In another post, there was some discussion about hyperthermia and fever therapy. Momanderson had mentioned that if she were to get sick with a fever, she may let it run its course (as long as it doesn't get too high) in hopes that the fever would help to fight the cancer. I have had this same thought too. For the past 2 years ( since diagnosis ), I have gotten a flu shot at the suggestion of my doctor. Last year I really struggled with the decision. I was thinking like Momanderson that maybe if I got the flu ( and a fever )that it could actually turn out to be a good thing. But then I worried if I recurred and had to start chemo during flu season that the flu could turn out to be really serious, so I ended up getting the shot again. So here I am this year, contemplating the pros and cons of getting the vaccine. What do the rest of you do about getting the flu shot ?
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Flu Vaccine ????
Explore topics in this discussion:
Asthma Heart disease Cancer Hysterectomy Bell's palsy Diabetes Fever Pneumonia Chemotherapy
15 replies
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- Newest first
- By Jennali
- Posted September 8, 2009 at 10:04 pm
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I have had only one flu shot in my life, and that was when I was in the hospital following my hysterectomy. Doc ordered both a flu shot and a pneumonia shot. I was too drugged up to care. I do not plan to get one this year.
- By zircons
- Posted September 8, 2009 at 10:16 pm
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I am on chemo and I definitely am getting a flu shot and the H1N1 also. I have always gotten the flu shot and feel it protected me from getting the flu. Why would you want to take a chance. The flu could kill faster than the cancer.
- By Kathy85301
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 12:26 am
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My doctor said not to get the flu shot.
- By FavoriteAunt
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 7:21 am
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I'm on chemo and asked my nurse last week and she said they'll be getting the vaccines in Oct. and I would be getting one. I've gotten flu shots (and pneumonia when needed) for years.
I personally would not try to let a fever run it's course without my doctor's permission and I doubt he would agree.
- By kalo555
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 8:12 am
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I thought that getting a flu shot during chemo was simply not an option. The idea of shots is that you are given a small dose of the virus and your imune system builds up a resistance to it, allowing your body to fight it. With no immune system to speak of because of chemo, I wouldn't think of getting it.....Am I crazy?
- By kalo555
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 8:34 am
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These are a couple sites that support my comment. Last year I asked my oncologist about the flu shot and he said absolutely not because with a weakened immune system I could not build antibodies to fight the flu. I have an appointment today and will ask again, but my choice is not to do it.
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/flu/what-is -it/flu-
http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Influenza/influenzafacts.aspx
- By craftslady
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 10:23 am
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I have already gotten my flu shot - the doctor said absolutely to get it. Also H1N1 if I can find it. I am 5 months post chemo, though, so that may make a difference. I would worry if I didn't get the shot (I am also a health care worker, so I will be exposed to it). Most of the deaths in older people have been those with comorbidities, a grooup of which I am now, unfortunately, a part of.
Irene
- By Jen457
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 11:13 am
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In regard to a fever.....I found this article very interesting. Please note that miracles are rare. I found that by just putting cancer miracles in my search engine the article popped up. It was in Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0302/074_cancer_miracles.html
I have almost always had a flu shot. I am planning on getting one this year with an okay from my onc. Just have to get it when the counts are high.
- By GEPI
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 11:16 am
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I was told in the UK that if I got the swine flu shot before starting any chemo. Now I am on chemo and the doctor said not swine flu shot. Never had the seasonal shot before.
GEPI
- By Mom82
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 11:24 am
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I am on the side of those who decide NOT to get a flu shot. Isn't it interesting that expert opinions vary so much. One person's doctor says absolutely no, the other says absolutely yes. From what I have read and researched (a lot), I will never get a flu shot, and certainly not H1N1. The swine flu shot is even more controversial and does not seem to be safe at all, even in healthy people.
- By Shamrock2009
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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I asked the PA I saw last week at my chemo follow up visit (finished 1st line Taxol/Carbo in June) about the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines and she said the cancer center recommends receiving the shots. I will ask next visit if that is the same for those who are currently receiving chemotherapy.
I usually received the flu vaccine yearly except soon after my shot in 2005 I developed Bell's Palsy. The neurologist I saw thought that there may have been a link so for the next few years refused vaccine. I worked in healthcare and was under a lot of pressure to get vaccinated. Luckily I did not contract the flu those years. I agreed to the seasonal flu vaccine(and pneumonia vaccine) this past December while I was hospitalized for aspiration pneumonitis complications related to anesthesia for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy was being done to rule out a colorectal primary cancer that turned out to OvCa.
Jen457, interesting article. I have seen a few spontaneous remission of metastatic disease in people with renal cell cancer following the removal of the affected kidney but this is rare--sadly it does not happen to OvCa
- By Shamrock2009
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 1:44 pm
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I am undecided about receiving the seasonal flu vaccine this year however I am leaning towards it.
I found these statistics on the CDC site:
Every year in the United States, on average:
* 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
* more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
* about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications.
link:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
- By kmarienap
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 1:55 pm
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I had my first flu shot ever last year and was sick more than not. Therefore, I am not ever getting another one!
- By Cheryl4Teal
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 3:53 pm
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Well I spoke to both my primary doctor and my oncolgists and they both agree people with weakened immune should get these shot. I had my pneumonia shot already. I did talk to them and they listen to my concerns. I never was flu prone in my life but now that I have cancer and diabetes I have to get it. They told me that in truth no truth supports you get the flu after getting the vaccines. I along with many others are at hijgher risk for Swine Flu. Im really active so getting these will help me. To each his own opinions I guess from diffrent doctors. Its interesting how many get answers.
- By kalo555
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 8:06 am
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I think this is one of those decisions that is a personal choice and as well as one that should not be made without a discussion with your oncologist. I have never had a flu shot my whole life and being on chemo now my immune systym is shot. My onc doesnt recommend it and I agree.....guess each individual is different .
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