Re: RA and flu shots

[Guest guest]

My rheumatologist recommended I get a flu shot. I got one 4 days ago with

no ill effects so far.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of frank carnes

Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2006 4:54 PM

Subject: [ ] RA and flu shots

Im questioning whether to get one this year...always got one when

working as they were free, but always had side effects....last year it

made me sick and triggered a flare-up...i wouldnt do it

[Guest guest]

I had no trouble with the flu shot, but the pneumonia shot was a different

story. The next day I had flu-like symptoms and had to leave work, something I

never do. That evening my arm hurt so much that I finally really looked at it.

It was a huge welt of red and hot to the touch,plus I had a low grade fever.

The next morning I called my dr and told her what 'one' of the shots looked like

she said 'it's the pneumonia shot, you can't have that again'. I had gotten

that shot plus the 2 Hepatitis vaccines all at once. I thought it was probably

one of the Heps, but she said no, it was the pneumonia vaccine. Oh well at

least I managed to have one for now.

Patsy

El Mirage, AZ

DX 2005 Stage 1 PBC

AIH/SLE/RA/COPD

Just a woman of letters....

[Guest guest]

I got the pneumonia shot and had a RA flare for several weeks after. I thought

that was weird. I don't know that I will ever get it again. This also makes me

not trust getting a flu shot. I also heard that the flu shots contain

mercury/thermasil as well and that isn't good. I just won't get them for myself

or my family.

Pat Murray <patsy56er@...> wrote: I had no trouble with the flu

shot, but the pneumonia shot was a different story. The next day I had flu-like

symptoms and had to leave work, something I never do. That evening my arm hurt

so much that I finally really looked at it. It was a huge welt of red and hot to

the touch,plus I had a low grade fever. The next morning I called my dr and told

her what 'one' of the shots looked like she said 'it's the pneumonia shot, you

can't have that again'. I had gotten that shot plus the 2 Hepatitis vaccines all

at once. I thought it was probably one of the Heps, but she said no, it was the

pneumonia vaccine. Oh well at least I managed to have one for now.

Patsy

El Mirage, AZ

DX 2005 Stage 1 PBC

AIH/SLE/RA/COPD

Just a woman of letters....

[Guest guest]

Patsy I had the flu shot and it done the samething that your shot done to you.So

I know how that feels. I have a question off the subject, how far is your town

from Bisbee Az.? I lived there from the time I was seven until I turned

eighteen. So just curious, I kinda miss Az.

Rhonda

[ ] Re: RA and flu shots

I had no trouble with the flu shot, but the pneumonia shot was a different

story. The next day I had flu-like symptoms and had to leave work, something I

never do. That evening my arm hurt so much that I finally really looked at it.

It was a huge welt of red and hot to the touch,plus I had a low grade fever. The

next morning I called my dr and told her what 'one' of the shots looked like she

said 'it's the pneumonia shot, you can't have that again'. I had gotten that

shot plus the 2 Hepatitis vaccines all at once. I thought it was probably one of

the Heps, but she said no, it was the pneumonia vaccine. Oh well at least I

managed to have one for now.

Patsy

El Mirage, AZ

DX 2005 Stage 1 PBC

AIH/SLE/RA/COPD

Just a woman of letters....

[Guest guest]

I have gotten a flu shot every year I have been on MTX and that is 5

years now. Since dh is a cardiac patient with severe COPD, it is

important that I keep healthy. Had a pneumonia shot a few years ago.

Never have I had a flare, or even felt slightly ill afterwards. Do

make sure that it is in my dominant arm so that I work the muscles.

Had a bit of stiffness this last time for about 15 minutes. Dh had

the same reaction. His immune system is shot (because of chemo when

he had lukemia) and he never gets ill after a flu shot. He had no

aftermath with the pneumonia shot or the booster a few years ago.

guess it shows that everyone is different and you need to decide what

will work best for you and your circumstances. Since I " m a

caretaker, getting the flu is not an option.

Rose

On Nov 21, 2006, at 8:53 AM, kt m wrote:

> I got the pneumonia shot and had a RA flare for several weeks

> after. I thought that was weird. I don't know that I will ever get

> it again. This also makes me not trust getting a flu shot. I also

> heard that the flu shots contain mercury/thermasil as well and that

> isn't good. I just won't get them for myself or my family.

>

> Pat Murray <patsy56er@...> wrote: I had no trouble with the flu

> shot, but the pneumonia shot was a different story. The next day I

> had flu-like symptoms and had to leave work, something I never do.

