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Flu shot and Humira...

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/15/2010 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
My community is offering free flu shots on Saturday. I am going to be starting Humira early next week. Does anyone know if this is an issue I should address with my dr before going ahead and getting the flu shot right before starting Humira? Also I am on 40mg Pred and 150mg Immuran...

I get the flu shot every year due to taking immunosuppressants for years... maybe Humira will complicate things? Any thoughts?

Thanks

B

Posted 10/15/2010 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, check with your doctor first.

Their answer is usually, "yes, go ahead", but I've had the occasional year when I've been told "no," so please check first.

Good luck with the Humira.
Posted 10/15/2010 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
And no live vaccine. So no nasal flu vaccinataion I was told.
Posted 10/15/2010 8:44 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on Cimzia and my GE recommended a flu shot, which I got and haven't had any ill effects.
Posted 10/15/2010 9:37 AM (GMT 0)
I just started Humira and was told not to get any live vaccines(by Doctor and Pharmacist).
Talk to you doctor.
Posted 10/15/2010 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Humira last year and got the flu shot and H1N1 shot, both with no problems. But I would still check with your doc first.
Posted 10/15/2010 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone - I will definitely follow-up with the dr.

I love this site :-)

B
Posted 10/15/2010 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
As long as you do not use the live vaccine you should be fine. Good luck!
Posted 10/16/2010 9:56 AM (GMT 0)
gee we go through this every year ;o)... all reputable sources say its safe to get influenza vacines. it is a "DEAD" virus. the only thing we shouldnt get while taking these drugs are "LIVE" vacines such as flu nasal sprays, yellow fever, etc..
Posted 10/16/2010 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
thanks again guys- i confirmed it is not a live vaccine and I spoke with my humira nurse... she said that if i get the shot i still need to confirm that it is ok to go ahead with humira by speaking to my dr. my dr is not available until monday so i am hoping that if i get the shot, it won't delay my starting humira. i will call the dr on monday to be sure but it seems ok to go ahead with the flu shot today.

thx for all the feedback, its been great

B
Posted 10/16/2010 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am also starting Humira this  wed coming, I was advised to have the flu and pneumonia jabs done beforehand along with Hepititis A & B  just to give extra protection as I  will be still on pred and Imuran along with the Humirs so immune system will be hitting rock bottom!! Good luck with the Humira hope it works for you :0) Bev x   
Posted 10/16/2010 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
good luck to you too crohnielass- I am nervous.... but I think I have come to terms with it... :)

B
Posted 10/16/2010 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Me too! I refused it a few months back but, surgeon advised me its the only other thing that will help heal fistula's as I have already tried Remicade but had a reaction on second dose although it did start to heal a small fistula, I think I might be ok once I've had the 1st two doses on wed  then when i have it done a fortnight later I will know what to expect. good luck ill let you know how it goes smilewinkgrin Bev x
Posted 10/16/2010 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have to have 4 doses on the first day, and 2 doses two weeks later. Is a fortnight the same as two weeks? :)

B
Posted 10/16/2010 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, 2 weeks. A nother piece of advise i was given was to make sure you eat beforehand also, take a pain med before too as it will help. Have you got to have it in your belly and thighs? its the belly one in scared off haha!!
Posted 10/16/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm starting Humira tomorrow and I got a flu shot last week. My dr. told me to make sure I got it before the Humira. I hope it true that'll work for fistulas because I've been suffering with those for a while. Good luck!
Posted 10/16/2010 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have to have one in each thigh and one is each lower quadrant of my belly on the first day- the belly ones are scaring me too! Everyone has been telling me the medicine burns going in but it goes away within a minute or so.... we will see. There will be a nurse with me on the first day but then I do the rest of the injections myself. I am using the syringes and not the pre-loaded pen. That way I have more control over the flow. What are you guys using? I had to give myself injections in the past so it is not too indimidating for me and they also told me if it is too hard I can switch to the pens later. I can't comment on fistulas as that is not currently the issue for me but I hope for both of you that it works!!

We maybe should start a "new to humira" thread for this coming week.

B
Posted 10/16/2010 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I am using the pen they will do the first two then 2 weeks later if i'm comfortable about doing it then i can in front of them. I really hate needles so the pen is good for me so I can't see it!!!! Lets hope it works for us both we will have to compare notes when we have had our first shots what day are you getting yours done? Bev x
Posted 10/16/2010 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Lovely 985, the surgeon told me of a few successful patients he has dealt with who have various fistula's one man who had fistula's down below, through his stomach, around 8 of the darn things went on Humira and within less than 6 months they had all dried up!! I know everyone is different and it may work for some and not others but, its worth a go at least then we can say we tried. Wishing you the best of luck with it, let us know how it goes will be thinking of you tomorrow. Bev x :0)
Posted 10/16/2010 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am not sure which day but it will be this week for sure. The meds are here in town and the nurse is waiting my call, I am just waiting for the "yes" from my drug plan. I have been told this should be done on Monday so then I will get the Humira shot asap after that... depending on what the dr says abou the flu shot ( i think it should be ok). We will all have to keep each other up to date to compare notes- I fully agree :)

B
Posted 10/16/2010 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
also crohnielassie, can I ask why you take questran? Thanks

B
Posted 10/16/2010 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have only been on questran for about a month for diarreah which I have had since having the hemicolectomy. It has been a godsend, so wish they had put me on it years ago. Bevx
Posted 10/16/2010 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, a lot of you are starting Humira this week. I agree we should keep each other updated. I'm doing the pens. I received them last monday and the nurse is coming tomorrow. I heard if you leave them out for 10-15 minutes before it should hurt less and also to put an ice pack before and after. I'm nervous about putting 4 of them tomorrow but if it works it'll be completely worth it :-)
Posted 10/17/2010 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thx for the questran info- my sis takes it for D as well but she has never been DX with any condition, she just can't control her D. I tell her she is the classic casetudy of a mis-diagnosed crohns patient. While it sucks having this disease, at least I know what I have. She just has D and no DX... I saw it in your signature and it is the first time I had heard of the med other than from her. Thx again. I know she has to have her liver checked thru bloodwork for it, I guess u do too?

There are a lot of us starting Humira this week... fingers crossed for us all!! I agree, if it works the shots will be worth it and then some!

B
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