27 replies to this topic

[ravenwoodglass]

I never have gotten one and won't this year. I wash my hands a lot and haven't gotten ill since the year I was diagnosed and hope that continues. (knock wood)
I was a bit nervous about catching it when I went back to college and then started working with the public but so far so good.

[BabsV]

I've gotten them religiously every year for over a decade -- ever since a really bad case of the flu knocked me out for 3+ weeks (10 days in bed -- literally could not get up...it scared my room-mate to death at the time!) I do not have a problem with eggs so that's never been a consideration.

Also, after my diagnosis last August one of my doctors gave me the Pneumococcal vaccination which was amazingly painful BUT I did not have either of my winter colds turn into respiratory infections last year. For years any time I would get sick it would move into my chest and then it was always a course of antibiotics plus prednisone on a couple of occasions. And boy do I HATE taking prednisone!

[lovegrov]

I ALWAYS get the flu shot. The last time I didn't was the year that I started with what I think was the flu and then went into my full-blown untreated celiac reaction, which landed me in the hospital for 11 days and out of work for 10 weeks. IOW, I think the flu was what triggered my bad breakdown, although I know I had celiac disease symptoms before that. Anyway, that was the only time in the past 26 years I didn't have one and the only time in 26 years I've had the flu.

richard

[jmb002]

I can't speak for the gluten part of the flu vaccine because I am just starting to wade through all of this (was just diagnosed as having DH last week  ); however, if you are allergic to eggs (you said you were when you were a baby) then you should NOT have the flu shot.  I am in nursing school and that is one of the big things they tell us, but it doesn't seem to pertain to other vaccinations.  I will do some research if you would like, but I wouldn't get the flu vaccine if you are allergic to eggs.  You should probably verify that with your physician to see if he thinks you can, but if it were me I wouldn't.  

Hope that helps .
Jenn

[joolsjewels]

My parents and brother all have either diabetes or RA, but they still get flu shots. Do not ask me why. It seems like the craziest thing to me. They all get sick! I refuse to get a flu shot and have not had the flu since elementary school, knock on wood really hard;). Ya'll can keep your flu shots for all i am concerned.

[squirmingitch]

I can't speak for the gluten part of the flu vaccine because I am just starting to wade through all of this (was just diagnosed as having DH last week ); however, if you are allergic to eggs (you said you were when you were a baby) then you should NOT have the flu shot. I am in nursing school and that is one of the big things they tell us, but it doesn't seem to pertain to other vaccinations. I will do some research if you would like, but I wouldn't get the flu vaccine if you are allergic to eggs. You should probably verify that with your physician to see if he thinks you can, but if it were me I wouldn't.

Hope that helps .
Jenn

There is no gluten in the flu shot.

[burdee]

Years ago I got annual flu shots. However, I always reacted with nausea and gut pain. People told me I got a mild case of 'flu'. Yet I never got the traditional 'flu' symptoms of muscle aches and respiratory distress. 5 years ago my ELISA test results showed I was allergic (IgG mediated) to egg whites. No wonder I reacted badly to flu shots which are cultured in egg whites. I no longer get flu shots. I have NEVER gotten the flu even since I stopped taking flu shots 10 years go.

[kristenloeh]

I need to get the shot since my immune system is so weak. Instead of getting the flu this year, I got Meningitis! *ugh* Gotta love being me!

[lovegrov]

Let me emphasize as well -- there is no gluten in any injectable!!

PS, just got my flu shot 50 minutes ago. Glad to have it.

richard

[GwenO]

I used to avoid it but my job now requires me to have it done. I was quite resistant to getting it but didn't nitice any ill effects.

[josie656]

I always get a flu shot because I have asthma so flu is particularly bad news. A couple of years I got sick after getting it but can't say if it was connected as there were other contraction possibilities. I understand the concerns but on the whole I think it's well worthwhile for anyone at extra risk if they get flu (elderly, low immune, asthmatic etc).

[mushroom]

I always get a flu shot because I have asthma so flu is particularly bad news. A couple of years I got sick after getting it but can't say if it was connected as there were other contraction possibilities. I understand the concerns but on the whole I think it's well worthwhile for anyone at extra risk if they get flu (elderly, low immune, asthmatic etc).

Yeah, that's me, elderly, on imunnosuppressant medication, COPD... they don't come much higher risk than me.

[Mom-of-Two]

I have had the flu vax every year for about 11 years, my hubby was Army so he's had flu vax for like 20 years. Kids get them too. This year not sure on mist vs shot or them, my pediatrician says mist is more effective in children. But live vs killed virus, more side effects and high fever likely so I am on the fence.

Neither of us have ever had side effects, neither of us have had the flu, since getting married 10 years ago. Knock on wood!

My kids are 8 and 4 and luckily never had the flu.