanks a million and I wish you all a Happy Christmas.
Love from Annemarie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Yes definatley go for it. They keep advertising here on our local news as
well that all people at risk should have it.
I had the combined in November
Take care and Happy Christmas
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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You are definitely entitled to the flu jab - you should also have the pneumonia jab as well. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/1/2010
Posts: 255
Location: hampshire
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Just saw a BIG sign at my surgery today - said that everyone who is immune-suppressed (that's us) and anyone living in close proximity to them should ask for the flu jab. I suggest your doctor's receptionist needs some retraining!!! I continue to be grateful for my very effective and sympathetic surgery - but I do wonder why they aren't all as good.
Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Annemarie
Welcome to the site.. Its a shame you were given the wrong info at your surgery I work as a gp receptionist and we would have definitely advised you to have the flu jab, especially if you are taking immunosuppresant drugs! Hope you get the correct advice take care x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hi
I have had the flu jab (triple one I think it was) on Monday and it didnt even ache.
Bernie accidently poked the site of the jab today and it did ache momentarily. Big wow! zero fuss and it could save my life.
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 327
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I had the same problem with my receptionist, Annemarie, but at least she did (after a bit of pushing by me) go and check and yes, I should have a 'flu jab. That was last year and this year I automatically got the letter calling me into the surgery. So yes, in my opinion you should certainly have the jab, especially given your working location! Good luck.
Anthea x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/16/2010 Posts: 39 Location: Edinburgh
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hi Annemarie
just wondering if you know that you can also get a pneumonia vaccination (though not at the same time as the flu jab) one of my consultants suggested it and i had to fight a bit with the receptionist at the docs but its worth a try
Laura
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 29
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Should definitely get the jab, in my humble opinion!
BTW, as a former Drs receptionist, I'm amazed that they seem to be giving medical advice! We were always told never to do that - that is what the GP and practice nurse is for.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I went to have my seasonal flu jab yesterday. Sat down on the chair and the nurse asked me if I knew why I had been called. Told her because I've got RA. She then said it was because I was taking MTX and it had dampened down my immune system. She then asked if I had had the swine flu jab last year. Told her I hadn't and that I wasn't called for it. She asked if I was taking MTX then and I said No. She said that was why. I told her that I had been called for the seasonal flu jab for the last two years when I wasn't taking MTX. I am now confused about that, even the nurse looked puzzled/embarrassed.
Anyway, because I hadn't had the swine flu jab last year I had to have it before I can have the seasonal one, so I was given the swine flu one and she has put my name on a dose of the seasonal one for me to go back in 4 weeks time (they have nearly run out of the seasonal one). All of this is what is recommend on the flow chart, the powers that be say that you need two lots of swine flu vaccination if you are at risk.
Apart from a sore arm I am OK but I have now got to make an appointment for round two, if I do get any problems with the receptionist in making the appointment I have got to ask to speak to her and she will sort it out for me.
Paula
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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That's strange Paula.
I had the seasonal flu jab last year but not the swine flu jab and I have also had the seasonal flu jab a few weeks ago. Nothing was said about having to have the swine flu jab first! The nurse did know I hadn't had it because we talked about it.
Doreen xx
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