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Posted 10/6/2010 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I received the Afluria flu vaccine last week which is my first time in over ten years.  BIG mistake!  My IBS which I normally keep in check has flared up and I am feeling worse than ever.  Yesterday I had to stop on my way home from work because the cramps were too painful.  I don't want to discourage anyone from getting the vaccine but beware that this might happen.  Anyone else have problems with receiving the vaccine?  Thanks.
Posted 10/6/2010 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
You sure it was the vaccine? It might have just been a flare up?

I get a flu and pneumonia shot and it hasn't ever bothered me.

But who knows.
Posted 10/7/2010 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'm positive it was the vaccine.  I am ultra sensitive to vaccines and the cramps and mucus came on spontaneously afterward.  Last year I needed emergency surgery for a small bowel obstruction which from time to time I still feel cramping from that.  I'm not discouraging people from getting the vaccine but I am curious to know if anyone exhibited the same symptoms.  This year they are adding the H1N1 portion to the vaccine (all in one) and maybe this made the difference.
Posted 10/7/2010 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Did you have any flu like symptoms?

This is just the gov site on flu vaccines.

http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/index.html

Phil-E, you do have IBS?
Posted 10/9/2010 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Call me crazy, but I don't like the thought of injecting mercury into my bloodstream, or those other less desirable ingredients. Have you read the Afluria ingredients list? I read that there are no controlled clinical studies demonstrating a decrease in influenza diseases after vaccination with Afluria. What prompted you to take the vaccine for the first time in 10 years? I have read vitamin D and avoiding sugar are some things that can help fend off the flu. No guarantees with any of these I suppose...vaccines or natural supplements. Hope you feel better soon.

Posted 10/9/2010 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Just fyi


Questions & Answers
What is thimerosal?
Thimerosal is a very effective preservative that has been used since the 1930s to prevent contamination in some multi-dose vials of vaccines (preservatives are not required for vaccines in single dose vials). Thimerosal contains approximately 49% ethylmercury. There is no convincing evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. However, in July 1999 the Public Health Service (PHS) agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure.

Today, all routinely recommended licensed pediatric vaccines that are currently being manufactured for the U.S. market, with the exception of influenza vaccine, contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts. Thimerosal preservative-free influenza vaccines are available, but in limited quantities. The total amount of inactivated influenza vaccine available without thimerosal as a preservative will continue to increase as manufacturing capabilities are expanded.

Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
Yes, the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States currently contain thimerosal as a preservative. However, some contain only trace amounts of thimerosal and are considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be preservative-free. Manufacturers of preservative-free flu vaccine use thimerosal early in the manufacturing process. The thimerosal gets diluted as the vaccine goes through the steps in processing. By the end of the manufacturing process there is not enough thimerosal left in the vaccine to act as a preservative and the vaccine is labeled "preservative-free".


http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/about/QA/thimerosal.htm


On a side note here, it was believed and still is by some even though recently its been totally proven Thimerosal doesn't cause autism.

about Influenza
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu every year in the U.S. Everyone is at risk for the flu, but some people, such as older people and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. In the U.S., annual epidemics of influenza occur typically during the late fall through early spring seasons.

I get one because I am at a high risk for problems personally and it has always worked pretty well for me. If I don't get one I can end up with two or three flu problems a year. Last year not one or the year before.
Posted 10/9/2010 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Just fyi


CDC Says “Take 3” Actions To Fight The Flu
Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. In 2009–2010, a new and very different flu virus (called 2009 H1N1) spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. Flu is unpredictable, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to spread this upcoming season along with other seasonal flu viruses.

CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm
Posted 10/9/2010 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Phil-E, are you feeling any better?
Posted 10/10/2010 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I think the word pandemic was a little overused. Even European countries are using the word "hype" in their media reports. Fewer people died of swine flu than the 36,000 avg. that die from influenza each year. There were actually fewer flu deaths last year. Quoting comments from the CDC website about thimerosal doesn't mean everything they report is 100% accurate. There are studies that have been done that do find risks with thimerosal. My point is not to bicker about who's right or wrong, but to make sure you make informed decisions. Read what goes into these vaccines and what studies were done before you decide if you are willing to have it injected into your body. Note: There have been no controlled clinical studies demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with AFLURIA. As an aside, if my mother had given in and taken a drug that was deemed "safe", I would have been a thalidomide baby. And yet, still the FDA has approved its use in the US for certain patients for pain. Be careful out there.
Posted 10/11/2010 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
"36,000 avg. that die from influenza each year"

I don't want to be one of those people.

