Flu shot or not
 

With influenza season not to far ahead, I was just wondering if the majority of you DO get the flu shot or do NOT get the flu shot because of fear of spread of CRPS with the injection, or other reasons........

Risk vs reward dilemma.

Hey there! I have had RSD for almost 21 years now and I have gotten the flu shot for years. I have RSD in the right side of my face, both hands, left arm, left leg and right foot. Getting the flu shot and B12 shots (so far) have not bothered me. Of course I get them in the good arm :)

I am actually planning on getting my flu shot this evening.

Nanc

Because of the immune system being low I would get the flu shot. I have gottent it for the past few years. (missed last year)

I would never have any injection unless it was to save life. I am one of the 7-8% whose wounds may never heal. Still see the acupuncture wounds from 19th June 2010 and I have flying ant bites from 22ndJuly last year which are never going to heal.
One US hospitals protcol states only peadatric needles must be used on RSD sufferers

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...es22072011.jpg

You should be able to find the intranasal type without too much difficulty.

I've thought about that. They don't recommend the flu vaccine "mist" for anybody over 50, but maybe they would make an exception for those of us that are over 50 with CRPS that don't want the injection? Something to consider...

Flu shot or not?
 

Prior to getting crps, I used to get the flu vaccine every year in the fall. However, inevitably, I would get the flu in the spring. And I mean the flu- fever, sneezing, muscle aches, etc. My MD would agree that I had the flu despite my vaccination. I also never developed antibodies to my hepatitis vaccine so I didn't have a very successful history with vaccines. Then...

I took my dog to a new groomer. She raised Bernese Mountain dogs. Beautiful big, show dogs. I talked to her about her beauties. She said the problem with this breed is that their life spans had become progressively shorter to the point that it wasn't uncommon to lose a dog at 8 yrs. of age- just when they were settling down- her words not mine.

As a group, the Bernese Mountain dog owners decide to fund research and look into the reasons for the decreasing life span of their dogs. Now note, this was years ago. 2 things the breeders decided on- they were over-vaccinating their dogs and the food they fed their dogs had too much artificial ingredients. They began to decrease the frequency of immunizations from yearly to every 3 yrs. and began feeding "raw" foods to their dogs. The life spans of the dogs started to increase. Several years later the Veterinary Associations began to recommend vaccinations every 3 yrs. rather than yearly. They felt they were knocking out the immune systems of their dogs.

I stopped having my yearly vaccine years ago. I have not come down with the flu since. What was working for the Bernese Mountain dog breeders works for me. I believe I was knocking out my immune system in some manner.

Just food for thought...

I did get my flue shot last week. Being that i have complications from TOS surgery and RSD, that makes for 2 bad arms and I would personally choose not to have it, however my little brother is immuno crompimised so our whole family gets it for his protection. My arm did react to the shot, it was red and and spasmed and it took about 3 days to settle down, but now that its done its done and im better protected now.

I got the flu & pneumonia shots with no problem.... I asked for a pediatric needle....they ended up using a butterfly needle.

Had to get a shot of cortisone in my shoulder.... now that one flaired up my rsd BIG time!!!! I asked for the small needle but the cortisone required the bigger needle.:eek:

Abbie

I've gotten the flu shot for the past few years without any issues, but I've always been a bit nervous about it.

I think I will continue to get the shot but I will ask about the "pediatric" needle! That sounds like a good idea Abbie! :wink:

I have symptoms of crps in all 4 limbs. After reading all these helpful posts (thanks!) & consulting with my PM doc, I got the flu shot this weekend in my best arm with a pediatric needle and used a lidocaine patch over the tiny bandage immediately after, and contine to put a fresh lido patch on each day - so far so good. I plan to do the lido patch for 2 weeks.

She told me they could use the ped needle on me as I do not have body fat on my arms (I am pretty petite). Otherwise she said the injection would not go in deep enough due to body fat.
I could not imagine getting the flu on top of all this pain!

I was told by my doc (Dr. Schwartzman) that I wasn't allowed any innoculations, included flu shot. I'm an odd case as I have CRPS, MS, and Transverse Myelitis. BUT, I know other CRPS patients without multiple neuro-diagnoses that have been given the same prescription.

I'm immuno-suppressed, and in the past 4 years (since TM onset) I've only been normal sick twice, both following travel. I no longer work, avoid crowds, use hand sanitizer religiously and ask people I'm with to share in the joy, and I wash my hands every time I enter/exit or pass a sink... and most importantly probably, I stopped touching my face and stay away completely, or keep at least a 3 foot perimeter from someone who's sick (nurse's advice).

But it sounds like there's a lot of different opinions on this subject, so the best thing is always to get 1 or 2 opinions from doctors you trust - who are treating you for CRPS.

Best,
Melanie

I got a flu shot and I bruised up real bad, but the shot itself did not hurt. My doctor advised me to get one so I hopefully don't have to deal with the flu on top of RSD.

Hi Birchlake
 

I go ahead and do the shot. My immune system isn't so good. I did contract the flu a number of years ago. You don't want the flu, gurantee that.... I would rather risk the shot in any case, and have less risk of that happeneing again. Took Relenza, and was sick for 6 weeks. Shot in my opinion is better. All of us are different however. ginnie