Flu shot?

[Andipw3]

I have a lot of questions these days.. Lol
So what is everyone's rationale with the flu shot? It is said if your health Is compromised  in any way it would benefit you to get the flu shot. Having ms. Is that considered health being compromised?

I read that getting ill, even a cold can produce symptoms. Can being really sick produce a relapse? Specofically a bad strain of the flu? They say there is no connection with Getting sick and ms. I find it odd as it is an immune issue. If we're overactive, wouldn't we on the whole, not get sick much? I personally have this experience. Everyone around me gets colds, flu, and I never get sick. However... Since starting the Copaxone, I have gotten a mild cold here and there. Coincidence? Or Has my immune system been brought to a somewhat normal level?
I'm a bit of the over analyzing type.
Anyway... Just curious to thoughts of particular immunizations, the most popular being the flu shot.
Thx!
Andi

[Andipw3]

Thanks so much !!! I'll talk to my doc about it.  I think year to year there is a suggestion as to how harsh the strain is. Maybe I can alternate or something.

[HVAC]

I got the flu and shingles vaccines. A few years back I got the pneumonia shot. I am a believer in vaccines for myself. A flu with MS symptoms on top can be rough.

Alex

[sllowe]

Hi Andipw3,

While you weight this all out, remember that flu-shots are recommended to the general population due to the simple fact that the flu kills, as do complications to the flu.

The doctor does not recommend the flu shot to common MSers because they have a "weakened or compromised immune system" rather, it's because most MSers immune systems overreact in the first place, i.e., we are in the "auto-immune category" our immune system attacked itself.

Also, there are those who go into relapse when they get sick.  This can and does happen because the normal immune systems reacts to virus - so does ours, but, ours is already a little bit overaggressive, so naturally, it's preferable that we steer clear of anything that has the potential to make it react, and potentially react badly, causing relapse.

The DMD's or immune modulators do this for us on another level as I'm sure you know.

So, that's my two cents on the flu vaccine. I do get it each year because I can't stand the thought of the flu, or it's complications. And, I'm one of those who has been sick (like you, not so much), and have not relapsed because of it.  But, I still get flu vaccine it to minimize my odds.

Stay well, and hope the copax serves you well!
~Shell

[Andipw3]

Ok! Lots to think about. As usual.

[caregiver222]

You are correct in differentiating between the varieties of mercury. However, the evidence that one variety is "non-toxic" and the other "toxic" are open to argument. I am not one to favor banning thimeserol, however there is a risk benefit, and just because the U.S. government states that it is not harmful, does not satisfy me. It is one thing to justify use in areas of the world where single-use vaccines are not appropriate. Another so reccommend use in an area where they are readily available.  They also state that a single x-ray represents an insignificant dose, which is nonsense-on-toast. Individuals with neurological disorders may in fact have a great chance of being damages by any variety of mercury. The substance itself does nasty things to cells. Yes, perhaps some varieties are less nasty. I am not ready to agree with what the "CDC" says. But everyone has to make their own choices.

[immisceo]

Thimerosal contains ethyl mercury, not methyl mercury. There is a massive difference (orders of magnitude). http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/patient-ed/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-thimerosal-color-office.pdf

[caregiver222]

The deal is this. All vaccines come in two varieties. The "single dose" and the "multi-dose". And "killed" and "live". There have been problems with ingestion of live vaccine , specifically with those who have compromised immune systems. The single-dose is more expensive and has to be special ordered.  And usually refrigerated with a 30 day shelf life.  All multi-dose vials contain a mercury-based compound called thimeserol.  The upside is that they can be stored for months. This is the kind you get when you get your shot at a pharmacy. There are varying opinions as to it's toxicity. That being said Mercury is the bad news bears and definitely neurotoxic. The positive value is every time you are injected with a killed bacterial or inactive vaccine the body produces TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) which scavanges malignancies. Do a search on "Scientific American" magazine.. There many varieties of "flu" and the chances are that the ":guess" on the variety is wrong.

[immisceo]

Non-live viruses annual flu vaccines are recommended for us, including (especially) for people like me on immunosuppressing drugs. As Corrie says, we're just told to steer clear of the live vaccines. There are some vaccines I can no longer get, meaning I have to depend on others to maintain herd immunity. Luckily the anti-vax movement didn't really make much inroads here in Ireland. As someone with MS, I am considered a part of the group prioritised for the annual flu vaccine in possible cases of a shortage.

Copaxone is an immunomodulator, not an immunosuppressant. It could be that you are much more aware of the general state of your health since beginning a medication or that it's simply coincidence.

[Corriel]

Hi Andi!

Consensus is that the flu shot itself (not the nasal mist version) does not harm anything because it is not a live virus. Oddly, my GP gave me every vaccination he could think of when I was diagnosed including live virus ones. I didn't know at the time that was potentially risky, but suffered no ill effects.

Some MS treatments can lower immune response but Copaxone isn't one of those.

Sounds like a coincidence with the colds. Typically I think MSers get sick less or have illnesses just as often but to a lesser degree of illness than the general population.

Corrie