Also a couple days of stomach issues is way better then months of the flu and stomach issues. Flus either really upset my IBS or makes it go away until I feel better then upsets my IBS.

Millions gets them and are fine, so its a matter like you say of risk factors and your personal immunity and medical history. I got a flu years and years ago while cooking for the president of the USA and then goit pneumonia and was close to death.

There is a lot of bad information on flu shots as well. Even major consiparcy theories that it is being used to kill off the population of the world. Its not.
Posted 10/14/2010 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Too late for a flu vaccine already received, but if one is concerned about the Thimersol component, did you know that you can ask for a preservative free vaccine? The multi-dose vials have quite a bit of Thimersol to act as a preservative. The preservative free, single use injections are usually saved for infants and pregnant women, but if you ask sometimes they will be willing to use them for others. I work at a hospital and our infection control nurse will only offer the preservative free flu shots.

As a side note, based on personal experience, I always stay away from the flu mist because because they are a live attenuated weakened viruses that have a higher chance of side effects. My son spiked a high fever after a flu mist and it was high even with medication. Regardless of what the CDC says about it's safety, there is a reason why they say no flu mist to those that are under 2 years old, pregnant, have asthma, etc. The shot is a safer way to go if you choose to do an immunization.

All food for thought. There are some who of course skip the flu vaccine all together. Always boils down to benefits vs. risks.
Posted 10/15/2010 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I eat lots of vegetables, safe fruits, and limit sugar/grains. As well, I take reputable beta glucan, an immunity booster. Have not had the flu since I can remember, and I teach elementary school. Didn't even get the flu last year when most of my students/teacher friends were out with some type of illness. My husband and 2 teenage daughters are never sick. I attribute it to eating well, limited sugar/grains/processed foods, and lots of whole, vitamin-loaded natural foods. Living in Florida I get lots of vitamin D. We are hand washing freaks, too :) I just don't like all the extras they put into the shots, thimerosol-free, or not. I guess it is a personal thing. Here's to good health :) ..............
Posted 10/15/2010 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Kim123 that's awesome that you have worked to achieve what sounds like good immune system and can skip on the flu shot. (= I have also never gotten the flu since I can remember, I have gone most of my years without a flu shot. I also wash my hands a lot and here in Wisconsin, I take extra vitamin D and get it through the sun when I'm able. I used to be anti-flu shot, but now I think it's very much a risks vs. benefits individualized situation.

I now have daily diarrhea since my gall bladder was removed and since most of a person's immune system is through the digestive system and my absorption is not good, even if I eat good natural foods my immune system isn't the greatest. I also work at a hospital as a therapist to provide direct patient care sometimes to those patients who have influenza. I have a 1 year old and a 5 year old to go home to. I think the flu shot for me is a bigger benefit than risk.

In a person with a good immune system, good digestion and eating healthy foods, good hand washing, etc. I would too skip the flu shot. (=
Posted 10/16/2010 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
This is just interesting on the treatment for bird flu

New Study Indicates That Even Delayed Treatment with Oseltamivir Improves Survival in Patients Infected with Avian Influenza (H5N1)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101015005212/en/Study-Delayed-Treatment-Oseltamivir-Improves-Survival-Patients
Posted 10/17/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Shawn- yes, it is interesting, and maybe life-saving. Each of us have to decide on the efficacy of any vaccine. There may be times it would be prudent to take it, and other times when it may not help.

On Tamiflu- one recent study found, " Because of their low effectiveness and the possibility of the onset of resistance we conclude that NIs should not be routinely used in seasonal influenza. In the case of a serious localised confirmed epidemic, NIs could be used to prevent serious complications. We identified no comparative evidence of the role of NIs in avian influenza.

