Agghh! I'm so torn.

First of all - sorry I haven't posted in awhile - I've still been reading, just felt I had nothing to say (rare - I know)!

Back to my Swine Flu Quandry -

I'm on pred and azathioprine so I'm immunosuppressed. My MG seems quite stable at the moment and I'm in the process of tapering my pred (right now at 30 mg every second day - nothing on the alternate days). I work in a high school (12 - 18 year olds) specifically kids with disabilities (one of the biggest high risk groups). We've already had about 12 confirmed cases of Swine flu in the school and lots of suspected cases. Some of you may remember I had a terrible flu in July which I thought MAY have been Swine Flu but it was never tested or confirmed and I was given no treatment for the flu - just told to take it easy. My neuro (if you can call him that) has not been in touch for OVER a year now so I have no advice from him.

So, what do you all suggest I do? I've had flu shots previous years and never had a problem. But maybe I'm ok if I already had the flu? Just looking for some friendly advice... hope you are all well! I think i'm leaning towards getting the shot, but still unsure. The other piece of the puzzle is that the GPs office has asked people not to contact them but wait to be contacted, but i know people who have fewer risk factors than me who have had the shot already. I don't want to annoy the doctors by reminding them I still exist, but i do!

Stay healthy!
~Kathy

Hi Kathy,
In France, people treated with immunodepressants are recommended to get the A/H1N1 flu shot without additive…
Maurice

Hey Kathy,

If you've made the decision to get the vaccine, then I would call your GP's office and let them know. The last thing I would concern myself with is bothering them about something as important as this. I know how confusing this all is, but I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you. Maybe you could discuss it with your GP again. Good luck, stay well and take care.

Hugs,
Pat

Hey Maurice,

Thank you for the information concerning the additive. I've seen several health segments on TV discussing the fact the H1N1 vaccine had the additive, but not that there was one available without it. Very good to know.

Hugs,
Pat

Hi Kathy,
I am taking Imuran and on 30mg prednisone/day. I got the H1N1 shot on Nov. 2nd. I get the flu shot every year with no problems. I feel that getting the shot was the right decision for me. Take care ~ Melanie

Almost all vaccines have additives. The vaccine to avoid is the nasal spray delivery which has some live virus in it; the injected one has all dead virus.

Thanks guys! I think I just needed some reassurance. I rang my GP today and they apologised they hadn't been in touch. I have an appointment for next week.
Thanks again,
Kathy

I am taking CellCept. My neuro told me not to get either shot because of my suppressed immune system. I am a high school teacher. My GP told me to stay home if the flu breaks out. It broke out 3 weeks ago, but I have been going to school. We have one teacher who has been out 2 weeks with H1N1, we have had students miss a week at a time.

I am going on 3 weeks with a temp of 99.5 to 100.8, but I feel fine. Other than I am tired.

Hey Tbarney,

Have you been tested to see if you have the flu? I know that from the things that I have read, you gotta be careful if you're on immunosuppressants and run a temperature...It's best to see the doc. about it, just in case. I'm sure that you prolly have, though...

I remember a while back reading/hearing about the swine flu, and how docs. were saying that this flu is most dangerous to those who have 'strong' immune systems, like young adults...It's so confusing...the theory was that the immune system is what causes the damage in this type of flu...Then, a few weeks ago, they were saying that kids who get it have a mild flu...Now, about 3-kids in Canada have died from it...So it seems to be that those with weak immune systems, or those who are unacquanited with this flu (apparently, elderly people have antibodies from a previous flu outbreak where the virus was similar to this one so they're 'least' affected in terms of severity) are most at risk since they are dying from it...I'm just wondering why they said that those with strong immune systems were at risk, at least before...sigh

Hi Nicky,

My little daughter is fighting H1N1. I can tell you firsthand that this is a very serious thing for folks, like her, with underlying health issues. For heaven sakes, at the first sign of symptoms (this thing progresses like wildfire) rush to a clinic and get Tamiflu.

If you aren't ill yet, and can access vaccine, get the shot!!!!

I'm so angry that the chronically ill had to wait while professional hockey players, doctors' friends, rich hospital donors and healthy prisoners got vaccinated first. So much for our "everybody's equal" public healthcare system. I hope some heads roll when this is all over.

Keep Well