Addison's Disease Support Group

Jeep,

Due to my job I'm required to get the flu shot every year. The flu shot is a dead virus, so from what I understand, if you get sick after the shot it's because you already have the infection. I have not had any issues with getting the flu shot other than a little soreness for 24 hrs at the injection site. I would NOT recommend the flu-mist that is administered through your nose because it IS a live virus. I've had several colds during the past few years, but I haven't had the flu since 2004.

If you are in doubt, I recommend you discuss the issue with your endo or PCM.

Hi, J! I just got my flu shot yesterday. I plan on having the h1n1 also. I've never had a flu shot in my life, and I have never had the flu. My primary doc and endo recommended both the flu shot and the h1n1 shot - when it's available. My feeling is that I don't want to get the flu and end up in the hospital! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works out. Good luck to you!

Jules,

Check out this link if you decide to use antiviral medication this seasontamiflu.com/getting/counterfeit.aspx." title="http://www.tamiflu.com/getting/counterfeit.aspx." target="_blank"> http://www.tamiflu.com/getting/cou... It is my understanding that there are a lot of counterfeit drugs on the market that is causing concern within the medical community.

Hi Jeep,
Got my flu and pneumovax last Monday. I always feel a little off after getting it, achey, nothing major. I guess I told you all that on the message the other day. Without a spleen, I've gotten them for yrs. The h1N1, I'm debating. like I said, I get somwhat ill after the shot, which some people do. It's not the flu though. I've been in the hospital many times with flu complications. I'd asked the 1 Endo dr her opinion. I don't think she understood, (wasn't listening probably) :( She said she didn't know if they'll have them there this yr. ?? My PA I'd told I didn't know abt it. he said he really isn't sure himself. My niece they suspect had it 2 weeks ago. She lives a few hrs away, and has a business in a mall. She's never sick. Had a bad sore throat, really congested, head and then her chest.
Started running a fever. Had chills, and achey all over.. Lasted for abt a week. She's fine now. But hadn't gotten into a Dr till the worst was over. Her Dad tried to tell her it sounded like the flu, but she insisted it was a cold. Back to work and fine, but really knocked her for a loop.
I'd given you that link to the nadf.us. The head Dr there, ( I forget his position ), has an article abt people with adrenal insufficiencies, ( whatever they might be) definately need this H1N1 shot. Again I'm not so sure. But again I'm not convinced it's completely safe. I'd really struggle if I had to decide to take it if I were pregnant, or have my children have it. I know the necessity, and it thus far has appeared safe.... I just don't know. long term, whose to say.
I'd e-mailed a good friend who we've lost touch since I moved here, and she was diagnosed with cancer. just gotten her citizenship, and had married a neighbor of mine. Has a manager's job in a chain store. In 07 they found her first tumor. Has had 2 in her lungs and 2 in her brain. She's going to Hershey for I think she said the gamma knife, ( ? ) another tumor has grown back in her head. I'm awful memory. Now she just started another round of chemo. In 21 days she has another. This time they'd also found a spot on her adrenal gland. The chemo's to kill off any other cells somewhere. then they'll remove her adrenal. Weird because she's had pituatary disease, and thyroid. I'd gone to canada with her a few yrs back, to see her Dr and get her medication. The reason I got off course here, is she's worked the whole time. She had to, she's the one with the health ins. her husband had lost his job selling cars last Oct. and frankly never did contribute much I'm sorry to say, so she has no choice. The gamma knife alone will be 68,000. She'll need to pay 1900. That's just a base figure. She's missed a few days here and there. After the chemo was so very sick. She was back at work yesterday. Had taken 3 days off. I worry abt her and these flu's. She's working with the public everyday. And where I am and she works there's lots of Amish, who don't believe in shots for flu. She mentioned if she were still in canada there would be no bill. But at the same time, she would have had to wait for lord knows how long. Her mother died waiting for approval. 3 yrs, it was approved a week before she died.
There's cases over the mountain at Penn State. And a few weeks back, a college team had played them with many with flu symptoms, but they came anyway. Same with the NFL teams. So it's spreading everywhere. Other than lock yourself in the house and be a hermit, we'll be exposed. 2 yrs ago when I was getting my injections, the needle with the flu vaccine came apart. Squirted on my face, ( I always have to watch) some on her . I guess they were faulty. But most was in, but not all. So I got another one. I joked because it was the first yr I didn't get the flu.

Why are my reply's so blasted long? Ohhh, prob won't post all.

I was wondering if it was OK for me to get the Flu shot.....My Endo told me to never get any kind of vaccine, that it would be harmful to me because of the poor immune system, thanks to Addison's. But now I am confused, if some of you are getting the vaccine, then why can't I? We all have Addison's Disease and bad immune systems.

I just asked my new endocrinologist ( the doctor at Duke Univ) about the flu shot. She said I DO need to get one since I am in 2 high risk groups ( the Ai and working in the medical field). I will be getting one soon. Could not get it yesterday at my GP office visit since I am getting over a bug, so have to wait until I am done with this.

FightingA,
I would recommend you get clarification from your endo. You SHOULD be getting vaccines. Vaccines is how your body gets the benefit of immunity without getting the full blown disease. One important point of consideration when getting vaccines: you should avoid getting the flu-mist/nasal vaccines because they are weakened live viruses. Injections on the other hand are dead viruses and should be generally safe.

I got my flu shot last month and I'm waiting for the swine flu vaccine to be available. My entire family is getting injected vaccinations because I'm considered high risk due to my AD. I probably should look into the pneumonia shot too....

Generally speaking, most docs are going to recommend flu shots. That being said, there are quite a few who argue against them. THe seasonal shot is based on their best guess of which strains of virus are going to be prevelant. Sometimes they guess wrong and the vaccine is worthless. THe new H1N1 vaccine has been thrown together in a big hurry, and personally I will not get it. Who knows if it is even effective. It has not been properly researched and tested. My doctor does not believe in flu shots and advises me against them. I have never had one.

As for the H1N1 flu, it is a serious for people that are elderly or very young, and the immune compromised like people with AIDS. It is just a viral bug like the influenza that goes around every year and kills thousands and thousands of people. The press is making a circus out of it. The CDC does not recommend even treating it if you are between 5 and 65. It will run its course.

I think each of us has to decide for ourselves if we want to get the shots or not. You can get whatever opinion you would like to get if you ask enough clinicians.