According to a review of phase IV evidence from eight cases (adolescents and adults) by Hama (Hama 2008), oseltamivir may induce sudden behavioural changes in recipients including hallucination and suicidal tendencies and sudden death while sleeping. This evidence comes hard on the heels of the review ordered by the Japanese government which is in part triggered by the 567 of serious neuropathic cases received since the 2001 launch of the drug. However it is estimated that 9 million doses had been sold since 2001, making such harms (even if proven) rare.

Again, it is all about making informed decisions. If it will save my life, I'm all about it. I willl carefully weigh the pros and cons after doing my reseearch, and not let my doctor, or pharmaceutical company pressure me to make that decision for me.

As an aside-You wouldn't believe how I was humiliated and pressured during my 11 year-old daughter's annual check up to have her get the Gardisil vaccine. 11 YEARS OLD!! It was part of the routine "required" package of shots for middle school, and it was only because I took time to ask specificially about each of the shots she was going to get that I found out Gardisil was hidden among them. The doctor as much told me she didn't appreciate or would want any patients coming to her office who were "anti-vaccination". I'll let you guess whether I allowed her to get that particular shot that day. As I said previously, be very careful out there......do your research.

Posted 10/17/2010 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I completely agree, research is so key to making an informed decision.

I am amazed about how trusting a lot of patients are to taking various medications and immunizations with complete trust in what the average doctor recommends. I have a physician friend and he told me that it's pretty much a joke that the medication labels say "ask your doctor" about the medication when really the doctor is just trusting the pharmaceutical company to give accurate information to begin with. Working at a hospital, it never ceases to amaze me how so many elderly patients are taking 20-30 medications at a time not to mention the "required" immunizations during their hospitalization without ever questioning their doctor. Sure, some are well worth it, but I believe some of them are unnecessary and sometimes another medication is taken to deal with the previous medication side effect. The scariest thing to me is when 5 years or so down the line there is a discovery that a certain medication really was dangerous in some regard and is pulled off the market when previously it was FDA approved.

Maybe most people in general don't do their research because the truth can be frightening...
Posted 10/20/2010 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Got my shot yesterday and although my arm was a little sore, no problems with it. 

My wife who almost never gets the flu caught one just recently.

Posted 11/17/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
I have GERD and IBS and I keep them under control with diet. Two days ago I received the flu shot. Approximately two hours later, I experienced a flushing burning feeling that started in my lower back and went up into my shoulders, and neck and shortly afterward the diarrhea started. At first it scared me and then I realized it was having an IBS attack. I haven't experienced this since the last time I got a flu shot two years ago. When I realized what was happening, I took Mylanta and lots of water. That helped the burning somewhat. The diarrhea lasted until late the next day. At the time of the injection, the doctor asked if I was allergic to eggs and I told her no but with my IBS I can't eat eggs because they cause a flare up. I wonder if because the vaccine is made from eggs that's why I had a reaction. Bottom line is that I feel the benefits of the flu shot outweigh the side effects. However, I will think twice before I have another flu shot because once my IBS and out-of-control, it takes approximately two weeks to get it back under control.
Posted 11/17/2011 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a problem with eggs! I wonder if the live vaccine given with a nasal spray is made with an egg culture?
Posted 11/18/2011 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
kazbern...I don't know if nasal flu vaccine contains eggs, but the side effects listed are a lot more than with the injection.
Posted 11/19/2011 9:16 AM (GMT 0)
Posted 10/6/2010 6:24 AM (GMT -7)
I received the Afluria flu vaccine last week which is my first time in over ten years. BIG mistake! My IBS which I normally keep in check has flared up and I am feeling worse than ever. Yesterday I had to stop on my way home from work because the cramps were too painful. I don't want to discourage anyone from getting the vaccine but beware that this might happen. Anyone else have problems with receiving the vaccine? Thanks.

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Hi I'm new to this forum but have recently been trying to ascertain cause of ulcerative colitis flare up. I do believe it is link directly with the flu jab I received just about a month ago. Like you I have painful cramps and a lot of blood present, with frequent trips to the toilet at night and early morning.
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