Flu and Pneomonia vaccines???

[silvermoon]

Hello to all! Hope everyone is feeling better today ! Hope this post will be of help to everyone!
I'm wondering what the consensus is among the various doctors on getting flu and pneumonia vaccines before/during Tx. This was brought up as being important, by a nurse, when I was applying for a clinical trial. Since I also have asthma, this would be important, I would think!! My doc hasn't mentioned it, although I am going to ask..It is ON MY LIST now!! I am feeling that Tx, ot prep for Tx is rather dis-jointed (I have mentioned this here before)..but it seems to be getting better, as he is getting more flexible..
Would appreciate input!!  Thanx!! and a great day to all!!

[Eyedeas]

My gastro pushed all his patients to get the flu shots.  As long as you're not allergic it's a plus not to get sick (sicker LOL) while dealing with tx.

Kim

[britgirl]

As I understand it, you can't get flu while you are tx as the interferon is what our bodies produce to combat flu anyway. We are protected against viruses but not bacteria.

[MajNeni]

My GI suggested flu shots, and definitely to do the Hep A and Hep B series, unless you already have immunities for them.  MN

[Indiana]

I always got all the flu shots and such while I was on tx. I have heard nowhere that it could be harmful to tx.....except from the nutballs who believe that ALL immunizations are harmful to everyone anyways.

[Showboat]

Yes, I was encouraged to get the flu shot.

[jonihs]

My G.I. wouldn't start tx. until I had had boyh flu and pneumonia immunizations and begin hep A & B immunizations before he would begin tx. However I began tx. in Nov. during the flu and pnuemonia (pneumonia) season. I think that they are needed, but not until flu season. The A&B should begin immediately.   Joni

[snook_man]

I hate the damn flu shots!! Everytime I have ever gotten one, I got sicker than ever before.. I know that they used to inject a live virus into you,which would actually cause that, but now I believe it is a dead virus, supposedly..
My wife was telling me about some syndrome they see come into the hospital that is directly related to getting a flu shot.. It is called Guillain-Barre' Syndrome..It causes nerve damage to your muscles, and eventually paralysis of the effective muscles if not caught early..About 100,000 people are affected by this syndrome every year. It starts by your arms or legs going numb, or tingling, then follows into the extremeties..
I would definately only go by your Dr's recommendation for this one..

[silvermoon]

THANX!!  As always, lots of help from everyone... ya'll are great! I think this is good info for everyone!
I have had Hep A and B vaccines  finished the series in March..talk about being wiped out !!!!!
From a logical medical standpoint, I thought it made good sense to get these, especially because of the immune system compromise already in place.. but, as we also know, alot of things seem to slip thru the cracks with the doctors sometimes.. so, now I am armed with more info!! have added these to my list..have appt Thurs..  was going to start Tx next Mon night.. but ..it is going to be pushed back a couple more weeks..seems that LIFE is getting in the way of things!!!  LOL.. well, at least I am STILL laughing!! I am guessing that is a PLUS !!

[Indiana]

You are doing all the right things by getting all your "ducks in a row" BEFORE starting tx. You do NOT want to make any more decisions than you have to after you start. Have all that you can set up and decided ahead of time.
Life gets in your way?? NO way!! Life for me is not defined by problems and responsibilities. Those things are simply things to be dealt with and dispatched as quickly as possible. Life is all about enjoying ourselves and helping those who we find along the way to enjoy life too. We do the best we can on any given day to get past all the **** and be happy. There are always problems to be dealt with. If we are happy and healthy we can deal with anything and smile while we're doing it. That inspires others to look at life the same way. Pretty soon everybody is smiling.
There is NOTHING more important than ourselves and our health. Without that we can be no use to anyone else or ourselves.
Do what you have to do.....but don't let lifes problems or "preceived" responsibilities get in the way of staying true to yourself. You need to focus on YOU to get this done. The world will "survive" without you for awhile while you heal yourself.
Keep your eye on the prize.....
If you ain't laughin, then you ain't livin.

