I was at the dermatologist today, and was offered a flu shot. The one time in the past umpteen years I didn't get one I was SO sick for months. I am terrified of not getting it. I have no defenses to speak of.
Today they asked me if I am allergic to eggs. I said sensitive, not allergic. And they asked if I am feeling will. I am not. I have another UTI and the MC is flaring. They wouldn't give it to me.
Question for Polly and Tex - I am going to have to take Cipro. Would I be able to have the shot when I am on it?
Flu shot
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Lesley,
Yes, you would be able to get the flu shot while on Cipro. Cipro is one of the few antibiotics that most MCers seem to tolerate. The few times I was on it the MC improved.
Are you making sure you have good vitamin D levels going into flu season? Very important, IMHO. As well as frequent handwashing. In winter I carry around a bottle of Purell hand sanitizer in my pocketbook. Both of these are important, given that the flu shot never covers all of the strains of flu that arise each year.
I hope you are feeling much better soon.
Hugs,
Polly
Yes, you would be able to get the flu shot while on Cipro. Cipro is one of the few antibiotics that most MCers seem to tolerate. The few times I was on it the MC improved.
Are you making sure you have good vitamin D levels going into flu season? Very important, IMHO. As well as frequent handwashing. In winter I carry around a bottle of Purell hand sanitizer in my pocketbook. Both of these are important, given that the flu shot never covers all of the strains of flu that arise each year.
I hope you are feeling much better soon.
Hugs,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Lesley,
I agree with everything that Polly wrote, of course. IMO, the most important thing we can do to keep from getting the flu is to keep our vitamin D level in the upper part of the safe range, wash our hands after being around others, or after handling anything that's been touched by others, and avoiding crowds, and especially avoiding people who have a virus, as much as possible. When washing my hands is not a practical option, I carry packets of towelettes that are pretreated with an appropriate disinfectant, rather than to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer.
If I've ever had a flu shot, it was so many decades ago that I have forgotten about it. Also, keep in mind that vaccines work fine for very young people, but as we grow older, our immune systems don't respond to vaccines as well is when we were younger. By the time we get to be a "senior citizen", vaccines typically have rather low effectiveness. That said, everyone is different, so YMMV.
Tex
I agree with everything that Polly wrote, of course. IMO, the most important thing we can do to keep from getting the flu is to keep our vitamin D level in the upper part of the safe range, wash our hands after being around others, or after handling anything that's been touched by others, and avoiding crowds, and especially avoiding people who have a virus, as much as possible. When washing my hands is not a practical option, I carry packets of towelettes that are pretreated with an appropriate disinfectant, rather than to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer.
If I've ever had a flu shot, it was so many decades ago that I have forgotten about it. Also, keep in mind that vaccines work fine for very young people, but as we grow older, our immune systems don't respond to vaccines as well is when we were younger. By the time we get to be a "senior citizen", vaccines typically have rather low effectiveness. That said, everyone is different, so YMMV.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The time I didn't get the flu shot I flew to TN, and got the flu on that flight. I am flying in November, unless AA gets more mired in it's own problems. I will be exposed to others in close quarters for many hours.
I am taking 4000-8000 IUs daily, and I live in CA, and make a point of getting sun on my skin without sunscreen on it daily. Last blood test was fine.
I have towelettes in my purse at all times, Tex, and use them liberally.
I feel like i have been in MC flare since it started. All it's done is changed it's form. I wish I could get control over it.
Thanks for your input guys.
I am taking 4000-8000 IUs daily, and I live in CA, and make a point of getting sun on my skin without sunscreen on it daily. Last blood test was fine.
I have towelettes in my purse at all times, Tex, and use them liberally.
I feel like i have been in MC flare since it started. All it's done is changed it's form. I wish I could get control over it.
Thanks for your input guys.
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Lesley,
I get a flu shot every year. I have never reacted badly to the shot but I have had some pretty bad cases of the flu. I don't think there is any right answer to the question of whether or not to get the vaccine. I choose to get it.
If you are interested Chris Kresser just published an article about UTI's. You can read it here: http://chriskresser.com/treat-and-preve ... hout-drugs
Hope things begin to improve for you soon.
Jean
I get a flu shot every year. I have never reacted badly to the shot but I have had some pretty bad cases of the flu. I don't think there is any right answer to the question of whether or not to get the vaccine. I choose to get it.
If you are interested Chris Kresser just published an article about UTI's. You can read it here: http://chriskresser.com/treat-and-preve ... hout-drugs
Hope things begin to improve for you soon.
Jean
Yep, I agree that air travel is a major risk for catching a virus, because everyone breathes the same air on those flights, over and over. That's just one of the many reasons why I don't fly. (Of course, I'm fortunate that I don't have to travel very far these days, certainly not overseas.)Lesley wrote:The time I didn't get the flu shot I flew to TN, and got the flu on that flight. I am flying in November, unless AA gets more mired in it's own problems. I will be exposed to others in close quarters for many hours.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I have only had one flu shot....and it was the year with the swine flu issues. I think I've only actually had the "flu" once....it was in the early 2000's and I was sicker than I've ever been for two weeks. I'm really hopeful that my vitamin D levels (last tested were mid 50's) will offer me protection. I'm currently taking 4000 IU versus 2000 IU when I was last tested. Deb
Deb,
From what I understand you cannot get the flu from a flu shot because the vaccine is not live. Right, Polly? Maybe you had a reaction?
I will get my shot and avoid the flu.
Tex, my entire family save for Adam, is abroad. I have no choice if I want to see them.
Z - I will try the D-mannose. Nothing to lose.
Thanks all!
From what I understand you cannot get the flu from a flu shot because the vaccine is not live. Right, Polly? Maybe you had a reaction?
I will get my shot and avoid the flu.
Tex, my entire family save for Adam, is abroad. I have no choice if I want to see them.
Z - I will try the D-mannose. Nothing to lose.
Thanks all!
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
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Sometimes the issue is not the virus in the vaccine, but the 'inactive' preservative ingredients of the vaccine.
Additionally, in Aus last winter, the flu shot given to people was the 'about to go out of date' swine flu vaccine (had to get rid of the millions they purchased 2 years ago) it did not help anyone with the nasty coughing flu that lead to bronchial infections and in some cases, somewhat healthy people dying.
ironically the people that had the flu shot were the ones that seem to struggle to shake the dam thing and had multiple sinus and chest infections and were couging for 2 - 3 months. meanwhile my 15000iu of Vit d3 for a week protected me and i avoided infections (not bad for a lifetime mild asthmatic)
Do your research, what vaccines are being offered, what do they protect you from, what are the preservative/inactive ingredients...
what are the types of flus occuring in your planned destination
Additionally, in Aus last winter, the flu shot given to people was the 'about to go out of date' swine flu vaccine (had to get rid of the millions they purchased 2 years ago) it did not help anyone with the nasty coughing flu that lead to bronchial infections and in some cases, somewhat healthy people dying.
ironically the people that had the flu shot were the ones that seem to struggle to shake the dam thing and had multiple sinus and chest infections and were couging for 2 - 3 months. meanwhile my 15000iu of Vit d3 for a week protected me and i avoided infections (not bad for a lifetime mild asthmatic)
Do your research, what vaccines are being offered, what do they protect you from, what are the preservative/inactive ingredients...
what are the types of flus occuring in your planned destination
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
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Christine.
- Gentoo Penguin
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Lesley, the year I got the flu was not the year I got the swine flu shot...sorry I was so confusing. I just got scared off from the shots after the swine flu issues and haven't had one since. No shot the year I got the flu; boy was I sick. That was over 10 years ago though and I haven't had the flu since.