Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group flu shot => iritis

Hi Mig,

Sorry to hear of the iritis.. thankfully I have not experienced either.

Liked your thoughts on divided doses for flu shot. Last time I got the flu shot was 1997... it led to a flare and was also the last year I got the flu. Therefore I have avoided since then and have yet to contract flu since then. Even my officemate (share office) was out 3 weeks with terrible flu bug this year already and I escaped. Maybe it is all the supplements and fruits/veggies doing some good.

This is food for thought though regarding the flu shot.

Thanks,

Tim

You can complain that roses have thorns or rejoice that thorns have roses.

Hi Terry-Lea! Wow ~ by my count this makes you the 5th person now! That's 5 too many!

Over a month on drops and still in bad shape is worrisome!?! I sure hope you're being a serious perfectionist with taking drops on time and using nighttime ointment too?

Yes, there doesn't seem to be enough opthalmologists on the planet to deal with all this stuff... but mine will have me in even on his surgery days if need be, or double-book to squish me in since timing can be critical. If being sweet isn't working ~ be demanding!

I hope you'll be feeling better soon!
Hugs,

mig

Hi Mig!
Sorry to hear that you suffer so with iritis and all the other AS stuff!
I was just wondering, why do you get the flu shot in the first place?? Does your doctor reccomend it for some reason?
I've not been plagued with the flu in a long time, not to say it won't happen, but I was wondering if you get it because you have AS, or for other reasons.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Laura, a fellow Canuck

Hi Betty! True ~ straight answers are hard to come by!

I didn't mean to suggest that everyone with AS should worry about the flu shot,.. just that anyone prone to iritis or in mid-flare should take extra precaution about timing and consider optional methods. I never had any problems with the flu shot either prior to iritis... ah, but that was then and this is now.

I'm happy that Enbrel has made such a difference for you, and it's good to hear you haven't experienced any increase in infections!

mig

Hey Tim!

Getting a flu shot,.. a flare,.. and then the flu... really doesn't seem very fair eh?! If I end up with the flu I will be truely annoyed!

Glad to hear you've been managing to avoid those rotten bugs on your own! Escaping the flu is good news and definitely my goal too! Yep, a healthy diet & extra vits could be your secret to success!

Lots of hugs,

mig

Thanks Debbie!

Yes, I remember we spoke of this earlier and of your concerns. Now I suppose I've gone and made you even more nervous of the idea, which was not my intent. But I do understand your position... sometimes you just have to go with your gut! Instincts are powerful!

Protect yourself and wash hands often... and stay well for the holidays!
Hugs!

mig

Hi Laura... yet another fellow Canuck!

All my doc's recommend I get the shot, since flu complications can be tougher on us than most. Another good reason is to protect my family. I want to lower the possibility of unwittingly passing it to my Mom & Aunt while visiting, since it can be more dangerous to older age groups.

The flu shot is given for free here in Ontario for this purpose... to help lower the overall spread and therefore protect the most vunerable folks!

Take care Laura!

mig

Hi Mig

Sorry to hear about your eye....That would scare the daylights out of me. Especially if I could not get Eric into the eye doctor quickly.

I must scare all of Erics doctors, as they always find a slot to squeeze Eric in within a matter of hours after my calls Guess that can be a good thing.....


I think that both the Rhuemy and the PC would beat me over the head if I did not get Eric his flu shot. They both start calling in September to remind me to get him in.

Eric has been getting the shot since he was dx with AS, and thankfully, he has never had a reaction (besides his arm hurting where he got stuck), nor has he ever gotten the flu.

One thing he does get though, and has gotten since he was just a wee little thing is an unexplained fever. Will get as high as 104 or 105 and last for a week.

I remember sitting in the ER for 3 days with him and a high fever. No aches, pains chills or vomiting. Just the stinking fever.

He is starting to remember it also, as the other night he said something about fevers for no reason and wondering if it was going to happen again this year.....Any ideas?

Have a wonderful holiday season my dear friend. I hope that your eye and ever one elses is better before Christmas.

Happy holidays!
Lori

Hey there Lori girl!
I'm glad that Eric has such caring doc's that they actually start phoning early on with reminders!
(Tho I hope they'd stop before beating you ... as that wouldn't be very nice.
Still, that's pretty special service! Do they make house calls too? lol

>>.....Any ideas? Hmmm,.. I don't think it's uncommon for us ASer's to get mild fevers (minus other symptoms) as this is indicative of an inflamatory process in play = meaning the immune system has been activated to fight off 'imaginary' invaders? Tho hard to guess why he'd have such high fevers. Perhaps that's age related? Kid's fevers seem to go up to higher temps than seen with adults...??? Have they been getting any milder as he's gets older? Just guessing in the dark here Lori! Perhaps, his ka girlfriend 'J' could help answer this one!

And a big Merry Christmas to you my friend!
Hugs and Cheers!

mig

Mig,

You made a good point.

"No problems with the flu shot prior to iritis." Sounds like there is a connection if one is prone to get iritis.

I bet no doc out there can do the kind of research that we do informally on KICKAS.

Betty