Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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karla1988 10/26/2013

I was diagnosed a year ago. About two weeks ago I came down with a terrible sinus infection. I went to the dr immediately. My dr put me on an antibiotic and I got a flu shot that same day. I have felt so exhausted and weak ever since. I've had to take off of work and my dr put me in for 5 rounds of plasmapheresis hoping that will give me a jump start. I'm almost too weak to drive to it. Any recommendations????? This is no quality of life whatsoever.

barb4serenity 10/26/2013

Quality of life.....MG does put some barriers! It more than stinks. Sorry you are going through this. I am NOT a dr. But I do not think you should ever get the flu shot if you show any signs of being ill!!! AND do you & your MD have the list of what medications NOT to ever take if you have MG (that includes many antibiotics)??? You can find the list online & I believe that the MG Foundations website has the list. Print it, keep one w/you & give a copy to ALL your docs. I hope the plasmapharesis helps quickly.....Barb.

deleted_user 10/26/2013

Before I was diagnosed with MG I would get the flu shot and always ended up sicker than a dog. I have not had the flu shot since. I'm afraid of what it would do to my body now that my immune system is weaker.....hope the plasmapheresis gets you back on the road again!

annkemp 10/26/2013

If you are well enough to be here you will be ok.
So sorry to hear.
I would get new doc.

karla1988 10/27/2013

Yes I've been saying I need a new MD for a long time. I guess this was my breaking point.

ahpotts72 10/27/2013

I'm sorry that you aren't feeling well. Having said that, getting the flu shot when there are signs of infection is bad, bad, bad! I can only imagine how ill you must be feeling. Your doctor should know better. The literature for the flu vaccine clearly states that you should not get the flu shot if you are ill or if you have any signs of infection. I got my flu shot about 2 weeks ago and fortunately, there was no physical response to it for me. I was thrilled to death that even though others had complained about how sore there arms were the next day, mine was just fine. I didn't feel a thing when she gave the shot and not one bit afterward either. I was impressed.

Anyway, for future information just know that you shouldn't get the shot if you are feeling the least bit sick or infected with something. Make sure that you are nice and healthy (as much as a person with MG can be) when you go in for the shot.

I hope the treatments work. Please give us an update on your progress when you get the chance. Hugs to you!!
Angie

annkemp 10/27/2013

I was told by my neuro not to get the flu shot. But...I am wondering sometimes if he just meant the live vaccine and that it would be ok if I got the dead one.
I do work really hard to prevent myself from getting it and husband gets it ...more for me than himself.

TBreak 10/27/2013

Karla, hang in there. I've never had a flu shot in my life, and never will. My wife gets one every year and always gets the flu-bad.

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