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Seasonal Flu shot and H1N1 SHot questions

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Posted 9/1/2009 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Should we as Colitis paitents get the seasonal flu shot? I've never gotten one, but read that it would help lessen the H1N1 if you caught it. I'm concerned b/c my Dr is thinking about going the 6mp route with me and I know that will make me more suceptible to illness. What are you guys doing?

Thanks

Posted 9/1/2009 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
     I am a senior and lived through the Swine Flu epidemic that never materialized back in 77.  I was pregnant with my youngest daughter at the time.  My OB/GYN doctor suggested I get the vaccine, but I worked for an Internist/Endocrinologist at the time and his opinion back then was that the vaccine didn't receive enough research and NOT to get it.  So I didn't.  Two of our patients got their vaccine from another doctor.....one developed Epstein/Barr and is in a wheel chair till today and the other had a virus when he received the vaccine and passed away.  This is NOT a scare tactic because I am sure they have done more extensive research on developing a vaccine this time.  However, I am not getting the vaccine.  I always get sick after getting a flu shot, therefore, for the past three years I haven't gotten one and managed to stay well.  I could be tempting fate but I will just take my chances.  I also am on 6MP, 50 mgm.  Make sure you get monthly CBC's to make sure your white count doesn't drop too low like mine did on 100 mgm.  It went down to 1.6.  Went off it for three weeks and the count went to 5.0 (normal).  I don't want it to get below 3.5.
Posted 9/1/2009 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering the same thing. I'm currently on Imuran (100 mg.) which I tolerate well. I travel a lot, and have a toddler and infant at home. So, I feel pretty strongly that I should get the flu shot, but haven't talked to my doc about it yet. Please let me know what you find out...
Posted 9/1/2009 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'll be getting the "regular" flu shot, but I always do. The one year I didn't, I got flu, and was so sick that all I did for a week was sleep all day, and it took a couple of more weeks until I was back to normal.
Posted 9/1/2009 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I am not comfortable with the H1N1 but would do the seasonal shot if my Dr says its ok. I've gotten them for my kids every year and not for me. I figured that they bring all the sickness in the house so if they're set than I'm ok by default.
Posted 9/1/2009 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
There is no way I will get the H1N1 vaccine.

No wayyy.

I'll get the normal flu shot though. The flu was my initial trigger for the UC to show up. I haven't had it since that time...

I survived the bulk of the Northern Minnesota winter/cold/flu season when I was starting Imuran. Honestly, I just washed my hands like you should, avoided picking at your eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. At that time, I was full time on campus at college -- germ heaven.
Posted 9/1/2009 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I will get the regular flu shot and so will my family. It is not a live virus so it should never make you sick. I am on the fence about the H1N1 shot...I work in a hospital so I will be encouraged to take it...I actually suspect that my family had the H1N1 flu last year prior to the big public outbreak...so maybe we will have an immunity to it now...wishful thinking anyway!
Posted 9/1/2009 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I always get the regular flu shot. Now that I have UC, I make sure I get it because I'm afraid that if I don't and I get the flu it'll knock me out of remission.

As for the H1N1, I won't be getting it. The 'outbreak' this spring wasn't really that bad and I know well enough that if I don't feel well and suspect something that I need to get myself into the doctor. The media is really hyping this up and scaring people.
Posted 9/1/2009 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
I can't comment on the H1N1 but I do however get a regular flu shot every year. Even if there is a shortage keep in mind that we are entitled to get it since we have a chronic health condition and/or on immune suppressors. I had the flu one year and it was the MOST painful experience that I wish never to repeat so after that I ALWAYS get a flu shot.
Posted 9/1/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I would get Afluria (CSL Unlimited) (Single dose prefilled syringe ONLY) brand for regular flu shot. Fluzone not bad in pre-filled syringe... does contain some formaldehyde. Most single dose vials or pre-filled syringes lack the mercury component except for Flulaval which has full 25 mcg, along with all other multi dose vials.

No idea on H1N1. I had a lady ask me if I could come in and convince a headstart school to get all kids vaccinated for H1N1, lol. I told her we don't even know what the shots have in them yet. I would not want that on my conscience, so I declined.

I personally don't get the any of these shots, but I do keep up on the information of what they contain to pass it on to those who do. Some people don't care whats in them, but some people are picky about what they stick in their bodies.
Posted 9/1/2009 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Heck, I'll get them both. I have always gotten the flu vaccine; the one year I didn't I was very sick. I travel quite a bit too, so I think both will be beneficial to me.

Posted 9/1/2009 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I always get the regular flu shot. Before I had UC, they kind of bothered me but now that I have it they're fine. Just don't get the nose spray one. As for the H1N1? No. Honestly? I'm not that worried about it, and I'm not gonna get some brand new vaccine because of it.

