About The Flu Shot....

[Fish Chris]

I actually started, and have been involved in, two really long, and thoughtful threads having to do with whether or not "I" should get the flu shot, with my special circumstances {FibroMyalgia for 26 years}. These threads were on the Fibro forum, and the health and fitness forum which I visit regularly.

In a nutshell, I've decided that for myself, no. I will continue to skip the flu shots > and this, after getting the worst Flu I have had, in at least 17 years, 5 days ago ! Broke the fever yesterday though, and thinking I might just survive

 

Fortunately for most of you, Fibromyalgia is not something which you would have to consider, when deciding on a flu shot.

 

But check this out ! Have you ever heard of Guilaine Barre Syndrome ??? This is a very rare condition which can happen after receiving the flu shot. It typically causes anywhere from partial, to complete body paralysis, and since it can involve the heart and lungs, is sometimes fatal. I think the odds are 1 in about 100,000. Very slim, right ? To be totally honest, more people die from complications of the flu, than from contracting GBS after a flu shot. Hence the reason I say that "for most of you" Yes ! Get the flu shot.

 

That said, I live in a town of about 100,000, and guess what ? My next door neighbor was that lucky 1 in 100,000 !!! He got GBS after receiving the flu shot, and nearly died from it ! Was on a respirator for weeks ! Paralyzed for months ! Only good thing is, after 1 year, he had just about recovered 100%.... physically. However, he told me, being totally paralyzed, on life support machines, and having to have somebody else wipe your a$$ for you, can tend to mess you up pretty bad, psychologically speaking. I can only imagine.

 

Anyway, when my neighbor told me about all of this a couple years ago, I went online and found several cases of the same sort of thing, but I had no idea that the CDC actually admitted that the flu shot sometimes causes Guilaine Barre Syndrome....

Then yesterday, I found this on the CDC website !

 

> listed under, people who should not get Flu shots:

•People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine.

 

Excuse me, but isn't this like saying, "If you got the flu shot, then contracted GBS, became paralyzed, placed on a ventilator, and almost died, maybe you should not get the flu shot again. No ! Really ???

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, like I say, I know more people probably die from complications of the Flu, than they do from getting GBS after a flu shot. So if I were you, I'd probably still get the flu shot. Just wanted you to know about the slim possibility of GBS when deciding for yourself.

 

Peace,

Fish

 

PS, A lady who lives straight across the street from me has also had Fibro for decades. She had been doing a little better with her symptoms through proper diet and exercise up until about 5 years ago. She then got a flu shot. With a few days she contracted Bells Palsy (causes paralysis of the face) Never fatal. Just makes it hard to talk or eat without drooling sometimes, and typically goes away completely in a several weeks, to 1 year.

The really bad thing for this lady, was that her Fibro came back 10 fold, and now she is really just a crippled mess Nice lady too. This really sucks.

 

This ^ is my biggest reason for NOT getting the flu shot. After being as blessed as I have been to knock my Fibro nearly completely out, I'm not going to do anything which I see even a remote chance of bringing my Fibro back ! Can you blame me ?

[J Francho]

I've been getting a flu shot for 8 years.  Haven't had the flu in at least that many years.  I guess it offers about 80% resistance to all the strains out there.  For the past two years, I also get a pneumonia shot.  Never had it, but since I'm a Type 1 diabetic, it can't hurt.

[Bassn Blvd]

I don't blame you a bit. I have minor heart problems that prevent me from taking most over the counter drugs such as Nyquil, cold & cough syrups, dicongestants. Anything over the counter that I'm allowed to take doesn't work, such as Tylenol or advil, haha. I haven't taken meds for sinus, colds or flu in YEARS.  Sinus headaches with runny, snotty nose is the worst

 

I've never had the flu shot. I might be okay getting one, but never asked my cardiologist. I pretty much curl up in the fetal position with the t.v remote in my hands and sweat it out whenever I get it. Sometimes I go a year or two without getting the flu and sometimes I get it back to back.

[preach4bass]

We had a lady in the Church who got GBS from the flu shot two years ago.  She is only about 75% recovered physically, and the doctors say she's as good as she's going to be.  I live in a town of 100, not 100,000.  Scary.

