It’s that time of year again - will you be going for the flu jab???
yep!
had it for the past 2 yrs. i cant handle(or more correctly my body cant) even a simple cold-dread to think what the flu could do to me.
ellie x
Yes, have had it the past two years, since being diagnosed, so should get invited automatically, now.
People with chronic neurological conditions are recommended to have it.
I’ve never suffered any adverse effects, and like Ellie, I worry greatly about what would be the effect of actually having flu’. It’s not just how awful I’d feel at the time, but it increases your risk of relapse for up to six weeks afterwards.
So no thanks, I don’t want flu’ OR a flu’-induced relapse, so I’ll have the jab.
T.
x
I automatically got it before due to working with very vulnerable people,I will be taking it up at the gp this year for reasons above.
I will ask for it in a different arm if it will be an arm copaxone day mind you.
If you are offered the pneumonia one aswell because you havent had it before that one does make your arm ache so work out which where is best for you.
Pip
Yes. Flu provides cover for the enemy. I don’t want to give MS a chance if I can help it. Alison x
Yep, I`m in there too.
luv Pollx
I always get the flu jab and I missed it this Autumn due to being in hospital and sick with a nasty relapse and I just forgot (I am in Australia so the seasons are going to be out of whack with yours)
As a result I caught the Flu this winter and then ended up getting pneumonia as a secondary infection from the flu. I was in hospital for nearly two weeks with the pneumonia and very, very sick with it. I had pneumonia in several lobes of both lungs and I needed IV antibiotics for a week and oral ones for another 10 days, was on oxygen, had a temperature of 42 degrees for 48 hours and then of 40 degrees for another 3 days before they could get it down to a more manageable 38 for the rest of the week. I nearly died from my blood pressure collapsing to only 70/38 for two days, my potassium levels crashed, my O2 levels crashed, my lungs were full of fluid and I was nearly drowning in my own bodily fluids. I was having severe asthma attacks several times a day and was on 4 hourly nebulisers and nebulisers as needed as well to deal with the attacks.
I very nearly died from it and would have been another person with MS who died not from the MS but from “complications surrounding MS”
Get your flu jabs, please. It could save your life.
Cheers,
Belinda (who sure as hell will be getting one next year)
Yes, I’ve set the wheels in motion with my surgery. Reading Belinda’s post makes me even more determined to get it done. Teresa xx
Yep, I’ll be having one too. Flu can be BAD news for people with MS!
Karen x
Well, since you asked, and yes I have read and understood Belinda’s story, Belinda, I’m sorry you were so ill and I hope you are feeling better now and I have read and understood what Tina says about being more likely to have a reliapse after having flu. However, I’m not having one, despite ms and my dreadful walking and balance i have kept quite well and I don’t think my risk of being seriously ill with flu is any greater than the general population. Everything comes with risks, both flu and the vaccine do. I’m not risking not feeling well after the jab and having to phone in sick to my work because I’m ill with a flu jab when I’ve never phoned in sick due to ms. That would be too much for me! There may be no flu this year, the jab will not be 100% effective or anywhere near that. I don’t think there is enough known about long term side effects either. I’m sure some one will come on and tell me I’m being irresponsible, maybe I am but nothing will sway me. It’s a no. Cheryl:-)
Each to their own view point, Cheryl. I forgot to mention that I also copped a doozy relapse because of the pneumonia and flu as well
I am making a good recovery now from the pneumonia thanks, Cheryl, but as always the relapse will take longer to get over.
You are lucky to have never needed time off work for your MS. It would be rude indeed to then take time off for the flu jab! But TBH I have never had any side effects from the jab at all.
Stay well and flu free
Belinda
Thanks for reminding me - I was ‘sort of’ wondering when it was due because I’ve had ‘the flu jab’ in the past. Catching the flu is a nightmare when you have MS, pity they don’t have similiar for a ‘cold!’
Marcus.
Had it for the last three years. Just booked it again today for beginning of October. Got a letter but also work with children so want to avoid flu. No after effects.
Booked mine for start of next month.
Getting a free flu jab is about the only ‘perk’ of MS.
I’ve been fairly lucky and not had a relapse for 4 years. Flu jabs and Vit D tablets are my only stay-lucky stategies.
I missed my flu jab 2 years ago and i have regretted it ever since. I had a bad bout of flu and i am still reeling from it now. My recovery has been really slow.
I will never miss it again!
I would urge everyone to have it done.
I would hate anyone to struggle like i have done - it’s been awful.
Teresa.x
Oh yes, my jab is booked. People used to warn AGAINST having one, but the way I see it at least the flu jab gives my over active immune system to get it’s teeth into.
TTFN,
Moira
Just called in to the surgery and booked mine for next week
a cold makes my symptoms flare up so I dread to think what flu might do!
Gosh! I’m newly diagnosed with RRMS, seeing neuro in 4 weeks to discuss dmds (tysabri has been mentioned). I never even thought about a flu jab - I’m seeing my gp next week for the first time since my diagnosis - will I be entitled to a flu jab?
Yes, people with long term conditions, ms, diabetes, heart disease,asthma etc are given priority along with the elderly.
I’m def going to get mine done, the small side effects (if you get any) can be sorted with a couple of paracetamols, unlike the devastating effect flu can do to an ms’er.
Suex
What about our partners/carers? If they aren’t old enough to qualify, are they entitled to NHS flu jabs as carers?