flu shots - have you reconsidered this year?

[November Girl]

I've reacted badly to flu shots in the past, so haven't taken one in years. I'm considering one now because the flu seems worse than usual, both in severity and numbers. I expect to feel pretty bad for 2 to 3 days if I do get one.

 

[Ian]

2002 Government Reform Committee

 

[snowathlete]

my wife thinks that maybe i should have one so we are thinking about it. She heard that it is bad this year, and that people with immune issues should have it.
Its not a live virus one so thats good if you are going to have one, but there are probably stuff in there that may not be good for us. Problem is we just dont know enough in relation to ME to make an informed choice.

I probably wont have it.

 

[Sparrow]

My ME specialist advised me not to get any vaccines, because he felt that the risks for us outweighed the benefit. Not sure whether or not he's correct, but I'm going to take his advice and avoid them unless there's a particular vaccine that becomes extra important for me for some reason.

 

[cb2]

i am going to try viralox with Prp.. supposed to be 3x more effective than the flu shot.. time will tell i guess!

 

[Dreambirdie]

ABSOLUTELY not not not ever would I consider a flu shot.

Too many risks for someone with both MCS and CFS.

 

[Sushi]

For me that is like asking whether I want to reconsider getting another "life threatening reaction" this year, because the flu is worse. The last time I took one, it was a "shall I call 911" situation.

Sushi

 

[Clodomir]

My ME begins with a vaccine against flu....
Before, I was" normal": working full time, taking care of my kids and my husband, having social life.
Now, I am at home, in my bed most of the time, having cognitive problems, pain, etc...
So, for me, it is NO

 

[Parismountain]

Just got mine yesterday. First one in about 7 years. Will have my relatives update this if I meet my demise.

I'm braving it, this one sounds pretty bad. I even have a cold and went and got the shot.

Dr. Lapp warned me in the past but I am overriding that suggestion this year.

 

[SOC]

Daughter and I both had flu shots this year. We have had mild-moderate rxns to flu shots in past years, but this one was no problem for either of us. We take them because they seem to work for us and the rxn is not too bad -- certainly better than getting the flu, which did happen to us the H1N1 year when flu vaccine was short and we were not considered sufficiently at-risk to get one. We both ended up with H1N1 and pneumonia after which we were both much sicker with ME/CFS.

OTOH, if I'd had a severe rxn in the past, I don't think I'd be willing to try again. For those whose docs recommend against getting the flu vaccine, consider checking with that doc to make sure you can get a fast Tamiflu prescription if you do get the flu.

 

[Sushi]

Just FYI for anyone interested: Not everyone like Gary Null, but he has written this about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine: http://prn.fm/2013/01/08/gary-null-flu-vaccine/#axzz2HibZDoYv

Sushi

 

[SickOfSickness]

Yes, I decided to stop getting vaccinations but I gave in because this year's flu is bad. I got mild reactions to my past flu shots so I was willing. As an adult this is only my fourth or so.

 

[Kati]

Not getting a flu shot. No way

 

[Little Bluestem]

I am reconsidering. I started getting flu shots after I got ME. I had no idea what I had, but I did not want to get another "nasty flu". My reactions were very consistent. They lasted 24 - 36 hours and were not extreme, although they did keep me in bed. I am now helping to care for elderly parents and am having a difficult time finding time to have a flu shot reaction. If I get the flu, I will not have any choice, so I guess I better get it soon.

 

[Valentijn]

I'm skipping the flu shot. It's not effective with some immune problems, and might cause bad reactions with other immune problems. Plus the nasty additives need to be detoxed, and I'd have to find a way to get access to an egg-free version.

I'll stick to my usual approach of avoiding human contact

 

[KathySkes]

My ME begins with a vaccine against flu....
Before, I was" normal": working full time, taking care of my kids and my husband, having social life.
Now, I am at home, in my bed most of the time, having cognitive problems, pain, etc...
So, for me, it is NO

Clodomir, I can relate to your experience, I was also able to have a "normal" life prior to taking one dose of azithromycin last year. How long ago did this happen to you? Am I crazy to think I can get back to how I was before? Do you ever get depressed about getting the shot in the first place?

 

[Clodomir]

I'll stick to my usual approach of avoiding human contact

You are right, Valentijn. That is what I do... Every person who looks "unclear" ( Coughing, Sniffing, etc...) is banned.

Have a good day

Clodomir

 

[Mya Symons]

I usually don't get the flu shot because I get sick for a few days afterwards and I worry about quality control (what else is in that flu shot). However, this year has been such a bad flu year that I called my doctor and made an appointment to get one next week. I have already had one respiratory type flu and the stomach flu from hell (the kind where you are on the toilet with a bucket and laying on the bathroom floor). I have heard there is one more really bad respiratory flu going around that people are getting pneumonia from and have been reading how this years flu season is the worst in over 10 years. I have had my quota of long lasting flu this year. I will take a few days of getting sick from the flu shot versus weeks of being sick. I think this year, the flu shot is worth getting.

 

[SOC]

I suppose that I should add that my daughter and I do not have the option of avoiding people with the flu. She is in college, my husband travels frequently all over the country, and I tutor kids. So for us exposure is pretty much guaranteed. That significantly influences our decisions about getting killed-virus vaccines. That and getting H1N1 three years ago. I'd rather have a mild flu than a bad one.

I'm not sure what I would do if I could hole up by myself in the house during flu season. Avoidance is a good option if you can pull it off...

 

[*GG*]

No, I have not reconsidered. My Vitamin D level is very high, and I take 4 to 5 grams of Vitamin C a day, and will increase the Vitamin C to 1gram/hour if I feel the onset of illness/the flu.

GG