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Those of us with UC and the flu shot?

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Posted 4/13/2010 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
I realize this is a personal choice for everyone.

I typically do not get flu shots and (knock on wood) usually pull through the year OK.  But this whole new health situation is new to me.  Most docs just want you to get the shot.  But those of us with an auto immune????????

Do we or don't we?

Did you or did you not.  Really curious and want the points to ponder for this next year.

Posted 4/13/2010 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
I did get both, the regular flu shot and the H1N1 shot. We had a newborn at home so it was important. I've never had an issue with i.
Posted 4/13/2010 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was in a short term remission, until I got a flu Jab (Recommended by my GP).. That was in November of last year and I have been in a flare since! - For me, I will never have one again... as you say, its personal choice
Posted 4/13/2010 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
I had a full blown case of the flu several years ago...I thought I was dying. Since then I get the flu shot and never had an issue with it except a sore arm.
Posted 4/13/2010 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I had the flu the first year I had UC, and the flu put me into such a bloody flare I ended up in hosp. SO..... I have had the shot every year since and have not had side effects ... or the flu.
This year I had both.

There could be risks either way, right? - so we each need to choose our own. I am happy with my choices.
Posted 4/13/2010 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I get a flu shot every year. This year, I also got the H1N1 shot. My immune system is suppressed with the Prednisone and 6mp. For me, not getting the shot is not an option. Next year, I will also get the pneumonna vaccine.
Posted 4/13/2010 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I got both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flumist (it was ok as I wasn't on any immune suppressing drugs, just mesalamine). I was more worried about the flu causing a flare than I was about the shot triggering something. Also, I have a kiddo (18 months old today!), and while he was also vaccinated against both, felt it was important for me to also be vaccinated to better protect him.
Posted 4/13/2010 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I get it yearly and did get the H1N1 shot too.

No problems.

I did have a flu 2 months ago...but lots of people had it worse than I.

q
Posted 4/13/2010 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
The doctor who does my Remicade insists on a double flu shot which I got. It was after the H1N1 shot that I went into a flare. Not sure if it was the only contributing factor, but it was at least part of the reason.
Posted 4/13/2010 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I get the flu shot every year and I've never had a problem with it. I didn't get the H1N1 because I didn't feel it was necessary.
Posted 4/13/2010 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had both shots with no problems....
Posted 4/13/2010 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Got the H1N1 shot this year - no problems... HOWEVER - if you are taking Immuran or the generic form, don't get the nasal H1N1...get the shot...
Posted 4/14/2010 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I got both shots this year and was fine. I think I had H1N1 though (no test to confirm) before I could get the shot and I was miserable. I plan to get the flu shot every year - just not the flumist.
Posted 4/14/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I've been vaccinated for things like measles and polio. I've never had a flu shot though. There is much debate surrounding vaccinations, including the H1N1 flu shot. So I normally pass on the flu shot. I might have already had H1N1 too. I had the flu when H1N1 was going around.
Posted 4/14/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I got the flu shot and the pneumonia shot but not the H1N1.  Just didn't think the H1N1 was worth it but I had the others with no problems
Posted 4/14/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I get the flu shot every year and never had any UC reaction at all. I haven't had a flu in over 10 years, can't remember the last time. Didn't get H1N1 because they weren't available until too late in the season.

The last time I got realllly sick with non-flu respiratory-crap-from-hell I decided to stop shaking hands. Back then people probably thought I was weird but eventually more and more people do the same thing. No I cannot remember to carry and use that germ-wipe. UC is bad enough to deal with, I don't need any more down time.
Posted 4/14/2010 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
I met someone who did not want to shake hands, because she was sick. So we shook hands without touching. (In other words, we just made the gesture of shaking hands.) It was kind of fun.
Posted 4/14/2010 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was put in Imuran to treat my UC a little more than a year ago.  I was told by my GI doc and an immunologist/allergist who was overseeing my case to get the flu and H1N1 shot.  I am a health care provider, I am immunocompromised and I have a chronic illness, UC.  So I took the advice of my trused docs and got both.

All I can say is that shortly thereafter I got very sick and was bed ridden with a fever for 2-3 days.  Nothing after that.  It's important to note that my childrens brought home some swine flu bug right around that time.  My docs told me I just picked it up from them.  Those two days sucked, I am usually never sick.

I would do it all over again.  I am planning on getting the flu shot ever year from now on. 

MyUC

Posted 4/14/2010 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I got both shots, and always get a flu shot and never have any effects.
The flu is very hard on me.
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