> That evening my arm hurt so much that I finally really looked at

> it. It was a huge welt of red and hot to the touch,plus I had a low

> grade fever. The next morning I called my dr and told her what

> 'one' of the shots looked like she said 'it's the pneumonia shot,

> you can't have that again'. I had gotten that shot plus the 2

> Hepatitis vaccines all at once. I thought it was probably one of

> the Heps, but she said no, it was the pneumonia vaccine. Oh well at

> least I managed to have one for now.

>

> Patsy

> El Mirage, AZ

> DX 2005 Stage 1 PBC

> AIH/SLE/RA/COPD

> Just a woman of letters....

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would erase the last message, but this program doesn't give you the option.

Anyway, just wanted to say I had the flu before I was diagnoised with RA, back

in 1998, I thought I was going to die! No joke! I went to my doctor twice in 4

days and cried both times. I was Soooo sick!! I have gotten a flu shot every

year since then. Having the flu is probably the worse thing I have ever had. I

missed 5 workdays of work which was a first. I have never missed a whole week of

work, plus I was sick both weekends. I have never had a reation to the shot, but

I will tell you having the flu is so bad that I can't even imagine having it

with RA.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!! Gentle hugs, Colleen

[Guest guest]

My RA nurse case manager actually called to make sure that I was

getting both flu and pneumonia shots. She said it was very

important. It so happens that I have two very asthmatic kids, and

everyone in the household has had to get flu shots since they were

babies to protect them. But I'd never had a pneumonia shot before.

I had both the same day, and didn't have any trouble other than a

slight achiness in the arm where I got the pneumonia shot. (I was

told to expect that when they gave it to me)

Having had pneumonia a couple of years ago (pre-RA) and knowing how

sick I was for how long, I sure wouldn't want to add that to RA.

Some people have bad reactions to the shots, and they should

probably avoid them in the future, or at least talk to their doc

about it before having one again. But for most of us, I think the

diseases themselves, especially compounding them with RA and the

immunosupressive drugs many of us take, are likely to be far worse

than the possibility of a short term reaction to the shot.

In my case, I was planning a business trip, and the nurse wanted me

to have the shots at least 10 days before flying. She said it takes

10 days for full immunity to develop, and considering how things get

passed around on airplanes...<g> I came home with a cold anyway,

but fortunately nothing worse.

I had no trouble with the flu

> > shot, but the pneumonia shot was a different story. The next day

I

> > had flu-like symptoms and had to leave work, something I never

do.

> > That evening my arm hurt so much that I finally really looked

at

> > it. It was a huge welt of red and hot to the touch,plus I had a

low

> > grade fever. The next morning I called my dr and told her what

> > 'one' of the shots looked like she said 'it's the pneumonia

shot,

> > you can't have that again'. I had gotten that shot plus the 2

> > Hepatitis vaccines all at once. I thought it was probably one

of

> > the Heps, but she said no, it was the pneumonia vaccine. Oh well

at

> > least I managed to have one for now.

> >

> > Patsy

> > El Mirage, AZ

> > DX 2005 Stage 1 PBC

> > AIH/SLE/RA/COPD

> > Just a woman of letters....

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " Rose " <rmmcg@...>

> Never have I had a flare, or even felt slightly ill afterwards. Do

> make sure that it is in my dominant arm so that I work the muscles.

I have fibro, not RA and any shot will leave my arm a bit sore for several

weeks, but I'd rather have that than the flu or phneumonia. I was wondering

why the nurse giving my flu shot (this year) said the " company " wanted him

to give it to me in my right arm. I was wondering why the company cared

which arm the shot was given in. I did insist on getting it in my left arm

since with my fibro it takes longer to heal and my right side is my prefered

side to sleep or lay on. I do use my left arm almost as much as my right,

seems natural for me to do so.

Darcy

[Guest guest]

I'm left handed and very left dominant, so I make sure that the shot goes into

the left arm. Sounds like you are amidextrous.

Maybe that is why I don't have any problems. I work it out very quickly.

Only time I ever did have a problem, was the last tendintis shot I got. Had

fever and aches in the arm for about 48 hours. Called nurse line that night,

and she said it was usual and to take pain relievers and hot pack it for that

period of time and would be better in about 48 hours. She was correct.

Rose

Re: [ ] Re: RA and flu shots

----- Original Message -----

From: " Rose " <rmmcg@...>

> Never have I had a flare, or even felt slightly ill afterwards. Do

> make sure that it is in my dominant arm so that I work the muscles.

