Amyschi Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 Hi all, Just taking a survey to see whether all of you take the flu shot, whether your doctors recommend it non-equivocally, and how it affects you. Even before I had dysautonomia symptoms, I would react adversely to them, and haven't actually had one since developing the dysautonomia; therefore, am a little hesitant. I know it is silly, as the results of getting a virus on top of our existing problems would be even worse. Thanks for any feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 For me, I always take the flu shot. I have been sick with the flu while having POTS and I was really really sick. Also, it took a long time to recover. I need to add that I dont have adverse reactions other than a warm and painful spot which takes about a week to heal. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigskyfam Posted October 1, 2016 Report Share Posted October 1, 2016 I worked in med field always got mine... Day after my flu shot in 2013... I had my first pots crash. I never did well after the flu shot but never had the flu. Fast forward two years with new allergy type reactions( mast cell) allergy test revealed allergy to egg ... So no vaccine for this girl. I think this was addressed in a newsletter last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted October 1, 2016 Report Share Posted October 1, 2016 I have received both flu and pneumonia vaccines in the last few years. I did not have any adverse effects from either one. (The pneumonia was not to be vaccinated to prevent infection. It was for a vaccine challenge to check how my Ig reacted.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gertie Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 No flu shot for me. The last time I took it I had bad reaction. I couldn't turn over in the bed, was so weak & was lethargic for weeks after, feared I was going to be paralyzed. I've never been the same since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htberg Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 I had the flu shot once and was dizzy for 2 weeks. They even split the dose--gave me half the injection one week, the other half the following week (this was way before i was diagnosed with dysautonomia and thus, didn't have many signs). I also go the pneumonia shot last year and i ended up getting cellulitis in my arm w/in 12 hours. Not sure that had anything to do w/the dysautonomia but I decided to try it since i was unwilling to try the flu shot again. It was more of a 'test' for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCP Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I will not have the shot. Mum has had it since 1968. I know of three elderly people who fell ill after the shot and within weeks all had TIAs. It has put me right off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkle73 Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 Hi, all haven't had a flu shot in 12 years, very concerned to get both shots with this condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ANCY Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 I don't receive flu shot or pneumonia. Some of my Drs think I should while others think I shouldn't. Being that I have an IgA deficiency, and something autoimmune going on, So far we've decided against it, my Neuro and I. Neuro just because he's been treating me the longest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiminOrlando Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 I get them every year without incident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 I get them every year with absolutely no issues. For me, I would like to reduce the risk of the flu bc any virus exacerbates my POTS symptoms and I am slow to recover. Usually the flu shot is recommended for people with chronic illnesses but it's good to check with your doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynne Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 I have the same question. My daughter hasn't had any shots for the past two years. It sounds like some people are fine while others are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HangingByAThread Posted September 28, 2017 Report Share Posted September 28, 2017 I’m a bit squeamish about needles but I get the shot religiously every year. I might have skipped a year or two but then I got the Swine Flu one summer and it went into pneumonia for 3 weeks. I was so bad that (104 fevers) that I don’t remember much of that time. Every year I get a bit nervous about getting the shot but I do it and I’ve never had an issue. I have a lot of allergies so I make sure I get a latex-free one. They also have some that are preservative free. I take the shot because when I run fevers or have viral infections I get crazy arrhythmias. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterSown Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 I have no complications, and I should not from a dead virus. I am 60, my primary takes no chances. I get told, not asked, I'm getting a flu shot and whammo it's in and over. I adore my primary and completely trust him. I have my yearly physical next month and I expect a pneumonia shot or anything else he can zap me with. I would be worried if he didn't vaccinate me regularly for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GardenGal Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 perhaps it depends on your own body? And you might ask the place your getting it for an ingredient list and do some research. I avoid getting the flu shot because my neurological symptoms feel so autoimmune driven. They all include some ingredients that irritate the immune system intentionally so that there's sufficient antigen response to build antibody immunity. Common additives (depending on company producing it) include: 1. thimerisol - an organoMERCURY compound. There was huge public concern that this ingredient was causing neurological adverse effects for kids in the MMR vaccine, and so today, paediatric MMR vaccines generally no longer contain it. 2. Formaldehyde (for preservative - scary) 3. Aluminium (because of the huge immune response it causes). 4. Chicken Egg protein (personally I avoid eggs like the plague because of the issues they cause me - I think it's the lysosomes that are in the egg white. The white is meant to protect the yoke from infection - a beautiful thing in nature - and harmless to a normal body, but for someone like me with autoimmune problems, it's BAAAAD news. I don't know if I'm actually doing the right thing or not, but muddling through to try to stay on top of this illusive thing we call 'health'. With all that being said, I do sometimes get the flu shot, because as many of you have expressed so well, influenza with dysautonomia is disaster! So, the post is not to minimise that reality. Personally, I wait a little bit into the season and see what it's like. If it's a year with lots of cases, then you can always get it (it takes 2 weeks to work well after the shot). But if it's a light year or there are other factors, you might think twice. For instance, last year people in our region were getting Influenza A, almost no Influenza B, and a lot of the people who tested positive for it had received the flu shot... so I opted not to get it. Good luck, great question and one I wrestle with every year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeriM Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 My daughter developed dysautonomia after a flu vaccine. It was an awful 6 months after the shot! Now she’s at a dilemma over getting one so she can see a friend after a kidney transplant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout Posted December 9, 2019 Report Share Posted December 9, 2019 I don't get the flu shot, either, largely because the autonomic specialist I saw said they've actually been seeing a significant correlation between the flu vaccine and patients getting, or having a worsening, of their dysautonomia after the shot. I was on the fence about it, especially this year because there were so many fatalities with the flu, but after researching it (and knowing I have also had severe flares after vaccines in the past), I decided to take other preventative measures. I avoid crowded places, wear a high quality face mask, and be as healthy as possible nutritionally. I also ask friends and family to let me know if they're sick, so that we do not come into contact if they are. It sure is tricky, though, and as mentioned above, it seems some people are fine with the vaccine, whilst others have a severe relapse / flare which makes them bed bound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy2 Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 I received a flu shot in 2018 and developed pots a week after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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