[jonihs]

Could you, like bottle your attitude and outlook, and pass it out.  Love,  Joni

[silvermoon]

Hey! Thanx so much for the great note and for sharing those thoughts with me.!  It is greatly appreciated!
and yes, I am trying to get all my ducks in a row, because I really can't count too much on anyone else.. everyone has their own busy lives, and I hate to be a bother..I am used to handling everything myself. I like to maintain a sense of some control of my life.
  I have always been the nurturing caretaker type..and it is hard for me to realize that I can barely deal with myself now, muchless anyone elses stuff. But I know that I have to get well now..
I always stay true to who I am, which is why life isn't as easy as it could be.. but being able to look myself in the mirror everyday is more important. and I can't concern myself with anyones elses Karma.. just my own !!
I agree that life should be enjoyed..  wish it were that simple..I have been thru alot, and always manage to smile thru it..most people never know I have a concern in the world. I find joy in simple things, and don't sweat the small stuff!!
Ya know, it's funny, seems most people, even friends and family,  feel that since I keep smiling, since I am not weeping and moaning and wailing all the time.. that I must mot really be sick.. I don't look too sick.. maybe I look a little tired, but not sick!  I have rarely been sick in my life.. I DON'T
DO sick !!
So, Indiana... I will indeed do my very best to keep a smmile on my face.. at least for everyone else.... and one of these days, I just might actually enjoy life again..  it just isn't a whole hell of a lot of fun right now!!  but I am a Capricorn.. a stubborn, steady, determined mountain goat.  and I haven't climbed all the mountains I have for nothing..
and HEY!!  on the brighter side.. I have found this group of wonderful encouraging people to help get me thru it.. I can always count on finding info, help, and best of all.. lots of laughs when I come here!!  
So.. thanx again for the encouraging words.. take care.. Carol

[Indiana]

Thats the whole point....It IS that simple! Life isn't all that complicated. What complicates it is US. It's OK to just say NO to people and "Things". If you just tell folks that you can't, won't,refuse, or choose not to do somethng for them.....they will find another way to acomplish thaie task. THEIR problems are not YOUR problems.
I help a LOT of folks with "problems" these days.....but I don't take them on as my own problems. If you let others lay their "problems" and "responsibilities" on YOU...you will drive yourself nuts!! Children are the only exception to this rule of mine. But they are controllable. Once they are not....they are on their own.
If you don't focus on yourself now and throw out all the other peoples ****, yu may not be around for them later. THEN what will they do? They will just move on. The "others" are not so dependent on you as you might think.....not if they are adults.
Do this one last thing that you fel you HAVE to do.....then close up your personal "house" and focus....on YOU. The world will survive without you for ahwile while you heal yourself.
Life itself is simple.....it's all the **** that tries to get involved that sucks. I will help you laugh at it all.....

Hey Joni.....
I DO have another NEW business devoted to Attitude Adjustment....."Indys' Attitude in a bottle and First Aid shop"! It has a bottle and a note. It says...."If folks don't like your attitude on tx, hit them with this bottle". The First Aid kit then comes into play.  Hahahahaha

[jonihs]

Just send me a price list since I have several in my life I'd like to hit w/ the bottle. But just any bottle won't do. I have to be able to explain that the instructions were "prescribed" to me. LOL    Joni

[Honey15637]

Hi Carol,,,,Yes I do see the nurse in you daily and that is such a good thing as you help so many people! However,,,you have alot to tend to now and yes once starting tx...you are going to have to release some control and let others do for you! Listen,,,since starting tx,,,I have had to tell people no and that has been the hardest thing but I have realized my limits and know what it is going to take to get through this. And I agree,,,it is hard as people don't really know your sick because when you leave your door daily,,,you put on your smile and make it work! Hang in there Carol,,,you will do just fine with your determination and life outlook!!

[want2live]

Flu shots, along with the Hep A and B vaccines are counterproductive to treatment as they raise your viral load.
I would take my chances and stay away from them if your goal is to eliminate the virus.

[britgirl]

I'm pleased someone else is giving the advice i was given by my hospital. I was told, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES,  to have any vaccinations before, during, or for 6 months after tx. It is a well known liver transplant unit, and i am sure they would not give this advice lightly.