I have fibro, not RA and any shot will leave my arm a bit sore for several

weeks, but I'd rather have that than the flu or phneumonia. I was wondering

why the nurse giving my flu shot (this year) said the " company " wanted him

to give it to me in my right arm. I was wondering why the company cared

which arm the shot was given in. I did insist on getting it in my left arm

since with my fibro it takes longer to heal and my right side is my prefered

side to sleep or lay on. I do use my left arm almost as much as my right,

seems natural for me to do so.

Darcy

[Guest guest]

I would gladly get a flu shot if our county health department ever

comes around to give them. I don't know what the problem is. I've been

getting the flu shot for two years before this year, and I got a

pneumonia shot two years ago. I have had no reactions to either shot.

Sue

On Wednesday, November 22, 2006, at 08:53 AM, Randall wrote:

> My RA nurse case manager actually called to make sure that I was

> getting both flu and pneumonia shots. She said it was very

> important. It so happens that I have two very asthmatic kids, and

> everyone in the household has had to get flu shots since they were

> babies to protect them. But I'd never had a pneumonia shot before.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " rmmcg " <rmmcg@...>

> I'm left handed and very left dominant, so I make sure that the shot goes

> into the left arm. Sounds like you are amidextrous.

>

> Maybe that is why I don't have any problems. I work it out very quickly.

I had to have my right arm in a sling for about 7 months, so I got use to

only using my left hand, now 15 years later, I used them both, almost

equally. My problem with taking so long to health is with my fibro, the

repairs done to the muscle don't get done very well because I don't get to

the proper sleep levels for that to happen. So it always takes me much

longer to health from anything whether it's a muscle tear or the flu. Back

when I was in the military, they'd give shots in both arms and they'd both

go away equally quickly.

Darcy

[Guest guest]

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: " Rose " <rmmcg@...>

> > Never have I had a flare, or even felt slightly ill

afterwards. Do

> > make sure that it is in my dominant arm so that I work the

muscles.

>

> I have fibro, not RA and any shot will leave my arm a bit sore for

several

> weeks, but I'd rather have that than the flu or phneumonia. I was

wondering

> why the nurse giving my flu shot (this year) said the " company "

wanted him

> to give it to me in my right arm. I was wondering why the company

cared

> which arm the shot was given in. I did insist on getting it in my

left arm

> since with my fibro it takes longer to heal and my right side is

my prefered

> side to sleep or lay on. I do use my left arm almost as much as

my right,

> seems natural for me to do so.

> Darcy

>

My acupuncturist found me an injection site that always works with

no problem. See one, and she can locate this for you.

[Guest guest]

My doctor told me last year not to get the flu shot. And i did not. If you

research the flu shot

made a lot of people sick .. My rheumy also said not to . Maybe this was a

new york thing im not sure

Jolene

In a message dated 9/6/2008 3:53:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

melyndagamez@... writes:

dorthy & shirley hello, i agree we the both of u as well. if that was the

case i would not get the flushot every year.... i have never heard such a crazy

thing like that bfore.hmm, call me crazy but i'll continue to get the shot

every year cuz if i don't & i end up getting the flu, i get it full on & then

i not only have the flu but my ra is worse only due to the aches & pains of

already being sick!! god bless,melyndagamez 9/6/08 2:50p.m.central

[ ] Re: RA and Flu Shots

Many of my family members get their flu shots every year and none of

them have RA. I took them more than 5 years before I developed it.

There is certainly no connection in my family.

Shirley

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[Guest guest]

I wouldn't miss getting a flu shot. I've been getting them for about 9

years. My RA was diagnosed some time after I started with the shots, but I

don't believe there is any connection.

Dorothy

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of gonetoday

Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 12:21 PM

Subject: [ ] RA and Flu Shots

Hi everyone,

Been spending all my non-babysitting time researching RA. I came across a

post on another news group that grabbed my attention and made me think. It

seems a couple people are linking their RA with flu shots received. When I

thought about my own case, this was also true for me. The bank I was working

for last year was giving out free flu shots, all you had to do was sign a

waver to get one. That was the first time I had ever had one. I don't like

taking unneccessary immunizations, I don't trust them. But my sister who was

working with me at the time talked me into it. Sure enough, just a few short

weeks later is when I started having horrible wrist pains and such bad pain

in my feet that I couldn't even let them touch the ground when I sat down

for my breaks. The pain got so bad that I thought I had broken my foot and

ankle somehow without knowing it. Now I'm developing full blown RA. Can

anyone else here remember getting a flu shot before developing the RA? Just

curious. I'm going to tell the rest of my family not to take the shots

anymore, just in case.

