L4UR3N Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 My employer has decided to make it mandatory for all health care workers to get the flu vaccine. I have never had the flu vaccine, and NEVER want it. I am probably one of the rare nurses who believes it does more harm then good (after all, nurses are supposed to encourage people to get it!) What I am looking for is any evidence that it could potentially make POTS or EDS worse. In order to be exempt they need hard, factual proof. Unfortunately they have not given me much time to find this proof, so I need your help!!!Anyone know of any research articles that may be useful? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellgirl Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 I am also a nurse, and I agree with you NOT to get it, (heard too many stories of getting symptoms of the flu), but sorry, I don't know of any articles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashelton80 Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 If you read the insert and look at the studies you will realize that the flu shot actually does nothing to prevent the flu. That alone seems to be enough to say I don't want to take the risks that come with vaccinations especially when my body is already in a fragile state from POTS or EDS. There is no such thing as a "mandatory" vaccine in the country. There are exemptions and they are super easy to get as I have done this with my daughter for school. Not sure how it works with an employer, but I can't imagine they could force you to inject something into your body against your will or even fire you for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellgirl Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 There are 3 types of flus every season, so they only have a third of a chance of getting the vaccine right for the type that decides to emerge, anyway. Those odds are bad enough...I forgot to say that earlier, then there are the side effects, because any time you get something injected in your body, too, depending how your immune system is working at the time, you could be at risk. The only flu vaccine I received was back in the 70's for the Swine flu....I was in nursing school back then, and didn't know any better. It was free, and the nursing department at my university was promoting it, so I got the vaccine. I haven't had one since...I've had the flu probably a hand full of times in my life; that's once a decade. A virus did trigger my dysautonomia, so I am very careful not to be around sick people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 I looked and found many posts on this site and others from POTs people saying a vaccine (flu included) triggered or worsened POTS symptoms. However, I could not find any articles stating the flu shot or any vaccine might worsen POTS though. Would a Doctor's note work? Could your Doctor write a letter stating something like with all of our sensitivities and the unpredicable nature of our condition that it might worsen your symptoms and therefore is not worth the risk? Are you prone to bad reactions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L4UR3N Posted September 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 I am definitely prone to bad reactions, and though they say there is no way to get the flu from the vaccine I have seen it time and time again. People get the vaccine and then get sick,...while I never seem to get it without the vaccine, lol. A viral illness also provoked my POTS to get significantly worse. ....and then there is the whole mercury issue. Ironically a high level of mercury in your body can cause POTS like symptoms .Im not entirely sure how they are legally able to enforce it, but they are. Basically if you do not comply then you will be terminated. They will excuse people who either have severe allergic reactions to the vaccine, or who have had Guillain Barre. Otherwise, you are pretty much made to get it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L4UR3N Posted September 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 I forsee it turning out badly for them when people DO have bad reactions to it and then sue them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gertie Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 The last time I got a flu vaccine I was very sick for weeks. It wasn't the flu, but I became so lethargic I could not turnover in the bed. I could not hold up my head to eat. I never fully recovered. Can you tell them it's against your religious beliefs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E Soskis Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 I found that when I take vaccines of any type, I have a hyper-response. I wouldn't call it an "allergy" but, I get achy, low grade fever, and just feel run down and exceptionally tired. I think it is because of the immune response from my body - it goes into "hyper drive" while it is producing new antibodies. I would imagine that since I have an autoimmune dysautonomia, I am more sensitive to the response from the vaccine. May be the same for some of you.I do feel vaccines are important and if they can be tolerated, we should take them. If you have ever had the flu that turned into raging pneumonia, you would understand where I am coming from. Dysautonomia is miserable enough without adding a serious illness to the mixture. Most vaccines don't claim to "prevent" but, to perhaps lessen the symptoms if you develop the condition. I'm not the expert but, I work in a health-care environment and understand that if the entire staff comes down with the "flu" and is out, then who is left to care for the patients? - This is especially important should there be a pandemic of a particular disease. I have also seen children afflicted with diseases that are readily preventable or manageable had they only received vaccines - instead, they suffered permanent damage from lack of immunization. Very sad indeed..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Rissy, I got away without the flu vaccine by telling my employer that I am allergic to eggs. I believe the culture for the vaccine is made using egg-whites if I am not mistaken. Just an idea. May be worth a try?!Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoozlyGirl Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 I, too, have an egg allergy (low grade as it is) and was exempt to opt out of getting my flu shot for several years. My allergist agreed to not get Flu shot due to my non patient desk job. Flu shots are incubated in chicken eggs and pick up the proteins from the shells. There is a nasal spray, which I believe has thimerisol or some other preservative, as wel as MSG in it. I got out of both types of flu shots. I then got my allegist to write a note to get me out of the mandatory TB screening shots (worked in office with NO patient contact) due to my longterm history of drug reactions. The next year they stopped making it mandatory annual testing and now only test if in contact with known TB patient. I hear you on the mercury! I will take other vaccines, I just don't like the vaccine schedule today compared with 25 years ago. Way too many vaccines given at one time, all packaged with multiple preservatives, antibiotics, and other stuff. Many don't even know they can ask for any meds, including vaccines, from a single dose vial, free of preservatives!!! Lyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoozlyGirl Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Found these on the CDC website. List of ingredients in vaccines. Check out the influenza vaccines from 2011. Egg protein is the least of my issues. I have documented reactions to several of the antibiotics, as well as MSG and preservatives used. Maybe you do too? And who wants formeldeyde injected in them? There are quite a few mast cell degranulators in here as well, in case that could be your justification. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdfBasic information here. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/vaccine-decision/ingredients.htmlLyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L4UR3N Posted September 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Unfortunately listing egg allergy is an unacceptable excuse to them, unless you have had a documented anaphylactic reaction from it. Apparently even intolerances dont count. ....I really dont see how this can be legal for them to force us to get it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Maybe you should contact an attorney to see what your rights are. Quick little link about the subject:http://targetlaw.com/can-my-employer-force-me-to-get-a-flu-shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 I've had this same issue the past couple years with the hospital where I worked forcing us to get flu vaccinations. I've never had the flu, but do get sick every time I get the flu vaccine (not with the flu but with some other cold type illness). Tried getting an excuse from my POTS doc last year because I figured being sick after getting the vaccine would aggravate my ANS issues. He wouldn't buy it, because he was convinced that if I got the flu, it would make the ANS stuff much worse and because HE had to get flu vaccines where HE works! Think it's becoming national policy to force this on people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 I recall a post with a link of a woman whose mom was a nurse and was forced to have the flu shot. She was a healthy person and then because of the shot got Gilliuan Barre and is now wheel chair bound and can't take care of herself. My dad got Gilluan Barre from a flu shot. I have almost NO immunity to pneumonia - but, because of seeing what Gilliuan Barre can do to a person ---I rather take my chances of dying from pneumonia. Maybe, showing this video of this woman may make an impact. With there already being autonomic dysfunctions - we don't want another issue added. I do believe that a polio vaccine is what triggered my issues as a child. Hope you can get them to make exceptions. Issie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyomingGal Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 I will it be getting the flu vaccine again. I was told that it does more harm than good when your already in the hole, such as having a weakened immune system, etc. I just need my body to focus on healing and not making flu antibodies. (epstein Barr is enough work)I don't know of any articles I thought it had a warning on theire about nervous system disorders. I know I have autonomic neuropathy so that worries me. Can you use something like that maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Rissy,Were you able to get out of taking the vaccine?Issie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Here's a couple of articles about vaccines. The first one has some good videos in it:http://articles.merc...20918_DNL_art_1http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/neurological-damage.htmhttp://articles.merc...-flu-shots.aspxIssie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L4UR3N Posted September 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 I got out of it--for now-- by changing employers! lol. I was looking for a new job anyway . This was just an added excuse. It worries me though because this seems to be a growing trend to force health care workers to be vaccinated. Pretty sure it's only a matter of time until my new employer requires it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Yayyyy, Rissy. Glad to hear you got around it and glad to hear you got a new job. Haven't heard from you in awhile.Issie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellgirl Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Good for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlinder Posted September 22, 2012 Report Share Posted September 22, 2012 i get the flu vaccin since i have POTS. my homedoctor advice me to get it, because getting flu is worser with my illness problems. i never had any problems after getting the injection, so its a story that you always get ill after getting this vaccin.and most important, i didnt get the flu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leydengs Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I got my first ever flu shot and 3 weeks later I was in a hospital and in a wheel chair and I'm convinced that the flu shot made me have that bad of a flare up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maia Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 have you tried a religious exemption? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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