[jonihs]

I am/was 2b. I did all the vacinations, as was told by my doc that hepb or a were practically death sentences to thos of us w/ cirrhosis. At 3 months, am still clear. I don't believe I'm the only 1.   Joni

[silvermoon]

WOW>..Thanx for that new info.. everyone says something different..whcich is why I asked in the first place! because this is disease and Tx is still so new...
  I was told that it was important to get vaccinated against HepA and B.. and it mades sense, since contracting either of these, in addition to the Hep C I already have, could be fatal..  I got HepB immunity in the 70's when I was nursing.. but that only lasts 10 years.. so had no immunity left...so, I got the vaccines ..started last Sept, finished in March.. had no baseline viral load done before getting them to know what they did to my load.. What I DO KNOW is  that AFTER getting them, especially the first 2 and lasr 2 together.. I felt like HELL>.like a fresh case of HEP.. for 2 weeks... and.. my viral load, before getting the last set was down from 1,780,000 to only 373,000 on it's own..that was drawn the same day I got the last set.. then a couple months later, my viral load has gone UP to 2.2 million..Therefore.. that could very well be the cause. I also had to have a tetanus shot just before that.
  As for the flu and pneumonia.. since I won't be going out around people much.. maybe I will re-think those!
I am going to look into this further.. if anyone has any links to info, I'd be glad to have them!!  Thanx again!!
and, take care

[silvermoon]

honey...Hey !!.  Thanx for the kind words, encouragement, and advice. and I hope you are doing well....
As far what others see..
Even though I qualified for SSI in less than 3 months, because I am so sick, others just don't seem to 'get it'. I am too weak to work, I 'give out' quickly... but I still am perceived as not sick... I recognize that friends and family usually have a hard time accepting that someone they care about is really sick.. it is hard for them to deal with and to understand..and they don't know HOW to help or WHAT to do..so it is easier to do nothing.. I recognize that I am a very strong person, and not everyone is...we are all different. I usually only leave the house to go to the doctor and grocery store, and an occassional walk on the beach at night.  I hate this...I'm used to being very active, very busy, and staying in excellent shape.   I am a nurses/doctors worst nightmare... I am a LOUSY patient!!! LOL!!  but, hey.. I'll make it thru this.. and I'll have great folks like you and others on here to help me and keep me laughing..We will all help each other!!
( I am holding Indian to his word!  He put it in writing!! _ LOL !! Gotta run... Take care and Thanx again!

[silvermoon]

Uh-oh.. you put it in writing..and I'm going to hold you  to it!!!  
I agree with your philosophy .. and that life IS simple.  yes, it is all the **** that complicates things..and then there's that green paper stuff that is also required to get by.. that is a much bigger problem than dealing with this illness and Tx.
I don't do much of anything anymore, as far as helping and doing for everyone else..  I hate not doing it..and miss it.. BUT.. I simply CANNOT.. I can barely handle my own stuff..
I'll keep smiling, keep plugging along, do what i can.. and what I can't will just have to wait..I realize that i have to ALLOW myself to rest in order to recover... I'll meditate, listen to music, talk to folks on here, do some art, and yoga, (and I am learning TaiChi at home)..and I'll do my Tx drugs, be sick, come on here and whine and laugh, and offer info and support for others, and I'll get better.. and start life over again!!   We do what we have to do!!
THANX SO VERY MUCH  for your support and insight! If you ever want to email me, rather than taking up threads, I'd welcome it..   Have a fabulous day !!

[want2live]

I am glad to hear that you are cleared. I should have been more verbose on the subject, as it is everyone's individual choice to take the shots. Fatal is a big side effect, worse than higher viral loads.
Perhaps what is best is to take them about 6 months b4 tx, then start. It is my understanding that the shots can escalate the viral load and keep it there for up to six months.

[Honey15637]

Its weird that each dr says something different.  I also go to one of the best in country and first thing he said was I needed to get hep a/hep b vaccination.  Said if I got either one of those on top of hep c,,,could be disastrous.  Then he just 2 weeks ago,,,Repeated test to make sure that both these shots after completing all series,,,Took!  They did and I have been undetected since beginning of tx and just started week 30 so who knows?????

[jonihs]

I saw a t-shirt the other day that said "sh-- doesn't just happen, theres always an a--hole somewhere close"  Think I'll get me one. My favorite tho, says,"A woman w/out a man is like a fish w/out a bycycle!"        Joni

[jonihs]

God I love it!!!! Joni

[jonihs]

God I love it!!!! Joni