Prior to getting crps, I used to get the flu vaccine every year in the fall. However, inevitably, I would get the flu in the spring. And I mean the flu- fever, sneezing, muscle aches, etc. My MD would agree that I had the flu despite my vaccination. I also never developed antibodies to my hepatitis vaccine so I didn't have a very successful history with vaccines. Then...

I took my dog to a new groomer. She raised Bernese Mountain dogs. Beautiful big, show dogs. I talked to her about her beauties. She said the problem with this breed is that their life spans had become progressively shorter to the point that it wasn't uncommon to lose a dog at 8 yrs. of age- just when they were settling down- her words not mine.

As a group, the Bernese Mountain dog owners decide to fund research and look into the reasons for the decreasing life span of their dogs. Now note, this was years ago. 2 things the breeders decided on- they were over-vaccinating their dogs and the food they fed their dogs had too much artificial ingredients. They began to decrease the frequency of immunizations from yearly to every 3 yrs. and began feeding "raw" foods to their dogs. The life spans of the dogs started to increase. Several years later the Veterinary Associations began to recommend vaccinations every 3 yrs. rather than yearly. They felt they were knocking out the immune systems of their dogs.

I stopped having my yearly vaccine years ago. I have not come down with the flu since. What was working for the Bernese Mountain dog breeders works for me. I believe I was knocking out my immune system in some manner.

Just food for thought...