Flu Shot or not?

Is it a good idea or a bad idea to get a flu shot with IBD?
Does it work if you are on Llialda, Prednisone and Imuran?

I've always gotten a flu shot. (Except last year when I was too sick, before I knew what was wrong with me.)
But should I now?

Thanks!

yes

Get it. I get one every year and no problems.

Ill put it this way. Last year I didnt get it, and I actually got the flu (not just a bad cold like so many people will tell you) in February. Not only was it the most painful experience of my life, but it made my UC so bad that I STILL havent recovered and Ive had to resort to a clinical trial. Having gone through that, Ill be darn sure to always get one.

Sure, it may not be 100% effective. If you understand how they are made and how they work, you would understand why. But even if it only decreases your chances by a few points, it is WELL worth it.

IMO I agree with Dr A but officially for this forum: "no comment". I don't have a clue how vaccines will affect the immune system of those who might be on biologics and immunosuppressants. Help or Hurt, I dunno.

I will say that if you are a woman who is pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant then you should make sure that you receive a flu vaccine that doesn't contain Thimerosal. Some vaccines are Thimerosal-free, (free of mercury), and were originally made available specifically for pregnant women.

I think it is a personal choice. I have some years and other years I havent. I did get one last year and this year because my dr orders the themerisol free one for me and she always calls to tell me it is in. (Her passive aggressive approach to guiding me into getting it perhaps, she is a close friend as well)
I got h1 n1 when I was pregnant with my younger son and let me tell you, I have never felt so sick in my life and i was 8 months pregnant. I made my husband and then three year old son get their h1n1 vaccine after that. My kids got the flu mist this year but they skipped it altogether last year.

I think Gary is right actually. If you are worried about how the vaccine will affect you with UC, the answer is that it wont. As long as its not a live-attenuated vaccine they are perfectly safe to get.

Just one point; to the people who say "I never get the vaccine and I never get the flu", you really do make yourself sound dumb. Most people dont take the preventative measures for most diseases and never get sick either, but this is a simple preventative measure that is readily available, so why not take it? Its certainly not going to hurt you.....

Marauder93 said...

Just one point; to the people who say "I never get the vaccine and I never get the flu", you really do make yourself sound dumb. Most people dont take the preventative measures for most diseases and never get sick either, but this is a simple preventative measure that is readily available, so why not take it? Its certainly not going to hurt you.....

The mutation rate in the flu is so high that new strains develop rapidly and you can't take vaccines for every friggin flu out there, so basically you take vaccines for the old -predicted to be the trend this season- flu not the new ones.

If you are taking those "Vaccines" and you have a flu then please cover your mouth/nose and don't infect others, enjoy your medical scam and have a nice day.

Edit: you might want to see this lol www.northstarnutritionals.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/flu20131.jpg

Post Edited (Dreadsteel) : 10/11/2014 3:33:45 PM (GMT-6)

And soystud, I need to change my signature line. Still restricted, but not that restricted. I add new things little by little and stick with the ones that don't instantly and painfully come right back out. So far I am failing every drug and every time I taper the prednisone I am right back where I started. Sick, sick, sick and sick of being sick.

i do not get a flu shot.

Dreadsteel said...

Marauder93 said...

Just one point; to the people who say "I never get the vaccine and I never get the flu", you really do make yourself sound dumb. Most people dont take the preventative measures for most diseases and never get sick either, but this is a simple preventative measure that is readily available, so why not take it? Its certainly not going to hurt you.....

The mutation rate in the flu is so high that new strains develop rapidly and you can't take vaccines for every friggin flu out there, so basically you take vaccines for the old -predicted to be the trend this season- flu not the new ones.

If you are taking those "Vaccines" and you have a flu then please cover your mouth/nose and don't infect others, enjoy your medical scam and have a nice day.

Edit: you might want to see this lol www.northstarnutritionals.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/flu20131.jpg

Yes, that is how the flu vaccine works; any first year science student can tell you that.

No one claims you are going to be immune to the flu, but it does reduce your chances of getting it. Also, just because the virus mutates doesnt mean the vaccine is no good. You would need a mutation in the specific antigens the vaccine uses to sensitize your body to the virus for that to occur.

In any case, for people like us who get messed up roally by the flu, why not give yourself the best chance of not getting it. Theres no harm in it, do I cant comprehend the logic... but w.e. its not my problem

The Lialda will have no effect on you producing antibodies to influenza. The CDC has an article on giving vaccines for various diseases and the risks in different populations. For immunosuppressed patients, they say

"Certain vaccines are recommended or encouraged specifically because immunosuppression is a risk
factor for complications from vaccine-preventable diseases (i.e., influenza, invasive pneumococcal disease, invasive meningococcal disease, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease, and hepatitis B). However, response to the vaccine may be poor depending on the degree of immunosuppression
present. Because a relatively functional immune system is required to develop an immune response to a vaccine, an immunosuppressed person may not be protected even if the vaccine has been given. Additional recommendations for vaccination of immunosuppressed persons are detailed in the General Recommendations on Immunization."

From reading the article www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/genrec.pdf, taking 20mg/day of prednisone might put you in a group of immunosuppressed patients. This doesn't mean the vaccine is bad for you, just that you might not get the full benefit. I'm sure the same is true for Imuran.

I got it this year for the first time as I am on 6mp. My consultant told me to have it and pointed to recent research that shows that a very small minority of IBD patients may flare from a vaccine but many, many more flare after reactivation of viral infections or catching new ones so I decided to trust him on it. I have been hopitalised once with flu and extremely ill another time with it and given that any hospital stay puts us at risk of c diff or other nasties I took it as the lesser of other evils.

I also thought of the thread discussions we have had here about how IBD for some goes into remission after a fever and inducing of fever was a treatment for IBD 100 yrs ago which helped me decide.

I have actually been told by my team that best practice for people on immunosuppresants is to have two shots, one a week after the other, but that bothers me I have to say, maybe next year....

Here's one of the articles I read
www.vhjoe.org/index.php/vhjoe/article/view/77/118