seasonal flu shot and PN
 

Are any of you getting your seasonal flu shot? Is there any reason why we shouldn't?

I do not get any vaccines....not since the first swine flu shot in 1976, which made me ill, as I recall.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread102548.html

This link has a link in it explaining the ingredients of flu vaccines:
squalene, when injected will stimulate autoimmune reactions.

Pros and Cons on Flu Shot
 

This from the archives:

LizaJane10-29-2006, 01:18 AM
Every year at around this time there is a debate on the neuro boards about whether or not to get the flu vaccine.

I have one point I want to make about it. SOME of the flu vaccine is made with thimerisol, which contains mercury. Mercury is a neurotoxin.

Not all flu vaccine has mercury. I recommend that anyone with sensitive nerves be sure to check the manufacturer of the vaccine. Here's what the CDC says on their website:

Today, all routinely recommended licensed pediatric vaccines that are currently being manufactured for the U.S. market, with the exception of influenza vaccine, contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts. Thimerosal preservative-free influenza vaccines are available, but in limited quantities. The total amount of inactivated influenza vaccine available without thimerosal as a preservative will continue to increase as manufacturing capabilities are expanded.

Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
Yes, the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States currently contain thimerosal as a preservative. However, some contain only trace amounts of thimerosal and are considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be preservative-free. Manufacturers of preservative-free flu vaccine use thimerosal early in the manufacturing process. The thimerosal gets diluted as the vaccine goes through the steps in processing. By the end of the manufacturing process there is not enough thimerosal left in the vaccine to act as a preservative and the vaccine is labeled ‘preservative-free'.

;)I am not sure if this is still the case with this year's flu shots. I am sure someone with more knowledge on this subject will answer soon. There are so many new people here that I believe this information is very important. I personally have not gotton a shot in 3-4 years.

Please read the link I gave above.

Thanks, MrsD and dls. I'm not sure, but I believe my PN is caused from the statins I've taken for many years. Currently, I'm off of them, but my doctor is really unhappy about it. I'm still taking the Gabapentin to keep it under control, though.

About the flu shots (including H1N1), I am truly leaning against taking them this year. Up till now, I've taking the flu shots most years, but I'm really uncomfortable about it this year. Trying to keep both me and dh healthy.

Thanks so much!

P.S. Is this Mrs. Doubtfyre? I used to be on the old board. Didn't even know about this one.

Yes,it is me, the old mrsdoubtfyre.

If you have been on statins, you need to consider a quality CoQ-10 supplement and perhaps an acetyl carnitine in addition.

You can PM me if you like with details. Like what was your old ID?
I am curious.

Getting a flu shot is a personal choice. In the end one should read as much as possible and decide for themselves.

I have never had flu shots either. I'm lucky enough to have an excellent immune system...over 10yrs flu free and rarely catch a cold. I do however get the pneumonia (sp?) booster every 5 years. Long history of pneumonia as a child and my spleen was removed about 20 years ago.



I'm really curious if anyone knows about the HPV vaccination? My daughter is now dx with CMT and will be offered the HPV vaccination at school sometime in the next 2 years. I need to do some research in that area.

I never have, and do not plan to. My PCP even agrees with me..he says with all of my intolerance's, it's best to not even think about them until I am in my late 60's.

I have gotten them at the doctor's suggestion
since I turned 58 (7 yrs).
My wife is an RN & works in a hospital geriatric center.
The hospital wants all employees to get the shots.
I don't want her bringing home some nasty virus, either.
I want to be sure I won't give it to my quadriplegic son (immune system compromised-baclofen & other drugs), or my small & infant grandkids.
I've never had a bad reaction other than the injection site being sore for a day or so.

I think I would be very nervous to get a flu shot and any vaccines in general, but that's just me. For years I started having a reaction every time I got a tetanus shot. Then the last time I got it, I had a violent reaction. I got a fever that soared over 104 and I started shaking and vomiting uncontrollably. My husband got me to the ER quick. Even if I didn't have any reaction to other vaccines, it's left me nervous about it. No more tetanus shots for me now, I am apparently severely allergic to what ever is in them. This happened back in 1998...

Here's a link to the content of this years seasonal flu vaccine. From what I can tell, it contains the viruses from the last two vaccine...2007 & 2008 years and nothing new for this season. Is my interpretation correct and does it mean that if you got the flu and/or the vaccine in 2008, then you would not need it again?

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVac.../ucm162050.htm

Marlene

OK I searched this out extensively last year?
 

