Thanks for your advice. I'll check on this intranasal injection with my gp and pharmacist, since I don't have asthma. Thanks again for your kindness. Take Care.

Renee, I too have been getting a flu shot every year, but only since I have had the RSD. My doctors have told me that it's not worth the risk of getting the flu. So I've had the flu shot for ten years now. Again as others have said, it is not a live vaccine, so you will not get any form of the flu from the vaccine. I do get a small swollen, bruised feeling in the area of the injection, but nothing else. Last year my doctor suggested a pneumonia vaccination also and I got one.

I can tell you too that after my first experience getting some sort of crud during the winter months, I will absolutely always get that flu shot. Twice my husband has gotten sick at work, but only a bad cold. The first time he brought it home, I got it and with me it morphed into pleurisy. I was sick for over 8 weeks and on antibiotics and that was a while new kind of pain. After that we had strict rules, no touching, no kissings, no contact, when someone he works with gets sick. Unfortunately it did happen again in the early part of this year. It was a bad cold again and before he even felt it I told him that I was getting sick. Then I found out the guy behind him was sick. He felt bad for two weeks and I could hardly move, was on the couch for again practically two months, congestion made it so hard to breathe. It's not worth getting creepy stuff that goes around. I stay out of public during flu season as much as possible. I ALWAYS use those sanitary wipes for the grocery cart . If I notice anyone in public sniffle or coughing I absolutely get as far away from them as possible. It is not worth it. I never got seasonal illnesses before this. Hay fever yes, but colds and flu, never. I've only gotten cooties twice now since RSD and what gets spread to me has both times become worse and stayed a lot longer than it does with healthy people.

Renee, I should also clarify that I am 52 and I am diabetic, two more reasons that it makes sense for me to get those vaccinations. You sound like you are a lot younger, in my head at least, when I read your posts, you are a lot younger and more vibrant than I am. LOL! So, that too might be a consideration, your age and history with seasonal cooties. But, 10 flu, one pneumonia, 1 typhoid, 3 rounds of hep A & B and no spread caused, no bad experiences or repercussions for me. Good luck, Sylvia

I got my flu shot 2 weeks ago and I wasn't worried about spread, but my RSD is in my arms, and I unfortunately had to get it in my worse arm and it caused a HUGE flair up! I was in so much pain! So I would either recommend getting the nasal spray flu vaccination (however that one IS a LIVE virus) or see if the Dr can give it in an area not affected. I rather get the flu vaccine verses getting the actual flu because I know I will be 10x sick because my body just cant handle very much anymore.

I've been following this thread with interest...

Anyone with a compromised immune system is advised to get the flu shot precisely because any risk (very small) from the shot itself is tiny in comparison to the serious and life-threatening risks of flu. I'm not try to scare anyone, but every year for thousands of people the flu is fatal. With the CRPS having such a terrible toll on our bodies generally, and having that auto-immune component, it just makes sense. And if we can have it nasally then that important needle stick risk goes...

Just my opinion, naturally lol

I wanted to add though, I use a thing called Vicks First Defence - its a nasal spray you take at the first sign of cold symptoms, and it has honestly saved me from more colds than I can count. if I start having that slight sore throat or scratchy feeling at the back of my nose I take a couple of sprays and quite often have to do no more. Sometimes I take it for a couple of days, but generally that's rare. I used to get quite a lot of colds, and they really laid me low once I'd started the CRPS, I just couldnt deal with it all. I do still get the odd one, but maybe one or two a year, instead of ten! It's made with plant ingredients and although there's a slight stinging feeling in your nose, that only lasts about ten seconds max. I always recommend it, my mum started using it too and has far less illness through the winter.

I don't work for Vicks lol! Just something that actually has made a big difference to my winters In a world of pharmacological 'it'll work if you're lucky' items, I give praise where it's due!!

Bram.

I always get the flu shot. Had strain a influenza about 15 years ago and ended up in the hospital.

Ask for the "intradermal" needle. It is much smaller (90% smaller) than the standard needle. First made available last year and should be widely available this flu season. It is injected into the skin instead of the muscle.

A great option for those of us with CRPS.

Food for thought: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...rease-flu.aspx

It is something to think about. Please don't take offense to this Tessa, but I think Dr. Mercola is a quack. Not because of this story, but because of things he has done over the years, claims he has made, etc.

I don't take offense at all. It was he who published the article but, the studies behind the information did not come from that doctor. I'm just of the thought that many things are done to save a dollar and though the effort to might seem innocent enough on its face, there are countless reasons why it wouldn't be public knowledge on how this vaccine might adversely affect those that are suffering from long term health issues. Even a small % of mortality would save insurance companies millions of dollars annually. We see it every day in our own illness where things that could potentially help are denied in order to save a dollar. Again, it is just something worth thinking about. Not saying I wholly agree but, the information is thought provoking either way.

Here is something straight from the CDC site:

"Unfortunately, some people can get infected with an influenza vaccine virus despite getting vaccinated. Protection provided by influenza vaccination can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated. In general, the flu vaccine works best among young healthy adults and older children. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after vaccination. However, even among people who tend to respond less well to vaccination, the flu vaccine can still help prevent influenza. Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk of serious flu-related complications and for close contacts of high-risk people."