Hi All,

Someone told me yesterday that they were giving out free flu shots rigt down the street from my house. They are doing it on Monday, I have no time to call Neuro office to see if I should get one. Is it wise get a flu shot with MS?

Input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Joe

I cant tell you if you should. But, my neurologist suggested that I get one last year. He told me to NOT do the live virus one (the spray they make you schnork up your nose)

Is it a nursing association that's doing the shots? Ask the nurse there and see what they say.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/liv...ons/index.aspx

This is the NMSS information link on flu shots for people with MS.

When I was in the neuro's office for my clinical trial visit 2 weeks ago, the neuro recommended I get a flu shot. He is the Principle Investigator for the Tovaxin Clinical Trial for which I am currently enrolled along with being the Head of the MS Clinic at Providence Hospital in Portland, OR.

That's my story. BTW, I don't get one b/c the shot makes me sicker than the flu.

I've had 2 neurologists and 1 family doctor tell me it could stir my MS up and that I may not want to get one.

Another family doctor told me this but said the decision was up to me. I've never gotten a flu shot; dx MS.

I had a bad case of the flu in my second year after diagnosis. I have gotten a flu shot every year since, I got mine last Wed, my shoulder still aches but small price to pay for not getting the crud.

Jim gets the flu shot every year and the pneumonia shot every so many years. His doctor highly recommends it because the flu and pneumonia are not a good mix with ms.

I would ask your doctor if you still feel worried about it.

Earl, we noticed that too. My arm hurt for at least a week. :-(

I've never had one. I'd think that the possible reaction to it might cause some sx to flare up. But...everyone is different.

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.