Flu shot recommended for elders with CKD 3?

[FlowerPreciousLover]

At 76 yrs and with Stage 3 CKD I am unsure whether or not the flue shot is recommended. Do others know or have suggestions? Maybe talk with the pharmacist who makes them available? Thank you.

[Hidden]

Absolutely get the flu shot. The alternative is not getting the shot and getting the flu and having to deal with being ill, possibly having to take antibiotics and in both cases, the results would be damaging to your overall health, and especially your kidneys. Also recommended would be the TDap and Pneumonia shots if you haven't had them. There is a flu shot for folks over 60. I had mine back in September.

I've attached an article from the National Kidney Foundation to give you more information.

kidney.org/news/monthly/Flu...

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Hidden]

And big hugs to you as well for your speedy, helpful response for flu shot! You guys are the BEST!!!!

Need to look up TDap? but am current for pneumonia and shingles vaccines. Also eager to read your latest kidney link.

Finally re-approved for osteoporosis Reclast infusion with stage 3 ckd, yesterdy proved a double bonus because the nurse was former cardiac nurse and when told about the earlier orthostatic hypotension diagnosis and how my cardio advised that I could "self-regulate my b.p. med, Amlodiphene" so when it dropped to 85/60 with acute divert. I stopped b.p. med. She said to record b.p. daily and take record with me to next cardio visit. Wasn't taking b.p. daily but will now. smiles

I cannot express how truly grateful I am for this informed group because I might not have become as proactive as needed in becoming the "star" of my own health improvement search. One of the very best benefits of this membership is knowing I am not alone in this continuing journey.

[Jayhawker]

Definitely! I got my flu shot last September. I’m also current on pneumonia and just hit the first of the two shingles shots. My PCP strongy recommends this. Of course I run all this stuff by me PCP first..

Jayhawker

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Jayhawker]

Thank you, Jayhawker, for your speedy response and the go ahead for the flu shot!

Just beginning again, a long recovery from recent acute diverticulitis and at 98 lbs feeling very vulnerable.

Who would have imagined that one small handful of finely chopped romaine lettuce mixed with already tolerated sauteed finely chopp'd mushrooms, green onions and shredded carrots could throw me back into acute divert. symptoms. Back to soft foods and introducing one very small fiber/day.

What a journey we are on but what joy there is in knowing we are not alone!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to FlowerPreciousLover]

Hi Precious,

yes, it is so much fun to be going along and eating the same thing and not having a problem and then whamo, something does not go through well and there you are. I just talked with my nephrologist last week about this and she agreed that having a stool softener daily or almost daily was ok and would help with this.

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you, Bassetmommer for the stool softner reminder.

I so appreciated both Oldearkie's and your earlier responses earlier to my first diverticulitis post, suggesting this along with info on soluble vs insoluble fiber introductions.

Will go today for Metamusil? or Citrucel? sps and will also add Align probiotic earlier recommended but not bought because of lengthy divert. ordeal and fear of leaving the house for more than a walk to the mailbox and back.

Whoo Hoo! Symptom free for 2 days in a row and thinking that one short errand/day will also help build stamina.

[Oldearkie_83 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Remember that soluble fibers are laxatives/stool softeners and no pharmaceuticals needed. Oatmeal, Psyllium, etc.

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Oldearkie_83]

Even better news, Oldearkie! No need to buy when I have oatmeal right at home. I've read so many food lists over the past several months and printed out tons! lol I need to org. the printouts and other health info. for quick referrals. Thank you.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I am age 78 and wondered about the flu shot and safety since CKD 3 after I was diagnosed 4 years ago. I always get flu shots at Doctors office. There is a different shot for seniors.

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Thanks for your response, orangecity. Just returned from Walgreens with elder flu shot, metamusil and Walgreen generic of Align. Thanks again for knowing and sharing about Diverticulitis and your other helpful posts. Will wait on stool softner until symptoms require that help as well.

[Oldearkie_83]

I'm 83, stage 4 ADPKD, GFR 21, had my flu shot 3 weeks ago. What do you have to lose?

[htpi1543]

Do you plan to consult Ayurveda doctor In India?

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Hi, Fatbuddy, granted we all are different. I choose the flu shot because I'd rather be safe than sorry and as Oldearkie remarked: What do we have to lose? smiles

Hope you enjoy your time in India. Remember my trip as a verrrry long airplane ride. Best to you and all

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Yes, yes yes you need to get the flu shot. You need to protect yourself from any chance of getting the flu. There is even the Senior version of the injection. My nephrologist wanted me to get it as soon as it came out. Got mine the beginning of September. Get yours today!

[Gmagolf]

Same age as you. Have been stage 3 for years. I have my flu shot every year

[Jayhawker]

I get the flu shot annually as well. As far as vitamins go, I ask my medical team for guidance. They have specifically told me to take vitamin B12 complex only. This is based on my labs and other medical information. So, of course, I fo what they say.

