Yesterday my hubby`s hand was super swollen with a nasty flare up of his arthritis (he has both rheumatoid and oesteo). It was so painfull that he was unable to drive.
So he rang our GP. She came and said she thought his specialist should be doing something about it. he said they`d told him to ask his GP for some painkillers, next time there was a problem. Anyway, she wrote a script out for some co-codamol.
BUT the thing I am posting for really is that after she had finished with hubby, she asked me if I`d like a flu jab.
I asked if she had any with her. She said she had, as she knew she would see me when she visited my hubby. So she brought a jab with her.
Well isnt that wonderful? I am quite touched at her kind forethought! She injected me and I never felt a thing.
So now I dont need to make an appointment and trek to the doc`s.
See, nice things NHS wise, do happen!
By the way, poor hubby is no better and is now waiting for a return call from his RA nurse.
Thats really good to hear you have such a forward thinking gp. Sometimes it’s just left to the district nurses for the housebound, your gp obviously cares about you!
I had my flu jab at work yesterday and hardly felt it, no side effects that a couple of paracetamol couldn’t sort out either. I dont know why some worry about having it.
Phoned GP and was told they couldn’t fit me in for a month! Middle of November!
She then told me that Morrison’s pharmacy are doing them for £7.
Now I know I’m entitled to a free one and I should make a fuss… but quite honestly Morrison’s is closer than my GP surgery AND I won’t have to make appointment… so I’ll go tomorrow and pay.
I had flu about 5 years ago and combined with MS it was HELL. Not going to risk it again.
Pat x
Jonny… YES heard of pneumonia jab. You only need to have it every 10 years. Most people over 75 (I think) have it… but maybe worth considering with MS. Px
Pat, I’ve had exactly the same - I was offered ONE date - yes ONE, but can’t do it, because it’s the date of my neuro appointment.
You’d think now I’m not working, almost any date would be fine, but they still managed to pick one that’s impossible. I’ve got to phone back tomorrow (even got dedicated times you have to ring) to see if any new ones have come up. But I already think I might end up going to Boots for it. Less faffing!
Yes, I’ve read all the negative comments but I feel that if I go for the flu jab, no matter how unremarkable, I am shutting (albeit a small one) one of those back doors. There is always going to be controversy about things like this but if its on offer my opinion is go for it, the side effects are usually small, nothing a couple of paracetamols can’t sort, What can you lose??
Hallo - I’m new, both to MS & forums so please forgive me if I don’t know how to adhere to posting etiquette. I’m having a bit of a dilemma - I had a flu jab 2 years ago (prior to MS) as I’m asthmatic without any side effects. It’s been one month since diagnosis & I think I’m feeling better & believe I’m coming out of my (so far) first & only episode. (Neuro says due to 2 lesions on brain & 2 on spine - I’m ‘likely’ to develop MS but have so far had one episode). It’s been a dark journey over the last 4 weeks - very low, scared & constant crying (anger & pity too). The vitamin D replacement started last week 10,000 iu (I was at 10) & whether its psychological or its kicked in but I’ve been feeling loads better, fatigue has lifted over the last 6 days & I haven’t cried once & actually feel like myself - first time since my episode occurred in July. I have a flu jab booked tomorrow afternoon & for some reason I’m just so fearful of having it. I’m scared it will break my good spell & just in knots. I’ve read the posts above & it all seems to point to - just have the jab as the side effects are minimal & can be dealt with a couple of parecetamols. Apart from getting the nurse to check my temp before the jab, is there any advice anyone could give me?
You mentioned you had a flu jab before you were diagnosed with no ill effect. I am not medically trained but I can’t imagine that having a flu jab now is going to have any different effect on you. I can understand why you are concerned but if I were you I would be more concerned about myself being at risk of catching the flu. I have only had the ‘real’ flu once in my life and it was horrendous, its not the same as the normal bad bugs and viruses that go about, it is debilitating. The very worst effect most people get is a heavy feeling in the arm and possibly a few cold like symptoms and clears up in a couple of days max. The pluses far outweigh the minuses for me. Surely, being an asthmatic, you would want to be first in the queue without taking into consideration everything else that is going on? If you voice your concerns to the nurse I am sure she will put your mind at rest and advise you what to do.
Thanks everyone for your replies. Last year was the first year I decided to have the flu jab…it did me good, as all I got was a 4 day cold. it knocked me flat, but nothing like full blown flu would`ve done, eh?
Rosy, I appreciate your reply, love. ta. As you have a question and are introducing yourself, if you do a fresh post on EL board, you`re more likely to get several replies. Otherwise, your reply to my post may not get seen by many users. Sue has given you good advice.
Welcome to our world. we`re all here to help and support each other.
I rang to book my flu jab,and they said yes you can come at 3-30 for it,as long as you have the smear we have written to you about and you have been avoiding for 10 yrs!!
I went and had both…no pain or discomfort from either.
I do have to say it was a crafty way to catch me but fair play to them.
The yr I had the pneumonia jab at the same time as flu one I found the pneumonia arm was extremely pain for several days.Never had anything with the flu one.
Hi Foxy1 - I had my first flu jab last year, being 65, and was advised to have pneumonia jab as well, which apparently usually accompanies the first flu jab, and which lasts for 10 years. Hope this helps. B.
Went Morrison’s yesterday and they were ‘too busy’. Went again today and the woman that does it wasn’t there. They told me they only do it when she’s there and not ‘too busy’.
Went to Boots and their’s in £12.99 and you have to make appointment.
& forums so please forgive me if I don’t know how to adhere to posting etiquette. I’m having a bit of a dilemma - I had a flu jab 2 years ago (prior to MS) as I’m asthmatic without any side effects. It’s been one month since diagnosis & I think I’m feeling better & believe I’m coming out of my (so far) first & only episode. (Neuro says due to 2 lesions on brain & 2 on spine - I’m ‘likely’ to develop MS but have so far had one episode). It’s been a dark journey over the last 4 weeks - very low, scared & constant crying (anger & pity too). The vitamin D replacement started last week 10,000 iu (I was at 10) & whether its psychological or its kicked in but I’ve been feeling loads better, fatigue has lifted over the last 6 days & I haven’t cried once & actually feel like myself - first time since my episode occurred in July. I have a flu jab booked tomorrow afternoon & for some reason I’m just so fearful of having it. I’m scared it will break my good spell & just in knots. I’ve read the posts above & it all seems to point to - just have the jab as the side effects are minimal & can be dealt with a couple of parecetamols. Apart from getting the nurse to check my temp before the jab, is there any advice anyone could give me?