Flu shot and Lyme Disease?

I think it's normal to feel a little crumby after getting a flu shot - my best guess is you might feel even worse if you've had Lyme and have been taking antibiotics... because your immune system is compromised.

If you're really feeling like you're not getting better and so sick you can't stand it, I would call the doctor and ask if you might be able to take a quick break from the medications...

I have been getting the flu shot for for many years now and never had a problem with it. In my opinion, I think it is best that I get the flu shot because my immune system is so terribly low right now that I don't think my body could handle getting a full blown flu. Just so everyone knows, my oldest daughter does not have Lyme disease and she had the same symptoms as posted above for about three days. Some people get these symptoms and they are very healthy. It just depends how your body responds to the shot. It makes sense to have symptoms because your body is trying to fight off the bug that has been put into your body.

New member...but here is what my llmd told me. He said not to get the flu shot. He does not believe in any immunizaions, tho. Not believing is putting it mild...he is PASSIONATE about not getting vaccinations. I got a tetanus shot 2 weeks before all of my symptoms began. We'll never know for sure...but did the tetanus shot trigger the lyme?

Unfortunately, knuks, it is quite possible that the flu shot was the 'last straw' for your body, as it all has to do with stress - and it is stressful for your body to receive a vaccine.

I have been refusing flu shots for some time now. I got one once - just once- and let me tell you!!!! Ohhhhh, how I was ill!!! ICK!! I do have to say though, that it really is up to how each of our bodies handle the vaccine & -of course - what we believe about vaccines in general.

Okay, two cents left!! Giggle!!

Vitamin D3 intake in the adequate range (was told by 2 Endocrinologists that the body uses 4-6000 IU/day) as determined by blood tests (25-D, not the 1,25 D) is more effective than a flu shot at preventing flu.  There are multiple studies showing the effectiveness of Vitamin D at improving one's immune system response to acute infection.

I will never ever get another vaccination if I can at all in any way avoid it.  The last one I had was a tetanus shot and I broke out in a rash and spiked a fever from it...  Doctors (more than one) told me it is likely an allergic reaction to the inactive ingredients (and who knows what those are - with labeling requirements so relaxed on prescription products/pharmaceuticals...food labeling laws are more strict than pharmaceutical labeling laws), and that I should not have vaccinations of any kind because of this.  Immune deficiency issues are another reason to not get vaccinations...the immune system may not be able to respond adequately, and then the person can get the actual infection if a live vaccine is used.

Homeopathic nosodes can be used in lieu of vaccines.  These are homeopathic remedies made from the infectious agent (such as flu virus, etc.), and they teach the body to make antibodies without causing nasty side-effects.

Just my $.02...

Scoprio,

As with anything, you really have to weigh the risks and benefits. There is a HUGE movement (most of which has started in the northwest) against vaccinations, and people seem to be extremely opinionated one way or the other.

I personally would never trade the risks of getting a vaccine for any serious illness.

Razzle,

The problem with taking Vitamin D3 is that alot of us are already extrmely low. If we are already low, there is no way that taking it now would ever help keep the flu away. Now, if you are normal in Vitamin D, then I say go for it. I, myself do not want to risk it. What I worry about the most is someone not getting the flu shot and suffering or actually dying from the flu because their immune system wasn't strong enough to fight it off. I guess I am just extra cautious. We all have to way the risks here. I agree with Tala 100% here.

Sorry...what I meant was that if someone is already low, it takes so long for your levels to get back to normal, that in my opinion, I don't think that Vitamin D would be enough at the time to keep the flu away. I didn't mean not to take it. We all need it. I hope I explained it better this time.

Yes, I agree that we are all different. My vitamin D is terribly low and I seem to get sick alot. I don't even leave my house since being bedridden and I still get sick. Of course, I'm getting it from my husband and daughter but it seems like it never ends sometimes and I'm on 50,000IU of Vitamin D a week. I just cannot fathom getting the flu. I had it once when I was healthy and I felt like I was dying. It was horrible.

One of my other fears of the flu shot is the high incidence of Guillian-Barre syndrome(ok..may be spelled wrong....). It's a disease that destroys the nerve coverings. My sister in law got it shortly after a flu shot and the doctor told her that's what caused it. Are there other things the flu shot causes. Probably.

I have to say that I'm with CajunGrl and Tala on this one. I do hear what everyone else is saying about the risks of getting vaccines, and I absolutely respect your opinions.....I want you to respect mine, too, of course! :)

One good thing is that the last few years I've been very successful at getting thimerosol-free versions of the flu shots.

I never used to get the flu shot until one year (like Tala) I got the flu. I have asthma and this bug went straight to my lungs....first bronchitis, then pneumonia! I was bedridden for literally weeks, I was a single mom of four teenagers at that time AND in graduate school. I missed almost a month of classes. After I started to get better and went back to class, one of my professors asked me if I ever got flu shots and then spent 1/2 hour chewing me out for being "irresponsible" because I said no. He was my microbiology professor, BTW!

I started getting the flu shot every year after that experience, and I've never had a bad reaction (other than big red bumps at the site of the shot). I also get a pneumonia vaccine every so often (5 years?). I have not had pneumonia since...in fact, I haven't gotten the flu since that time in grad school, for the past 15 years.

I understand that there are risks involved with vaccines, but there are risks for me if I catch the flu, too, particularly now when I'm so ill with Lyme and all of my autoimmune diseases....I'm on immunosuppressants so my immune system is NOT working well at all.

So I will get the flu shot, because I don't want to die from pneumonia. So far, the flu shot has worked well for me.

I do like to hear what else works for other people though! So thank you all for sharing!!
JoAnn