AND I am of two minds...One in that I had had a 'flu' shot the first year of my neuropathy.... I am not sure if it was a 'live' or 'dead' virus but...I six years later? Have one heck of a 'knot' on my arm at the injection site...AND I Was Super sore at the site for two months afterwards.
NOW as for last year? I literally GRILLED my docs about whether to get the shots or not! I don't think any were 'thrilled' with such questioning? BUT, Heck! I don't know about anyone else here, but, I'm re-learning to walk from a fall in early summer, and I SHORE do not WANT any kind of relapse here? DUH?

Now, what I gathered from all my research? And I must qualify it all as I am ON monthly IVIG...is that I can take a 'dead virus' innoculation, but not a 'live virus' one such as flu-mist. ...

This all is 'unknown' vis a vis the H1N1 shots. ....I had been keeping up to date about the progress of this stuff until I'd had my fall. Rite now? I'm more concerned in re-learning to walk and get about w/o aids other than a cane for the long term future.... So HOnestly? I'm not sure if it's a 'live or dead' virus shot now! So far, my neuro is saying DO IT!
As for it being in a 'thirmerisol' agent? So...What More can I get? And, if I Do? Could I prove it. I'm certainly NOT gonna get ADHD more than I already have at my age. [Over 50]

I quake internally at making a decision? Last year, my not making a decision WAS a decision [BUT many 'flu' vaccines WERE Black boxed for immune sensitives. They no longer are as of about Feb of this year] YOU all have to watch, read, learn and decide for yourselves. It is really a danged if'n ya do? OR don't Situation! But, Heaven help us all, if we don't AND get it? WHO do we blame? No one but ourselves. Let's all go live in caves somewhere! - j

Da FLu
 

My docs are not in agreement on the vaccines.

I never had a flu vaccine until I worked in the medical field and was forced to - still got the flu one of those years big time.

I never got anything as a kid except the flu every couple of years (not even a cold) - never even had anti-biotics until my late 20's and had a very bad reaction to them - and measles, mumps, and chicken pox.... survived the swine flu and hong kong flu (1969 and 75 I think?), was pretty sick but they did pack a punch.

Did continue to get flu shots after leaving medical field until started getting IVIG few years ago and they told me not to get live vaccine, didnt bother at all and got sick a couple years back with a respiratory infection (no more IVIG, it was a waste for me). My biggest challenges are my PN and gastroparesis, which has resulted in malnutrition and very physical decline, so am thinking about getting shots this year. However, being so underweight and sick now, it worries me that it will just make me sicker. (I have an extremely healthy friend who has a bad case of lupus triggered by the only flu shot she ever had - permanently disabled from it).....

Mrs D or? if someone is already really immune compromised and with malnutrition, how can potentially exposing yourself vaccines be helpful? I went into shock and got really sick just from pnuemonia shot.:confused:

Low zinc status and low protein intake will make it difficult to even make antibodies to the vaccines.

I don't know how to answer your question, kmeb.

It is going to be a personal choice in the end. What will work for one person, may not for another.

I had the Asian flu in college. Very high fever, etc. but not much else happened. Hubby had the Hong Kong flu after Vietnam, and was very sick. He was not in great shape after that war when he returned home. But since the early 70's neither of us has been seriously ill.

I've had bronchitis a few times, and a bronchopneumonia, because I used to be exposed to sick people all day long.
All in all I don't get sick that often.

I really wonder at this problem, since the media is saying that nurses are refusing this vaccine (approx 1/3 of them say no).

I think our faith in vaccines has taken a serious hit, in the past 10 yrs or so.:rolleyes:

This is rather disturbing:

http://www.avianflutalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=24869

Check out the last paragraph.

I found this by searching "flu vaccine recall" on Google.
I cannot vouch for that site, but it is provocative!
Here is a confirming link:
http://bimchat.wordpress.com/2009/03...-18-countries/

I personally know of 2 recalls... One was Parke Davis who made most of their vaccine which was inert except for the adjuvants.
That was late 90's or early 2000. And a company in Europe about 3 yrs ago had a huge recall.

Improper storage. Improper shaking of multidose vials, inert ingredients, and even contamination?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102001448.html

http://www.emaxhealth.com/90/19013.html

http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/TB...9223333TW.html

None of this inspires confidence in the vaccine industry for me.
LymeRx failure was a good example of poor design sloppy advertising, etc. The lawsuits are still going on this one:
http://lyme.org/vaccine/3yrsrteslong.html

So thiomersal and squalene reactions are only part of the risk of vaccines today.

