Flu Shot

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:48 pm

Hi - I have never raised children and know just about nothing medical. I can't remember the last time I had the flu or a cold. I am wondering since people with MC usually run lower with vitamin D, will our system still fight this without causing other problems?

I called the clinic I go to (Mayo Health Care System) and talked with a nurse. I told her my symptoms and that my temp is now 100.8. I was glad to hear that below 102 is good and that means my system is fighting off the virus. She asked me about other health issues and I told her I have LC. She said there is a shot called Tamiflu that you can get (if within 48 hours). She added that it won't eliminate the flu, but it shouldn't get worse. Her concern was it developing into pneumonia. If I hadn't mentioned my D level being at 38, I got the impression she would not have recommended the shot.

I was told this flu takes 5-7 days, and the cold lasts up to 3 weeks after that. And, of course, when having a temp a person is contageous until it has been gone for 24 hours.

I know you've had this Leah, and I am glad to hear things are improving.

Paula

Post by **tex** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:52 pm

Paula wrote:I am wondering since people with MC usually run lower with vitamin D, will our system still fight this without causing other problems?

That's why most of us take a lot of vitamin D supplement, to keep our blood levels of vitamin D up. If your 25(OH)D level is 38, that's above the national average, and your resistance should be reasonably strong, so I don't understand why she would be concerned about a vitamin D level of 38.

For some reason or other, a number of us have caught colds this year, for the first time in years (including me). The viruses seem to be especially infective this year. The only vaccine I had this year was for pneumonia, (just in case).

I didn't even know that Tamiflu was available as an injection. When the bird flu threat was in the news, a few years ago, I kept some Tamiflu on hand, just in case I needed it, but it was an oral treatment, 1 pill each day for 5 to 7 days, as I recall. I never used it, though.

I hope it doesn't last as long as predicted.

Tex

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:34 am

Thank you, Tex for your response. I have never had a lot of experience with doctors until this started. Since they don't know much about MC, I am finding it hard to believe much of what they say. She also told me to take Ibuprofen for the aches and headaches, but not so much to try to reduce the temperature. I had to repeat myself a couple of times that I can't take NSAID's because of MC. At least that was one thing my GI specialist did tell me that was correct, even though he did not make the connection with the diet. Thank you for "reminding" me that my D level at 38 is okay. I try not to get panicky about any of this, but I still remember the response my ND and PCP had when they saw my level at 38, and that I am taking 5,000 every day. And.. when you're feeling pretty bad, we would all like to think there was someone out there we could trust. It's possible they say a lot that may have no merit because of the liability, and the calls are probably even taped.

... I am hoping I don't take as long as Leah to get over this. Temp is up to 101.9 this morning. Was going to see my MIL this weekend because she was too sick to get together at Christmas. Looks like I won't be going. She doesn't need to catch this too.

Thanks again.

Paula

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:05 am

Paula,
My D level is 42 and I take 5,000 IU/day. I have a cold now, but no fever. Everyone in my area is sick, some with flu, many with strep throat. I'm on 30 mgs of prednisone so I'm nervous about what my congestion and cough might turn into. So far, lots of pulled muscles in my belly from deep coughing! I see my acupuncturist today...hopefully she can help.

Feel better.

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:31 pm

Tex - as usual you are right. Tamiflu is not an injection. I don't know why they wanted me to go to the urgent care last night to pick up a script. I misunderstood. I didn't go last night, but called my PCP office today because my temp is 102.3. That's when I asked if it was a shot. Rather than having to go to see the doctor, they called a script in for me.

Zizzle - Just for my education, can you tell me what is a concern with prednisone and a cold? I really don't know. Thank you.

Paula

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:46 pm

Sorry you're still having issues, Paula. I have been dealing with mostly a sinus issue for over a week. It is finally better today but I really think my improved vitamin D levels (56 at last testing) have kept it at bay. My daughter has been loading up my grands with vitamin D and they've had minimal issues (compared to last year when they were sick most of the winter in Minnesota). Vitamin D, Vitamin D, Vitamin D. Deb

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:50 pm

Paula,
Thanks for asking. I guess the immune supression of prednisone is not that bad when it comes to the common cold. In tapering now (down 10 mgs so far) so if I get seriously ill, I might even need extra! No vaccines while on it. Wonder what that means for Entocort users considering flu shots?

One of the actions of prednisone is to weaken the body's immune system. This effect is beneficial when treating allergies or so-called "autoimmune" diseases like arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. However, whenever you weaken the immune system, you increase the body's susceptibility to infection. Prednisone does not make an individual more likely to get a flu or catch a cold. But, it can increase susceptibility to chickenpox (varicella) and other herpes viruses. Individuals, who have recovered from tuberculosis, or TB, can experience reactivation of the disease when on prednisone. If you have not previously had chickenpox, tell your doctor. Do not take prednisone if you have tuberculosis (active or inactive), shingles or other herpes infection of eyes, lips, or genitals. You should not be vaccinated against any infectious disease while you are on prednisone especially live polio vaccine. Allergy skin tests and TB skin tests will usually be invalid while you are on prednisone. A small number of patients on prednisone develop yeast infections of the mouth (thrush) or vagina. Fortunately, effective medications are available to combat this problem should it occur.

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 10:42 pm

Zizzle wrote:Wonder what that means for Entocort users considering flu shots?

I've gotten the flu shot for the past 3 years, I believe, plus a pneumonia vaccine and a shingle vaccine, and I've been on Entocort the entire time. I haven't gotten the flu, probably have had a cold each year, but the itching was the worst I've ever had it.

Gloria

ant · Post by **ant** » Sun Jan 13, 2013 2:03 am

Just for information and baring in mind we are all different........

The last time I had a flu shot was 40 years ago. Flu was doing the rounds in Scotland when I was up there this Christmas. And I was certainly exposed to it. But I had only one day of slight fever (and one or two days of D which may have been part of it) and then it went. My 25-OH Vitamin D3 level is 40.9 (as tested last Spring) and I take 4000 IU a day. I have also been on Entocort (now a low dose and trying to taper off completely) for over 3 years.

Best wishes, Ant