Flu shots

Is it adviseable to get a flu shot while being treated for lyme.  I have both lyme and bart. 

Also has anyone gone for allergy shots and had reactions to the shots after having started treatment for lyme?    The day after my allergy shots I was not able to function (horribly fatigued) which luckily only lasted for that day. 

 I have stopped the allergy shots. 

The NP I see told me to get one. My kids ped told me to get one too. I usually get one every year but I am just not sure this year. I have two small children and I watch my sister's kids 2x a week. If I get the flu I don't want to expose them.  My girls' ped told me that since the flu virus is dead that I should have no problem. He said that once you get the shot your immune system rev's up to make the antibodies... he said that I may have a low fever, chills for a couple of days but that is all.  It may be more of a reaction compared to a completely healthy person. I never had a problem with the shot before. I figure that I will just get one.

I got a lyme outbreak right after a flu shot, n ot sure if it was a trigger, this year, no flu shot for me.

My LLMD said if you've had a shot within the last 5 years and didn't have an adverse reaction, it's ok to get one.

But, if you are having a bad lyme flare on the day you're intending to get the shot, it's not advisable.

My llmd says no to flu shots. They have thermasol which is mostly mercury which I just chelated last year.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Flu-Shots-Have-Mercury-In-Them?&id=276556

Post Edited (twingirl) : 10/25/2008 10:50:37 AM (GMT-6)

I just got my flu shot yesterday... I am happy to report that I am fine. I was so nervous about it but I am glad I got it. I have two small kids.

This was an interesting site about flu shots including the comments by people.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/10/21/avoid-flu-shots-vitamin-d-is-a-better-way.aspx

I got a flu shot when I first started treatment and I got a EM around the injection site.  I also was sick for 2 days.  I didn't get the full blown flu when everyone else did, but I am pretty sure I shouldn't get the shot again.

My kids' pediatrician said no to all "optional" vaccines like flu shot, gardisil and chicken pox booster.

She's not a LLMD but just felt that my kids' immune systems were already taxed fighting lyme and coinfections.

I had no intention of giving them the flu vaccine (which I myself will get, b/c I've never had an adverse reaction and the only year I didn't, I got pneumonia! But FYI, I don't have LD) eventhough "technically" they should get it b/c of history of asthma.

As for gardisil, I had no intention of letting my older daughter get that b/c it's just too new and cervical cancer is preventable. The pediatrician echoed my sentiments (unlike many!)

She recommended that bloodwork be done to determine immunity to herpes zoster (chicken pox). If immunity exists, there is no need for further boosters/vaccinations.

Personally, I don't and won't get them. I feel they will do more harm than good and would rather build up my immune system in other ways, nutritionally. The link above to Dr Mercola is a good one, and there are plenty more like it that dive into the immune system.

I think those with Lyme are likely careful as it is when around people who are sick or in public. With a lowered immune system, you tend to take care of it subconsciously as it is.

I'm a certified immunizer and I don't get flu shots. Weighing the pluses verses the minuses, I can't see enough positive outcomes to justify getting the flu shot. Simply put, they aren't very effective. There are even new studies that show that flu shots taken two years in a row actually increase your chance of getting the flu. Like most things in medicine, it's about money and the CDC is negligent in reporting accurate efficacy rates. Thanks Big Pharma.