flu shots

[Guest guest]

> Just a general question .....what's the consensus on flu shots? I

> myself have never had one, but I also have never had the flu,

(well,

> except for the EBV virus, which is the never-ending flu)....is it

ok

> for us to get them with C.P.? would love some feedback....thanking

> you in advance, sincerely

Speaking for Karyn, her doctor recommends that she definitely get a

yearly flu shot, and also a pnuemovax shot every other year. As is

the case of many folks who have undergone various surgical procedures

on the pancreas, (in Karyn's case, a distal pancreatectomy), they had

to remove her spleen as well, so she is considered to be in the " at

risk " category for opportune viruses like the flu virus, etc. And

being a diabetic, if/when she contracts any kind of virus or other

infection like that, it can wreak havoc on trying to keep her blood

sugars under control.

I've never seen any information anywhere that would indicate that

pancreatitis patients are any more " at risk " for getting a flu shot

than the general population as a whole. As with anything, there are

associated risks with the vaccine, but those risks are minimal, and

don't seem to be any worse for pancreatitis patients than for anyone

else. As long as you are not allergic to eggs (which is the media

used to " grow " the vaccine), it's probably a good idea to get one.

The various strains of the flu virus seem to get more virulent every

year!

--Tull

Assistant Moderator

Pancreatitis Association, Int'l

[Guest guest]

,

I had chronic C P with Pancreas divisum. I had my flu shot on 11-10 and I had

no problems. I think someone else here had posted that they felt it had

aggravated (sp) their pancreas. I didn't have any problems other than what I

already have on a daily basis. My DR was pretty adamant (sp) that I get it

though, he felt it was better to get it than to end up very sick because he

feels anyone with CP is already at a lower resistance to illness so it was

better to try to prevent it.

Simi Valley, CA

Flu shots

[Guest guest]

Interesting that this topic comes up at this time. I got a flu shot in late

October and had no problems. However, I got very ill on last Sat and was so bad

I went to my GP today. Yep it was diagnosed as the flu and I was told I would

feel bad for about a week more. Thank goodness no Panc. is involved so far.

My main problem with the flu was my temperature which peaked at 102.9, and that

is enough to make me feel bad. Oh well, into each life a little rain must

fall. I will get better and better. Plenty of fluids and rest. I think I will

have a little water right now.

I hope you are all blessed today and that none of you get the flu.

Best Wishes, Poncho - GA

[Guest guest]

I will tell you what my PCP told me. You don't want to have the flu and

have that give you a pancreatic attack, and you don't want to be in the

middle of a pancreatic attack and then get the flu. So the flu shot is

a must! I have been getting one for several years now, with no ill effects.

Sandy

sagwa11 wrote:

> Just a general question .....what's the consensus on flu shots? I

> myself have never had one, but I also have never had the flu, (well,

> except for the EBV virus, which is the never-ending flu)....is it ok

> for us to get them with C.P.? would love some feedback....thanking

> you in advance, sincerely

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My doc insists that I get a flu shot. This years season is supposed to be

very bad because of the H3N2 virus. Apparently, this years innoculation does

not exactly match the current virus, but everyone is hoping there will be

cross-immunization.

Jerry/NC

********************************************************

Flu shots

> Just a general question .....what's the consensus on flu shots?

sincerely

[Guest guest]

I will never get a flu shot again. The last time I received a flu shot I

became sicker from the flu than I have ever been. Besides, the flu shot is

going to help prevent you getting the flu for 1 of the 1000's of strain out

there. I have a question. Have any of you here worked at or for an old

folks home. Why when they give the flu shots within a week, do part of the

old folks home end up passing on? Kind of makes you wonder huh? Sorry, I

am a skeptic and I will just leave it at that.......... I personally think

that for the most part I have a great immune system. If I get the flu, I

get the flu.....The odds that the flu shot will help me is way out there...

I hope this finds you and yours well

Mark

Flu shots

> Just a general question .....what's the consensus on flu shots? I

> myself have never had one, but I also have never had the flu, (well,

> except for the EBV virus, which is the never-ending flu)....is it ok

> for us to get them with C.P.? would love some feedback....thanking

> you in advance, sincerely

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Just a general question .....what's the consensus on flu shots?

Hi All,

I was told by my PCP that it was a must, and ever since it came out

for this year he asks me if I had it yet. I did have an acute attack

once that was felt to be the result of a virus recently. It was not

fun!!!

