Oh, tough call if you're unsure and can't ask your neuro. I do get one every year as suggested by all my doctors and neuro.

From a more medical point of view it is probably the increase in GAMMA INTERFERON that occurs when we are "sick " that that causes MS flairs.

GAMMA INTERFERON causes many BAD things to become elavated that are key to the MS destructive processes.

In 1984, researchers first administered Gamma Interferon to humans who had MS in the hope that it would help them. Unfortunately, the patients' symptoms became even worse. This made researchers wonder if Gamma Interferon itself might be directly involved in MS. Sure enough, when researchers monitored Gamma Interferon levels in MS patients, they found that the levels shot up just before and during MS attacks.

This discovery:
Showed that Gamma Interferon can play a key role in MS relapses.

I have some rules that I follow about this;


2. The number two rule is "be a bad host to diseases of all kinds". Since MS
is an autoimmune disease getting sick (either bacterial or virus) will
result in a heightened immune system response that could cause a MS
exacerbation. This is why you should get the flu shot unless you are
currently having an active relapse. The flu shot will cause two to three
days of heightened immune levels but if you get the real flu you could have
two or three weeks of VERY HIGH immune levels which really increases the
chances for a major MS relapse.

3. Third rule is do not overstimulate your immune system to produce more
Gamma Interferon. Generally you should avoid anything that increases Gamma
Interferon, Il-12, or TNFa and some other nasty T-cell things. Conversely you should take those supplements that reduce these things and do no harm.

jackD

I've often heard it being suggested especially for the elderly and anyone with an irregular immune system. I don't get them now because I had the same problem as Flygirl, the shot making me more miserable than the flu.

I would definitely get the flu shoot - my husband and I have been for some years - both my neuro and my primary strongly suggest it - it's dead virus as opposed the the shot for shingles which is a live virus and not for us with MS - worse to get the flu and perhaps have a problem because of it -

mine suggested yes get it and my caretaker especially needed it, as the doc said. the fever from the flu will knock you down big time that was my neuros reason plus my bad lungs

The flu shot is the only immunization that I'll allow them to give me.

About 2 or 3 weeks before my right thigh and hip went numb in April of 2006, I had an MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) booster shot. (the mumps were going around in Nebraska and Iowa at the time)

I had no idea at that point that I had MS. It wasnt until I had Optic Neuritis in August of 2006 that I even had an idea that I might have MS. (went to the doctor for the numb hip, and she told me it was a sprain and to put heat on it...moron!)

I'm pretty sure it was the MMR booster that woke up the MS Trolls and got them started on screwing around with my nerves.

I've had two flu shots since I found out about the MS, havent had a problem with them at all, other than a sore shoulder and the sniffles.

Seems like I havent had the flu that often for the past few years, had a few icky colds, but nothing that reached the level of the actual flu. I'm pretty sure the flu shots have been working for me. I've been getting the flu shot since 1995, and the only problem I had that first year was that I caught mononucleosis. The flu left me alone that year.

I just got a flu shot. Mo problrms and I intend on getting a pneumonia (sp) shot too. I talked to a nurse and she said that I have a compromised immune system and it would be a good idea.

I have a very jaded view on flu shots as for 20+ yrs I had no choice being military. Sure they supposedly do good for you (if u get the right strain vaccination)for that year. I have vowed to NEVER again have one, I'll take my chances....

I had to get one for my job for several years, and have continued getting them since then. I do feel a little "fluish" for a week or two after, but always recover and never get really sick the rest of the season.

Cherie

Charlie

I too got a LOT of shots from the military and was shocked when I found my "shot record" in the bottom of a box of my military papers.

I think the flu shot was not the one you should be worried about!

It was awsome to see how many I received!!

They also gave many of them at the same time! They did not care what it did to your immune system. I might post the complete list. The only good thing is I got out before getting that terrible Anthrax shot.

I had MS for many years but hid the symptoms from the military. This messed up any VA disability claim. Big MS attack got me booted out in 1995 after 28 years.

JackD (MSgt -retired USAF/USAFR/ANG)