Flu shots??
 

Don't know where else to put this question, so I'm putting it here. Every year I get a flu shot. Alan never used to get one but his doctor told him he could so he got one about two years ago, but he never got another one.

He previously was told that if a family member had Guillian Barre Syndrome (as his mother did), that one should not get a flu shot. I've asked this question before but this is yet another flu season approaching and all the pharmacies are giving out flu shots and so is my doctor's office.

I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and get my annual flu shot. I have NEVER had a reaction, but honestly, I don't like putting stuff into my body unless I have no choice.

any comments?

thanks much

Melody

Here is a link with my opinion... check out the links within it. See what is happening in that one link to babies in Australia this season.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post693574-3.html

Last year there was great concern about autoimmune disease being the result of the adjuvants in vaccines. There are many YouTubes about it.

You have no proof that Alan has had GBS ? Just his mother?

Getting vaccines is a personal choice and risk vs benefit should be considered. I can't tell you what to do, you I do think you should look around and then decide. What works for some may not work for others.

I will say this: just because it is being offered now easily and advertised on TV by just about every drug chain, including grocery stores like Kroger's... think about the money chain involved! This elevated attention, does not mean the vaccines are harmless.!

I completely agree. I'll check out the link you provided. Thank you for that.

When Alan's mother was 47 she got paralyzed and had to be in a wheelchair. They diagnosed her with Guillian Barre. She died at 53 of a heart attack.

So all these years every single doctor he went to told him "Your mother had Guillian Barre??? you must NEVER get a flu shot". Except for Dr. Fred. He said "I don't believe it".

But Alan's not getting another one. He just did the one flu shot two years ago.

Thanks much

Mel

Here's a good question. If one were to decide NOT to get a flu shot, and that person does not ride trains, and only takes buses periodically and uses hand sanitizers after touching various surfaces when on a bus or in a supermarket, what other precautions can a person take (provided they have excellent immune systems I mean), to hopefully prevent them from catching the flu.

Thanks much

Melody

The immune system is also bolstered by zinc. If you get low in zinc, the white cells are less responsive. Typically vegetarians have more trouble with this mineral because of the phytates in veggies complex the zinc in them, and prevent absorption. If one needs zinc the best form to use is zinc monomethionine for best absorption. It is called OptiZinc and is not expensive at all.
Males need more zinc than females because it is used in their reproductive tracts.

A good multi-- like Centrum should be enough for most people.
But if you have slow wound healing ...like when bug bites take a long time to heal up etc or cuts on the hands etc, more zinc is a good idea. People who use ACE inhibitors for blood pressure like lisinopril etc, lose zinc from the body.

Don't touch your face when out, pick nose, wipe nose, or rub eyes. Those are the doorways in by viruses. Keep clean tissues with you in public places.

Both WalMart here, and Kroger's provide wipes for the carts by me. And the Library has antiseptic wipes on the counters too.

Vitamin C and EFAs bolster cell walls and help keep viruses out.
Essential fatty acid deficiency results in tiny cracks in the skin and mucus membranes which allow the environmental things to get in. Chronic lung infections/bronchitis are a sign of low EFA status. Flax oil and fish oil (or the new Krill oil) strengthen tissues to resist infection. I used to get bronchitis alot when I was working, being exposed to sick people all day long, but when I started taking the oils, all that stopped!

See, now you know why I love you.

I have been taking OptiZinc every since you told me that my sprouting would deplete my body of essential zinc absorption.

I don't have any problem with wound healing because I don't get any wounds. So far so good in that department. I check my feet every night.

Oh, you should see the nice pair of slippers I got for Alan. From Dr. Leonards. They were the only place that sold these velcro slippers that fit around his big feet. Got him an X-Large. Everybody else had them coming in in January.

He couldn't wait. The slippers he was using, well they were falling apart, and because his feet can never touch the ground, he has to wear slippers when he's not wearing shoes.

Thank god, we found these.

Take care Mrs. D.

I ALWAYS listen to what you write.

:)

Mel

It is my understanding that if you have ever had or have any type of autoimmune activity (such as Gullian-Barre), past or present, you should avoid any vaccines if possible. There is a mixed view on this issue as some vaccines are comprised of semi-live media and some are not. Based on my reading, many experts feel that receiving a vaccine that is comprised of dead media is fine. I would think that in the case of neuropathy, the neurologist would offer the best answer.

However, according to my Rheumatologist, should you take any drugs that compromise your immunity such as prednisone, methotrexate, TnF -bolckers (Humira, Embril, etc), absolutely DO NOT receive any type of vaccine. EVER.

I have not received a flu shot for four years, when I started Humira TnF blocker and periodic prednisone for my ankylosing spondylitis. It is an arthritic autoimmune disease. And even though my immunity is compromised, I do not get sick very often. Statistically, less than before I was on Humira. A lot of it comes down to common sense - just being aware. I wash my hands very often, and use hand cleaners when I am out. I avoid sick people (if it is apparent), I wipe down exercise equipment BEFORE and AFTER at the gym and I keep my hands away from my face. Also, my husband does get a flu shot and if he gets sick, he stays away. Appears to help, so far...:o

Mere

Echinacea
 

Another thought that came to mind... If you do become ill and suffer from any type of auto-immune disease, please AVOID echinacea for cold/flu symptoms. I tried this once. I thought that since it was 'natural' it would be better for me. Well... it threw me on the floor and wiped me up with a HUGE flare of AS. I am certain it was the culprit and since then, I have read that it can mess with your immune system... not good with AI disease. I will never, ever, take it again. I will continue to grow it however...:)

Mere

Mere,

I wasn't aware of this. I am not on prednisone, but I am on fludrocortisone. I read your post and went to check to see if there was any information on shots while on fludrocortisone.
I had posted a question about if people with neuropathy were supposed to get a flu shot or not. My neuropathy started in December (09) and I had already had a flu shot.

The answers were a bit mixed, and most people said to ask my doctor. I did, and he said he always recommends getting the flu shot. Well, that was before he put me on the fludrocortisone.

Anyway, the information says this:

"Patients should not be vaccinated against smallpox while on corticosteroid therapy. Other immunization procedures should not be undertaken in patients who are on corticosteroids, especially on high dose, because of possible hazards of neurological complications and a lack of antibody response."

So, I should NOT be getting the flu shot as long as I stay on this medicine, correct? I may go off of it the first week in October when I see him again, or I may be on it long term.

Thanks, Mare, for bringing that to my attention. And thank you, Melody, for asking this question! Without it, I would not have thought twice before getting the flu shot, since that is ultimately what my doctor told me I should do. (I would assume that he is aware that people on this medication should not get a flu shot, but I do not get flu shots at the clinic. My mom works for the state at the college in town, so we go up there to the employee (and family) flu shot clinics.)

I cannot really say whether you should or should not get a flu shot. I, personally, would not. Can you avoid the immunization or do you work in a high-risk facility (such as a hospital or doctors office)?

I think I would definitely ask the doctor and remind him or her of the fludrocortisone you are taking.

Mere