Hi all, My understanding is that because of our immune systems being depressed we are not to take live vaccines. No flu shots? No pneumonia vaccines? True?
i'm seeing my RA doc on Thursday and will ask.
Lynda
I just went today and forgot to ask! I have an appt set up for next Wednesday for my shots too. I better check it out. Thanks for reminding me.My new RD told me to get a flu shot, pneumonia shot, and tb test done before coming back. But I am not doing the flu & pneumonia shot, never had one and do not want to start now.
I did do the TB test as they said for me to bring in proof I had it done to make sure it was clear, which it is. YAY!!
My RD said to make sure I don't take a live vaccine. But is the pnumonia v live? I thought it was just the flu v and that that was only some years. I don't know about this year's vaccine yet. I've never gotten one before. Well, that isn't true. My ma and pa did force me to get the swine flu shot when i was 12I was just told by my RD to get both. I don't think they are live. The only thing I have to avoid is my stepson when he had the smallpox vaccine. Had my pneumonia vaccine last year, and my flu shot yesterday...per recommendation of my RD. Neither were a live virus. Joonie, i was thinking of not getting mine. But my mom is all excited about her and I going to get ours together and then going out for lunch. Mom has no spleen, thanks to a fiesty Mexican horse. And when you're spleenless, you're immune system is compromised.
Never had either one, either
lol Link...Ma and Pa...you sound like the Ingall's girls
I had the flu about 10 years ago - I don't want to go through that again. I'm getting my shot ASAP. If I can keep from getting sick, I'm gonna do it!
But don't they make you sick? My mom got a flu shot a couple of years back and she had the flu a couple of days after getting it. Yeah, you're right Karen. It is a silly chance to take, not getting one.I have never had any kind of reaction to the flu shot. My mom says the same thing, but doctors say it's impossible. I think sometimes (at least with my mom) it's in her head!i had noticed in the past i get nervous stomache, they said once i had ibs. well i was allergic to all the meds and noticed one year i didn't get the flu shot i didn't get the stomache promblems. i mean these where bad problems, so i have been afraid they will make me get a flu shot and i will be misserable. Because i don't guess i am actually allergic to the flu shots, just a bad side effect i personally get. i have never had a pneunona shot. they always said i was to young. My grandparents sware by them. They arn't afraid of catching anything. They say sure bring the grandkids over we don't catch anything. Oh well if my stomache hurts i will be on pain meds anyway. And maybe i just really quit having that problem and just think it was the flu shot. But i will do what the doctor tells me to do.No, my mom hardly ever gets sick. But she will not take a flu shot. It happened to her twice. She was sick... feverish and the symptoms of the flu, my sister stayed with her to make sure she was going to be ok. I forgot to get my flu shot last year (brain fog) and did I ever pay for it. I was out for a week solid from work and was still weak when i did go back. Yikes, never again. I got a flu shot last week. First time ever. I though with the RA and all the Meds that it can not hurt. I would be sooooo upset if I had the flu for like a month and was bedridden from missing my Remicade???Well, get this I was talking about me having to get the flu & pneumonia shot, because I found my paper with my list of stuff my RD printed out for me. And my hubby did not even know there was such a thing as a pneumonia shot! And he is to be the smart oneI nearly lost my mom to flu 5 years later.
get your flu shot, get your pneumonia shot.
I am thinking of getting them as well. Now should Kelsay get them as well or is there an age restriction?They have now opened up vaccinations to all age levels and recommend vaccinations for children, as they are the major carriers of the flu.The shots do not contain a "live" vaccine. The the only flu vaccine that does contain "live" cultures is FluMist, this is a nasal spray, not a shot.Thank you Lynda for opening this topic up.My RD recommended I get both also. I think the shots are less of a risk to us than the actual flu or pneumonia.
Karen, your flu must have been really bad to remember it ten years later. I have never had the real flu. I mean, aside of catching a cold every few years, I don't get sick. I know things are different now with the RA meds. Didn't realize how much I liked being the one who never gets anything until now. Oh well. Guess I better get over that, huh? [QUOTE=kelsaysmommy]I am thinking of getting them as well. Now should Kelsay get them as well or is there an age restriction?[/QUOTE]My rhumy and primary doctor has TOLD me that I cannot take the flu shot this year due to the meds.I was told by the RD and my internist that the flu shot and pneumonia shot are both necessary and are not live vaccines. I was also told not to get the flu shot before the end of Oct. because if you get it too early, the protection wears off before the end of flu season. I've gotten a flu shot every year since I got the flu many years ago and don't want to go through that illness again. I never have any problems from the shot itself.Immunosuppresant drugs may reduce the effectiveness of the flu and pneumonia vaccines. Studies have shown that the immune response is a bit lower in those on Humira, etc... but it is NOT a contraindication to getting the shot.
Maemae what meds are you on that are preventing the vaccines. Its highly unusual for anyone on immunosuppression to be told not to get the vaccines. Its usual quite the opposite immunosuppressed patients are on the prioty list
Hey Jas, have you seen in the Walgreens that they have drs offices now? Are those the places we could go for flu and pneunomia shots or should we see our actual drs for em. I keep wondering if we (those with AI diseases) can go to places that have the flu clinics and such or would it be better to go to the dr. Any feedback?I usually go to the closest flu-shot clinic to my office - whether it's the local hospital, or a Walgreen's or Osco. Even when I was pregnant. I just don't tell them I have chronic issues. Jas, won't they give you the shot if they know you have a chronic illness? [QUOTE=Linncn]Jas, won't they give you the shot if they know you have a chronic illness?[/QUOTE]
I had the pneumonia vaccine earlier in the year (June) and got pneumonia in November of last year, in the hospital for 7 days, that was when they 'heard the heart murmur', I had to have a mitral valve repair (Dec. 1st last year). The doctors said my mitral valve problem was inherited. Lynda
Pneumonia and/or the operation sent my RA into outer orbit. I'm still recovering, taking all these extra drugs. I was on 10 mgs of mtx-only, before this all happened to me last year! Want to get back there!
Talked to my internist last week and he recommended I get the flu shot. It's not live and is ok with the DMARDS and biologics. I had pneum. vac. 2 years ago and it was my 2nd pneum. vac. So I'm good to go now for years with pneum. vac.
I just had flu shot today. Lindy
MaeMae,
What meds are you on that you can't get the flu shot?
Phats
Talked/emailed my Rd yesterday and she said "yes, you need to get both shots". So, I go next Wed. for my flu shot. I had the flu last year. OMG it was horrible and it was before any of the RA symptoms! WE (as in my hubby and daughter) were so sick! We all had the poo poos really bad for 3-4 days, vomiting, and talk about muscle aches! I think with the aches and pains of RA and the flu combined, I would beg someone to shoot me!