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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: dry2010 on January 09, 2013, 05:16:45 PM

Title: Flu Shot
Post by: dry2010 on January 09, 2013, 05:16:45 PM
Hi..
Just wondering if anyone has gotten the flu shot? I have never gotten one but after watching the news
tonight that 18 people died in Boston in the last 24 hrs I am wondering if I should.

Dry2010
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Saundra on January 09, 2013, 05:24:10 PM
dry, we talked about it somewhere else awhile back, I had already got my flu shot for this year and was debating the shingles and pneumonia.  I've now had all three.  There are a lot of different opinions I personally am for the flu without a second thought.  I've seen a lot of people with this nasty stuff, this year seems really bad.  I'm very thankful even though I thought I may of had a super slight touch for a day or two when some of my family was also sick but who knows it was mostly headaches and blah (not complaining). 

XOXO
Ldy

Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: prunella on January 09, 2013, 05:34:15 PM
Have not had a flu shot in many years. In the past, when I had the shot, I always got sick. Autoimmune response?
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: McKorky on January 09, 2013, 06:29:32 PM
I got it this year and I have not had the flu yet and hoping I wont get the flu...
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Kendo on January 09, 2013, 06:38:59 PM
I've been getting the flu shot yearly for 16 years, after a nasty bout of pneumonia after the flu. All my doctors and ER docs all check each time I see them to make sure I've had it the vaccination. I've read that we Sjoggies are at high risk of pneumonia so I've had the pneumonia shot too as I have asthma.

I read somewhere that getting the flu shot has been shown to help protect people from other viruses too. I usually only get one cold per year and it is mild. That is with dozens of sick people coming in my office weekly and sick family members to boot.

Tomorrow I'm off to a funeral of a friend's husband who had dementia and had a flu outbreak in his long term care home and he died of pneumonia. I even insist family members get the flu shot and encourage co-workers to get it to give 'herd' immunity
Kendo
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Jenny on January 10, 2013, 04:32:44 AM
My Rheumatologist requires it for patients on Plaquenil 
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Sleepy In Seattle on January 10, 2013, 08:56:51 AM
I'm on Mtx and even though I don't usually get the flu shot, I got one this year - it was easy, I didn't have a bad reaction (maybe a little low for a day), and WOW am I glad I have it now! The flu is definitely going around, and it's a bad one. It's nice to have peace of mind. I'd hate to be hospitalized or die for the stupid flu!!!!
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Joe S. on January 10, 2013, 09:02:05 AM
I had mine back in September and I am glad that I did.
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Jellyb on January 10, 2013, 09:51:51 AM
I had not had a flu shot in about 15 or so years. I am very allergic to thimerosol and am sensitive to eggs yolks.
But this years flu out break conserned me. So I called my local compounding pharmacy and found out they have a preservative free flu vaccine. Single dose vials. No murcury or formaldehyde ect. He also said that if my egg allergy just causes me to itch a bit, it was worth a little itching than skip the shot and get the flu.

So I got my vaccine a few days ago but about 12 hours later I started running a fever and felt awful for about a day and a half and my arm us still sore. I know it's was worth it o not get the flu, but I was not prepared for how bad it made me feel for a few days. Is that normal?

Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Dolly Dimples on January 10, 2013, 10:45:45 AM
Dry 2010, go go go!  if anyone is allergic to eggs , its advisable not to have the flu shot,
   I have one very year with no effects whatsoever
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Liz D. on January 10, 2013, 11:53:19 AM
I have had the flu shot since 1994 when my father was very ill and had to go to a nursing home.  By the time he died, I needed the flu shot because of my own illness.  I have yet to get the flu in all these years.  I know I should "never say never" about getting the flu, but with my experience of not having it with the flu shot for 18 years, I would never go without one.  Plus I would hate to be responsible for spreading tit o someone who is elderly or in a weakened position.

Liz D.
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: eija on January 10, 2013, 12:04:07 PM
When the first wave of pig flu took over world wide I took the vaccine for it. I'm certain that it triggered my SjS because a few weeks after I developed a fatigue that was just unbelievable but "for no reason". So after that I'm really not quick to get any vaccines :(
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Katybarstool on January 10, 2013, 01:48:53 PM
My father died in a flu epidemic when he was aged just 24. It's many years ago, but I never undervalue how serious flu can be. I also have lung issues, so need to be careful, and have had the pneumonia and flu vaccination.

In the UK, the vaccination isn't live, so you can't catch flu from it. I would think it's pretty much the same elsewhere.

Kathyx
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: Reanne on January 10, 2013, 02:36:52 PM
I took a flu shot a week ago.  I didn't seem to have any sort of reaction/illness from it.
Title: Flu Shot
Post by: Joy on January 10, 2013, 03:23:04 PM
I have asthma and was very poorly with pneumonia last year and so I took the Flu jab, I didn't have any bad reactions except for my arm ached for a few days, but I would rather have that than the flu. yeuk!
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: susanep on January 10, 2013, 11:36:08 PM
Me and my husband hadn't gotten a flu shot, and hearing about all the bad cases of flu, we got one today while at our doctors.

The doctor told the nurse to give me only half of it, and for me to come back in a week to get the other half since I have sjogren's and lupus.

I have been feeling real draggy, but otherwise ok so far.

susanep :)
Title: Re: Flu Shot
Post by: quietdynamics on January 11, 2013, 08:51:21 AM
I have not had one since the last time when I got it in my left arm and lost the use of that arm for about a year  :(
Not necessarily saying it was the vaccine...just leery.

Now with all the people getting sick...I am think I should go.

I have my 4 year old granddaughter staying here every week , she so far has come here with a stomach bug, a cold, next?

Frustrating...too is that she came back with a bag of sugar candy, after I had told her other grandparent that she was sick for days with the stomach 'bug'.