Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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wisconsinteacher 08/21/2013

Last winter I got the flu vaccine and did fine with it. Neuro was fine with me getting it. I went for my usual physical on Monday and was flagged to get the pneumonia vaccine because of a chronic health condition(MS) and my age I assume. It is highly recommended for many chronic illnesses and for older people.

The sheet about it sounded fine, less than 1% have a more severe reaction. Well, I have been bedridden with high fevers since the shot on Monday morning. Maybe this is a small price to pay for protection. I got the stomach flu last winter and was really sick, so I think a bout with pneumonia might do me in. The sheet said certain strains of pneumonia are no longer responsive to antibiotics, so it's pretty serious and I knew that, but this reaction has been incapacitating and nasty.

Anyone have experience with vaccines, opinions, and what does your Neuro say?

bleedinblue 08/21/2013

I have done vaccines for flu every fall and have had pneumonia vaccine also. I have not experienced any side effects hope you get to feeling better.

ChrissyH 08/21/2013

I get the flu vaccine every Fall. It has kept the flu away expect 2 years ago I got a horrible case of the flu. I think that I had just worn my body down so much at work that year. In 2004 when I was dx I was told to also get the pneumonia vaccine. I had such a terrible reaction to it, similar to yours. Because of that I refused to get it again.

wisconsinteacher 08/21/2013

Thanks. Doc said this was an inflammatory response as my body builds antibodies which she said was a "good thing". My arm was so sore at the injection site, I couldn't move it for the past few days. Right now, I am alternating Ibpro and Tylenol every four hours to manage the fever as just taking one wasn't managing the fevers. Also, both the flu and pneumonia are killed vaccines. The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, so not planning to get that one.

princessgwenda 08/21/2013

For me, I avoid a flu shot ALWAYS NOW because I get bad side-effects from the vaccine, much like what you described here. It feels like they GAVE me the whole flu to try to see if it would kill me!

Years before I was diagnosed and was a "healthy" teenager, I went with my mom and paid the 10$ to get the shot without thinkin a thing of how I was soooooo sick for the next 3 weeks!!! All the Dr.s told me, "It must be a BAD cold that is botherin me, Take extra vitamin C..." Now it is in my chart at the general Dr. to GET the flu-vaccine because MS is a chronic illness... I WILL NOT allow them to inject me with the flu vaccine, even though they try to convince me it will help. The pneumonia one, I will accept the injection every 8-10 years. NOT the flu one! It makes me SICK!!!
My neuro told me YEARS ago that, that is a perfectly OK thing for me to avoid making myself sick; some people are very sensitive!

wisconsinteacher 08/22/2013

I agree, Princess, if I had to go through this every year....no way! Luckily the the pneumonia shot won't come up for a few years again and I'm not sure what I will do at that point. I am still running low grade fevers as of today(Thurs.) and would not have been able to work or have anything planned on my schedule. I will have to plan for a week of nothing in the future, yikes! Waiting to see if my MS is irritated from it. They do push it at the doctors, so if you have evidence of these bad reactions, you at least have an argument. Planning a scheduled illness every year is so hard when you are already dealing with so much. Thanks! Take care.

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