flu shot | Arthritis Information

 

I haven't had a flu shot since diagnosed with RA in 2004. I don't even think I've had a cold in the past 4 years until last week. So now I think my immune system isn't so overactive anymore- maybe because of Orencia. I went to get the shot, but they said wait until the cold is better. Then I hear that I should have it exactly half way between Orencia infusions. My cold is better, but I'm 9 days from my infusion.

I'm wondering who on this site opts for the shot and who doesn't and why. I can't seem to make a decision! I haven't had a flu shot in years and I haven't been sick (other than colds) in years either.I don't take them -- I have a long history of getting really sick from them -- with the flu. I know it's supposed to be a killed vaccine, but it doesn't seem to make a difference to me. I did, however, get my first pneumonia shot this year. No bad results there.

[QUOTE=IslandWoman]I don't take them -- I have a long history of getting really sick from them -- with the flu. I know it's supposed to be a killed vaccine, but it doesn't seem to make a difference to me. I did, however, get my first pneumonia shot this year. No bad results there.

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I was forced into it this year by my GP because of the immunosuppressant drugs. I was fine after I got it except for a sore arm. I never got them until RA Diagnosis. I have had one every year since I guess this is the 3 or 4th.My theory is if you get the flu shot every year you won't develop any immunity to the killer flu epidemic supposedly coming down the road. That said, I wash my hands a lot.I don't get flu shots.  Don't like shots.  I did meet a gal who had a very rare reaction to a flu shot.  She became paralyzed.  Happens very rarely but does happen.I don't plan on getting one next year. I did fine all the years before. I never used to catch anything and even now on MTX I don't catch things. People all around me have had constant colds, etc... as long as I take a biologic I will...... I always get one and so does DH, have never even had a sore arm from it. Thanks everyone. I got the shot today. Then I came home and read more of your posts so I hope I did the right thing! I got one in november and haven't felt right since then.  I usually get one every year and nothing happens other than a sore arm, maybe a little fever for a day or so afterwards but that's it.  I think this year the massive dose of prednisone may have interfered somehow with the shot itself.  I got one.  I have never heard the in-between infusion timing.  In fact, my rd gave me mine the day I got my infusion. I had a TB test while I was still on Enbrel and MTX, before I switched to Remicade, no problems with it, but I wasn't on Pred. at the time.i get a flu shot every year and as many family members as i can talk into it get a flu shot too and yes i get them in between my remicade infusions as close to the middle as i can. I don't like to touch my face as much as I massage my nose around my sinuses when I'm feeling pressure in there.  I suppose though that could spread germs just as easily as rubbing your eyes, or sticking you fingers in your nose (yuck, but sometimes it's necessary to clear stuff out just don't do it in public view)   I went to school to be a medical laboratory technician so I'm also an obsessive hand washer as well.   that's the spirit!!!   way to go BOB!   It only covers three flu bugs, why bother. I have never had one, will never get one, don't encourage any family members to get them either. Waste of time and taxing on the immune system. Why put one more thing into our bodies. I work on a dirty, germ infested medical floor where I come into contact with bad stuff all day. I never get any of it. I think it is a waste of money. Furthermore, two of the three strains have already mutated so now, you may only be protected against one of them. The flu shot is like the latest fashion trend, I'm gonna get one because everyone else has one. Its crap. If you are over 70 and in poor health, maybe. lorster.. do you take biologics?NO, am not going to take them either until the fingers are gnarled and twisted and in pain. Babs, I know where you are going with this. Yes, they do suppress you, but so does prednisone and all the DMARDS. The way I see it is, the flu really does not kill you unless you are old and really sick already so most people survive it. I already have this immune system that is going great guns all the time so why do something else to stimulate it. [QUOTE=lorster]Babs, I know where you are going with this. Yes, they do suppress you, but so does prednisone and all the DMARDS. The way I see it is, the flu really does not kill you unless you are old and really sick already so most people survive it. I already have this immune system that is going great guns all the time so why do something else to stimulate it. [/QUOTE]

The 1918 influenza strain could kill a healthy young adult in 24 hours.  It seems that some strains of influenza have the potential to induce a cytokine storm (immune system gone wild). Cytokine storm is also suspected as the reason for high mortality rates in the recent bird flu and SARS outbreaks.
When people present to the hospital, it is the pneumonia that brings them in. We test all these people for A and B and that is when we find out the pneumonia is from the Influenza. 1918 was 10 years before Penicillin came into play. I'll bet the death toll would not have been high if penicillin would have been around. [QUOTE=lorster]When people present to the hospital, it is the pneumonia that brings them in. We test all these people for A and B and that is when we find out the pneumonia is from the Influenza. 1918 was 10 years before Penicillin came into play. I'll bet the death toll would not have been high if penicillin would have been around. [/QUOTE]

1918 flu, 5N1 flu, SARS are all different in that they kill the young and healthy in large numbers, in part due to the way they overstimulate an already robust immune system.  Penicillin can't stop a cytokine storm.
Jas, I'm talking about the pneumonia that can follow the current influenza and the bacterial problems that probably killed many during 1918. I bet many of them died of hypoxia. I don't know anything about cytokine storm but I am going to google it cuz it sounds interesting. lorster2008-12-21 12:38:37It makes me wonder if all the antibacterial soaps, handwashing and the use of antioxidants has cut down on the chance of another epidemic like this happening.
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