Flu shot

[Nanajo1962]

How many still get a flu vaccine?

[gwillistexas]

Always. But I've never been on liver meds. They probably recommend it so we don't have to deal with flu on top of everything else. The one year I didn't take it, got sicker than I'd ever been in my life. No more missing that vaccine.

[Q8Cooper]

Great question! Would like to see the feedback on this as well. My GI doctor recommends it. I have not taken a flu shot since diagnosed This is mostly due to my own ignorance as I feel I need more information on how it will effect my immune system, and will the antibodies trigger an attack on liver. Would love to know the pros and cons regarding vaccines and PBC patients.

Kathy

[Sachin1234 in reply to Q8Cooper]

Kathy the reason we take flu shot is to boost our immune system so it should be good for your health..i don’t think it will attack your liver If you get flu with out vaccine than that might effect your liver so get one or talk to dr for suggestion. cdc are conducting research for miscarriage after flu vaccination so the pregnant women are the only one who are suggested not to take vaccines..good luck

[Sachin1234 in reply to Q8Cooper]

Kathy the reason we take flu shot is to boost our immune system so it should be good for your health..i don’t think it will attack your liver If you get flu with out vaccine than that might effect your liver so get one or talk to dr for suggestion. cdc are conducting research for miscarriage after flu vaccination so the pregnant women are the only one who are suggested not to take vaccines..good luck

[Ohio82]

I do and have for years, since my spleen was removed.

[LisaC22 in reply to Ohio82]

I'm in the exact same boat as you. PBC and no spleen! Can I ask do you take antibiotics daily (prophylactics)? I've been told I should but am concerned about effects on my liver.

[susanashworth in reply to LisaC22]

Hi Lisa

Why was your spleen removed if you don't mind me asking

[LisaC22 in reply to susanashworth]

Hi there. No problem. I had Glandular Fever when I was a teenager & my spleen ruptured spontaneously. It's very rare apparently & actually when I have to tell doctors today most will question it & ask me if I'm sure I didn't have an accident!

[Sachin1234]

I take flu shots every year.. we must take flu shots...remember, our immune system is weaker then regulars peeps!

[gwillistexas in reply to Sachin1234]

Absolutely 👍

[Lisa15]

I've been getting a flu shot for years. My Dr recommends it because of our weak immune system. When I was first diagnosed I got the Hep vaccines and the pneumonia along with my yearly flu shot.

[Hidden]

Always have the flu shot and have always been fine with it. It's better than getting full blown flu.

[Oidra]

I am the same as candy12, which is my specialist`s recommendation.

[janetfolley]

No problems I have had PBC now for 14yrs and always have a flu jab as our immune system is low and yes my doctor recommended that I have it.

[susanashworth in reply to janetfolley]

Hi Janet

Has your PBC got noticeably worse over the past 14 years and do you take URSO every day ?

[janetfolley in reply to susanashworth]

My PBC has remained stable but cholesterol has risen to 11.5 but Doctor seems to think as good cholesterol is better than bad he will not put me on any meds. I don't sleep well as my body most night feels like it's on fire. The only meds I am on is URSO and vitamin D but I'm good 68 and usually very fit

[Missboro]

I've had one every year since been diagnosed and also got the pneumonia shot.

[teddybear7]

Always they insist because of PBC

[IOW-gal]

Every year I have flu jab. Had the pneumonia one as well, and also had shingles jab. Was assured by surgery they would not have a negative impact on liver, and getting any of the above would be far worse. Just read this morning that we can expect a very serious strain of flu this coming winter so get protected.

[Gioielli]

I do.

[LKoewler]

I just got my flu shot. Also had my liver doctor appt where I had a Hep A and Hep B vaccine. I had read it was a good idea to get if you have PBC and he agreed. He said it is extra precaution for liver health . Both vaccines can be given in one "twin" shot. Believe it is a total of 3 shots each 4 months apart.

