Swine flu (H1N1) vaccine and its effects on CIDP patients

I am a 72 years old male. Nov/Dec., 2008, I was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP); Stage 0, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS). Currently I am not under any treatment.

I am aware Guillian - Barre' Syndrome (GBS) is the acute form of CIDP and there has been the remote possibility of cases of a very small sample of people contracting GBS after receiving the H1N1 (swine flu) inoculation.

I am also aware the only flu inoculations available contain both the avian and swine (H1N1)  components. Given the fact I have CIDP I do not want to be exposed to ANY risk of contracting GBS as a result of receiving either or both the avian and swine flu vaccines.

I have been advised that if I receive a flu shot it should contain the DEAD VIRUSES, NOT LIVE VIRUSES.

I would appreciate the opinion of this panel regarding the advisability of receiving the combined avian and swine (H1N1) dead vs. live vaccine when diagnosed with CIDP.

Thank you.

Ed Wentz

[MMahon]

I had the shot with the 'dead' viruses in it, or so I was told.  I have CIDP.
I had a bad reaction the evening of the shot, which I hear is common for those getting the shot.   I was better the next day and have had no other ill effects.  Hope this helps!