Expert Opinion on Flu Shots?

[Andrew]

What do the ME/CFS experts say about flu shots? What are their experiences with patients who have flu shots? Also, what about pneumonia shots?

 

[WillowJ]

this is what Dr. Lapp says: http://drlapp.com/resources/influenza-vaccination/

here is a summary version of several recommendations:
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/145399/fibromyalgia

There are some recent studies:

http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...patients-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.20956/

http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...mmune-function-in-patients-with-cfs-me.20563/

and maybe more

I personally avoid all vaccines because I have severe downturn in my illness. For me it's better to avoid certain worsening rather than hope the shot will provide a benefit (seems uncertain whether our immune systems will work right anyway). The choice won't be the same for everyone.

 

[Sushi]

What do the ME/CFS experts say about flu shots? What are their experiences with patients who have flu shots? Also, what about pneumonia shots?

There are differing opinions though my docs have told me to avoid both of them.

Sushi

 

[gretac]

Ditto what Sushi said.

 

[HowToEscape?]

YMMV.

Some of us have nasty reactions to flu shots, not surprising for folks with bollixed immune systems. OTOH, I ask for the flu shot and seem to have a mild flu or none each season that I've used it. I live in a huge, filthy city so whatever's going around has a good chance to reach me at some point and figure a full course of flu would set me back quite a bit.

I believe that it would help us if 100% of healthy people would get the shot. There'd be less flu around (though not none) for us to catch.