[4pjx__]

My hepatologist recommended to get Hep. A and B, a flu shot and as many vaccines as I could. He said I wasn't any more likely to get sick than anyone else but that if I did get sick, I would get sicker. So far, I have everything but the pnuemonia shot. They said that one is for people over 65? Anyway, I'm not quite that old yet....haha 2 more years.

[littysgirl in reply to 4pjx__]

Hi, I was just reading all the replies because I'm having a quiet afternoon. I would like to "butt in" and suggest that you talk to your doctor about the pneumonia vaccine. I was diagnosed with diabetes II about 11 years ago when I was 56. At that point, my doctor recommended the pneumonia vaccine because I then had a chronic, autoimmune disease. I thought it was good for life but I was wrong. It needs to be repeated in ten years. And now there is a second vaccine for different strains of pneumonia. I am in the U.S. The vaccine that I received early on and then repeated was called Pneumovax or PPSV23. The newer vaccine that only needs to be given once is Prevnar 13.

The reason I am now this well-informed is that two and a half years ago, I developed pneumonia and I almost died. It came on SO FAST. One day I just felt like I was getting sick - and three days later I went to a walk-in emergency center because I didn't feel strong enough to drive to my doctor's office. That walk-in center called an ambulance and sent me directly to the emergency room of the hospital. When I was admitted, my diagnosis was pneumonia in both lungs, a bacterial infection in my bloodstream and congestive heart failure. I was in the hospital for ten days - and you know they try to throw you out as fast as possible. I want to say that I have never before or since have had any heart problems. It was completely due to the fact that my lungs were not working and my heart was working overtime to compensate. When I think that I could have avoided that simply by having a shot... I have become a crusader for telling people to just get the shot.

I still have no idea where or how I contracted pneumonia (in the summer) but I have my own suspicions. I was moving. I was exhausted and therefore run down and I was opening boxes that had been in my basement for years. I wonder if I inhaled something. I still have more of those boxes to go through, believe it or not. I'm always a little afraid to open them but now at least, I wear a paper mask over my mouth and nose and make sure I really wash my hands afterwards.

[LindaVillanova]

Flu, hep A and B, shingles and pneumonia!!!

[Sachin1234 in reply to LindaVillanova]

Shingles I haven't so that will be my next vaccine 👍🏼

[Shulsey]

Great question. But, I have not taken the flu shot since I was working in one of our local hospitals, it is mandatory. It made me extremely sick. I have never received one since. I think I just had a bad reaction to it so it worries me. Although, I was down for a bit with the flu last season. Im iffy🤔😕. Not sure if I will our not at this moment.

[Quilter1]

I asked my consultant & he said it wasn't necessary to have flu jab until I fall into the age bracket here in UK ( over 65's)

[gwillistexas in reply to Quilter1]

Wow! They advise everyone in the States to get flu shot. Amazing

[Michiganpbc]

I get a flu shot every year as the flu can kill you. I got one this year no worries my liver doctor said.

[gwillistexas in reply to Michiganpbc]

Yes, the one year I didn't get it, 2005, had full blown type A. Thought I was a goner😊 haven't missed it since.

[gwillistexas in reply to Michiganpbc]

I usually take mine first week or so in October.

[Michiganpbc]

I got mine last week, I always get it as soon as I can, I have never had the flu but got pneumonia a few years ago thought I was gonna die so I got he pneumonia shot too a few years ago.

[littysgirl]

I always get one and will continue to do so. I've got enough problems - I don't need the flu. If there's something that maybe I can prevent, I'm going to do it. I just don't bounce back anymore when I'm sick.

[auntym]

Always get my flu jab. Just booked one today for this year.

[Hidden]

The US doctors all recommend it including my Hepatologist & my gastroenterologist primary doctor. I've gotten flu shots every year since ~30 years old. Also, even pre PBC I had already had the hep A & B shots. My Hepatologist tested my immunity for Hep A, B, MMR, Chicken pox when I first consulted him. The Hep B immunity disappeared since I had the shots like ~20 years ago. So he gave them to me again. Need to ask him about shingles vaccine.