Be Blessed,

Diane H

TN State Rep

[Guest guest]

Actually, Mark, getting the flu helps your immune system stay strong. No

argument here.

Jerry/NC

Re: Flu shots

> I will never get a flu shot again.

> Mark

>

[Guest guest]

Mark

you are not alone. Everytime I have gotten a flu shot in the past I have

gotten the flu real bad where I miss close to a wek of work I havent gotten a

flu shot for several years now and all I usually get is a little achey and a

slight fever with a mild cough but I am stil ablke to function. So no flu shot

for me either. The flu sheot they are giving this year is to protect you from

the flu that went around last year.

[Guest guest]

I am interested in what he has to say about it......We had a great

thanksgiving.....hope you and yours did also

Mark

Re: Flu shots

> Mark,

>

> I am as much of a skeptic as you are on this one. I have never had a flu

shot,

> and I've never had the flu, either. My doctor has signs all over his

office

> saying " Flu Shots Given Here " , yet I've seen him twice since the shots

began

> and he's not suggested that I get one.

>

> Guess I can find out for sure when I see him next week, can't I?

>

> With hope and prayers,

> Heidi

>

> Heidi H. Griffeth

> South Carolina

> SC & SE Regional Rep.

> PAI, Intl.

>

> Note: All comments and advice are personal opinion only, and should

> not be

> should be substituted for a professional medical consultation.

>

>

> Mark wrote:

> > I will never get a flu shot again. The last time I received a flu shot

I became

> sicker from the flu than I have ever been.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't get them anymore. The only two I ever had have given me the

worst cases of flue I've every had. Once I stopped getting the flu

shots, I stopped getting the flu. I usually just up my vitamin C dosage

during the flu season and that seems to work best for me.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Poncho,

I'm so sorry you caught the flu, and after having the flu shot too!

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

It's getting to be " rhyme-city " around here!

Jerry/NC

***********************************

Re: Flu shots

> Poncho,

> I'm so sorry you caught the flu, and after having the flu shot too!

> Kimber

[Guest guest]

you are exactly right.....When I get a flu shot.....I get sick....that is

why I chose not to get one...

I hope this finds you and yours well

Mark

Re: Flu shots

> Mark

> you are not alone. Everytime I have gotten a flu shot in the past I have

> gotten the flu real bad where I miss close to a wek of work I havent

gotten a

> flu shot for several years now and all I usually get is a little achey and

a

> slight fever with a mild cough but I am stil ablke to function. So no flu

shot

> for me either. The flu sheot they are giving this year is to protect you

from

> the flu that went around last year.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just had to reply. We are not all in accordance on this subject. I

wouldn't go withOUT a flu shot. Maybe you missed my post.

Sandy/California

sagwa11 wrote:

> Thank you all for your advice on flu shots!!! Looks like we are all

> in accordance on this subject, NO FLU SHOTS FOR PANCREATITICS!!! Is

> that a word? Thanks again.....love to all, in Chaleston, S.C.

[Guest guest]

Sandy wrote:

>Just had to reply. We are not all in accordance on this subject. I wouldn't

go withOUT a flu shot. Maybe you missed my post.

Sandy,

You are right, of course! There were only a few of us that were opposed to

the flu shots, nearly every one else said they were getting them, or their

doctor's recommended that they should.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments and advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be

should be substituted for a professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Now, when did we settle this subject?? I thought we were having a nice,

civil argument! Oh well, there's just no unsettling some people. :-)

Jerry/NC

******************************************************************

Flu shots

> Thank you all for your advice on flu shots!!! Looks like we are all

> in accordance on this subject, NO FLU SHOTS FOR PANCREATITICS!!! Is

> that a word? Thanks again.....love to all, in Chaleston, S.C.

[Guest guest]

I had my spleen removed along with my pancreas, so I do opt for the

flu shot. It is far better I get a small case of the flu than a full

blown case. I had them off and on before I ever got ill and it never

seemed to matter which way I went. But now for peace of mind of

nothing else I will get them.

thanks,

Bert

> > Thank you all for your advice on flu shots!!! Looks like we are

all

> > in accordance on this subject, NO FLU SHOTS FOR

PANCREATITICS!!! Is

> > that a word? Thanks again.....love to all, in

Chaleston, S.C.

