[Lumia_black]

Hi, I'm in my 8th year of MS at 39 years old. I never go the Flu shot while an Mser and can't remember when I ever had one.

I'm coming down off of a relapse, quit taking Prednisone a few days ago for the relapse I don't take a DMT or anything. I hear that we msers should indeed get the shot and I plan to in a few days at the rite aid in town. I filled out the screening paper and consent form online and included my primary doctor number and name. However I don't feel like arguing with the immunizing pharmacist about if I should or shouldn't have the shot....calling my doctor ect ect...I just want the shot with no questions asked that isn't on the form already(I wrote that I have MS and take an occasional steroid(Prednisone) I hear it's safe for Msers to get the shot and we should get the shot, especially if your immune system has been on a steroid.

So what have you? Will the pharmacist give me a hard time and HAVE to call my primary doctor for permission, or will they take my word for it? I have a short fuse lately and irritable...I just want to get the shot and be safe from the flu without any arguing.... But I know al hell will break loose once they find out I have MS and have to go through all the hoopla on if I can get it.

In your experiences...do they call your doctor before? once they know yo uhave the MS?

Thanks fo ranything said and tips will be appreciated..... wil I get sick? dizzy or anything?....Thank you.

[SallyC]

I usually don't get the shot. Why don't you call the Pharmacist and ask them if MS is going
to be an issue. I don't think it should be, but maybe a note from your Doc will seal the deal.
I try to stay away from live virus shots, since my IS is compromised with MS.

Welcome and Wishing you well and lots of luck with the shot. Many People with MS
have the shot with no problem,

[ewizabeth]

I get one every year, with no ill effects other than a sore muscle in the arm where they give the shot. The flu kills people and the shot is a good thing because it can prevent a bad illness or even save your life.

[Erin524]

I get one every year. Just got one a few weeks ago.

I wouldn't get one tho, when coming right off of a steroid. I'd wait a bit to do it.

When I got my flu shot last month tho, it was either pretty strong this year, or my immune system was down a little bit because I was about to come down with shingles. I ended up getting a fever for a few days, and felt pretty bad for more than a week. That worried me a lot. Gave me a hint of what's going to happen if I get sick this winter.

I'm pretty sure I reacted to the shot that way because I was coming down with shingles at the same time. The shingles hit about a week or two later. And I was pretty sick feeling for the first couple of weeks of shingles.


I used to not get flu vaccines before, but since I got MS, and then my dad has serious cardiac problems. I'd rather get vaccinated than take the chance I'd get a really bad flu that would set off a flare. Or something that would make my dad really sick. I think I get the flu shot more to protect my dad.

[doydie]

I get it every year. My PCP is the one who keeps my records and reminds me but my neuro also asks me if I had gotten it yet. I think it is more necessary for MSers since our immune system is all whacked up and the flu is one thing we do not one. They also keep track as to whether I need a pneumonia shot, oh the tetanus booster. He keeps me covered! Got mine last Monday!

[Lumia_black]

I'm probably going to get it, but don't want the Pharmacist calling my PCP to confirm I can get it or anything. In the screening questioner you have to list all your medical conditions and of course I had to write all the hoopla about the MS, down. Also that I'm off and on with Prednisone, Oxycodone and Flowmax, lmao.

I'm off the prednisone for now for about a week so I thought I'd get the flu shot now, since my I.S. isn't compromised with the Prednisone. I also thought it would be a good idea to get the shot, since I'm probably going to be on the Prednisone again and I don't want to risk getting flu with a dormant I.S. I already had two major flares this year that required a few days in the ER, each I don't need a Flu induced Flare.

Thanks, I guess I'll head up there and ask about it, make sure everything is square before I do it.

'Logan.

[barb02]

I also get one every year. My neurologist and pcp also have recommended it. It should not be an issue for those with MS as it is not a live vaccine. I have know a few people this year that have gotten it that have not felt great for about a day after the injection. I did not have any problems. My arm wasn't even sore this year. I got mine at Walgreens.

[SallyC]

I thought it was a live virus? Hmmmm!

[Kitty]

Have never gotten one. Won't start now.

[agate]

Sally, it's a live virus only in the nasal spray-mist form, which is not recommended for people with MS.

I've always had the flu shot--sometimes at the doctor's office but often at pharmacies in supermarkets and other pharmacies. I've never had to answer any questions about MS. The topic didn't come up--not in discussion or on the form that has to be filled out.

It isn't an issue as I understand it, so long as you get the shot and not the nasal spray.

People on immunosuppressants like Novantrone might want to double-check with their doctors about the flu shot. Most of the MS drugs aren't immunosuppressants though.