i've always gotten the flu shot, particularly because i was an RN working in a hospital setting.

i still get one every year and i've never had a reaction. i fill out the form and don't get asked any questions.

i can't speak about the steroids because i don't have experience. i'd call the dr's office that prescribed it and ask them what they recommend. let us know. i'm curious.

and, if you don't like the way you're being treated just get up and leave.
i usually get my shots at walgreens and it's gone smoothly.

My neuro who is a MS Specialist said all of his patients get it and has it in his office. I've done it, feel crappy the next day with a headache, and that's about it.

I never know what to expect from the annual flu shot. Sometimes I get just a slightly sore arm for the rest of the day. Usually it's at least a sore arm lasting a week, and sometimes I feel feverish and ache-y for a day. A few times I've felt that way for a week or more but it's a whole lot better than a real case of the flu.

i haven't gotten one since two of our acquaintances have gone into a coma for several weeks after having their flu shot. Too scary...besides, I thought MSer's immune systems were overactive?

I have never had the flu, nor have a gotten a flu shot....until today. I will be having a hysterectomy within a month, but I will be seeing a specialist in Jacksonville, FL and will be admitted through UF Health. A much greater population than here at home. My GYN advised me of this yesterday. I saw my PCP today, discussed refills on my FM meds and the flu shot. My refills were sent over to my pharmacy and I got my shot in preparation for my surgery in Jax and recovery time with as much consideration as possible for my FM and general health.

Yes, to flu shots. I have one every year and it is much easier than an inter-feron!

I get no symptoms.

ANN

It is considered an overactive immune system, but that doesn't mean effective immune system. Basically it's so busy trying to find things to attack that it completely ignores the enemy walking through the front gate. Still for most I would say it's a matter of personal preference as to get or not looking at who you're around and where you go.

I haven't gotten my shot pretty much since I'm largely at home. I do go out to the store and things from the store are brought home, my husband deals with the public at large too, but my exposure now is far more limited than when I was attending classes and working.

If you're the type to catch anything and everything going around....get the shot if you're going around....not so much...ehhh....up to you. You cannot catch the flu from the shots, though the nasal spray one is live but not a "shot". And yes you can, like any other medication, food group, or environmental factor, have an allergic reaction, serious side effect, or injection infection and so forth arising from it. Though the biggest one is knowing if you have a sensitivity to eggs let the pharmacist/doctor know so they can give you the non-egg one.

The sensitivity to eggs doesn't even have to be some crazy allergy where you need an epipen to eat a brownie, it could be as simple as eating 2 eggs with toast in the morning rather than just 1 makes you a little queasy, or soft boiled egg doesn't seem to sit as well as a hard boiled one. That same sensitivity can equal flu-like symptoms from the shot as well as pain, swelling, redness etc....

Steriods also shouldn't preclude you from getting the shot, only the nasal spray which MS already nixed. If anything that's more the double whammy putting you towards the top of the list for those that need to get it. Though you do have youth on your side a bit to where I wouldn't expect any doctor to twist your arm over getting one. 10-12 yrs from now.... But then you're reaching an age where other shots start, pneumonia...shingles...

I just got Tysabri yesterday and was told to wait 2 weeks before getting a flu shot. She said if you get your shot when the immune system is too compromised (which it is the first 2 weeks after Tysabri) it has a hard time making antibodies to the flu after the vaccine ( and thus doesn't work as well in the long run). You might ask your doctor how long you should wait until you get the shot since you've been on steroids. Maybe you are fine after a week?

I've had flu shots before with MS. It's no worry - just stay away from live vaccine in nasal spray form as everyone says.

Thanks.

I plan to get it this week, but nervous about it.

I found out something about flu shots just recently.

I was told that it's very possible that the flu shot I had in the fall of 2013, might have been what triggered the extremely painful adhesive capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) that I had last winter in my left arm.

Had a flu shot about a month and a half ago in my right shoulder, and over the past week or two, my right shoulder has been hurting. It's eerily similar to how things went last year.

Still believe in flu shots, but I think any future flu shots I get will be done in the side of my butt from now on. Flu shots don't have to be done in the arm.

From what I was told, and have been reading. About 10% of the people who get a flu shot, can develop frozen shoulder. They get frozen shoulder if the person giving the shot accidentally injects it into the bursa, or another part of the shoulder. Like they're giving the shots too high up on the shoulder.