Flu shot - yay or nay?

Divisive issue. You will get a lot of responses both ways.

I always get one. My immune system is already bad. I work with kids/young adults, and seem to get sick no matter how I sanitize and practice good hygiene.

Never had a reaction to the flu shot myself. Even if I did, a 'ghost' flu wouldn't worry me. What would worry me is the lost work days and decreased quality of life with recovery.

A flu-like cold can put me down for a few days, and feeling miserable for a few weeks.

I had strep before Christmas. I starting feeling ill on a Friday, went to the doc on a Monday, started antibiotics, and felt better enough by Thursday. I went back to work on Tuesday, though I still felt bad. I knew that by then I was no longer contagious.

If I hadn't gotten the antibiotics, I would have been fighting strep for two weeks or more, and lost productivity really is an issue for me. A flu shot is no guarantee of safety, but it does give some protection. And 'some' is better than none.

Also, there are many times we get 'sick' only to discover it really isn't a cold, but rather Fibro just being itself and playing a wee sma' joke on us.

People need to make up their own minds about these things. In my situation, I need all the help I can get.

I've had the flu only once when I was 17. I didn't start getting the shot until I was 40. I haven't got it this year though.
The doctor told me it takes two weeks for the body to build up the antibodies after the shot.

Bwfm, she probably was allergic to other things in the flu shot...especially since she had this happen twice. I'm so sorry this happened. I can certainly see why you won't take the shot. Your description of how your Mom was the first time perfectly describes how I felt when I had that flu in 1997...and I didn't have a shot.

We all have our personal feelings on this issue and have to make the right decision for us. Since I've never had a reaction. I will continue to get the shots since hundreds of thousands of people die each year from the flu. For me I consider it preventative medicine.

Sherrine

I never ever get the flu shot. I have only got the flu once when I was like 18 and once last year. I got t right in the middle of a flare about a month after having my appendectomy. There's no pain quite like a flu pain mixed with the fibro flare.

I didn't get a shot this year but it's the first year in many that I've actually wanted to.

As my wife (rn) and doctors always tell me, it kills people of old and really young age, it's not something to take lightly.

A few years ago, I asked my doctor if he thought people with Fibro should get the shot. He said there's evidence to support both sides...so it's up to me. He asked if I usually got the flu, and no, I don't - so I don't get the shot. I just figure if it ain't broke...

I did get the flu last year, though. Not fun. Usually, I'll just get a few colds, maybe Strep.

Debbie

Hi AnnaBananna and All. Belated Happy New Year.

I got the flu shot in October in Ireland (where I live). I was very lucky to spend Christmas in Florida which I thoroughly enjoyed. Then I got the flu! I'm in bed with a temperature at the moment. The flu shots are tailored to whatever strain is prevalent in your area. Obviously Florida and Ireland have different ones. I think I got this strain on the plane on the way home. Thank goodness it wasn't on the way there. We were delayed on the runway in Philadelphia for 4 hours due to heavy snow so we were on that plane in the recirculated air for about 11 hours.

My point is having experienced both I would rather put up with the slight discomfort that goes with the flu shot any day than have the flu. With the heightened experience of pain with Fibro I am miserable and I am causing more work for the people looking after me. They do enough from me already without all this. I hope I start feeling better soon because I know with the RA immune suppressants that it could go on for a long time.

My vote is get the flu shot and get it as early as you can because you could already have contracted it by the time you get the shot if you leave it too late. Neenaa

There's likely no way I'll intentionally touch a flu shot again. What I've learned over the years from my own body and its unique responses are:

Natural is good. Synthetic is bad.

If I naturally get an illness, my body will work it out, slow or not, it will work it out.

But if you put a man-made concoction of chemicals in me = PROBLEMS. I've learned this time and time again.

I'm not saying this should be the case for other people with FM. I'm talking about me and my unique body and the way it responds to meds of any sort. My body cannot tolerate any meds. None. Nada.

Plus my grandmother was bedridden in the 1970's for months unable to walk cause of a bad vaccine. That's scary. I'd rather not be paralyzed for few months, thanks. I'll opt out. The rest of the world can go and do their vaccine duty. Sorry with my chemicals sensitives I can't afford it.

I remember one year they had a bad flu strain going around, swine flu I'm thinking. Then like a month later they had a vaccine. I forbid my son from getting it, what kind of testing can you do in a month? How can you possibly predict long term effects in such a short time?

Plus you can't always trust something that you can get for free.

I know that's my conspiracy theory side coming out, but seriously makes you think. Along with what was mentioned about being paralyzed from a vaccine? Geeze.

Sorry you and your hubby are sick, Karen.

Get well soon! Lots of broth, or whatever works!

Hugs, Debbie

Joy my story is just like yours. November of 2012 I received a flu shot (no side effects) was flu free until March when I was hit HARD; hospitalized for 5 days after suffering 3 days at home. When I was released from the hospital I was still down for the count for another 5 days recovering. Obviously I caught a strain that wasn't in my flu vaccine shot. I still believe the flu shot is important. However, I went to get one this past October and my doctor wouldn't give it to me because I had a low grade fever and a runny nose, even though both are normal for me. He told me to come back in a week. I didn't go back until the beginning of November because I came down with a mild sore throat and cough. In November my doc wouldn't give me the shot because I still had the cough. I went back in December and they were out of the vaccine. I am hoping to get the flu shot sometime next week.
I really hope it keeps me flu free, I am surrounded by "germ carriers" daily ( I am a High School teacher ). I can't afford to miss work, I already used up all my sick and vacation days last year with all my health issues, to the point that I had to file for FMLA since my principal was being a jerk. She was requiring me to bring a doctors note every time I called in, and in all honesty some days I felt too crappy to even make it to the doctor, all I did was sleep. I don't like missing days with my students but when I have a flare up I'm really not good in the classroom anyway.