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Original poster

Annoyed with doctor re flu jab

15 replies

Wallace · 26/10/2005 18:48

I took dd to the GP today to get her cough checked out, and ask a few questions about her flu vaccination.

Her chest was clear, with no wheezes, so great. But when I asked him about her needing two doses of the flu jab 4 weeks apart, as it is her first. He laughed at me, and said "Where did you get that from?" in a dismissive tone. As I didn't want to say mumsnet (!) I said "a friend" and he said that he had never heard of it.

He then went on to say in his opinion dd doesn't need the flu jab anyway. This was an opinion based on what? Well, he hadn't even looked at her notes until we were in the room and he was asking if she had ever had any illnesses, he then looked at the most recent page in her notes, and flicked through vey briefly, and said "Oh, I see she had a VSD repair" (heart op). And that is as much as he read...

Okay, I wasn't sure whether dd should have the flu jab, but at least I know her well enough to judge!

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 26/10/2005 19:10

She should get a free flu jab and it should be given in two doses four weeks apart.

He's a git.

Don't stand for it.

singersgirl · 26/10/2005 19:12

How irritating! Two doctors in different continents (in Singapore 2 years ago and in London last week) told me that children under a certain age (didn't tell me what age and I didn't ask) needed 2 shots 4 weeks apart for their first jab. Though it looks as though the surgery will have run out by the time DS1 is ready for his second.....

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 19:55

Thanks for agreeing with me

I hade already made my mind up that she should have the injection (wasn't too sure when the letter first came through), but he made me even more sure with his attitude.

I really wish I had been able to get an appointment with dd's lovely GP, who told me once "Bring her (dd) in as often as you like, she has really brightened up my day" He also really listens to what you have to say, never makes you feel stupid, and always reassures you, and cheers you up

OP posts:

Heartmum2Jamie · 26/10/2005 20:09

Wallace, I am angry on your behalf!!! Your dr sounds like a complete idiot. My son has heart problems, some repaired, some not and is booked in for his flu jab on 21st Nov.

If you need any more info, I found this from the children's heart federation very useful and it clearly states they should have 2 doses 4 weeks apart. I plan on printing this and taking it with me when we go.
Flu jabs and heart children:GPs and parents need facts

Oh, and if you are worried about them running out, you can ask them to keep the other half in the fridge with your childs name on ready for the next appt.

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 20:30

Thank you! I was sure I was right, and now I know. I think I will print that off and take it with me too.

Even though dd's heart is repaired, I do think it is a good idea she gets it anyway. When she gets a cold she always breathes so noisily and heavily. Dh has bad asthma and eczema, and dd already has eczema, so knowing her she will develop asthma at some point.

Which heart problems does your ds have?

OP posts:

tissy · 26/10/2005 20:32

erm, didn't the doctor spot her scar when he listened to her chest ?

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 20:40

She wouldn't let him listen under her top - he had to listen through it!

OP posts:

Heartmum2Jamie · 26/10/2005 20:46

LMAO Tissy!!! The scar is a bit of a give away!

Wallace: I agree that the jab is important whether they are "fixed" or not. At the moment, when Jamie gets a cold, it takes almost 4 weeks to get over. I would hate to see him with flu. Jamie was operated on for coarctation of the aorta & hypoplastic aortic arch this April. He still have problems with his left heart valves and aortic steosis. As for eczema, Jamie has it too but not asthma.....yet, lol! It's such a worry not knowing what to do for the best and then the dr's don't seem to know what they are talking about half the time.

Did you daughter actually end up with her jab today??

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 20:55

I hope Jamie is doing well, we were so lucky that dd could be so easily fixed.

Her jab is next Tuesday, I thought I could ask the GP a few questions about it...big mistake! I also asked him about the Pneumovax one - apparantly that is olny for the over 65's... I know what you mean about it being such a hard descision. You worry if they don't have it, in case they get the flu, but then if they do have it and feel awful after, you feel guilty.

He might not have noticed her scar anyway as it is not very visible, and also is in an unusual place - it goes acroos the front of her chest (I call it bra-line level)

OP posts:

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 20:57

and will he need more surgery?

OP posts:

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 21:01

just visited heartline site for first time in ages. I didn't even know they had new forums! Did I spot you there HeartmumtoJamie?

OP posts:

Heartmum2Jamie · 26/10/2005 21:11

Yes, you probably did, it's nice now they have the new boards and you can add all the info to your siggy. I was forever forgetting who had who and what conditions they had!

As for more surgery, we really don't know, it just depends on how well his valves hold up. They (aortic & mitral) are both dysplastic, meaning deformed in some way. His mitral valve leaks sightly right now. We will know more at his next cardio appt at the end of November.

As for the jabs that they are entitled to, as far as I am aware, children with heart conditions fall into the high risk categories for the flu jab, AND the pneumonococcal jabs. Jamie had his first dose of prevnar today. He will have the second dose in 2 months and then have pneumovax the autumn he turns 2 (he's just turned 16 months).

It was very thoughtful of the surgeon to make it so that your daughters scar will be at bra level and not visible if she wears strappy tops in the summer when she's older. How old is she?

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 21:40

She was four in June. We are coming up to the third anniversary of her surgery in December (can't believe it's been that long!)

Her scar really is good the way it goes across , her surgeon was very eager to do it that way - I got the impression he doesn't get to do many like that as it is only simple repairs that can be done like that. I have never met anyone else whose scar is like hers. Apart from bizzarly someone who had surgery in the fifties or soemthing like that!

I will ask about the pneumovax again when she goes for her flujab

OP posts:

Original poster

Wallace · 26/10/2005 21:57

I just posted a scar photo on member profiles if you're interested. It was taken four months after surgery. I do have better pictures, but not on this computer.

Just been reading about flu jabs on Heartline - I can't believe the struggle you have had getting Jamie his jab, it doesn't seem right!

OP posts:

Heartmum2Jamie · 26/10/2005 22:15

I just posted on your member profile. I will have to post a pic of Jamie when I get the chance, as all his pics are on the PC, including all his hospital photo's.

Oh, and be sure not to get me confused with the others! There are 3 Jamie's on heartline, lol! I wouldn't say I struggled to get the flu jab, it's just a long wait. By the time we get it, we will have been waiting nearly 6 weeeks.

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