Flu shot or not???

Mani
1 Recommendation

Hi everyone...

Diagnosed with Sarcoidosis almost 5 years a go, treated on and off with Pred and Methotrexate during that time period. After being hospitilised for almost three weeks and having a tumour/lesion at L1 and after lymph node biopsy and spinal tap...(intramedellary in spinal cord) received 3,000 mg of Pred IV, I am now down to 60 mg a day along with 25 mg of Methotrexate....

Because my immune system is comprimised....I have been wondering about taking the flu shot.....what do you all think....have you done so yet?

Thanks,

Mani

27 replies

stephg113

I had asked the same thing under the thread Flu Shot. Check it out, there were a lot of responses and good information.

My doc said yes to get it as well as the pneumonia shot.

Mani

Thanks Steph, I will definately check it out right now.

Have a great day!

Mani

lngill

My doctors told me to get the flu shot. My ammune system is down also.
Larry

Lisalee

My local pulmonologist suggested that I do no receive the flu or pneumonia shot due to my compromised immune system. I went to visit my sarc specialist in Birmingham and he suggested that I get the flu shot. I got iton Monday and everything so far is fine. Even with my immune system in the state that it is in, I've never been a sickly person. I was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2006, but still no shot. Speak extensively on the subject with your physician to find out what is best for you.

pamk

I got the flu shot a week ago and the pneumonia shot a year ago. I got a slight reaction from the flu shot for the first time ever. It is still worth it as 2 months ago I caught a cold and felt so bad from it. I notice that when I catch something these days it is like a ton of bricks hit me so I cannot imagine getting something as serious as the flu or pneumonia. I would rather take my chances with the shots. It is a no brainer to me and unless you are allergic to an ingredient in the shot itself I think anyone with this illness should get the shots.

GloriaV

I get the flu shot every year....as late as possible...so it last through the worse part of the season...also pneumonia shots every five years. I mis-calculated my last pneumonia shot and was put into the hospital with pneumonia last year. I am getting both this year...probably next week. It seems to work for me and my husband (who has pulmonary fibrosis).

Gloria

sculptr

Gloria it takes quite a while to build immunity from vaccinations so don't wait TOO late! :-)

GloriaV

Hi Sculptr,

Went to my "new" pulmonary doctor today (actually saw him a year ago when I was in the hospital...what a sweetheart...so understanding...listens....I actually gave him a hug when I left the office.....he gave both my husband and me flu vaccines today...and then when I go back in a month he will give us both pneumonia shots. He took me off the spiriva and Symbicort and now I'm on 4 breathing treatments a day. (two different kinds...alternating). We'll see how that goes. Thanks for your concern...have a great weekend!
Gloria

joanc

MANI, I HAVE GOTTEN THE FLU SHOT FOR 3YRS. ONLY BACKSIDE TO IT WAS A COUPLE DAYS LATTER I HAD FLU LIKE SYMTOMSFOR 2DAYS. THIS IS NORMAL. I AM GLAD I DID IT BECAUSE DURING THE FLU SEASON ,I AM IN CONTACT WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE,BECAUSE I WORK IN THE RETAIL WORLD. IF I GET SICK, THIS RAISES THE CHANCE OF ME GETTING PNUEMONIA. WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED 2003. IWAS IN THE HOSPITAL 3 TIMES WITH PNUEMONIA. I AM DOING BETTER NOW BECAUSE I KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS IN MY BODY AND I AM ABLE TO GET ANTIBIOTICS TO NIP IT IN THE BUD!

suej1946

i also have gotten the flu shot with no problem. In fact they gave it to me in the hospital before I was discharged. I did ask my primary for the phnewmonia shot and he said no.

Tim_from_Tucker

I'm a neurosarc (C3-C5) since 2000. I was also on 60 mg/day pred for around two years. I take Cellcept as an immunosuppressant. My docs always recommended the flu vax BECAUSE my immune system was suppressed; making it easier to get the flu and/or making it worse. I've gotten the flu shot every year since I've been sick with no problems. I've also gotten the pneumonia vax, and this post reminded me to check if I need another shot.

Soosie

I am due for my flu shot on Wednesday but yesterday, I came down with a nasty cold. Breathing bad and cough bad, I also have had nasty sores in my nose for the last two weeks, I am hoping this is only down to the cold and not the sarcoid! I am wondering if they will let me have my flu jab if I am unwell but I am also scared that this cold will turn into something more and cause me more problems if I don't. lets hope the cold keeps a low key and i can stop coughing for a little while at least until after the flu jab has been given. It's freezing here in the UK and we had snow a couple of days ago, weird weather for us in october.

Julian

Wow what a great question. I work as a nurse so I just planned on getting the flu shot without even thinking about it. Thanks for the post, I'll make sure to ask my doc about it on monday.

Julian

singernomore

for most of us - it's possible that you could have some symptoms after receiving the vaccine - usually very mild. but this does not compare to the very real danger of contracting influenza when you have chronic lung disease. there is always the possibility that the vaccine won't cover every strain that circulates in a given year - though the people who develop it do their best to predict the strains that will circulate. but better to be covered for most than to be covered for none.

just had my vaccination a few days ago - no adverse effects, not even soreness. i'm definitely a believer.

lfergie46

I got the flu shot a couple of weeks ago for the first time. I had no problems with it. My arm was sore for a couple of days but that's normal. My doctor was the one who told me to get it. I have had 2 pneumonia shots in 7 years. I have also had pneumonia twice even with the shot. Was in the hospital both times. Would have hated to see how bad it would have been without the shot. Alway ask your doctor first. They know what is best. (I think?)
Leora

LittleM

Who is your doctor in Birmingham? I have been told that is my next step.

Lisalee

Hi Little M. My specialist is a wonderful knowledgeable physician named Dr. Joseph Barney. He works out of UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham). He is truly a Sarc specialist! He listens to all concerns and is very patient and thorough. I don't have my purse with me, it's downstairs, and you know how that can be. Look him up on the internet and get an appointment. Good Luck.

Mani

I got the flu and phuemoccocal (I'm sure the spelling is wrong) shot, no side effects, but because I am on both 40 mg of Pred and 25 of methotrexate, and suffer from pulmonary and neurosarc, both specialists suggest that I have it...so it's done!!! Thanks for all the amazing input!!!

Mani from Canada

RuthfromOz

I work in the health field (behind-the-scenes admin) & have been advised by many people that an annual flu shot is an absolute must for anyone with a compromised immune system.
The shot itself uses an inactivated version of the most common flu viruses for that year, so you can't catch the flu from it. There is a small risk of catching one of the strains which are less common, but that risk is very low.
It's not uncommon for mild flu-like symptoms a few days after the shot. That is just your body producing the anti-bodies that will give the immunity. Because the virus is inactive, your body doesn't need to go into the full-scale antibody production and immune response which makes you feel so sick if you catch the "live" virus without having had the shot.

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