Offered swine flu jab after rads?

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Hi there

I wondered if anyone has been offered the swine flu jab after just having rads (with no chemo). I finished rads a few months ago, and have gone from one bad cold to another, so I think my immune system must be a bit compromised? I am considering phoning my GP tomorrow to see if I can get the jab, but wondered if anyone else had been offered it or had asked and got it?

Thanks ladies

Shenagh x

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I wouldn’t think it’d be offered unless you were having chemo or have had it as strictly speaking it’s probably felt that rads doesn’t really effect your immunity as such - though you may feel run down,tired etc - I am having it tomorrow though, I had rads and no chemo but I don’t have a spleen and therefore my immunity is compromised (though frankly I feel it’s a bit of overkill) If you were worried that you are less immune to viruses then am sure your doc would consider it.

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I obviously meant MORE immune !

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actually - that’s wrong too - but you know what I mean !!

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I understand that rads does depress your immune system. I was told to have the jab before I start rads next week, which I have done.

I don’t know whether it would be a good idea straight after rads though, if your immune system is already low. You would need to ask your GP.

Ann x

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Hello Ann
I finished rads in jan 08 and had my flu jab just before starting. Did not have chemo but was advised to have flu jab again this year Doc has not yet made a decision on swine flu jab
Take care
Hilary

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Sorry that last message should have said Shenagh not Ann!!

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Hi there - I finished chemo 4 months ago and had last rads 1 month ago. GP advised both seasonal flu and swine flu jabs. Had seasonal flu on Friday will have swine flu on Wed. Hope that helps. Oh and remembered to have it in ‘good’ arm.

Clare

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I finished rads a week ago and just before this I rang my surgery to ask if I would be contacted re swine flu. The receptionist said I would hear from them as they offered it to patients being treated for cancer. Haven’t heard yet but when I do will probably take up the offer. Had the normal flu jab before rads started.

Chris x

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Hi, thanks everyone for your comments. I phoned surgery today and have been asked to go in and speak to them tomorrow about it. I’m not usually one to go asking for injections, but think this is probably needed.

Shenagh x

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Hi everyone,
I asked today while my hubby was seeing the nurse at the G.Ps,I told her that Id had MX,chemo,rads in the last year and that Im nearly 58,she said I couldnt have it because I "wasnt immuno supressed",can you believe that,if I was 60 I would get it no questions asked,even if I was 100% well. C`est la vie.

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woody24

I would have a word with your GP if I were you. I was advised to have it as I am just about to start rads.

Ann x

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I had DCIS, rads, no chemo and still was offered the seasonal flu jab by my GP. The nurse who said not someone who has had chemo etc is not immunocompromised is talking rubbish.
I also had swine flu this year, not through my GP although I believe I would have got it, but because I directly with patients. Had no real ill effects at all except felt a bit rubbish for one day afterwards but no respiratory problems.

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Hi, I finished my rads back in July and have had both the seasonal flu and swine flu vaccines in the last couple of weeks. No bad reactions just a sore arm for a few days.
Good luck, Jan x

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Hi everyone

I saw the nurse yesterday (while getting bloods done yet again for a strangely high liver enzyme - possibly caused by Tamoxifen?) and asked her about the injections. She confirmed that I should have them both, but that I should get the swine flu one first, and then wait a few weeks before having the seasonal flu jag. She said that two lots of potential side effects on top of a potentially low immune system wasn’t the best idea, so to have some time between them.

Thanks again for all the comments

Shenagh xx

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Hi Shenagh,
I was diagnosed in July 07, had 8 lots of chemo and 3 ops, the rads. I have been on Tamoxifen since summer 08 and have just had another odd high liver level test,raised gamma gts. I have had scan and CT and all clear, they said possibly to do with having a slight fatty liver, which if you do aa google search with tamoxifen, it can cause fatty liver and high levels in some liver function tests. Oddly
My onc said raised levels nothing to do with Tamoxifen, so I am interested in what yours said and what your results were.
Many Thanks
Take care
Dawn