Flu Shot or Not?

[jen673]

This is my first year with MS and I have never in the past gotten a flu shot.  Knock on wood - but haven't had the flu in years.  I have read that it is recommended to get the shot and not the mist.  My question is how many of you get the flu shot each year?  

Jeny

[Sumanadevii]

I was on steroids last year...every 21 to 28 days...one gram each day for three days.  My neuro insisted I get both the flu and pneumonia shot.  Her reasoning, I just didn't need anything more to help me into a relapse.

[rendean]

ONLY the shot should be given because it is deactivated and you CANNOT catch the flu from it. The mist is not deactivated and can
pass on the flu.

Ren

[jumpinjiminy]

I had the preservative free vaccine on Monday. I was feeling great through this morning, and then woke up with symptoms that had been silent for a while. So far, it's not nearly as bad as getting the flu and what it brought along for the ride. I hope this doesn't last long, because I was really feeling great. I would love to have a nice . . . loooonnnnng . . . silent spell this time.

[RedFlame]

I get the flu shot every year without any problem.  Unfortuneately,  I was too late getting mine this year and am just getting over the flu right now.  It has taken up permanent residence in my left lung at this point.

My suggestion is to have the shot

Red

[Audrey_M]

I will be getting my flu shot this month.

I got my first flu shot two years ago, not having had the flu since I was a teenager. I did not get one last year, ended up with the flu which turned into pneumonia (even though I had a pneumonia shot which is supposed to last five years). I don't want to go through that again, so I am definitely getting the shot!

[twopack]

There's little need to consider any vaccine while you are taking steroids.  The immunosuppresant effect will likely keep your body from mounting the necessary reaction to provide any protection.  

Hopefully your MS symptoms and disease activity will be better controlled by the time the steroids have cleared your system.  Maybe your doctor will reconsider at that time.  It will be closer to peak flu season but you could still have time to build some immunity before the worst of flu season hits.

For information to help you form questions to ask your doc try reading Quix's extensive explanation of how vaccines work and protect.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/The-Real-Poop-on-the-Flu-Shot/show/1606126

Hope you are feeling better soon and manage to stay that way.
Mary

[jensequitur]

Right after my appendectomy, while I was waiting for the doctor to discharge me, I got my flu shot.  My experience is any disease is made ever so much worse by MS.  And it causes me to have a mini-relapse three days after I'm over being sick with the flu!  Getting vaccinated is always a good idea.

[Guitar_grrrl]

I got mine a couple of weeks ago.  I had a pseudoexacerbation for a day afterward, but a day of exacerbation is a lot easier to take than months of a possible exacerbation if I get the flu.  I say go for it.  Just make sure it's one of those NOT preserved with Thimerosol!

[jen673]

Thats interesting.  I think I may be in a flare right now but nothing serious enough that I've called my neuro.  This is all so new to me.  Not knowing what to call the symptoms I am having.  Scared to get sick if I get the shot and scared if I don't :(  I think I will just wait a bit and pray about it!  Feel like I am limbo with this all emotionally.

Thanks for all the input - much APPRECIATED!!!!!

Jeny

[Doll555]

Just saw my neuro and she said not to take it. She said my ms is too active and she is worried it may cause a relapse. Plus not sure it is a good idea to get while on steroids. Hope I do not get the flu.

[jen673]

Thanks for all your answers.  I think this will be the first year I get the vaccine.  Better safe then sorry right.  I am already feeling like I may relapsing again and dont want it to get worse by catching the flu!

Jeny

[jumpinjiminy]

I wish I had gotten one earlier. I caught the flu already, and the short enjoyment of my nearly symptom free life disappeared with it's arrival. Welcome back, noodle legs, tremors, blurred vision and severe abdominal spasms. Not!

[COBOB]

Your comments are kind of alarmist and ill informed

There are version of the flu shot without Thimerosal (an organic mercury compound.)  Each 0.5 mL dose of flu vaccine contains about 25 micrograms of mercury.  This is far less than you will receive from the typical yearly consumption of seafood.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228#thi

I have gotten the flu shot every year since 1980, along with various other vaccines over the past 30 years (Measles, Plague, Anthrax, Yellow Fever, Cholera, Haemophilus influenzae, Smallpox, Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Mumps, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B,  Meningococcal, Rubella and Pertussis and several rounds of prophylactic antibiotics.   I have no evidence of peripheral neurotoxicity and my heavy metal screens have detected more Beryllium, Uranium  and  Arsenic than anything else (organomercury was below device detection levels.)  Being in the military leaves marks that are not visible.

I will worry more about being struck by a bus than the danger of the vaccines I have taken.

Bob

[bairdy]

im not sure what to do about it ??
my gp has offered it but cant make up my mind as i have not been offially
dx yet.
regards bairdy

[Red_Star]

Never had a flu shot. Never will. I prefer not to be injected with heavy metals and proven cancer causing agents.

[Wobbly]

I just got over the stomach flu, and hope I don't get another flu.  Not fun.  But I do not yet get the flu shot, I might this year though..getting older..

take care
wobbly

[sllowe]

I voted YES

I'm not a lifelong flu shot person either. But, have done so the past few years, and so happy I have.

Complications to the flu can be so very bad.
Wishing you well with your decision :)
-Shell

[Sparkysarah]

I have had the flu jab for the last five years (mainly as I was classified as a carer for my son who has aspergers syndrome and also when she was alive my mother-in-law and in uk carers get offered flu jabs. However now I also qualify as I have a chronic illness).

I usually get a sore arm for a few days but feel it is a small price to pay as I do not want flu as it could put me into a relapse. So I would recommend it.

Sarah

[twopack]

I'm ready to get mine as soon as I'm off the Prednisone long enough to be sure I'll make the antibodies.

I get one every year and haven't been sick from the vaccine or with any flu type illness for as long as I can remember--longer even!

Mary

[jujuminx]

I don't get them but I wouldn't advise someone else not to get it.  It's a risk I am willing to take and have fully discussed it with my gp and my neuro.

Julie

[Needhelp16]

I don't get them because they always make me sick for about week!

[Lulu54]

I just sent a link this weekend to the daughter of a friend who was questioning on Facebook whether they should actually get the flu shot.  It is important that those people who can get immunized against communicable diseases do so to protect the people who can't get them for various reasons.

You can read a good basic explanation at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity

I believe Quix is working on a new discussion of the flu shot because this is an annual topic.  I will see if we can bump up the discussion from last year that will give you lots of good information.

Bob is right -avoid the flumist because it is a live virus vaccine.

be well, Lulu

I've already had my flu shot - they did them at work last week.

[COBOB]

Yes, even folks with HIV and AIDS should be vaccinated according to the WHO and the CDC.  

Not the FluMist, but the inactivated particulate vaccine.  It can not give you the flu.  Flu kills people in the US every year and failing to get vaccinated reduces the "herd immunity."  

Bob