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Hello and Flu Shot Question!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/26/2016 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all!

I have not been on here in awhile because 1) Remicade seems to be working and it's been pretty smooth sailing here! Aside from a little occasional blood, I'm great! and 2) My now 4.5 month old boy has been keeping me busy! He is so perfect and happy...absolute proof that even great things can happen during a UC flare.

I do have a quick question that I'm planning on running by my doctor, but wanted to hear what all of you have been told. I always get a flu shot each year around now. Do I need to take any extra precautions with this since I'm on Remicade now? Like spacing it far away from my infusions etc?
Posted 9/26/2016 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you're doing well on Remicade and enjoying your little one! You can get a flu shot at anytime, the timing of you next infusion doesn't matter, so get it whenever it's most convenient. Just make sure it's the dead vaccine (typically an injection in the shoulder) not the live variant (typically used for children, no needle).
Posted 9/26/2016 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
You may get the flu shot and infusion on the same day. However, they MAY not want you to because in the very rare event you were to have a reaction they would want to pinpoint where the reaction was coming from


I'm so glad that you are feeling better and your baby is doing well.


In general, while on remicade and similar you want to get all of your vaccines on time because studies (actually a huge one from your doc) show that ibd patients are not immune to many diseases.

If a vaccine is recombinant aka dead it is safe to get because there is no way to get the pathogen from the shot.

However, if it is attenuated or weakened than it is generally discouraged. There may be some exceptions.

In the past, there was a recombinant flu shot
And an attenuated flumist. However, the most is no longer encouraged as per the CDC so we don't have to worry bout that right now.
Posted 9/27/2016 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, guys! Probably going to get it next week. Next infusion is this Friday.
Posted 9/28/2016 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on the fence about this -- I'm giving my opinion because you warranted it from everyone. I've never gotten a flu shot, and I wouldn't advocate these toxic cocktails, because I believe your body can go through a flu naturally with proper care at home, without medical intervention unless absolutely necessary. Why rock the boat?
Posted 9/28/2016 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
Influenza kills about 30,000 people per year in the US and hospitalizes many more. Billions of doses have been given in the 50 years it's been in use.

There's nothing toxic in the vaccine. If you're worried about thimerosol it's only used in multi-dose vials. Doctors offices and drug stores almost universally use the single dose vials just to avoid the issue. Just ask when you get the shot.
Posted 9/28/2016 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
My last years experience with the super duper triple strength vaccine for people over 65
was not good.
Guillain-Barré type syndrome, something was going on in my legs starting like a week after the
shot. Was not bad enough to get treatment but I was getting quite worried.
Lasted like 3-4 months, gone now.
The reason I got the shot last year was the prior year had the flu, 103 temp for 3 days,and sure
was sick. But after this last experience with the triple strength suff, no shot for me.
Old Mike

Post Edited (Old Mike) : 9/28/2016 5:24:39 AM (GMT-6)

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