Flu Paranoia

I know I haven't been on here in a while and I apologize in advance if there have already been threads about this. I just need to get this out.

I'm already a germaphobe as it is, but it's obviously being made worse by all the talk about how severe this flu season is. It's circulating through my office. You always hear that the very young, the elderly, and the immunosuppressed/those with chronic illnesses are at the highest risk. I got the shot-I always do-but this year's vaccine doesn't sound too promising.

I'm on Humira. Have been for about 2.5 years. I haven't been feeling sick or anything so I'm not asking about delaying my injections, I'm simply writing to say that I'm very worried and don't know how to put my mind at ease. As I'm sure is the case for many of you, I'm not only already immunosuppressed because of the UC, but I'm also on a biologic that lowers my immune system. I'm scared that I'm far more likely to get the flu and/or have complications. Do any of you guys feel the same way? Am I supposed to be even more careful around sick people on injection days?

And don't even get me started on stomach bugs. That's a whole other level of anxiety fuel. Getting it is one of my worst fears. It may very well be spreading around work, too, since a coworker's son just got it.

I know there's really nothing I can do except take care of myself the best I can. For some reason, I always get really angry about illnesses going around, maybe because I know the people around me aren't as careful as I am and spread their germs all over the place. I dunno, I guess I'm just feeling down about it and wanted to talk. Thoughts?

Oh me too! I am right there with you!

I went to my sisters for Christmas and her adult daughter started coughing...her face got flushed...she had a fever..and she kept saying she had allergies..hmmmm. Well, my spouse and I washed our hands constantly and stayed as far from her as we could...we left early by 2 days...9 people ended up catching the flu. My nephew went in right away and they tested him. I am on Remicade and Methotrexate. My doctors said with a viral... It can be bad but a bacterial infection is much worse. They prescribed Tamiflu just in case I became symptomatic. I did not/have not caught the flu....but I was upset that she endangered so many family members...coughing all over the place...getting into the fridge.....

Then I ran out to get groceries and the store was full of suck people...rubbing their noses, touching the carts, Aaaagh..... I about Germx'd my whole body when I got home!

And my doctors told me to go in for my infusion like normal...unless I had become symptomatic.....so going in for infusion on Tuesday...to Dallas...where 23 people have died from the flu and it is freaking me out...

So...you are not alone....lol


Clo

clo2014 said...
Oh me too! I am right there with you!

I went to my sisters for Christmas and her adult daughter started coughing...her face got flushed...she had a fever..and she kept saying she had allergies..hmmmm. Well, my spouse and I washed our hands constantly and stayed as far from her as we could...we left early by 2 days...9 people ended up catching the flu. My nephew went in right away and they tested him. I am on Remicade and Methotrexate. My doctors said with a viral... It can be bad but a bacterial infection is much worse. They prescribed Tamiflu just in case I became symptomatic. I did not/have not caught the flu....but I was upset that she endangered so many family members...coughing all over the place...getting into the fridge.....

Then I ran out to get groceries and the store was full of suck people...rubbing their noses, touching the carts, Aaaagh..... I about Germx'd my whole body when I got home!

And my doctors told me to go in for my infusion like normal...unless I had become symptomatic.....so going in for infusion on Tuesday...to Dallas...where 23 people have died from the flu and it is freaking me out...

So...you are not alone....lol


Clo

Thank you for that!! Omg your story makes me so mad. I don't get how people can be so inconsiderate. And I hate when they lie and say it's allergies and/or they're not contagious. Wow, 23 people in Dallas have died from it? So scary. Hope you can find some peace of mind.

Ever since I first measured my blood levels of vitamin D and maintain it in the optimum range, about 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L), I rarely get a cold or flu. The D vitamin is noted for regulating your immune system and should help you to avoid the flu virus.

As an added bonus it also helps to keep UCers in remission. Look it up.

I contracted the dreaded norovirus that's been going around Canada and the U.S. My friend who gave it to me felt acutely ill for 12 hours then got better. I felt gradually worse for 4 days until I ended up in the hospital. It was a nightmare.

I have a lot of compassion or people but cold and flu season brings out the most of my ire for humanity because I see people not having any consideration for others. Sneezing and coughing without covering with their faces, sneezing into their hands and then touching surfaces. If there's ever a deadly epidemic we're all done for!

One of the ways I was able to convince the government to help pay for my car fuel is that during cold and flu season taking public transit is a guarantee that I'll get something and then end up 10x worse. Seriously I avoid closed spaces with lots of people at all cost at this time of year. No malls, no restaurants (well, sometimes), no buses or trains, and definitely no doctors offices or hospitals if I can!

Michelejc said...
A lot of people here in New York City have the flu. I did get the flu shot. When I'm at work, I spray Lysol and wipe everything down with disinfectant every day. I can't do much when traveling to and from work. You always get the people who cough in your face, etc.

Yep, gotta take the precautions, at least for some peace of mind.

songlady said...
Yep, I am freaked out about the flu also. I've been pretty much home since my surgery, and I am in no hurry to go out into the germy world! I feel guilty every time DH has to run to the grocery store for us....

No need to feel guilty, I'm sure he's glad to do it and you have a legitimate excuse.

puck6991 said...
I was flying out to go snowboarding and woke up to this kid coughing on me. I didn't get much sleep before my flight, and I was sure I was going to get sick. I spent the next 2 days in my room dealing with that darn flu.. It was bad, too. Body aches and tired as hell. It sent me into a flare immediately, and I'm still trying to dig myself out. Stay away from the afflicted! Wash your hands! No public transportation! lol

Omg it sent you into a flare? That's horrible. I'm sure that trip was a lot of fun for you...

newme22 said...
My thoughts:
Last year I was on Humira and I got the flu shot and then got the flu which turned into Pneumonia in 2 days. Had to stop my Humira for 1 month while taking antibiotics and waiting for my lungs to clear. Of course I flared big time and when I went back on Humira it didn't work anymore so I ended up in the hospital.
I am now on Remicade infusions and am wearing a medical mask when ever I leave the house for now. I had my infusion this week, 2 weeks early this time due to a flare and while there, another patient keep lectureing me on how wearing the mask does nothing to prevent me from getting the flu and said I might as well take it off and throw it in the trash. How rude! I sure don't need that kind of stress, not good for my u/c at all. Well I contintued to wear the mask, the infusion nurse was coughing which was scary and so far I have not gotton the flu, Knock on wood, so far it seem to be working. And by the way my flare is starting to subside again.

That's like my worst nightmare right now. Been on Humira since the summer and got a cold in the fall but it passed quickly. My co-workers are dropping like flies with the flu and other nasty stuff. I got the shot this year but still I'm like "stay away!"

My infectious disease specialist, GI, CRS and Internalist all said that it was safe for me to take Tamiflu. I am on Remicade and Methotrexate. They stated my danger was that Tamiflu makes methotrexate more potent.

Hope that helps!

Cassie