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Flu vaccination for 66 year old patient with NS MCD

Posted by rkndvm @rkndvm, Nov 3, 2020

I am currently off prednisone for Nephrotic Syndrome Minimal Change Disease. My nephrologist is recommending a flu vaccination and I am hesitating as my proteinuria started after my 2019 flu immunization followed by the Pneumococcal Pneumonia vaccine. I am hoping to learn more about what is recommended for patients with likely immune-mediated disease regarding immunizations.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 3, 2020

@rkndvm Welcome to Mayo Connect. I see you are a fairly new member here, and I might have missed greeting you.

Like you, I have kidney issues, and proteinuria caused by a rare disease. There are other health issues, also, and I received my vaccine as early as I could as I was due to start chemotherapy. At age 67, I was given the "older folk" vaccine. I made sure the pharmacist who dosed me, knew of my health issues. He was very informed and assured me it would be fine to receive that version. No aftereffects, which is great!

Here is an article from the Center for Disease Control about flu vaccines, that may ease your concerns. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm&ved=2ahUKEwjqzKn92ObsAhUBqZ4KHQS7CqsQFjAJegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3CALRN1M3Ap4Md92Judl79

How has your proteinuria been in the year since your last flu vaccine/Pneumonia shot? Has it remained high or decreased back to more normal range? It may have been a coincidental with stopping the prednisone. I'll be interested in hearing back from you!
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
rkndvm | @rkndvm | Nov 3, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@rkndvm Welcome to Mayo Connect. I see you are a fairly new member here, and I..." + (show)
@gingerw

@rkndvm Welcome to Mayo Connect. I see you are a fairly new member here, and I might have missed greeting you.

Like you, I have kidney issues, and proteinuria caused by a rare disease. There are other health issues, also, and I received my vaccine as early as I could as I was due to start chemotherapy. At age 67, I was given the "older folk" vaccine. I made sure the pharmacist who dosed me, knew of my health issues. He was very informed and assured me it would be fine to receive that version. No aftereffects, which is great!

Here is an article from the Center for Disease Control about flu vaccines, that may ease your concerns. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm&ved=2ahUKEwjqzKn92ObsAhUBqZ4KHQS7CqsQFjAJegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3CALRN1M3Ap4Md92Judl79

How has your proteinuria been in the year since your last flu vaccine/Pneumonia shot? Has it remained high or decreased back to more normal range? It may have been a coincidental with stopping the prednisone. I'll be interested in hearing back from you!
Ginger

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Thanks for your prompt response! My proteinuria presented in Dec 2019 approximately 6-8 weeks AFTER my immunizations. Prior to that I had enjoyed good health.
I started 55mg oral prednisone after a renal biopsy diagnosis on Jan 4, 2020. My proteinuria responded finally responded in May 2020 showing a low urine Pr/Cr, but returned as soon as I tried to decrease my prednisone dose. Finally, in June, after 3-4 more weeks of high dose pred, my kidneys were no longer passing massive amounts of protein in my urine so I began a very SLOW weaning process. I have not taken prednisone since September 26, 2020. I see my nephrologist in 10 days so will obviously listen to his opinion. I'm assuming I should receive the immunization, but appreciate others in my situation sharing their information. I am 66 YO and have lost a brother to Scleroderma and my mother had RA, so immune-mediated disease is in my gene pool.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 3, 2020
In reply to @rkndvm "Thanks for your prompt response! My proteinuria presented in Dec 2019 approximately 6-8 weeks AFTER my..." + (show)
@rkndvm

Thanks for your prompt response! My proteinuria presented in Dec 2019 approximately 6-8 weeks AFTER my immunizations. Prior to that I had enjoyed good health.
I started 55mg oral prednisone after a renal biopsy diagnosis on Jan 4, 2020. My proteinuria responded finally responded in May 2020 showing a low urine Pr/Cr, but returned as soon as I tried to decrease my prednisone dose. Finally, in June, after 3-4 more weeks of high dose pred, my kidneys were no longer passing massive amounts of protein in my urine so I began a very SLOW weaning process. I have not taken prednisone since September 26, 2020. I see my nephrologist in 10 days so will obviously listen to his opinion. I'm assuming I should receive the immunization, but appreciate others in my situation sharing their information. I am 66 YO and have lost a brother to Scleroderma and my mother had RA, so immune-mediated disease is in my gene pool.

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@rkndvm Please post here wehat your nephrologist says. No doubt what you can share with us will be useful for others, even if there is no response here on the pages. You know, many people read Mayo Connect and you don't have to join anything to read, but never post anything.

You're right, having a tendency towards autoimmune issues myself, knowing you have family with immune-mediated problems we have to be careful.
Ginger

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