Dahlek

Here's link on the various types of seasonal flu vaccines out there so in case you decide to do it, maybe you can request a specific brand.


http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

So they are using the old virus strains AGAIN?

And why would flu vaccine only confer one year when other vaccines last a LONG TIME?

I recall the controversy about whether the H1N1 would be ready in time. And at that time this early summer they said no other flu vaccines would be made...all efforts would go to H1N1.
Guess the $$$ incentive has changed that scenario.

I'll share this with you. Even PETS have vaccine problems.
Inactive vials (The late Mr. Roger Caras who had a rescue had many cats die after inactive feline vaccines one year---it is in his book).

Cats get soft tissue sarcomas (cancer) when injected in the hump of their neck.

And now we have feline distemper causing chronic kidney failure in cats.
Maybe next year there will be a NEW revelation for our furry friends as well.:rolleyes:

That's what I think also. I think they feel it's easier, along with more profits, to just vaccinate everyone no matter what. I think John may have had the swine flu in March. Base the symptoms and severity, which it was not, it makes sense that it was probably the swine flu. So you have to ask how many others had and didn't know it because it wasn't a media issue last March.

This a very real breakdown of our medical/drug systems.

Breath......M

This summer one of our cousins was entertaining his large extended family down the way from us. (we never got down there because it was cold, and they are pretty noisy and "wild".)

So when we were closing up another cousin came by and told us, good thing we didn't visit. The whole bunch, and we are talking about 20 people over 3 wks coming and going there...all caught a "virus" from an Oklahoman little girl. I think it was Swine Flu...in July no less...totally unheard of for us!

I had a mild fever and bronchitis in late Feb myself! There was not much to it, I just took generic Mucinex DM, and never needed the doctor.

It appears that this "pandemic" warning is just to make alot of money for some people.

I am going to take my chances... wash hands alot, especially after shopping and going to public places, and hope for the best.
Our Kroger's has dispensers at the two entrances for wiping down the handles of the carts! Now that is a nice touch.

No flu shot for me. Pre PN and RSD I had the flu every other month for 3 years this was with a fever so it was not in my mind. Not saying you guys would think that but we know some docs do. Anyhow I developed the pain condition 2.5 years ago and since then have had the flu 1 time. I have had other infections like ear,skin,horrid eye conditions. I am superstitious so will probably get it now. Anyhow many people I know who get the flu shot end up getting sick. I am so sensitive to things I would rather air on caution as even the lidocain iv increased my pain I don't want to take any chances. I agree though with Mrs D it is a personal choice and would depend on your conditions.

No I'm not going to get one. I might if the swine flu was a more serious flu but my son a ER nurse said much of it is just hype from the media. Unless one is really week they will do ok even if the get the swine flu.

BTW did anyone catch the plug the President gave us here in Utah and the "Intermountain Health Care" system in his speech. :) If only I was on their plan and if only the drug industry was in the business of getting ppl well then I might not have to pay near as much. They really have the market here and if your not on it your screwed. :(

Asian flu - 1957, Hong Kong flu 1968-early 69. And they were terrible but I survived. No vaccines then. Never had a flu vaccine and do not plan to.

I have read that people with MS (immunological disorder) should probably not have any flu vaccinations. It could be a problem for CMTers as well. I'm not taking any chances. Just what I read.

This video series discusses the dangers of adjuvants in the new vaccine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnaiubVJv8E&NR=1

This is part 2 of a 4 part series of an interview with Dr. Blaylock.

Interested readers here will find all 4 parts very informative.

Thanks to Tena on PD who posted this today!

Influenza and Vit D:
 

Thanks to Tena from PD for this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--NqqB2nhBE

By having any vaccines,you have a chance,albeit small,of getting a rare illness called Guillian-Barre Syndrome,which totally paralysed me,and had me on ventilaters,etc.in the I.C.U over 6 weeks.I did not get it from a vaccine(,likely from bacteria on poultry),but I could get it again,if I take any vaccines.Look up- Guillian-Barre syndrome and vaccines-knowledge is power.

Yes,some get it way worse than others.I was 36,very strong and healthy,and I could only move my eyes,too.I was in the hospital for 15 weeks,I was not expected to live,but I fought so hard,as I had children at home to get back to.I have been left with chronic nerve pain,and get soo tired,soo easily.I am glad your friend got better, alot of people got it from the swine vaccine in 1976.How is the gentleman doing?

I don't get the flu shot, as they always make me really sick. I'd rather have the flu (no kidding).

My understanding is that the flu vaccine is not a live vaccine, which means it is safe for people with lupus (like me).

cheers

raglet