Flu and Pneumonia Shots

Do you recommend getting both pneumonia shots as well?

Yes I do! Every day I see previously healthy people die from pneumonia! The bugs around today can kill you fast! These vaccines are safe. Despite what you hear in social media, they have been well researched and they save lives! 

I had the flu jab for the first time last year because I have PMR......no after effects. I had always been reluctant as I could have had it through my work but declined. I am 68. 

Hi. I have scoliosis but never heard of 'reactive' airways disease. I do have COPD however, are the two the same condition do you think? I'm in UK, we have some different names for some things I think.

Reactive airway disease means I get brinchospasm from certain things: smoke, strong smells, allergens particularly mold spores, humidity and pollen. I don't wheeze or cough like an asthmatic.

Restrictive lung disease is from scoliosis. My deformed chest refuses lung space. I've had corrective surgeries in 1956 and 2002- age 60- but my curves were so extreme and 3 of them that limited correction was possible. Fortunately I have NO pain.

I meant reduces lung space- or capacity.

"Reactive airway disease is a group of conditions that include reversible airway narrowing due to an external stimulation. These conditions generally result in wheezing. Conditions within this group include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and viral upper respiratory infections."

whereas

"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

It includes:

emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs

chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people don't realise they have it.

The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control."

So COPD is there all the time, reactive airways disease means you have difficulty breathing in response to a trigger but it can and does reverse. 

Thanks Eileen. I am an ex smoker so that accounts for the COPD among other things, like being brought up in an area full of coal smoke, smog and factory chimney's belching muck out post war but can't get my GP's to admit this, they can't get past me having smoked in the past!

I'm also in the USA. I make it a point to ask and not wait for them to suggest.

How awful!  The doctors n America seem to not really want anything to do with ill people!😡.  7 minutes?  It's ridiculous!  My doctor (in Germany) once spent 3/4 of an hour, examining, phoning a specialist friend (300 miles away!)  because he couldn't understand why my ESR and CRP levels kept rising - even on pred.

Can't you have the flu jab privately, or is it too expensive?

Under Obamacare immunizations/ preventive care  are free. . 

Pour country is going through a health insurance flux. As long as profit-making insurance companies are involved there will be issues with low Doctor reunbursents resulting in skimping on patient care. The Medicare health coverage for the elderly is a gov't program. I found the doctor, both specialist and gp spend enough time with me.

I live in America and my Rheumatologist spends, at least, 1/2 hour with me.  In the beginning of PMR, she spent an hour with me.  She also shares all my information with my GP and vice versa.  I am a lot of confidence in her.