[smae]

Quick question for those of you a little more experienced with the ins and outs of PN.

I saw on the local news website that South Dakota just got the first batch of flu shots in. That leads me to a question.

If the PN doesn't directly deal with the immune system.. is there any reason to NOT get a flu shot? My immune system has always been weak, and I get a flu shot every year because I catch everything that anyone around me has.

I got PN after having gastric bypass surgery, so I don't have an autoimmune disease or anything.

I do, however, have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Some people have said that is on the spectrum of autonomic neuropathy (and some websites have agreed with that), while others state that it is not a form of neuropathy. Just wanted to add that in in case that would help someone answer my question.

I am wondering if people in generally, but more specifically, I, should get a flu shot. I feel like I need it because of my weak immune system... but with all the posts I see about medicines affecting PN, I want to see if the flu shot does.

Thanks!

[dahlek]

To be honest now? I am scared spitless about any flu shots!
I had ONE the first year I'd gotten what I'd gotten? And I still, seven years later, have a knot in my arm at that shot site! Luckily, I don't have to work with people or interact with many too often.
I think you need to/MUST speak with your doc/docs about this and articulate as carefully as you can WHY you have reservations and what you can do about the situations.
I would think your occupation mite determine IF you should or shouldn't get the shot[s]. Then Learn what type of vaccines are to be given, learn about side effects? And then see if THAT vaccine or more than one are right for you...in consult w/your docs!
You've gone thru too much to take chances now? A knot in the arm is ok? But worse than that isn't and there are funky lines about when and when not to. I hope you make the right choice for YOU! Only you can decide this. And, for you or me or others? It's a roll of the dice as to whether we are right or not. That or luck one way or the other.
You are right to be scared and cautious. Be better INFORMED and then make a better decision with your docs! Let us know what you decide! !'s -j

[smae]

Yes..and I wasn't planning to take the first response and do what they say. I look into everything and research it to it's death almost... so I was just looking for opinions. Someone out there may know something that I haven't learned yet.

After I posted this, I read that this year's flu shots have the H1N1 vaccine in them--it's a combined shot, seasonal and H1N1. That makes me a lot less likely to get the shot--I don't think it has been researched enough. I did get the seasonal flu shot last year, but not the H1N1--I supposedly had H1N1, so there was no need for the shot, even though I didn't want to get it.

I am seeing my family doctor on Tuesday, so I plan to ask him about it, if I remember. There's still time, obviously. Was just looking to see what others thought and how others handle it.

I did have a reaction to a flu shot once, but it just made the injection site swell and harden for a few weeks--then it went away. Other than that, I've gotten it every year since I was a baby (I'm 24) and haven't had a problem. The H1N1 part is what makes me more nervous.

[mrsD]

Deciding to have vaccines today is a big personal decision.

Last fall I found horrific opinions about the contents of current flu vaccines, including H1N1.

If you search "vaccines" on this forum, the medications forum, myasthenia gravis forum, and some others you will find those posts.

In essence the adjuvants are the serious ingredients that create loss of health down the road. The dead virus is really negligible.
Squalene and aluminum are two suspects in vaccine reactions.
GBS is always listed now as a potential side effect from vaccines.
Some vaccines that we have had in this country have severely damaged people. The Lyme vaccine is one example.

When a person is vaccinated the adjuvants stimulate an inflammatory response, to get the white cells going. This is mediated by PGE2 cytokines and in some people this goes haywire and causes what is now termed a "cytokine storm". When we hear the common refrain of people getting ill after a flu shot, this is what is really happening. A cytokine storm feels like the flu and can in extreme cases cause death.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytokine_storm

Also as time passes, the antibodies from the adjuvants may turn on the host and that person may develop autoimmune disease down the road.

Here is an article about vaccines and immune suppression:
http://www.mercola.com/article/vacci...uppression.htm
It seems backwards doesn't it?
In essence what it means is that when your body is reacting to the vaccine and all the weird substances it may contain including contaminants--- the white cells are too busy to work for you to prevent any other infection you may be exposed to.

The current vaccine situation is really riding upon the success of vaccines we had in the past to devastating diseases which could only be prevented and not "cured". The success of these few vaccines has paved the way to use vaccination for "everything" now. And therein here lies the danger. In fact our bodies are designed to fight infections as they come along. Interfering with that process TOO MUCH then destroys its ability to function properly.

So, yes, do some homework before getting a vaccine. I am surely worried when I see the new TV ads today making it seem we must ALL get vaccinated and now you can go to Walgreen's or CVS to do it any time of day! This is just to make money IMO. But it fools doctors and patients into thinking this is what they should be doing... and I feel it will cause more harm than good in the long run!

Autoimmune disease is a slow festering thing. It grows within people over time. And it is becoming very common today, compared to 100 yrs ago. I believe one of the triggers is the excessive use of vaccines. Even our Vet has told me that autoimmune disease is now common in cats...and there are 2 known vaccines that cause disease now in cats... vaccination induced sarcoma (cancer) and autoimmune kidney failure (from distemper vaccine)! So what are the human vaccines doing?
I believe they are doing the same to us!

[mrsD]

I also meant to add....

Some of the problems with neuropathy are inflammatory. (it may not be autoimmune, but still inflammatory)

RSD for example, is showing papers on inflammatory cytokines causing it. I've seen posts on our RSD forum about this.
If you search "cytokine" there you will find posts within this year.
In fact some there use grapeseed extract to reduce pain and prevent spreading of RSD. I use the grapeseed too for my issues.

[cyclelops]

SarahMae,
I found this article, and there is a picture in it....is this at all a possibility? Do your feet resemble this?
http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/...104/2/438.full

[Raglet]

imho, get the shot. I didn't, and lived to regret it. I got swine flu in June (mid winter for me), that wasn't so bad, just regular flu, but the pneumonia that it developed into was hell. Four weeks off work, not to mention the fatigue that followed it that I have only recently got over it.

Talk to your doctor, but unless there is a good reason to avoid the shot, I highly recommend it. My doctor said he's seen a lot of cases of the flu turning into pneumonia this year.

just my personal experience of the flu this year - not one that I would care to repeat. Next year I will make sure I have both the flu shot and get a pneumonia shot.
cheers
raglet

[smae]

Originally Posted by Raglet

imho, get the shot. I didn't, and lived to regret it. I got swine flu in June (mid winter for me), that wasn't so bad, just regular flu, but the pneumonia that it developed into was hell. Four weeks off work, not to mention the fatigue that followed it that I have only recently got over it.

Talk to your doctor, but unless there is a good reason to avoid the shot, I highly recommend it. My doctor said he's seen a lot of cases of the flu turning into pneumonia this year.

just my personal experience of the flu this year - not one that I would care to repeat. Next year I will make sure I have both the flu shot and get a pneumonia shot.
cheers
raglet

I had H1N1 last winter as well (swine flu..) and it wasn't fun, but I didn't get as sick as some have... lots have died from it--it wasn't that bad for me, but worse than the regular seasonal flu.

I didn't know there was a shot for pneumonia--is that new or has it been around for awhile? I've never year of that.

[Kitt]

here is a site. There are many.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pne...ION=prevention

Hope it helps.

[mrsD]

The pneumococcal vaccines only prevent pneumonia from certain strains of pneumococcus bacteria. These live in most people's throats all the time, in small numbers and may become virulent when immune system is impaired. We cultured each others throats in microbiology long ago and all of the class had this in their throats!

It is important to understand that other causes of pneumonia exist and the vaccine does not protect against them.

This link lists and explains the various types:
http://respiratory-lung.health-cares...onia-types.php