Achilles2323 Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 get the flu shot or not?its bad here in ny?can it effect the pots ?not really sure =/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles2323 Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 any 1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joann Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I was just thinking about this. I went to my cardiologist today and thought to ask her. I have been afraid to get it because of possible POTs reactions to the shot.Iwas suprised because I figured she would say yes, get it. BUT.. she said 1. If you haven't aleady gotten it, not too. 2. Many POTs patients have reactions to shot and I shouldn't worry about it.I said even though the media is saying this is the "worst year" and everyone should, she said nope, don't get it.So...Probably other doctors have different opinions. I live in Michigan and it is all over the t.v. here too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles2323 Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Interesting ...probably wont get it know unless some 1 on here convinces me lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles2323 Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 any other opinions on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxie Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I got the shot, was a little woozy for a day or two and then was alright. I've been getting the shot since I've had POTS and sometimes I have a tiny reaction but nothing like the year I did get the flu. I had my flu shot in oct & I'm still terrified of getting the flu, the news gives me the heeby jeeby's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles2323 Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 on the fence still lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacquie802 Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I have always been told to get the shot. I got POTS from a viral infection, so I'm all set getting the flu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 My POTS neuro and my immunologist both have wanted me to get it for the last 2 yrs. I didn't have any adverse reaction either year. But there's just no way for us to tell you how you will react as we all react differently to meds and tx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbella Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 My major city has issued a state of flu emergency. I had an appointment there tomorrow. I saw my cardio/POTS doctor today and I asked him should I go #1? He said, "No, he office would cancel the appointment for me. He agreed with me that where I hadn't had a flu shot, I shouldn't go. It wasn't a life or death situation and I could make another appointment even if it took 3 months. #2 I did ask his opinion about getting a flu shot now. He thought I should, due to how badly this flu is effecting people and potsies get it so much worse than everyone else. Last I checked 18 people have died in my state from the flu. If I do get it I like the preservative free one. Around here Walgreen usually has it. He also said I most likely would get symptoms for the shot for a few days. : ( It's like we have the flu all the time anyway.I have been in the hospital 2 times for the flu. Once it wasn't even the strain that was in the vaccine that year.At this point I'm more concerned about my children. I don't want to bring anything them when they visit me.I started iron infusions @ my local hospital today. Everyone was saying it was so empty. I think people were scared to come out.I'm going to flip a coin...In PAST I just took a lot of ECHINACEA. Now, I'm afraid to mix with meds.I'm going to wear masks everywhere and make a fashion statement. Wanna join me? Oh yeah, and latex free gloves too!!!Good Luck all ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpinnyC Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I get the flu shot every year. I can't describe how awful the flu and pots were together... I ended up in the hospital both times. So anything I can do to prevent that from happening I'll do. It doesn't always work (when I had it the worst I'd actually had the flu shot, they just guessed wrong on the strains that year) but I figure it's still a better bet to get the shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbella Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Was just thinking after SpinnyC's post how extra Potsie I always get when I get the flu for the longest time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mytwogirlsrox Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I had the flu shot, I was fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crow Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I'm getting a flu shot later today, even though I haven't had a cold or the flu in about 15 years and I don't get out much these days. I know if I DID get the flu it would really clobber me so I am taking a chance on the shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looneymom Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 My son got the flu shot 10 days ago and has the flu now. His POT symptoms are worse. He is also taking Tamiflu and so far I really don't think it has affected the POTS. The first day I realized it might be flu, he started chilling, could not stand up to walk, and he complained of more muscle pain. He started taking Tamiflu the next day, so far his symptoms have not gotten any worse yet. Today will be his third day on it, so hopfully nothing will be worse. Last year, he took the flu shot the last of November and never got the flu. So it might take longer for it to build up in a POTS body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I got the shot in Dec and am glad that I did now that flu is so widespread this season. I never have any reaction to it. I am more scared of getting the flu. Last yr I skipped the shot and had a terrible virus that had me on my back w my heart pounding and fever of 102 for 3 days--and POTS symptoms for another week. For me the shot is better than the risk of the flu. But each person should talk to their dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpjd59 Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Your doctor should be able to best advise you. I know in my daughter's case both her PCP and infectious disease specialist told her NOT to get the flu shot (but the people around her should). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arizona girl Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I've had one flu shot and had a very painful site reaction. That was before I found out I had CVID immune deficiency. Flu shots don't work on us because we aren't able to produce a response. Which is why I probably had a site reaction as I my body couldn't fight off the stuff in the shot. Fortunately it was only a local reaction.Surprisingly, and I hope I don't jinks myself. I don't get flu or colds very often. I'm a bit anal about touching stuff in public though and I'm home mostly so I'm not being exposed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E Soskis Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I've taken the flu shot every year for the past 10 years or so - other than a sore arm for a couple of days, I've never had a problem. The one year I did not take the flu shot, I came down with the flu so bad that I was out of work for about a month and ended up with raging pneumonia. I know that the flu shot does not guarantee I won't get the flu but, it can sure lessen the severity of it if I do come down with it. I will continue to take it every year.I did take the pneumonia shot this year - did not have a problem. I also took the shingles vaccine right before Christmas and I came down with the rarest of reactions: "flu like syndrome" - I did not actually have the flu, just the syndrome associated with a shingles vaccine reaction. My doctor said it is quite rare and less than 1% of the people who take the shingles vaccine ever have this problem. I did end up in the hospital and was sick as a dog for about 2 weeks - I'll absolutely never take the shingles vaccine again....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbella Posted January 12, 2013 Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 I've had one flu shot and had a very painful site reaction. That was before I found out I had CVID immune deficiency. Flu shots don't work on us because we aren't able to produce a response. Which is why I probably had a site reaction as I my body couldn't fight off the stuff in the shot. Fortunately it was only a local reaction.Surprisingly, and I hope I don't jinks myself. I don't get flu or colds very often. I'm a bit anal about touching stuff in public though and I'm home mostly so I'm not being exposed.Interesting, I just was going to post that I got my Shot, but the site hurts so bad . Almost like a Tetanus Shot. The site also feels warm. Just when I was going to post I Found AZgirl's post and thought once again, something else that makesYou go hmmm.... I'll have to look into that. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyLane Posted January 12, 2013 Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 I have also been told to take it but I never have....I'm a bit skeptical of immunizations though. I'm sure it is safer to get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crshore Posted January 12, 2013 Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 I was diagnosed with POTS about 6 months ago, and I always felt off/sick after a flu shot in the past. This year was no different, except it really exacerbated my symptoms of lightheadedness and vertigo for a couple of weeks. While it stunk and the time, I figured for me, it might be even worse to get the actual flu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 even people who don't have pots have issues with getting the flu shot as i have observed...often they still get a flu, sometimes i believe when they wouldn't otherwise and still the flu shot doesn't cover every version of flu out there. there are too many flu viruses and they are always metamorphosing every year so i don't understand what the point is. i think the shot is derived and successful out of fear. just my opinion tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peregrine Posted January 14, 2013 Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 No issues here, and I've gotten the flu shot for years. In terms of pain, it does feel about as painful as a tetanus shot because both are injected into the muscle, rather than the fat. I have found success with taking an NSAID (like ibuprofen) beforehand, and then about five minutes after the shot I start swinging my arm to make the shot diffuse more quickly; for me it prevents a lot of the pain, and I just sleep on the other side for a night. (if it helps, my POTS isn't autoimmune or post-viral) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted January 14, 2013 Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 It's true that the flu shot is not entirely effective. I think I heard it estimated to be about 60% effective against flu this year. So you could get the shot and still get the flu. It is even less effective in the elderly, who do not have strong immune response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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