am flu jabbed and just rolled up my sleeve on my good arm - no need to explain !
Had my flu jab this morning. The nurse asked which arm I wanted it in. I explained and she did what I asked.
Has anyone managed to get the swine flu jab, yet? My surgery keep saying, ring next week.
Ann x
Hi, hope u dont mind me joining in? I had a letter from my GP practice re; the swine flu jab, inviting me in for an appt - theyre offering to the first 500 who are compromised medically, so off i go on Monday! More needles!
Lou x
Hi all
I’ve had a mastectomy on left side with axillary clearance and a risk reducing mastectomy on right side (no axillary clearance). It’s all healed up well although there is small seroma in the breast cavity.
Is it okay then to have flu jab in arm on right side?
Also I’ve heard of having flu vaccine in thigh - anyone had that?
Elinda x
Hi Elinda
I would still say that you should avoid having injections in that arm. Even if you even didn’t have any lymph nodes removed, that side has still undergone considerable trauma (and you still have a seroma). I do think the risk to you is incredibly small, by the way, but in the case of a 'flu jab, it’s perfectly avoidable and a concern of yours that medical staff should have no trouble in accommodating.
As you know, I have bilateral lymphoedema and I always have subcutaneous jabs in my thigh, which the nurses are happy to do.
I think I mentioned that my OH had his latest 'flu inoculation in his right shoulder. I think anywhere there is sufficient ‘padding’ is OK, although I don’t think shoulders on ‘bad’ sides should be considered fair game.
Hope this helps
X
S
Oh gosh I had my flu jab on Weds and didnt even think about 'which arm’just had it on left which was bad side and already have a bit of breast lymphodoema[from op not from jab].I feel so stupid.
Oh Horace
You’re not stupid at all. It’s easy to forget and to just offer the same old arm as normal.
The chances are that your arm will be fine. Avoiding injections in ‘at risk’ arms is a sensible precaution, but forgetting to do this doesn’t mean all is lost.
Keep a close eye on it and don’t hesitate to get help if you ARE worried, tho’.
X to all
S
Hi all,
I try and have anything done (injections, bloods, blood pressure etc) on non-op side. Just to be on safe side. And Horace, that’s what I would do, totally forget! 6 mths post-chemo and still suffering ‘chemo-brain’, oh well.
And Lou, where you been?! Hope all is well with you, been in touch with Jacq and we’re hoping to meet up. Great to see you posting again.
x
i had flu jab on friday… have had bilateral BC 3 years apart with a few nodes removed on each side… most recent was left but opted to have jab in left arm as im right handed so would rather have a problem with my left than my right, and already have mild lymphoedema in my right hand with problems of cording, lymphangitis and cellulitis in the past.
left arm is now quite tender where i had the jag and kept waking me up during the night if i rolled on that side… but thats quite a common side effect of the flu jag.
Thanks all for advice.
Bahons2 - injection in the shoulder isn’t an option as I have shoulder muscle problems both sides (not to do with the BC). The flu jabs aren’t subcut are they (?) but intramuscular so have you had those in the thigh?
Horace - I forgot all the questions I wanted to ask my surgeon when I saw him last week becuase the appointment was brought forward and was so angry with myself I cried. It’s so difficult to remember everything with this treatment.
best wishes to all
Elinda x
Well, you’ve got me there, Elinda :0 
I’ve never had a 'flu jab - I’ve never been offered one and as I’m currently having chemo 3 weeks out of four, don’t particularly want it. (I don’t come into contact with children as a rule, I work from home and I don’t spend much time in crowded public places).
The last injections I had were a course of iron ones last year which I insisted were put in my thigh. I don’t know if they were intramuscular or subcutaneous - should I have been able to tell? (My golden rule is just that no-one touches my arms for anything, ever).
X
S
Hi there
Spoke to my GP today and she said there was no reason why I couldn’t have the flu jabs in my thigh. It will be interesting to see how the nurse reacts!
Subcutaneous injections are more often given in the stomach like the GCSF and have a smaller needle. They can be given elsewhere providing there’s a bit of fat to put them into such as in thigh. Intramuscular have a longer needle and usually given in the thigh muscle or arm muscle (for vaccinations). There isn’t really any reason why you should know…
take care
Elinda x
As a child, I remember having a tetanus jab in my buttock. The nurse made it bleed!
Ann
Thanks for the info’, Elinda.
Ann…all I can say is a sympathetic, and belated, ‘ouch’.
X
S
Hi Cass141!!!
We had massive problems with the computer which had to be returned to Staples, it then when to the maufacturer for repair for 5 MONTHS! It kept blowing up! Anyway, had it back then Davids mum had to have another op - suspected lung cancer although (thank heavens!!) It wasnt but still waiting to find out what excatly has been removed, so as usual with us life upsidedown!!! Glad to see your still posting, send my love to Jacq and all, be back soon,
Much Love Lou xxx