[Guest guest]

Very interesting info.....Glad you sent it. I still am a skeptic though...I

have gotten the flu after getting a Flu shot.....Maybe it was the military

that did it to me.....lol

I hope this finds you and yours well

Mark

Flu Shots

> I worked in an Occupational Health setting and I have probably no

> joke given at least 2,ooo flu shots a season. It was my

> responsibility to go to all the factories in our area and give flu

> shots. Plus I went to all the schools and gave to the teachers, bus

> drivers, banks, grocery stores (their employees not shoppers) plus I

> administered them to people at our hospital and there family

> members. I can assure that there is NO WAY the flu shot can give you

> the flu. It is made from a DEAD virus. If you get sick after

> recieving the shot you were getting sick any way. Now adverse

> reactions are another thing, it is possible to have sore muscle

> after recieving the injection, people that have alleric reaction to

> egg should not recieve the injections, there is a rare neurological

> syndrome that has occurred after recieiving the flu shot and some

> people have gotten after having a virus, but again those are adverse

> side effects. I have seen the advertisements for the nasally

> administered flu immunization now that is a LIVE virus like

> recieving measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Any LIVE virus has the

> ability to make one ill, even close family members because the LIVE

> virus can be shed, and those with weak immune systems such as those

> on chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatments, people with

> HIV,or those on long term or high dose steroids. Hope this does away

> with the myths and superstitions regarding Flu vaccine, the vaccine

> is not intended to provide complete immunity it will help lessen the

> severity of infection and hopefully not last as long. Also it is

> only a prediction of what the CDC estimates what influenza virus'

> will be a problem that year they are worked on a year in advance

> they contain usually influneza a and b and yes there are

> potientially hundreds of different influenza virus'. A little

> education about what is confusing subject helps all to understand

> the facts. R. Atwell LPN

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If you were getting your shots in the military the same time *I*

was...mid 1970's...I believe the flu shots then were live virus...

so getting the flu was an expected side effec...you just got a

milder version of it...after getting out of the mililtary I hated

taking the flu shots for years too...but now that I catch every

little thing that comes down the pike and after missing a week of

work the first year we lived in Seattle, I am faithful about taking

my flu shot and I have stayed healthy !

I finally asked my doc if our daughter couldn't PLEASE take the flu

shot after missing a week of school EVERY winter for something like

5 years in a row...and I would have to take time from work to stay

home with her...she was 15 at the time and he said it would be safe

for her to take it. She is 21 now and has not missed a single day

of school or work since for the flu ! Great testimony !

Jeannine

I have gotten the flu after getting a Flu shot.....Maybe it was the

military> that did it to me.....lol Mark

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

> From: " lrsmith84 " <LR96@a...>

>

>

> > I worked in an Occupational Health setting and I have probably no

> > joke given at least 2,ooo flu shots a season. . I can assure

that there is NO WAY the flu shot can give you

> > the flu. It is made from a DEAD virus.

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Just a couple of thoughts about flu shots or actually just the flu or just

disease.

One of the recent health problems for the world was in 1918-1919. It was

estimated that over twenty-million people died from the flu. The " Spanish Flu. "

In

the USA, some cities were brought to a standstill due to the sickness and

death. Seven hundred deaths daily in Philadelphia, PA. I once worked with an old

guy who remembered that the casket manufacturing company across the street

from his boyhood home kept him awake by operating 24/7. I once heard a guy from

the Atlanta CDC say that there would be one like this again, with the flu it

was only a matter of time and conditions.

Just a thought.

And remember that the main purpose of a " flu shot " is not to protect the

person getting the shot. The main purpose of the " flu shot " is to help erect a

physical barrier to the spread of and extent of a disease that is known that it

WILL occur in a given population no matter what is done.

The greater protection is for your many neighbors that will not get the " flu "

because you won't transmit it to them. That's just the way it is with all

immunizations, even small pox over time. How many folks on this board have

" small

pox vaccination " scars? If you don't have one, it's because we do have one.

Now there's a kinky link to success.

To all a good night, may sugar plum ferries dance in your dreams.

Best Wishes, Poncho - GA

[Guest guest]

,

Very well put, great explanation. The more informed everyone is, the better

they can decide if they want to take the flu shot or not. My mom's physician

told me last week that soon it will be too late to take the shot. Apprently it

takes a few weeks to start working ? So he encouraged her to take it within the

next week. I don't know how accurrate that is, but you did a great job of

explaining. Thanks !

