Flu Shot experience here in the USA

Thatnks for posting this.  I have been debating whether or not to get the shot.  Probably a good idea.

Mary

I too was a bit nervous and had it last week.. Arm a little sore and I felt like I was very tired and a little sore during the day and fine the next day. Next week pneumonia.  will let you know.

I have had the flu vaccination for many many years without any side effects before I suffered with PMR . PMR only diagnosed this year. I too was nervous about having it this winter and so discussed it with GP. He told me that it was more important for me to have it now that I have PMR and taking Prednisolone, although he didn't explain in more detail. I wish I had asked why,anyway I followed his advice and had it last week and I have been absolutely fine, no side effects at all. My GP did advice me not to have the Shingles vaccination though so I have declined that one. 

This comes up on the forums every year at this time! There are people who blame PMR on the flu jab - if it did happen soon after getting the jab then it almost certainly was coincidence. There are thought to be multiple triggers for the underlying autoimmune disorder that causes PMR and the flu jab is not one that consistently gets mentioned. Many patients (especially under 65s in the UK) have never had a flu jab but still developed PMR.

As cc says - it is even more important to get the flu jab when on pred - it may not provide perfect protection but it does give your body a fighting chance of fighting the flu and it being less severe. Anyone who has had real flu (not just a severe cold virus which so many people describe as "flu") doesn't want it a second time. You go from fine to unable to stand in a couple of hours and will struggle to even get out of bed for a week. If you are unlucky you may develop pneumonia - my husband missed his flu jab last year because he'd had a mild bronchitis at the appointment. He was in bed with flu for a week and it took 6 months for the pneumonia to clear from his lungs despite 3 lots of antibiotics. 

A sore arm doesn't compete!

I had both flu and shingles shots over the weekend with no ill effect except a bit swollen like a mosquito bite. I've only known people who have had shingles and it seems  like a long and painful illness, I thought I would rather try to avoid it.

Hi Erica,As Eileen says,a sore arm doesn't compete.

Until I reached age 65 I never had a flu jab and suffered once or even twice some years.I always needed at least a week off work and was unwell for several weeks afterwards.

Flu is serious.It can strike within hours taking you from well to unable to get out of bed very quickly.It's not just a heavy cold and the last time I had it,I felt that if I was as unwell when I was older I might not even survive,and I'm not making it up.It was horrendous.

Fortunately I lived next door to my daughter for a number of years and she was able to take care of me.She fortunately doesn't get flu.

All I would say is, if you are worried about getting a sore arm then you've probably never had flu.

I had my jab on Monday and I've got a sore arm too, but having had a lifetime of flu every year, I know which I prefer to have.. no contest.. 

 

I'm convinced...off to get a flu jab today.  Just for general knowledge, I have know a few people who got shingles in later life  & were in incredible pain & developed long term problems afterwards.  There is both a shingles & a pheumonia shot & I am not sure whether you should get them with PMR or not, but seem worth doing if & when possible.

saw my rheumatologist yesterday and she insisted I get a flu shot before I left saying that my resistance would be lower resistance to the flu on prednisone and with PMR.  So I did and other than a sore arm and a bit of bruising - no problems.