Hi aussiemom,

I thought that when one's immune system is compromised, all the more that one should protect it from virus or any bacteria.

I have been confirmed to have Mycobacterium Avium in my lung.

Maybe, it all depends on the health issue.

Take care.

If your immune system is compromised it won't react to the allergens in the flu shot either. But the shot will increase inflammation in the body, and some doctors don't think that is wise. (the adjuvants create inflammatory cytokines which attack many functions. That is why the area of the shot gets red sometimes and why sometimes people feel ill. It is not the virus but the other ingredients doing that).

Also if you take steroids, the shot is negated. The steroids suppress the immune response as well.

I go to a physiatrist/pain specialist. I do have PN or RSD. She did recommend me getting the flu shot, and so did my PCP. My immune system isn't so good. No there was no increase in the PN. ginnie

This sure does confuse me about the flu shot as I asked two doctors. Both said to go ahead and get the shot, even though my immune system is out of wack. Why would they recommend that? I also have PN, and experienced no additional pain. Do have a new auto immune problem, Now I wonder if it is related. How do I research this? ginnie (Shot was two months ago.)

If the flu shot is going to bother your PN or other autoimmune issues it will be a delayed reaction.

It also depends on:
1) if the flu shot even has what it claims in it: And in the past there have been many recalls, over the years. One year ParkeDavis made inert shots! Imagine that!
http://wupa.wustl.edu/record_archive...6-97/1495.html
And just last year the H1N1 was recalled by one company who put the deadly H5N1 in it:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/con...11flunews.html

2) what the adjuvant is, in it.

My personal opinion is that doctors have no clue what is in the shot and only share the "kool aid" and parrot the recommendations. There is a code...called "standard of care".
They all agree to this via their associations, because of liability risks. Should a doctor NOT recommend the flu shot, then the person gets pneumonia and sues, then if standard of care is violated, the plaintiff has more likely a chance of winning the suit. Standard of care was gone into in detail in the Michael Jackson trial where his doctor, Conrad Murray violated "standard of care" in using the dangerous propofol in a home setting without emergency safeguards.

My doctor ASKS if I want a flu shot, and when I refuse she puts that in my records. But she never pushes me to get one even though I am old, have pre-diabetes, have a history of asthma and have had pneumonia once.

Since I have used Vit D to raise my levels appropriately I do not get sick anymore. Neither does my husband. Taking Vit D properly can prevent flu better than any shot, because it protects against ALL infections.

more here:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller27.html

The thing to remember is that you are not protected from everything. Only a very tiny number of strains (this year 3), out of many many out there. Flu mutates quickly and old strains die out. When these decisions were made, it was back in Jan/Feb. of this year. No one really knows what strains we will get, if any, this season.

Thank you for the response. I go back in on the 9th and I am going to ask. My D levels are good, and taking B12 shots. I also go in Wed. to see whats up with this new auto immune condition in my throat. I am somewhat alarmed. Just had the upper GI done last monday. I have no idea how they will or won't treat this. thanks again, ginnie

If you don't get reactions from the shot, consider yourself lucky.

But don't think you won't get sick with something else.
That risk is lower with good Vit D levels, however. Keep your hands clean, wash after shopping, and don't touch your face, nose or eyes until you wash up at home well.

These safeguards are better than any flu shot. Many stores had antiseptic hand wipes at the door last year. Even the WalMart by us had them. I use them every time I see them in a public place.
And I carry hand sanitizer in my purse just in case.

We do the same thing mrsD and we have done it for a number of years. People will have to make their own decision concerning the flu shot.

Hi Idiopathic PN
I am getting massive amounts of steroids with the chemo. I thought it would be good to ask, I was surprised with such an emphatic NO

I always got them in past years no more than an achey arm. I've had pneumonia 5 times, and worked around kids for 23+ years. I'll just be a hermit this season

I forgot to ask you Mrs.D, how many of Vit D do you take in a day?

Since early this year, I have been taking VitD 2000IU. Recently, I bought a Fish Oil 1200mg with Vit.D 2000IU.
Thank you.