In addition, during peak flu season, I don’t go to crowded places where I’m likely to encounter people who are sick. I also go into high gear disinfecting my door knobs, faucets, counter tops, etc. and I use and sanitizer regularly in addition to regular hand washing to protect myself from exposure as much as possible.

Jayhawker

[htpi1543]

Thank you for sharing

[FlowerPreciousLover]

You make a good point about avoiding crowded places during flu season. I have several groups of friends who frequently go to lunch/dinner together. Even with the flu shot now, my resistance must be down from relapse of Divert. and I'm just not confidant enough to even begin thinking of eating out. Better for me to stay in touch by phone until my reserves are better replenished and I'm much farther along with a more regular diet. No interest in crowded doc offices or exposure to other large groups of people either for the time being.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Anyone with a chronic illness needs to have the flu shot. I'd love to see the literature you refer to about CDC claiming flu shots do not work. I've never heard this. I subscribe to their daily newsletters and notifications. Please share this information. I've never known any healthcare organization saying "no" to flu shot. And for those who claim they always get sick after, well surprise it is your own body's immune system kicking in and responding which is a *very good* thing. Blessings

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Well we are all different and what works for you could harm someone else. People with CKD like you have compromised immune systems and are recommended to get your flu shot among others. JMHO

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Oh wow, Fatbuddy. An 18 hour flight from Atlanta to India ! Remember thinking we'd never arrive but had forgotten the length of time inflight.

Know almost nothing about tumeric but read somewhere that it is sometimes used to help coat the lining of the stomach. Did know that ginger was used for nausea and gingerbread/snaps and tabs proved the "magic" in stopping months of never explained nausea so it truly worked for me for the nausea.

As Oldearkie reminded me with the oatmeal suggestion, sometimes we have something sitting in the cupboard that can be used as a home remedy that helps. Right now, I'm sticking to only the blandest diet as I recover from another health issue.

During an unusually rainy spring/summer here, our city sprayed for mosquitoes. Whatever was used was a concern too but guess city fathers decided a better remedy than the health concern about mosquitoes. I'm old! but can remember as a child, running outside to watch the city trucks spraying DDT for mosquitoes. We didn't know any better, sigh.

Hope your India visit goes well and that you return home healthy and with only happy memories of your trip.

[newbie1956]

I believe garlic is great. Lots of it ! Also green leafy veggies. Yum.

I'm 79, stage 3 ckd, both my hubby & I got the senior flu shot early in September ... and I'm avoiding large crowds. Basically hibernating

Can't wait for Spring to return

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to newbie1956]

Thanks for your response newbie1956. I'm with you! Basically want to hibernate during the winter.

Hmmm, Maybe This will be the year I actually accomplish the yearly winter plan but never finish sort/org/toss plethora of photos waiting for attention.

Ahh, but first I need to org and sort my multi-dictionary wealth/clutter? of health printouts.

Smiles and wishes for good health to all.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Oh I apologize I incorrectly assumed you did since you are on a kidney disease site. But with heart failure and diabetes you have a compromised immune system. All the Best.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Good point Jayhawker, about washing your hands. I am post transplant so my immune system is compromised. Even now, 20 years later, I make sure when I get home from shopping that I thoroughly wash my hands. Also when using a shopping cart, most all stores have the disinfectant wipes you can use to clean off the handle. I always do it! I am always careful about all of this. I too clean off door knobs, faucets, etc. And getting my flu shot right away in September all helps prevents me from getting sick. Reading this, it may sound like I am a "germaphobe" or something?@#$ But... So far, it has really worked. I rarely even get a cold.

Take care all during this flu season!

[renegade70 in reply to WYOAnne]

i get the flu shot formula for those 65 and over every year. i have ckd stage 3 and have not had flu or a cold for at least 10 years. i would suggest that you have one, unless your mds are saying something different. i was told by my nephrologist that it is recommended since with ckd your immune system may be compromised. i am not taking any chances. my best to you

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to WYOAnne]

Hi, WYOAnne, I agree with you and Jayhawker about using the grocery wipes and the importance of thoroughly washing hands.

As a gal who's spent most of her leisure playing in the dirt with her yard filled flowers, I cannot possibly qualify as a "germaphobe" . smiles.

However, for those of us with compromised immune issues and depleted reserves of resistance, I am very conscious of the human germ spread factor when out in public.

I keep a small travel sized hand sanitizer in my car and using it after leaving a public place has become a fast and easy habit.

During flu season, some doc offices provide surgeon's masks so a couple of years ago, I bought a pkg and carry one with me if a doc apptmt is scheduled during flu season.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Thinking of you. Let me know how you are doing and what you plan to see and research while you are in India.

B.

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Thanks for your response, bubbles. I did get a flu shot just wasn't sure because of the new CKD 3 diagnosis this year.