Flul shot

[willowwoman7]

My pcp wants me to have the flu shot and my neurologist doesn't....I am soooo confused. I also have asthma/copd. Now I don't know what to do. Why did neuro tell me not to have flu shot? I keep reading that it is recommended for MS patients. Help!

[Lulu54]

bump for yankeesfan4life.    I  hope this helps,  because this is an annual discussion about the flu shot.

[Lulu54]

Boosts of Vit C are on the no-no list from my docs - they say it will overstimulate the immune system.  Before anyone starts supplementing it is very important that you talk with your doctor.  

There's a reason why on all those "drugs you are taking" forms we fill out at the docs, they also want to know all of the OTC drugs, vitamins and other supplements.

We can't know everything and at some point have to trust the doctors we spend our time with to help us make these choices.

be well, stay healthy,
Lu

[Quixotic1]

With regard to taking supplements to boost the immune system against catching the flu we are caught in something of a Catch-22.  Both the Rocky Mtn MS Center and my regional MS center both have handouts warning against supplements that do stimulate the immune system.  While they may help us avoid the flu, they may also ramp up our MS.  Darned if we do and darned if we don't.

Vitamin C is specifically one on the list to avoid in higher doses for people with MS.  (I will try to find the list they print on a vast number of supplements and their known or theoretical effect on MS.)  This is an area we have to be careful in.

On the other hand making sure your Vit D status is adequate may be a complementary way to help yourself out.  Good research shows that an adequate Vit D status may be protective against viral infections and we know that it is beneficial in MS.  Tonya, I know Vit D is suspect in Sarcoid, so that puts you at especially another Catch-22.  It seems we can't win.

Good hygiene, less cotnact with large groups of people and quick prophylaxis are the best bets if we are left without immune protection against the flu.

Quix

[tonyad]

  AS always, it is best to speak w/ your doctors / Neuro's / Rheuny about this as they know best about Your Hx and you know even better about your past reactions!

    You pretty much know what's best for you in regards to your past experience, as well as speaking w/ Your Doctors, and I always go w/ that Gut feeling.......

Take Care,
~Tonya

[tonyad]

   So glad that you made an informed decision and that you TRUST your Neuro as well as yourself!
While many do Ok and some Neuro's say Ok.....Mine ans several others are very against it.  Perhaps, like you said, because we have other health issues than MS....

    But then again, My Aunt, lives in Washington State, her Neuro also Says..NO Way!
So, again I am gald that you have your decision that is best for you :)

     Good old fashioned hand washing, staying aways from those who are sick, And eating Health diet as well as a little boost of Vitamin C   Will help out :)

Take Care,
~Tonya



take Care,
~Tonya

[tjj3761]

I am so glad this topic was brought up.  Quix what is your opinion on my particular situation.

I really do not know what to do this year about the flu shot (since the H1N1 has been added into it).

Last fall I did get the regular flu vaccine with absolutely no problems.  The following week, I did get the H1N1 and I was SOOO sick, I felt like it was all over.  I should have gone to the emergency department.  

I am really absolutely scared to get the flu shot because of my severe reaction.  In addition, I am even more hesitant due to an allergic reaction that I had to Bactrim-DS a couple of years ago, so very ambivalent.

As a child, I had a severe reaction to the smallpox vaccine, which caused a hospitalization due to inability to walk.

thanks......

terri