I've never had a flu shot, and do not get the flu even if everyone else does. I thought I was coming down last year, year before? But felt crummy like a day, then fine.

Even if I was thinking about doing it, after reading Becca's link, would not get H1N1. If there is limited supply, would save that for people who need it more.

Judy - Have not looked into shingles vac. But mom, had shingles, says to get the shot if it's safe. It has to be better than shingles she says, still giving her problems a couple years later.

Seems like with ms, there are two things to consider - the ms itself and whether you take one of the abcrt's. I still think that has a lot to do with what you catch and how you recover from it.

Had flu shot today. PCP office out, local county health dept out. Grocery store and Walmart were doing them today and tomorrow.

Not sure why some MS docs and neuros do not recommend H1N1, as NMSS site say they are safe for ppl w/ MS. Wonder if it messes w/ our out-of-whack immune system? But, I followed my doc's advice not to get H1N1 shot.

~ Faith

I got a flu shot once. Also got the flu that year. Not since. I've probably had the flu a couple times (including last August) but if that's all it is - bbbbbbfffff. I guess that looks like the sound I just made...

I work at NASA. Your co-worker sneezes - everybody points to the door and tells him/her to leave. Paranoid peopleoids... They kicked me out of the office for 3 days last August and I just went and played golf, with lots of tissues...

I have an aversion to needles, which is probably the biggest sub-conscious driver to not getting a flu shot.

They were giving flu shots today for free in the mission control center (I work at you know where - Johnson space center place). I declined, but I did flirt with a few of the girls in line... It was a long line...

Tom

I went to my Neuro today and he highly recommended me to get the flu shot asap and then the H1N1 as soon as it is available. He said that the flu takes such a huge toll on MS patients that it is not worth the risk of skipping it. I'm really not looking forward to another shot....the daily copaxone is bad enough and every time i've gotten a flu sot, it feels like a tetnus!

I'm also in a flare right now and have to start an "industrial" dose of steroids tomorrow (1000 mg for 3 days) I sure hope it works to stop the double vision.....I had not had any problems with my eyes until last Friday and I have been having over 10 episodes per waking hour of seeing double since it started. This sucks.

Dont get a flu shot while you're on steroids! They lower your resistance.

I get my flu shot every year per my doc's suggestion (his suggestion is "ok, I will get your flu shot now, you need one")

I doubt I will get the H1N1 this year. I got my seasonal flu 10/1 this year.

yes, i got the regular flu shot a few days ago. My neuro suggested it. I have been taking them for years though. I think it helps me. But now I Am going to pay attention to my MS sx to see if they are affected.

My CO neuro advised against me getting the H1N1 since I am on Tysabri.

knock on wood cause when I say this then you know I will get it lol

but I have only had the flu once in my lifetime and that was the year I got a flu shot.... maybe nothing to do with it... but all these years with no shot ever and same all years without getting it... I have five kids, and who also have never had the flu shots... and guess what have never had the flu... have we been exposed to the flu... oh I am sure many of times....

sometimes I wonder about vaccinations, just like germs too... the more we avoid germs I wonder if it makes us more succeptable to picking up things...

knock on wood the kids, hubby and I have been pretty lucky with illnesses... well other than occasional colds for me... think sinus stuff usually...

good luck all no matter which way you go, hugss,sarah

Tom, it is pretty unlikely what you had was the flu last year. I caught it in San Antonio in 2007 and it was terrible. I was working as a supervisor on an outdoor construction site for the first 3-4 days and all I wanted to do was lay in my truck with the heater on. When I got back to Houston I missed 3-4 days of work. When my wife caught it from me, she was off work for a solid week, and it took both of us another week or two to really start feeling normal again after that.

Needless to say, I got a shot a couple of days ago.