Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Flu Vaccination ?

David,
I've never had a flew vaccination & I'm not very often poorly. I think in general us AS sufferers have an over active immune system & may give us extra protection against unwanted infections. On the other hand if your taking any DMARD's or any Anti TNF drugs, then medical advice may be needed, as these alter the immune system!

Good luck with your decision!

George. (MFC mad!)




Every cloud has a silver lining!

Edited by BOROBOY on 11/09/03 06:20 AM (server time).

David.

Like Deborah, I'm in health care, and I get the flu shot primarily for this reason (for the sake of my patients). It's possible that I could have the flu, but be asymptomatic, in which case I could be propogating the virus with my patients. For this same reason, it's suggested that the family of people with chronic illnesses get vaccinated, so they dont unknowingly pass the viral infection.

Even if I didnt have to take it for that reason, I'd take it for my asthma. Furthermore if I didnt have asthma, I'd take it bc I'm on MTX, and despite the lack of academic evidence, I know that I get sick more often with the methotrexate.

As a bonus though, I tend to have lessened symptoms after I get the shot (to the point where sometimes I forget to take my meds). My running theory for this is that at any given time I have a finite amount of immune cells, and if they're busy fighting an invading pathogen, they're less like to attack me!

Good luck with your decision. I wish you a well winter regardless.

Jeanna

Nature, time and patience are the three great physicians.
~ fortune cookie

Hi David!

I've asked many health-care providers this question over the years. Here's my understanding of the facts:

1. AS does NOT depress one's immune system (tho some medications do).
2. The flu shot contains only dead virus cells. Even tho dead, our bodies recognise them as foreign and proceed to create anti-bodies against them, which enable us to fight off these same flu cells in a potential future exposure.
3. This process does stimulate an immune response ~ which MAY cause some flu-like symptoms for 1/2 day, but does NOT cause the flu.
4. Stimulating our (imperfect) immune systems MAY cause a minor increase in AS symptoms, since whenever our systems get into gear they tend to like attacking our connective tissues.
5. The only reason to delay getting a flu shot would be if you are CURRENTLY experiencing an iritis flare, or in the midst of a big AS flare.
6. To help prevent aggravating an existing AS flare, you can request the flu shot is given in 2 (1/2 size) shots, spaced one month apart. Unfortunately this will affect the time line of when you will become fully protected, since it takes a few weeks time for us to develope these anti-bodies after getting the flu shot.

It seems that the benefits clearly outweigh the risks,.. so most doc's do recommend we GET the flu shot.

Take care!

mig

The reason NOT to do the mist or nasal spray is it uses LIVE organisms unlike the shot which uses dead ones.

Bob



Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Behold the beauty of Orca Art

Mig,

I think you just explained to me what happened to me last Nov. I didn't know at the time that I had AS, just multiple chronic sore joints and sore back. I got a flu shot in the beg. of November and my multiple sore joints became uncontollable and have never actually settled down since then. In my mind I have always associated the increase in pain on the flu shot. But possibly I was at the begining of a flare that was aggravated by the flu shot. It has made me very cautious of a repeat performance. And quite frankly I am very nervous of getting a flu shot again, even though I have just started methotrexate. So propably I was at the beg. of a huge flare that was aggravated by the flu shot but in my mind was caused by the flu shot.
Most people at KA seem to favor the flu shot and I didn't understand why it caused me problems and not them? Now I know.
And your right most docs do recommend the flu shot. Now I didn't know that you could get 2 -1/2 flu shots. That may be an option for next yr.
Thanks for the infomative post.

Debbie

There is no drug stronger than a good attitude.