I know this is a topic that people feel strongly about, but I'd appreciate some discussion. I'm not sure whether I should:

a) get the flu shots, since the flu is especially dangerous for MG patients (I have not had trouble breathing, though);

or

b) not get the flu shots, out of fear of really sending my already hyperactive immune system into hyperdrive.

My (tentative) theory is that the reason I got MG in the first place is that my immune system over-reacted to exposure to H1N1 last fall, when five of my kids got it at the same time (before the shots were even available). It was after caring for them for two weeks that I got hit with my first MG symptoms. I never got H1N1 myself, though I felt for a while like I was starting to.

Ironically, if I had been able to get the H1N1 shot, I would have (I was planning to). Then I would be totally, but mistakenly, convinced today that the shot was the cause of my MG. I feel better (maybe this is silly) knowing it wasn't something I could have prevented by making a different decision.

Abby

Hi Abby - -

This flu shot thing is (I believe) a really personal decision - just because of the pros / cons you mentioned. And you may already have some immunity to last year's flu because of your exposure (even though you didn't get it)...but, then again, you may not either!

The trick is - every year the vax is modified slightly for what they think is going to be the 'hot strain(s)'. So sometimes, even the flu shot doesn't protect against the actual hot strain because they guessed wrong when they 'recipe'd' the cultures!! (its like they manufacture the immunity for whole wheat bread - - but sourdough is what ends up making every one sick! It's still bread - - so it will work a bit...but it's not the right bread.)

Anyway, I have always been advised by my doc to get the (a, any) flu shot - - - and I never have and never will. I don't want my immune system artifically challenged in this way year after year, flu strain after flu strain. And so far have been lucky - haven't had the flu since 1969 when the Hong Kong flu got me really bad!!

Sue

It is not the weakened or dead virus at issue really for
autoimmune patients.

It is the ADJUVANTS added that create the concern and damage.

this thread has my thoughts this year:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread131967.html

I find it remarkable that Australia has taken off the market there recently for children under 5 yrs old:
http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/in...enza-index.htm
and this:
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/fl...ml?from=age_ft

Each year vaccines become more common, but that doesn't mean they become safer!

There are YouTubes and many comments on the net regarding the unsafe adjuvants used in today's vaccines. So it is a very personal decision as to whether to risk them. Often they are NOT listed on the insert given to doctors. Ask...you'll see!

When H1N1 was just starting up last fall, I was really frightened for my daughter, who has cardiac issues. I was afraid she'd get pneumonia. I read up on the dangers of the flu shot, and decided that the dangers of the flu, for her at least, were worse. So I had decided to get her the shot, but she got the flu before the shot was available.

She did get pneumonia. She's OK, but it was really scary there for a while. Again, I can only imagine if I had made the decision not to get the shot--I would have felt terrible.

So, now I have a story about how terrible I would have felt if I did get the shot and X happened, and one about how terrible I would have felt if I didn't get the shot and Y happened.

Thanks for your input. I am starting to get it into my thick head that the situation is this: there's no crystal-clear answer. I will read up (thanks, Mrs. D., for the links) and make a decision, and then if something bad happens, I'll try to remember that making a reasonable decision that turns out to have bad consequences is not the same as making a mistake!

Abby

Abby, I wouldn't doubt that the H1N1 set off MG. Someone I knew had the pneumovax shot earlier in the year and got an inflammatory reaction that caused a nerve entrapment. She couldn't use her hand for months! To help heal the peripheral nerves, she took high doses of methylcobalamin (B12) daily, which did help.

This is only my opinion but I do not trust the vaccine makers to make them in a way that won't harm people. And here's a thought . . . what about all of those contaminated eggs? Did any of them make it into this year's batch of flu shots?

My choice has been to not go out much during flu season. If I do, I use the sensible precautions of washing hands, etc. Since these flu "bugs" can last on surfaces for a day or two or more depending on what source you read, have any of you thought about how you handle the mail you get? Mail comes from all over the country.

If you need a tetanus shot, BTW, you will have to ask for only the tetanus unless you want the mumps, measles and rubella portion they often automatically stick in there.

Annie

My neuro tells me not to get the flu shots due to taking CellCept.

I've decided not to get the flu shot. I think either decision would have been reasonable. But I have no breathing troubles, so I'm less worried about the respiratory effects of the flu, if I catch it; and I do think it's likely that it was exposure to H1N1 that sent my immune system into its current state of paranoia in the first place. So it seems risky to me to give my already irritated immune system more excuses to go nuts on me.

Like I say, I can see it both ways, and if someone says he or she is more worried about flu-induced pneumonia than about the shot--that seems sensible to me, too. In the end, there are just too many unknowns for any decision to be obviously the right one. If I had any trouble breathing, catching the flu would seem to me to be the risk most worth attending to.

My husband and five kids have all had a messy, messy cold and cough for a week. Me: not a sniffle. I really do think of my immune system as a trigger-happy conspiracy theorist. Yes, it's attacking my thyroid and my acetylcholine receptors--but hey, it does an excellent job against those germs!

Abby

Hmmmm - my neuro said to make sure I get the flu shot because I'm on Cellcept and I have a greater risk of getting the flu. FYI, I get the shot every year and I've never had any problems with it.

It's a tough call that only you can make.

I personally do not get the flu shot because some kind of flu/virus origianlly triggered my MG also. However, I eat super healthy, drink tons of water, get a lot of rest, and don't hang out with people who are sick. I don't have a husband or kids, so it kind of makes it easy for me to stay away from sick little ones.

If I ever feel like I may be getting something I rest up, drink a lot of water, take a clove of raw garlic (yes, I said raw garlic...LOL...peeled as one big clove...I take it as if it were a pill with some water). I'll make myself rest all weekend even if it's not necessary and usually I am able to stop a cold coming on. I know colds and flu's are different, but I'm convinced get the rest and listening to my bodies suddle changes is helping strengthen my immune system too.


I found this Q&A to be helpful: http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75648.htm

I have respiratory issues, and I take the flu shot, every year.

When I didn't I would catch flu like three times a year, plus I would lose so much weight. Most people I know can handle the flu, but not me. I would be bedridden for about a month.

So, I'm glad that there is something like a flu shot.