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

Hello Fellow AS-ers,

Just a quick question about the dreaded Flu.

Here in the UK there is talk of some Fujian flu which is about to hit our shores which they are suggesting getting vaccinated against if you are 'at-risk'. 'At-risk' would appear to mean the elderly or those with a chronic illness or people who have a suppressed immune system.

Other than my AS, I am generally healthy (in relative terms !!) and can fight things off fairly well. I know AS messes with the immune system, but does it suppress it and therefore put us into the 'at-risk' category. ?

I think I'm turning into a hypochondriac LOL

Thanks, David.

Hey David,

I get the flu shot every year. Because I have 60% lung capacity all my doctors agree it is a good idea to get. It has prevented the flu going on 6 years since I began getting and well worth it as far as I am concerned. You would be better off getting the shot which the organisms are dead rather than getting the new nasal spray which has live organisms.

Bob



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

HI,
That's the question I imposed to my doctor's nurse. She said since AS does surpress or AS people are more likely to get the flu that I should get the flu shot. I have not gotten a flu shot since 1995. I have not (Thanks God) gotten any flu or cold since then. So it's up to you, I will not take the flu shot because when I used to take them I used to get sick. After the shots, I used to get a cold and things associated with colds. But the best one to ask is your doctor. Just call his or her nurse and ask them. God Luck and make God be with you.

Dan

Hi David,

I posted this question not long ago as I was undecided on the flu shot. I used to get one regularly as I work in the Health field. Last year about this time I got the flu shot and last year about this time my AS really took hold of me. In my mind the two are associated and you know when I asked the same question at KA I got more yes answers than no answers. Every dr. I have asked has also said yes get one. But you know I just couldn't make myself do it again. We get them free at work and I passed it by. I have heard that with AS we have an overactive immune system and that the flu shot activates it even more. So it really is up to you on this one but for now I am passing on the flu shot.

There is no drug stronger than a good attitude.

Hi David

Eric has gotten a flu shot for the last 4 years.

He goes on meds that supress the immune system, so that it can not fight off things as well as it should.

While the jab in the arm is uncomfortable for a couple of hours, he has not gotten the flu since he has gotten the shot.

I am under the understanding that the flu shot is a dead shot. Meaning there is no live virus in it.

Good luck with your decision, it is only up to you.

Hypochondriac? Nah....cautious.....yup! That is a good thing. That is why we are here!

Lori

David,

I had an appointment with my Rheumy earlier this week. He asked me if I had gotten a flu shot yet. When I said, "no" he said, "we'll take care of that right now." Promptly his nurse came in and gave me a shot. So I guess my Rheumy thinks it's a good idea. Actually I've had flu shots for the last several years and have yet to come down with the flu (knock on wood).

Fred

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight....It's the size of the fight in the dog." Mark Twain

I have been getting the flu shot since they became available and during these last several years, I have not had the flu.

I have heard of rare cases where the serum used has caused allergic reactions that are much like the flu but this doesn't last for long. These allergic reactions however, go down in the urban legends as being the reason for you getting the flu.

I can see no sense for anyone with AS to not get the flu shot. Very few care homes will take in a patient who hasn't or refuses, to get a flu shot. Hey, the next strain of flu that comes along may take you down no matter how good your physical shape is so why take chances?

George

Yep, I always get the flu shot. I feel that it is especially important if you are on Enbrel. Enbrel weakens the immune system.

Betty

Burlie's employer always gives them free every year. Even though he has been off work for 2+ months now, they called him to see if he wanted to come in and get one this year. I suggested he call his rheumy, who said the shot is fine but NOT to do the mist. Not sure if it's because of the meds he's on or what.

Here's a cautionary tale. Up until a few years ago I did not get the flu shot, for all the reasons others have stated. Then I got the flu -- and found out what an autoimmune disorder can do, wreak havoc on the entire body. I came down with something called polyradiculitis - - a fancy name for being darn near paralyzed My immune system went haywire and attacked the myelin sheaths and what started as tingly hands and feet morphed into almost total body paralysis - - think Guilliam Barre - - within 24 hours. I could not walk, roll over, eat, talk, barely breathe - - had about 1/4 lung capacity, the respirator was right by my side ready to be hooked up should the need arise. I spent an awful scary week in intensive care, had the dread spinal tap - - oh, that headache, I had to be propped up to help my breathing which made the headache almost intolerable - - my germs were dispatched to Atlanta. There was talk about blood exchanges, three months in intensive care and then a few months in a rehab facility to redevelop what would have been my wasted muscles. The culprit? AS in overdrive, busily attacking my own body tissues. GET THE FLU SHOT! It's a killed vaccine, it will not cause you to get the flu, and I've never had any sort of reaction from it.

Cheryl

If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs don't want to know about every other dog you've been with