Lily from Ohio

Flu Shots

I worked in an Occupational Health setting and I have probably no

joke given at least 2,ooo flu shots a season. It was my

responsibility to go to all the factories in our area and give flu

shots. Plus I went to all the schools and gave to the teachers, bus

drivers, banks, grocery stores (their employees not shoppers) plus I

administered them to people at our hospital and there family

members. I can assure that there is NO WAY the flu shot can give you

the flu. It is made from a DEAD virus. If you get sick after

recieving the shot you were getting sick any way. Now adverse

reactions are another thing, it is possible to have sore muscle

after recieving the injection, people that have alleric reaction to

egg should not recieve the injections, there is a rare neurological

syndrome that has occurred after recieiving the flu shot and some

people have gotten after having a virus, but again those are adverse

side effects. I have seen the advertisements for the nasally

administered flu immunization now that is a LIVE virus like

recieving measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Any LIVE virus has the

ability to make one ill, even close family members because the LIVE

virus can be shed, and those with weak immune systems such as those

on chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatments, people with

HIV,or those on long term or high dose steroids. Hope this does away

with the myths and superstitions regarding Flu vaccine, the vaccine

is not intended to provide complete immunity it will help lessen the

severity of infection and hopefully not last as long. Also it is

only a prediction of what the CDC estimates what influenza virus'

will be a problem that year they are worked on a year in advance

they contain usually influneza a and b and yes there are

potientially hundreds of different influenza virus'. A little

education about what is confusing subject helps all to understand

the facts. R. Atwell LPN

[Guest guest]

Poncho...you always write such thoughtful e-mails ! I proudly wear

my smallpox " scar " ...thought I would even go thorough the next

immunixation round when there was talk of it a year or so back in

the same breath with " terrorism " ...wanted to do " my part " ...In the

distant past I have stoutly stood and gotten my shots like the

oldest sibling " should " with a brave smile on my face so the younger

ones would not be frightened...and I still get my immunizations when

I ought...and even had to all but " beg " for my pneumonia vaccine in

2000 because according to the shot givers I wasn't " old " enough...

geez...it sure was nice to hear THOSE words when fast approaching 50

(which I will never see agian !)...but I had been advised to get my

injection early since I had already had one bout of pneumonia and I

didn't need to tackle anymore....

so okay...all the serious stuff aside and because I live in Western

Washington and we have those traveling vessels that connect the

islands around here I got rather tickled at the vision of sugarplum

" ferries " ...traveling vessels upon the water!...dancing in our heads

....as opposed to the **Fairies** I am most certain you meant !!!

grins and giggles...

Jeannine

> To all a good night, may sugar plum ferries dance in your dreams.

> Best Wishes, Poncho - GA

[Guest guest]

After reading the posts on Flu Shots, I did some web research and

found one interesting item.

First, I've found that if I had gotten a flu shot, it usually

worked. I got the flu. So, I stopped getting them after they made

me get them through the public school system.

The interesting item was from WebMD, where they recommended sauna!

They found that going into a sauna three times a week drastically

reduced chances of getting the flu. The theory is that the

extremely warm air going through your system actually killed the

germs and reduced the chances of getting the flu.

I have CP, nearly died three times from it. Since then, it seems

any time someone gets a cold or a sore throat around me, I get it,

too.

Suddenly, a membership at an establishment with a sauna sounds good

to me.

[Guest guest]

any excuse will do huh? I have a membership to Bally's because

I cannot live (well slight exaggeration!) without the hot tub !

Ihave a chronic pain conditon called fibromyalgia and the warm water

swirling around just plain makes the muscles hurt less...and there

seems to be some residual effect because I can tell the weeks when

I've been more regular about getting in the tub versus the ones

where I haven't !

So I say GO FOR IT ! I love the access to the whirlpool. AND....

then there is always access to anything else you might be up to

doing...even if only walking the track indoors where it's a warm,

comfortable climate and dry...or riding a bike without fear of being

run over by speeding vehicles...and YOU can decide how much exercise

your system can handle.....Bally's is great...or one like it that is

close enough you might actually take advantage of it...I am within

ten minutes of two different Bally's and only 5-7 minutes further to

the third one...

Good luck...

Jeannine

I prefer the steam room to the sauna...but each to his/her own...

--- In pancreatitis , " bpotter53153 " <bobpotter@w...>

> Suddenly, a membership at an establishment with a sauna sounds

good > to me.