[wnybassman]

Funny this thread came up, we've been doing a lot of reading about flu shots lately.   I have never had one, my wife has had a few over the years (with no real benefit)

 

http://www.bewellbuzz.com/general/10-reasons-flu-shots-dangerous-flu/

[Bankbeater]

I have never had a flu shot and probably never will.

[roadwarrior]

I have never had a flu shot and probably never will.

  

I never miss a flu shot and never will. I had the bug in 1972 which just about did me and

several friends in. We were on Spring Break at Vail. The first guy went down and we laughed.

When I went down I really didn't care if I lived or died. I would never go through that again if I

can prevent it.

[Glenn]

I've had the flu shot twice, and immediately came down with the flu the next day both times.

 

I've never had one since!

[tomustang]

I am lucky to not get the flu and as someone with myalgia I'm glad I don't.

 

One of my friends though (talks to much) is a scientist and keeps going on how I'm still vulnerable to rarer strands, I don't want to hear that, fingers crossed.

[tomustang]

I've had the flu shot twice, and immediately came down with the flu the next day both times.

 

I've never had one since!

Same thing happened to my wife, but she ended up getting it the third time (huge flu scare going around) and didn't get sick.

[Fish Chris]

Tom, your a braver man than I am ! 

Best of luck to both of us, right ?

 

Peace,

Fish

[preach4bass]

I've had the flu shot twice, and immediately came down with the flu the next day both times.

 

I've never had one since!

 

I've read/heard that the vaccine dosn't take effect until two weeks after the shot is given, and that it cannot give you the flu since the virus is "dead".  Yet, a lot of people get the shot, then immediately come down with the flu.  Coincidence?  I wish I knew.

[tomustang]

Tom, your a braver man than I am ! 

Best of luck to both of us, right ?

 

Peace,

Fish

[NorcalBassin]

Definitely a divisive subject. I am a non-believer in the flu shot... studies that happen to not be funded by the pharmaceutical companies tend to show that the shot is ineffective. A Cochrane Review last year showed that when the known strain is placed in a petri dish with the vaccine, it is only effective 1/30 times. With the shotgun approach for the "most likely strains" currently used, they estimated that the flu shot prevents the flu from developing 1 out of 100 times. The pharmaceutical companies' response... wait for it... those people needed another injection (despite no documented efficacy whatsoever). There are a handful of groups that should potentially get the vaccine (especially those that feel that it works- the brain is incredibly powerful), but washing your hands and keeping them from your face, exercising, eating healthy, and getting some sunshine are all equally or more effective than the shot.

 

My biggest question is this... if the flu vaccine is more widespread than ever (even mandatory in a lot of places), then why are we dealing with more and more cases? The answer is not more vaccines, it's being proactive and responsible for your own health (as a society). If the shot truly worked like they make it out to, I would be much more likely to get it. The tenacity behind the vaccine appears to be more about the billion dollar vaccine rights than public health.

[MyKeyBe]

^{Never get the flu shot and hardly ever get the flu. My wife had the flu shot about 15 years ago because it was free through her employer. Made her alergic to eggs for 5-6 years and eggs still give her an upset stomach to this day. Guess where the vaccines are grown? In eggs. Just something else to think about.}

[SuskyDude]

I've never had a flu shot and I never will.

 

I haven't had the flu in 15+ years.

[Al Wolbach]

I'm really surprised at the number of you that don't take the shot. I understand if there are medical reasons for not taking it but I had the flu once and I made myself a promise to try and prevent it in the future. I have not missed a shot in at least 40 years...And I have been sick but not like that first time.............Al

[Fish Chris]

Ya' know Al, as I explained about myself, I believe I do have those special medical reasons for not taking it......

 

But even aside from my different circumstances, I really have to agree with NorCalBassn's post >

 

 

Definitely a divisive subject. I am a non-believer in the flu shot... studies that happen to not be funded by the pharmaceutical companies tend to show that the shot is ineffective. A Cochrane Review last year showed that when the known strain is placed in a petri dish with the vaccine, it is only effective 1/30 times. With the shotgun approach for the "most likely strains" currently used, they estimated that the flu shot prevents the flu from developing 1 out of 100 times. The pharmaceutical companies' response... wait for it... those people needed another injection (despite no documented efficacy whatsoever). There are a handful of groups that should potentially get the vaccine (especially those that feel that it works- the brain is incredibly powerful), but washing your hands and keeping them from your face, exercising, eating healthy, and getting some sunshine are all equally or more effective than the shot.

