Immune system...

eh

by Tracey_E - 2023-05-30 12:10:49

Anyone with any heart condition is recommended to get both flu and pneumonia vaccines. It's a personal choice, one to discuss with your primary and cardiologist.

I've said no thanks to pneumonia, but since covid and developing asthma, I started with flu last year. My understanding is we aren't more likely to catch it than anyone else, but we are more likely to have complications if we do get it. To my mind, that's not necessarily a compromised immune system. My immune system is as strong as anyone's. 

Thanks Tracey!

by Echoplex - 2023-05-30 12:34:02

hehe. discuss with ppl - that's funny, to me - cos I don't have ppl to discuss with - but I mention that in a comment in another post :-) If the cardiologist's office ever calls to make that appointment I'm meant to have - I'll remember to ask that. 

But yah!!! She definitely said that my immune system was now compromised. That was the word. And I that I NEED it.

It's funny, again, cos I also asked if I should have the covid booster as my kid was given one at school ... and she's like "it's up to you" 

LOL. 

 

ay yi yi

by Tracey_E - 2023-05-30 14:34:45

That sounds like someone quoting statements but not really understanding what's behind it. If it's about my overall health, I want to hear it from my gp. He's the one who knows me best.  If it's about heart health, I really only listen to my ep. I tend to tune out advice not related to their specialty. YMMV

My GP is strongly in favor of all covid boosters, or at least he was when I last asked.

Strange Comment

by Penguin - 2023-05-30 15:00:17

You are in Canada and I'm in the UK. In the UK there's a list of conditions which entitle you to a pneumonia vaccination. There may be a similar list in Canada?  Our list mentions CHD and heart failure but there's no specific information about pacemakers. 

That nurse may have this around her neck a bit.  Perhaps she was having an off day! 

Thanks Penguin!

by Echoplex - 2023-05-30 15:20:53

Interesting  ... I'll have a rummage online and see what I can see. 

Definitely glad I asked the question!

Pneumonia shot

by AgentX86 - 2023-05-30 17:22:00

As I understand it, it's not so much that out immunity is compromised or even the "severity" of the disease, rather the margins that our heart and lungs are operating on. For many of us aren't operating on full heart/lung capacity so would , more easily, get into trouble if we got the disease.

I was told to get the pneumonia vaccine before I had my CABG. I think I've had one since (they're recommended every six years, here).

Pneumonia shot

by Julros - 2023-05-31 00:30:22

I had an opportunity to get a pneumonia shot (the PCV or Prevnar one) free of charge and took it, before I was diagnosed with my heart condition. My yearly bouts of bronchitis, sinusitis, and otitis all stopped. They can all be caused by one of the pneumonia strains in the vaccine. This also happens for babies; they get way fewer ear infections if they get the vaccine. 

I agree, though, the nurse may have mixed up some of her info. 

As a nurse, I get exposed to all the bugs out there and gladly take any vaccine offered! 

at risk

by dwelch - 2023-06-01 00:06:53

Pneumonia shot, I dont think I get that one.  But in general we are at higher risk.  I tend to get cuts and even though I clean them they tend to get infected, have to keep an eye on those, one I went to the ER for and the doc said she was debating admitting me to the hospital based on having a pacer.  In the end she marked the outline, gave me the meds and instructed me to come back if it got worse the next day.  I survived.  You dont need to premedicate for dental work, that is not a thing (according to this site).  But the laundry list of shots, are a good idea, but of course that is your personal choice to do one or any of them.  This is the first time in 35 years with a device to year about Pneumonia or flu shot.  I just get the flu shot because its a good idea.  My GP asks me if I have a checkup that time of year anyway.  was first in line for all the covid shots, as soon as I could get them.  Maybe I will start asking for this one too...

As far as your question goes, there is the issue of I have a condition and need this device.  Then there is the I have the device and am recovering from it mentally and physically.  Then there COULD BE the I got an infection or some other thing and now I have to race to the ER or be driven there in an ambulance to have this device ripped out of me, leaving me with a condition, no device to treat it, AND the thing that caused it to be ripped out.   Even if you have to pay out pocket, the shots are worth it.  Now saying that I do agree with Tracey_E (that should be the first rule of this site btw), that I prefer to let the folks that are in a profession work that profession, if the dentist said I needed a flu shot or even offered one because I have a pacer, no thanks thats my GPs job.   If the cardiologist wanted to xray my teeth, no thanks thats the dentists job. If the GP says, you should get flu, covid, pneumonia, etc, I would respond to the doc with, okay, in what order and can I do them all at once or do I have to space them out and if so how much.  Can you do them today. 

Jump, Yes ma'am how high.

YMMV

normal advice?

by Prof P - 2023-06-02 11:15:20

In general, primary care physicians (and PAs and NPs) recommend getting all the available vaccinations and boosters.  Inventing reasons (like pm's) is unnecssary, and this was advice I got well before my pm.  There are caveats, of course, related to allegies to vaccine constituents and some minor discomfort.  But with or without my pm I don't want COVID or pneumonia or flu or shingles.  I'll admit that the Shingrix shots were a pain (really) for a couple of days, but still better to have some protection.  

Thanks all!

by Echoplex - 2023-06-07 15:44:59

Thanks for all the feedback :) Just to be clear, I'm not vaccine resistent - I was wondering if a PM meant "weakened immune system", makes sense that the nurse should be staying in her lane. She meant well!!! :D

... Still waiting to hear back from my benefits ppl to see if it's covered!