flu shot + TX + post transplant

[Still Living]

Am wondering if anyone has gotten a flu shot while on tx and is also post transplant. Only 2 more weeks to go but due to travelling need to have the flu shot before end.

Thanks

[mikesimon]

I had flu shots post transplant and during treatment. My transplant team ordered the flu shot. Mike

[sallyo]

I am post transplant and I am encouraged to take the flu shot by all of my doctors.  Due to immunosuppresion we more more likely to develop complications with the flu.  I was also on treatment.  This is my third year post TP and on tx.

[Still Living]

Thanks both of you for your comments. I pretty much knew one should have it post-transplant but was curious if doing it during tx was recommended.

[kcmike]

Yes, Post TP and just as I started tx last year I took the flu shot.  I don't recall noticing it much at all compared to shot weekends!

All:  I see a couple of new names, to me anyway, of people post TP.  Does anyone know of a thread in the past that asked for all of those post TP to stand up and be counted?

mike

[sallyo]

I have not seen a thread like this although I tend to come and go on the forum.  I have searched for a forem similar to this one specifically addressing TP issues but have been unsuccesful.  Most everyone on this forum is trying NOT to have a TP but rather to acheive svr.  Doesn't seem fair to bring up issues like anti rejection issues and concerns other than fighting this awful virus which we almost all share. Where and when were you transplanted. I was transplanted in Miami almost 3 years now.  Would love to rid myself of this virus so I can keep my wonderful gift as long as possible.

[kcmike]

Hi sally,

I agree that tx is the main subject here.  I try to call out mikesimon, BThompson or others that are post TP when I have a question specific to us.  I think the other side of this forum, Community, is perhaps a better place to start our threads.  Did you see my last post on 10-4 regarding my post tx biopsy?  I plan on bringing it back up after I review w/hep doc 1 wk from today.

I was transplanted in KC@KUMC in jan '05.  6 months post vl at 60k IU's, 1 yr post 6million and the TP team talked me into tx.  UND at 12wks and stayed UND through EOT (gt-1b).  Next wk 4wk post tx viral load test.  What gt are you and how far along in tx?

mike

[BThompson4]

Your name is familiar to me from this forum but I didn't realize you had a transplant.  I am post-transplant (Louisville, Jan 2001).  Had very low viral load at 60k 18 months after transplant.  Then the virus beat the **** out of me again, and it has been measured at greater than 3.5 million iu/ml the last four years, but no exact number was tested for.  Started treating a year after biopsy showed F2, but liver improved to F0-F1 (no significant fibrosis) in biopsy taken at week 36 of treatment.  Take shot 68 (cleared at week 22, gen 1a) tomorrow, on way to 72 or maybe more it I listen to my hepdoc, who wants me to keep going because I am handling treatment "so well."  How many weeks have you done, when cleared, etc.  Luckily, I have never had a rejection problem, and only immunosuppression is 50 mg neoral twice a day when not on treatment.

Here is a post-transplant board.  I think it died in the last year or so, but it used to be pretty good.

http://mailgate.dada.net/bit/bit.listserv.transplant/sort.html

Hope you are feeling good, all things considered!

[zena49]

Hi new on this sight it's been awhile, but my DR. encourged flu shot also pneumonia shot. Plus I did the twin prix for a&b already feel like a pin cushion.

[mikesimon]

Have you been to TransplantBuddies?
Here is the link for the liver transplant side at that site;
http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/5358/5358.html?1185872115

Mike

[sallyo]

I was also transplanted in Jan 05.  We have a third birthday coming up.  I received my transplant in Miami.    I take prograf and myfortic for anti rejection.  I have had a complicated three years with several transfusions and an atypical pneumona.  Very sensitive to the riba and interferon.  Only on 200 of riba a day and it has been inturupted several times.  Now I am only on "maintenance " pegintron at 30/week.  Still feel lousy on occasion but not so bad.  At least I am back to work part time.  Hard to answer what week I am on in treatment since it has been started and stopped and changed so often in three years.  Geno 1a.  Last vl 1.4 mil.
  Mike:  good to hear from you and also BThompson.  Wish you all well and I will check out the web site.  What is neoral?