 

My biggest question is this... if the flu vaccine is more widespread than ever (even mandatory in a lot of places), then why are we dealing with more and more cases? The answer is not more vaccines, it's being proactive and responsible for your own health (as a society). If the shot truly worked like they make it out to, I would be much more likely to get it. The tenacity behind the vaccine appears to be more about the billion dollar vaccine rights than public health.

 

 

On the other hand Al, if you have been taking them for 40 years without issue, your odds are probably better than most, that you could have them every year for the rest of your life, and never have any issues.....

Now, whether or not they will actually prevent any hard-core flu.... Ehhh. Maybe.

 

Peace,

Fish

[J Francho]

I was told the flu shot is 80% effective.  So, one in five may get the flu, even after getting the shot.

[Darren.]

Top it off, down here in VA, it is a requirement for nurses, techs, doctors to get the shot now. My wife refused before, but no longer can at her job. (An RN)

 

My two youngest sons 11, 8 got the inhaler vaccine, but my eldest boys and I have not gotten the shot yet. Like others, I got the flu after the one time I ever got the shot, back when I lived near Rochester, NY. Not had it since. But I've had a few nasty bouts with the flu over the years which makes me think about it every year.

 

Still haven't decided about this year. Wondering if the spread here in VA is slowing down or not. You got me thinking again, Fish Chris....

[Fish Chris]

Darren >

 

Top it off, down here in VA, it is a requirement for nurses, techs, doctors to get the shot now.

 

Yes, and I've heard of other professions that require their employees to get the flu shot, as well.

 

I'll tell you what, if I were "forced" to get the shot, I'd make sure my place of employment was fully aware of my circumstances, and that they agreed "in writing" to make me filthy rich, if I ended up with any hard-core health issues because of it.

I bet it would make them think twice.....

 

Fish

[tyrius.]

I've had the flu shot twice, and immediately came down with the flu the next day both times.

 

I've never had one since!

 

It's scientifically impossible to get the flu from the flu shot and it's also impossible to get the flu immediately after being exposed to the virus. 

 

It is possible to get the flu from the mist vaccine as that contains live vaccine, but it is impossible to get it from the shot. 

 

Also, most people get the stomach "flu" and think that they had the flu.  You didn't.  The stomach "flu" isn't respiratory influenza.  Respiratory influenza is what you're being vaccinated against.  The stomach "flu" isn't. 

 

Now if you came down with the symptoms of Respiratory Influenza immediately after getting the shot, that means that you were exposed to the actual flu virus 3 to 5 days ago.  The incubation period of the virus is such that you will never get symptons immediately after being exposed to the virus. 

[tyrius.]

^{Never get the flu shot and hardly ever get the flu. My wife had the flu shot about 15 years ago because it was free through her employer. Made her alergic to eggs for 5-6 years and eggs still give her an upset stomach to this day. Guess where the vaccines are grown? In eggs. Just something else to think about.}

 

And when you get the flu shot, they specifically tell you that if you are allergic or sensitive to eggs then don't get the shot.  It's not like they're trying to hide anything.

[Darren.]

No doubt about that! Would buy a nice boat, a house on a lake, and all the fishing gear you could ever use.

 

That is, if you or I were still healthy enough to fish...   

 

I'll tell you what, if I were "forced" to get the shot, I'd make sure my place of employment was fully aware of my circumstances, and that they agreed "in writing" to make me filthy rich, if I ended up with any hard-core health issues because of it.

I bet it would make them think twice.....

[mrmacwvu1]

I am the only person in my family that did not get the flu this year. I did not get the shot. Everyone else did. i cared for all of them when they were sick. I am also healthy. I am overweight, smoke a pack a day and drink enough beer to kill an irishman. I guess the flue does not want to waste it's time with me. I have always been lucky I am 31 and been on medication once in my life and that was when a tooth got infected.