_,_._,___

[Guest guest]

Many of my family members get their flu shots every year and none of

them have RA. I took them more than 5 years before I developed it.

There is certainly no connection in my family.

Shirley

> From: [mailto:RA-

SUPPORT ] On

> Behalf Of gonetoday

> Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 12:21 PM

>

> Subject: [ ] RA and Flu Shots

>

>

>

> Hi everyone,

> Been spending all my non-babysitting time researching RA. I came

across a

> post on another news group that grabbed my attention and made me

think. It

> seems a couple people are linking their RA with flu shots

received. When I

> thought about my own case, this was also true for me. The bank I

was working

> for last year was giving out free flu shots, all you had to do was

sign a

> waver to get one. That was the first time I had ever had one. I

don't like

> taking unneccessary immunizations, I don't trust them. But my

sister who was

> working with me at the time talked me into it. Sure enough, just a

few short

> weeks later is when I started having horrible wrist pains and such

bad pain

> in my feet that I couldn't even let them touch the ground when I

sat down

> for my breaks. The pain got so bad that I thought I had broken my

foot and

> ankle somehow without knowing it. Now I'm developing full blown

RA. Can

> anyone else here remember getting a flu shot before developing the

RA? Just

> curious. I'm going to tell the rest of my family not to take the

shots

> anymore, just in case.

>

>

> _,_._,___

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think it is just a coincidence personally. I have been getting my

flu shots for many many years prior to my RA diagnosis as I worked

for a doctor and now of course since the diagnosis they insist on the

flu shot yearly as well as I had my pneumonia shot. I know lots of

people who get their flu shots and have been getting them for years

and they do not have RA. I really don't think there is a link and I

hope that RA patients on this group don't quit their flu shots

because of this. That would be a truly bad idea in my opinion.

Tracie

>

> Hi everyone,

> Been spending all my non-babysitting time researching RA. I came

across a post on another news group that grabbed my attention and

made me think. It seems a couple people are linking their RA with flu

shots received. When I thought about my own case, this was also true

for me. The bank I was working for last year was giving out free flu

shots, all you had to do was sign a waver to get one. That was the

first time I had ever had one. I don't like taking unneccessary

immunizations, I don't trust them. But my sister who was working with

me at the time talked me into it. Sure enough, just a few short weeks

later is when I started having horrible wrist pains and such bad pain

in my feet that I couldn't even let them touch the ground when I sat

down for my breaks. The pain got so bad that I thought I had broken

my foot and ankle somehow without knowing it. Now I'm developing full

blown RA. Can anyone else here remember getting a flu shot before

developing the RA? Just curious. I'm going to tell the rest of my

family not to take the shots anymore, just in case.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree. If flu shots caused RA, very few people would be getting them. In

my opinion, these shots have saved lives and prevented many people from

suffering through miserable illnesses. My last employer provided them

on-site every year at low cost to the employees.

Anyone who recommends to their family that they should not get a flu shot is

doing them a great disservice..IMHO.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of nana2livi

Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 3:09 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: RA and Flu Shots

Many of my family members get their flu shots every year and none of

them have RA. I took them more than 5 years before I developed it.

There is certainly no connection in my family.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

dorthy & shirley hello, i agree we the both of u as well. if that was the case i

would not get the flushot every year.... i have never heard such a crazy thing

like that bfore.hmm, call me crazy but i'll continue to get the shot every year

cuz if i don't & i end up getting the flu, i get it full on & then i not only

have the flu but my ra is worse only due to the aches & pains of already being

sick!! god bless,melyndagamez 9/6/08 2:50p.m.central

[ ] Re: RA and Flu Shots

Many of my family members get their flu shots every year and none of

them have RA. I took them more than 5 years before I developed it.

There is certainly no connection in my family.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

My rheumatologist has always recommended it. I see him on Monday and will

ask his opinion of this, but I can predict what it will be.

Last year while my husband was on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant,

they insisted that he get a flu shot. My friend was on interferon being

treated for hepatitis C and they recommended a flu shot. I don't know

anyone who has ever said that a doctor told them not to get one.

