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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 7 hours ago | Replies (6813)Comment receiving replies
Victorious69 Hello group. Not been on Mayo Connect for some time, but I want to start a discussion on this year's flu shot. Not sure which group I should pop into. I know that no one is to give medical advise as to whether or not to get this years flu shot. I never get a flu shot, because I have Fibromyalgia and my body would attempt to attack my body overkill. I'm just asking your personal experience and how you came by your decision OK?
The CDC and the media are making a massive plea to get flu shots while there is still time. Death tolls are rising, and this is a particularly dangerous strain. I research and this is what I know and why I;m asking your experience: My husband and I are flying sometime in February (peak season for the flu) a one hour flight with friends from San Jose to North Los Vegas. . I also know that some componets like mercury may stay in your body and some vaccines do not contain any mercury. The deaths of two healthy victims in California got the flu shot and died anyway. CDC says only vaccine is only 30 percent down to maybe 10 percent effective against the 3 strains H1N1 and others and may help to make the influenza less dangerous. Being on a plane load of people and virus germs that can live forever on the back of the plane seat cushions, leaves me feeling not very brave.
I am 70 years old this month, have Fibromyalgia, CSF( Epstein Barr) among other ailments. I choose not to get the flu shot as I have believed it would cause my overactive immune system to do just that: overreact. My doctor leaves the decision up to me.
Some neighbors and friends did get the flu shot and got very sick anyway. One couple flew by plane to India over Christmas vacation 16+ hours in not the best circulated air on plane.Husband got the flu shot and got very sick anyway going to India. And got it again flying back. The wife did not take the flu shot and did not get the flu from her husband, Normally I would not be concerned: I am prone to bronchitis every other year or so and take an inhaler for ashma during allergy season. Cough continues for 3 months. I only got two bad flus: in my life:, the Spanish Flu,and the swine flu. Thought I would never stop throwing up. CDC now says that breath molecules can travel through the air just by breathing:not even propelled by a cough or sneeze. Ain;t that encouraging. đ
So what has been your expererince so far and how you came by your decision.? I will probably wear a mask on the plane and at the casino where we'll go to have a special dinner .for my birthday. Sorry question is so long..........
Replies to "Victorious69 Hello group. Not been on Mayo Connect for some time, but I want to start..."
Dear virtuous69---re. your post about FLU SHOTS and your evident anxiety over the issue of vaccination: I'm 78 and have heard all the alarm about this since the Swine Flu scare, et al. My experience? I've gotten vaccinated every year since the vaccine has been available and have yet to experience any harmful effects. I have Fibromyalgia, OA, Gall Bladder DX, Hernia, Depression, and much more. Flu shots have not had any effect on my numerous medical problems. Therefore, I'm pleased to have received protection with my yearly Flu Shot..................................I hope my experience gives you some peace and quietude.
Kind regards, Jeanne
Hello @virtuous69 -- I ran across an old discussion on vaccines on the link below and it may be a great place to get more input. I had similar concerns and asked a few questions and received some good answers.
Vital Vaccines - Mayo Clinic:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vital-vaccinations-mayo-clinic/bookmark/?ajax_hook=action&_wpnonce=029bdcf6fa
John
here's another goodie. i got the flu shot but, should i get the pneumonia shot? along with RA and PA i have COPD, sleep apnea, restless leg, diabetes, hypothyroidism high blood pressure, angina, etc, etc. have been putting it off. would appreciate.
Dear Peach, It should be a "no brainer" when one has COPD---that getting the pneumonia vaccine is of paramount importance. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING-?......................Excuse my adamance, but I'm gob-smacked with your unschooled qualms.
Of course you should especially with all your lung problems you want to protect your lungs and heart
Yes, my dear, you should without any doubt get that pneumonia vaccine. Make haste to your nearest pharmacy or at a doctors visit.
đ
Lynne
And YOU, @jeannegordon4, need to settle down and be courteous to other members. Not only was that rude, but the idea of forums like this one is so that people wonât feel intimidated about asking important questions. You insulted @peach414144 at several turns, and for no good reason. Yes, itâs important that she get that vaccine. No, she is not âno-brainedâ nor unschooled, and that much is obvious.
We are also here for mutual support, to the degree that we are able to give it from one day to the next. Reconsider the kind of response you might give, next time you are gob-smacked.
I see youâve been thinking a lot about the flu situation especially with regard to your birthday celebration coming up in Las Vegas. It also looks to me like you may be under some misapprehensions about certain aspects of influenza. Iâm glad you thought to ask about them. I might ask your doc about all these if I were you; heck, even bring him/her your letter above so each thing can be addressed by a pro.
First, I surely hope you can go on your plane ride and enjoy your trip worry free, with just a few sensible precautions (AFTER you get your flu shot).
â˘Get ANTI-VIRAL masks, not the regular ones at the drugstore. Ask the pharmacy folks where they are.
â˘Get small bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer to have with you, and use it often.
This is how long viruses live on various surfaces, according to :
âFlu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses can survive on tissues for only 15 minutes. Like cold viruses, infectious flu viruses survive for much shorter periods on the hands.â So, please worry less about that. Just wear your mask, sanitize your hands on the plane, and realize that a 1-hour flight is very short.
(The Spanish Flu has been extinct since 1918 or so, and vomiting with influenza is rare except with very young children. Itâs a respiratory illness, not GI. It mightâve been the flu when you had vomiting, but thatâs not the primary symptom.)
Fibromyalgia isnât an autoimmune illness, fortunately, so your fears about your body overreacting are likely unfounded. But ASK YOUR DOC. (I have fibromyalgia; they always have me get the flu shot, plus the pneumonia one.)
I surely hope youâll get all necessary reassurances and instructions from your healthcare folks. Itâs hard enough to have these ailments without unanswered concerns stealing joy from your special trip and birthday celebration. Iâll be thinking of you next month and your nice trip; hope youâll write in and tell us how it was!
XO
Lynne
Dear lynn, when a poster initiates with a flippant statement---"here's another goodie", that I find hard to take seriously and feel is not taking this forum seriously---I'm going to let them know how I feel about their frivolousness. THE POST WAS INSULTING, NOT MY RESPONSE...At my age (78) I don't have time for silliness......I've live "settled down" too long.
Jeanne
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Be careful with all your conditions think hard about it.Mask of course.Maybe there's other preventions you can take .Your Dr.Will be able to help you.