Booster injections

[NSV69]

Hi

I am currently taking mycophenolate but have been advised to stop it for at least 2 weeks as i am going abroad in 3 weeks and having booster injections next Tues.

Had anyone else been advised to do this when going abroad and having vacinations?

Will not taking the medication make my lungs any worse?

Regards

[LucyJean]

Hi there, the issue is that mycophenolate is an immunosuppressant. When you have a vaccine, whether that is for flu, or tetanus, or whatever you need for going abroad...it relies on injecting you with versions of that 'disease/virus' for your immune system to identify and start building a resistance to. Then if you come into contact with it, hopefully your immune system will recognise it and quickly start to fight it. If your immune system is suppressed by the mycophenolate then it can't do this and so the vaccine will not be very effective. You may have only a partial, or non response. If you come off the drug it might be able to have a better chance to deal with the vaccine and build some immunity. The downside is that you may have a bit of a flare if your immune system is required to be active again, because it may also build more antibodies against your own cells. But hopefully if it is only a short time off the drug then it won't be much of an issue.

I hope my ramblings make sense.

Lucy xxx

[NSV69 in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you Lucy.

Very helpful as always.

I am worried that i may encounter new symptoms whilst not on any medication.

What does mycophenolate actually do?

Regards

[LucyJean in reply to NSV69]

Hi there, it is an immunosuppressant. It is used for transplant patients to suppress the immune system so the new organ isn't rejected by the body, and it is used for a whole variety of auto-immune conditions to suppress the immune system so it doesn't keep attacking your own cells as well as the foreign invaders.

Lxxx

[NSV69 in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you

Will it not potentially effect my treatment or make my confition worse from not being on any meds?

Regards

[LucyJean in reply to NSV69]

Hi, yes, there is the potential that if you stop your medications your immune system will become more active again, and if when it is active it tends to target your own cells then you may notice more symptoms again. But, you did say they were only doing it for a very short period? Two weeks? So, I wouldn't be worrying. They sound like they have a set procedure for dealing with people who are going abroad and need other vaccinations. Lx

[NSV69 in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you Lucy

I will hopefully only be off the meds for about 3 weeks.

Regards

[PJSammy]

I am on several immunosuppressants but never told to stop for a vaccination. I've had the standard ones for travel and normal living (hepatitis, Pneumovax, flu, etc.)

Most vaccines are recommended but a few are live (eg shingles) and someone who is immunosuppressed should not take them.

Sounds like you need a good medical travel clinic.

[NSV69 in reply to PJSammy]

Hi

I even got a 2nd opinion from Prof Denton at the Royal Free in London and he also suggested a 2 week break from medication.

Thanks