A long time ago my dad and his friend got some new flu vaccine (I forget what kind of flu) and they each had one of their lungs collapse. Ugh.
Posted 9/1/2009 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Now they are saying (via the media) that the H1N1 vaccine is basically just another seasonal shot for a different strain and not to be nervous about it. I am on the fence- even about the regular seasonal flu shot, since I normally don't get it and the one time I did I had a bad flare (probably coincidence) a little bit later. As to the effectiveness of flu shots at preventing flu, I have seen wildly divergent study results published, from very effective, to worthless, to a few studies that even indicated more flu in a group of seniors who got the shots than those who didn't. But I am not ruling out either shot given that I am on a biologic drug.
Posted 9/1/2009 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I will get both the seasonal and the H1N1 shots. We (with chronic disease) are not very high on the priority list for the H1N1 shots though, so I hope I don't get it before I can get them! I know it's not a more severe flu, but the flu always set me back terribly.
There are already nearly 400 cases of H1N1 at the university in my town.

I stand corrected: I'm told by medical folks that, despite press reports, the cases at the university are not confirmed to be H1N1, there are probably really only 40 or 50. But the university/state does not have the resources to test everyone, so they are just treating all suspected cases as if they are H1N1, with isolation etc.

Posted 9/1/2009 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
My GI recommends that I get the seasonal Flu shot. 2 years ago when there was a shortage, he wrote out on paper that I needed the shot because of chronic disease. I see my GI later in Sept & am going to ask about the H1N1. right now I don't intend on taking it. I don't think enough research has been done on it yet.
Posted 9/1/2009 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I always get the seasonal flu shot, and this year I'll also be getting the H1N1. It seems likely that it will be the seasonal flu this year - or at least one of them. The last time I got the flu, it took me 2 months to get over it. And that was before I had UC.
Posted 9/1/2009 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have gotten the regular flu shot since I started on remicade and imuran.  As for the H1N1 - I'll see what my doctor says about it.  I'm inclined to get it since I am in one of the high risk categories for complications from the swine flu - but I guess I will wait and see.

Posted 9/2/2009 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
H1N1 is rampant in my town right now so by the time the vaccine is available, it will likely not matter anymore.

My daughter's ped GI say NO to the H1N1, but does recommend the regular flu shot.

Vaccination is a big issue with us - I have 3 kids and all need vaccines, but some of the vaccines are live and 2 of my kids are on immune suppressors so even my "healthy" kid can't get the boosters she needs. It's a mess.
Posted 9/2/2009 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've never gotten any kind of flu shot in my life. I hate shots and I don't think a flu is the end of the world. I don't have kids or work in a school or a place with germs so I don't come in contact with too much. Not to say I never get sick because I do but never where I think "I wish I had gotten a flu shot".
Posted 9/2/2009 3:52 PM (GMT 0)

ElephantPipe said...
I always get the regular flu shot. Before I had UC, they kind of bothered me but now that I have it they're fine. Just don't get the nose spray one

I know that I cant get the nasal spray one. I remember that from getting it for mt younger one before he got over his fear of needles. I'm getting voer a cold but I think it's thrown me into a bit of a flare. Good thing I'm getting scoped on Friday. He can tell me what's going on in there and make decisions about my meds/shots.
Posted 9/2/2009 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone considering the swine flu vaccine should probably read this first:

Swine Flu Shot Linked to Killer Nerve Disease

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/01/Swine-Flu-Shot-Linked-to-Killer-Nerve-Disease.aspx

Posted 9/2/2009 7:15 PM (GMT 0)

princesa said...
Anyone considering the swine flu vaccine should probably read this first:


Swine Flu Shot Linked to Killer Nerve Disease

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/01/Swine-Flu-Shot-Linked-to-Killer-Nerve-Disease.aspx

The mercola.com website is notoriously anti vaccination. Also read this for balance.

www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=784
Posted 9/2/2009 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
That article is rather funny too capsid, just for the fact it accuses the other of fear mongering. I think the white house and media has done pretty well at that. Like I posted in another thread, even the regular flu shot is promoted in the media through misrepresentation of flu death stats.

I had a lady kiss me a couple weeks ago that had swine flu.. I told her I would rather get it going into a weekend and rack up some natural immunity against it, rather than it get to me on its terms, lol. Of course I didn't get anything though. Pretty sure my doc and research nurse would shoot me if I told them that one.
Posted 9/2/2009 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I've had 3 employees with the swine flu and the symptoms have been minor; they have to stay out of work for 7 days. I never get the flu shot.

Sue
Posted 9/2/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'd get the seasonal if you work anywhere you come in contact with a lot of people or immunocomprimised people.

I haven't read much on the H1N1 shot, but I'd assume you'd definitely want to get it if you're around anyone immunocompromised as well.

Christine: You can not get Epstien-Barr from a flu shot, just as you cannot get Herpes from a flu shot. The two events were unrelated. And patient number two likely died from virus number 1, once again, I doubt the two events were related.
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