[Erin524]

I've been watching the news the past couple of days, and there's been a couple of stories about some people who died from H1N1. These people were, according to the news story, perfectly healthy...other than weighing more than recommended. (tried to say that delicately. I'm a big girl, not huge, but yeah, I'd be considered to be more than "extra large"...actually, I'd probably be a 3x large, at least that's my tshirt size)

http://www.kmtv.com/global/story.asp?s=11533077

http://www.ketv.com/news/21657068/detail.html

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/70388747.html

So, now I'm starting to reconsider my position on the H1N1 vaccine. I'm going to call my neuro tomorrow and see if he's read anything more on the vaccine, since he's the one who told me earlier this fall that he didnt recommend that I get the vaccine...I'm starting to think maybe I should take the risk of the vaccine setting off the MS temporarily.

I saw my regular doctor today for my injured neck and shoulder (I have a more-than-mild sprain in the neck, and a pulled shoulder muscle or something...btw) and he thinks I should get the vaccine.

So, I guess if the neuro says it's ok, I'll go stand in line at one of the high schools where they're handing out the vaccine and take the risk.

I'm hoping that I can get my mom a shot too. She's got COPD and her doctor said he wants her to get the shot, but here in Omaha, unless you're in the age category (UNDER 65yrs old) AND have a chronic condition or an underlying medical problem, that's the only way you can get the vaccine.

I havent been able to find anyone to answer the question if my mom can get the shot because of the chronic health conditions she has, even tho she's 68yrs old. One place I called said you have to be younger than 65. Which seems a bit ageist to me.

I cant take my mom to any local doctors for an H1N1 vaccine because they dont have any...all the vaccinations right now are being done by the county. Hopefully I can get her one.

I just had a thought, right now with the sprain in my neck and shoulders, I hope I dont catch any colds or a flu anytime soon...I just sneezed from all the dust in my room (cleaning) and it hurt a lot to sneeze. I better stay relatively healthy till my neck heals.

Hearing that the swine flu is starting to take out the perfectly healthy, but larger, people is a bit scary.

[Twinkletoes]

Erin, its my understanding that people over age 65 will not get H1N1. Apparently they have an immunity to it.

I can't decide whether or not to get it.

[Erin524]

Then why did a few of my neighbors (ages of 70s and 80s) get laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 earlier this summer, back when they were still testing for it? (neighbor and her husband had it)

People over 65 might be less likely to get H1N1, but I doubt they're totally immune to it. I was under the impression that immunity lessens over the years too...

I'm still waffling back and forth on whether or not to get it. I'm reconsidering my decision not to get it somewhat because of what I've been seeing on the news, but I'm waiting to see what my neuro says tomorrow before I really decide whether or not to do it. (hopefully neuro is in the office this week)

I'm also now curious how long after an oral steroid taper should a person wait to get a vaccination. I had steroids at the beginning of october (last day of the steroids was october 12th) So, I dont know if I can even go get a vaccination yet because of that.

[Dejibo]

If you are OVER 49 years old you are NOT going to be offered the vaccine right now, unless your neuro or MD petition for it, for you. They are pumping out the vaccine right now for healthcare workers, Mall santas, teachers, and pregnant women, then kids themselves. After that they are dealing with the immune compromised, and finally healthy adults UNDER the age of 49.

My neuro said he would highly reccomend I get one, and would save one for me. There are exceptions to the 49 rule, but you must apply for it.

There was a similar epidemic in the 70s and they are saying that those of us who survivied that have "some" immunity to the virus, as its a very similar strain. The news channels are all fear based reporting, regardless of which station you chose. Please, speak to your MD and ask what he/she thinks is best for you. Dont panic. it only causes you to be stressed, and that can kick off an exacerbation.

[Erin524]

I'm not over 49. (I'm 40)

I havent called the neuro yet this morning, but if he says again that he doesnt trust the vaccine and still doesnt want me to get it, I probably wont go get it.

I'm thinking that because of the steroid taper I did last month, he probably wont want me getting any vaccines for a while longer anyways.

[barb02]

I got the vaccine two weeks ago and experienced no problems. Hopefully, I have now developed immunity. They were giving the injection to all that are under the age of 25 as well as anyone under the age of 65 with one of the qualifying conditions. MS was actually listed in the newspaper article that publicized the shots. They did not ask you to prove that you had a chronic condition, but you did have to sign a form. The local doctor's offices around here also do not have the vaccine, but the health department does. They were turning away seniors. They also have had clinics in the local schools and on campus.

[tkrik]

As for your mom, COPD is considered a chronic condition and she definitely qualifies for the vaccine per the CDC. Those with lung conditions are a higher priority for the vaccine.

It is interesting that you brought up the steroids and the vaccine. When you take the steroids, to my understanding, you are more susceptible to viruses/bacteria for about a year. Of note, I refused the steroids for my recent flare specifically for this reason. But, I don't know what happens if you take the H1N1/flu vaccine after just finishing steroids? I know that for us MSers any of the "live" vaccines we should not take whether or not we have had steroids within the past year. It would be interesting to see what your neuro says about the steroids and vaccine. I think that would be a deciding factor for you as well.

I think if I didn't have an issue with eggs, I would do both vaccines. Well, I could get them but would have to stay at the dr office with an epi shot ready. LOL


Let us know what the neuro says and what you decide.

[sabimax]

I am always surprised when they give these vaccines to pregnant woman,.. hey just one of those people shy to new vaccines.. and what we may find out years later of what they caused....especially with pregnant woman and such.

I read also on the swine flu in the past, and how more died from the actual vaccine then the flu... but not sure if what I read was total truth... just I am cautious...

like with the girls... that new gardisil vaccine... did not have my teen get it... now they are noticing a high rate of epstein barr with girls who have had it.. and other problems....

good luck on your decision.. for me the only time in the past 10 years I had the flu was the year I got a flu shot... so I just go with it.. and hope I do not come down with flu... working so far so good!! hugsssss,sarah

[Kitt]

The flu in 1976 was different than what we have now. It was named A/NewJersey/76 (Hsw1N1). Yes, there were deaths and that is why they stopped the vaccine. Here is a site on it:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol12no01/05-0965.htm

What we have now is H1N1.

[ewizabeth]

I had mine last Saturday and I felt fine afterward and didn't have any reactions at all. When I had the regular flu shot, I felt achey and more tired for a couple of days. I'm glad I had both of them so I won't have to worry so much about going to church and Walmart, lol. The sneezers are everywhere.