There's no doubt that some people will get sick after a flu shot and no

doubt there's information on the internet to support that theory. There is

information on the internet to support just about anything. If I see a

warning by the FDA or another reputable agency, I'll believe it. Till then,

I'm getting a shot.

Dorothy

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Jolenefive@...

Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 4:01 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: RA and Flu Shots

My doctor told me last year not to get the flu shot. And i did not. If you

research the flu shot

made a lot of people sick .. My rheumy also said not to . Maybe this was a

new york thing im not sure

Jolene

[Guest guest]

hi corlee, y do u think your ra started from a trauma in your neck? just

curious! mine started in my knees... god bless,melyndagamez 9/6/08 3:42p.m.ct..

[ ] Re: RA and Flu Shots

I beleive my RA started from a tramma to my neck. I was not getting flu

shots then--but I would never miss a flu shot now!! I have also gotten

the pneumonia shot. corlee

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

AMEN to that stephanie!!!!!!!!!!!! i just posted a comment about that.god

bless,melyndagamez 9/6/08 3:50p.m.central

[ ] RA and Flu Shots

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 12:20 PM

Hi everyone,

Been spending all my non-babysitting time researching RA. I came across a post

on another news group that grabbed my attention and made me think. It seems a

couple people are linking their RA with flu shots received. When I thought about

my own case, this was also true for me. The bank I was working for last year was

giving out free flu shots, all you had to do was sign a waver to get one. That

was the first time I had ever had one. I don't like taking unneccessary

immunizations, I don't trust them. But my sister who was working with me at the

time talked me into it. Sure enough, just a few short weeks later is when I

started having horrible wrist pains and such bad pain in my feet that I couldn't

even let them touch the ground when I sat down for my breaks. The pain got so

bad that I thought I had broken my foot and ankle somehow without knowing it.

Now I'm developing full blown RA. Can anyone else here remember getting a flu

shot before developing the

RA? Just curious. I'm going to tell the rest of my family not to take the shots

anymore, just in case.

[Guest guest]

I would think immune-compromised folk such as us would be taking a huge risk

by not getting an annual flu shot - the flu virus would make us very sick

indeed, as our immune systems would struggle to fight it.

About 5 years I had the experience of a virus progressing to a bacterial

chest infection that then became pneumonia due to my inability to fight it,

even while on antibiotics - it is the sickest I have ever been in my 42

years.

[Guest guest]

iv'e never had a flu shot and i have RA.

From: gonetoday <gonetoday@...>

Subject: [ ] RA and Flu Shots

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 9:20 AM

Hi everyone,

Been spending all my non-babysitting time researching RA. I came across a post

on another news group that grabbed my attention and made me think. It seems a

couple people are linking their RA with flu shots received. When I thought about

my own case, this was also true for me. The bank I was working for last year was

giving out free flu shots, all you had to do was sign a waver to get one. That

was the first time I had ever had one. I don't like taking unneccessary

immunizations, I don't trust them. But my sister who was working with me at the

time talked me into it. Sure enough, just a few short weeks later is when I

started having horrible wrist pains and such bad pain in my feet that I couldn't

even let them touch the ground when I sat down for my breaks. The pain got so

bad that I thought I had broken my foot and ankle somehow without knowing it.

Now I'm developing full blown RA. Can anyone else here remember getting a flu

shot before developing the

RA? Just curious. I'm going to tell the rest of my family not to take the shots

anymore, just in case.

[Guest guest]

The flu vaccine is the CDC's 'best guess' on what the three most

likely types of flu are to become a problem. It's a needle in a hay

stack, but I would rather take a flu shot than risk getting the flu.

I had the Hong Kong flu as a child, that was the sickest I have even

been by a virus. I do not want to repeat that, and taking a shot once

a year lessens that likelihood, I am all for it. So, I have had

both an actual flu virus, and flu shots way before I was Dx'ed with

RA, I don't see a relation. I think it's just another case of 'some

people' think if we were more 'natural' we wouldn't have RA. Nice and

lovely thought, but hmmm, the logic doesn't work for me.

I got this quote from the CDC's website on the flu vaccine for this

year.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm

"

-Will this year's vaccine protect me against the flu?

The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that

research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.

This year's influenza vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains.

They are:

o A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus;

o A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;

o B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.

The 2008-09 influenza vaccine can protect you from getting sick from

these three viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you get a

related but different strain of flu virus. "

[Guest guest]

Hi There has been some theory that RA starts because of a tramma to the

body; they realy don't know yet but it started two months after a bad

fall. There has never been any in my family before.