Flu shot question

Hi Elcamino,

I can really relate to your question...wish I knew the answer to that.....I've been wondering if its best to get the flu shot or not too for several reasons. I used to get them every year  up until 2004 and really believed in getting a flu shot. I got one when they first came out in Oct. of that year ...right after I got the shot (the very next day) there was a recall of the vaccine because they said they found some kind of contamination in some of it... (some may recall that event?)...they didn't elaborate on it too much as I remember....they stopped giving shots  the very next day tho.....couldn't get one anyplace for quite awhile..I got worried instantly and wished I didn't get that shot....they started giving them again a few months later as I recall and said the contamination problem was taken care of.....(wasn't a bit comforting to me tho)...A couple months after I got that shot (at a well known market chain pharmacy here) is when I was hit hard for the first time with PsA...woke up one morning just really bad off and after going to ER's and a bunch of dr's was finally diagnosed w/PsA by 2 different rheumatologists.....I've wondered ever since if I got a bad contaminated shot and it brought this PsA full blown to the surface somehow??... so I am very standoffish about getting a flu shot now...just not sure if its the best thing to do or not in my case... But thats just me, I don't say they are a bad thing, I know they are a good thing for alot of people.... its just the last shot I got, that whole recall situation, and then the  onset of  this bizarre disease was just really overwhelming in my case.

 Probably best to ask a rheumy about getting one to be on the safe side....my 2 cents anyway.

take good care,

wave~

Jonathon

i have wanting to know that too!!!!! i do know an article stated no live viruses should be taken, but then i got a TB test without any problem or concern. Ides, are u on mtx? sry i forget everyones meds.....

have others gotten flu shots?

Thanks Ides. I think if I called my rheumy he would probably say the same, but then he is overly cautious (that is his job). I'm a fairly young, healthy person, other than this AI stuff. I guess the only concern is the mtx and enbrel.

Jonathon, I don't know about awry flu vaccines causing AI, but who the heck knows? It's possible, probably?

Yalinda, I did a brief search and discovered that both the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine are not live viruses, and are recommended for people taking any of the biologics--I'm sure mtx would qualify as well, although it is not a biologic. This same article, though, didn't advise people who are currently in an arthritis flare to take the vaccine. I'm probably going to see my primary on Friday because I've had a fever for the past month and I want to make sure I don't have a low grade infection due the surgery I had last month. I'll ask her about a flu vaccine. I'll miss the flu shots on Wednesday that are being handed out at my job, but I'm sure she would probably give me one if she thought I needed one.

I'm going to take a bath. Feel horrible today.

Elcamino

I take a flu shot and my Doctors also insist that I get one as well because of the meds I'm on and with a weeken immune system it makes it even harder to fight.

Hey El... I have gotten the flu shot while on Enbrel... and everything seems groovy... I was told as long as you don't get the "flu-mist" it is the flu-shot, but like an inhaler, you are ok.. the "flu-mist" is a live-virus as that can be bad for us... Now this is just what I am being told.. .whether that is accurate or not, is a different story.. :) but so far, this will be year #3, and I am doing good.. let us know what you decide

how do we know their alive, do they talk to us heheheeh

sorry i am sick with my humor i know but "House" is my ideal so what do u expect from me but sarcasim

tonight at 9pm fox tv! House

now back to our regulary scheduled program..... Flu shots hehehehehe

el, we can be House grouppies! for those out of area you can go to Fox TV and look up house.

probably best not to get flu shot with temp.... i am waiting cuz of the coughy thingy i got.... but i am worried cuz alot of the people i hae been seeing intheir homes seem to have colds and stuff and i wash my hands best i can after each visit with wipes and b&b antibacterial stuff.

so whats with the temp?????????????

yalinda

Hi elcamino

 

I think the best thing for you to do would be to talk to your dr and be sure you have all your meds with you so he knows exactly what your on at a glance.

 

I hope everyone makes it thru this flu season without too many problems.