Vaccinations following breast surgery and radiotherapy

As I understand it, forever. I had my flu vaccine and Covid jab as the same time, last year I had both in one arm, this year I was in a private room so had one in my arm and one in my thigh. Once the lymph nodes are taken the risk of lymphoedema is always there according to my oncologist. All the best x

Hi Bilko19 

I was told that this is for ever.

I've recently had my flu and covid injections and both were done in the same arm.

Hi Latchbrook, I'm really confused, I've asked many health professionals who haven't even heard of it...including the nurse who did my recent mammogram!!

Thank you Anna, I will continue to use the opposite arm to be on the safe side!

Just really surprised at the many different health professionals I have asked, having absolutely no idea!

Hope you are doing ok x

Every heath professional I've ever spoken to has always said that the arm on the side that lymph nodes were removed from should not be used for blood pressure checks, blood taking, injections, etc. 

This started 8 years ago when I had lymph nodes removed for testing after a melanoma diagnosis.

If I've ever queried this advice since, eg when at my GP's surgery, or having blood taken at the hospital, or with the pharmacist when I've had injections done they've all said the same.

I agree it should always be in the opposite arm. The first time I had both jabs I mentioned I had had radiotherapy but they told me it was fine to do one in each arm. Luckily I had no reaction but since then have always had both in my left arm. I really don’t understand why the professionals aren’t aware. There’s a lot of us out there who have had radiotherapy getting regular jabs. Same with blood pressure. I guess we need to look out for ourselves! Having both in one arm isn’t that bad.

I was told by BCN on Moving Forward course that it was safe to have in affected arm .

but  I don’t want to risk it. Pharmacist was happy to put both vaccinations in one arm .

I don’t know about radiotherapy and how that affects it. I haven’t heard that although maybe I should have! I thought it was to do with lymph node clearance. First time I had BC I didn’t have a node clearance and did have radiotherapy, nobody discussed it with me and I had regular blood tests (I also have RA) from both arms. My picc also went in my surgery side. But the second time I had lymph nodes removed and was told never to have anything done on that arm and to be very careful gardening (wear good gloves) and avoid any punctures to the arm or hand.

Hi

I had my flu jab in the side of surgery as I have a PICC line in the other arm. I was told it was perfectly fine as the surgical side was "healed enough". Turned out I had a nasty viral infection as my immune system was at an all time low due to I had started chemo. I wish I had waited until chemo has finished so I was a little stronger but as we are well into flu season, seemed a good idea.

I haven't had my COVID jab yet but I'm treating it like we were back in lockdown. Only go out if necessary. Wear a mask in crowded supermarkets and carry gel with us.

Any visitors must wear a mask or not visit if they've been ill recently. I really don't want 5 days of antibiotics and feel shocking again.

Just interested, have you had your lymph nodes removed? X