Flu jab

[sue11]

It's coming to that time of year when l have my flu Jab,I've been having them regular for 5 yrs,but read something on here the other day,as l have thyroid/hashimoto,is not a good thing to do,something about the antibodies,what's your thoughts on this.

[Marz]

I would up your Vitamin D instead There are so many strains of flu that it is impossible to create a jab for all of them. Bit like pulling up the drawbridge in your castle and then there is an air attack

[marram]

I had a couple of Flu jabs and then suddenly 32 years after my TT, my Graves' antibodies went right up and started attacking my eyes. Coincidence? Maybe. But I was first diagnosed with Graves' only 6 months after having a TB vaccination when I was 13.

Vaccinations are aimed at the immune system. If you have an autoimmune problem, could it be made worse? The jury is out according to mainstream medicine, but others say it is a no-no for autoimmune individuals.

Marz has a good point, too.

[Marz in reply to marram]

I too began to deteriorate after my TB vaccination - and did in fact have ileo-caecal TB at 27 - discussed before on this forum - sorry Low VitD also implicated - as it is with Crohns that I was also diagnosed with. Apologies for hi-jacking !

[galathea]

Hmm, mercury used as a preservative in some of them.... Plus they have to guess which strain of flue might be around..... Not for me thanks..... Not ever.

I did find this too..... on. thyroid.about.com/od/relate...

The Autoimmune-Immunization Issue

Rarely, some people develop an autoimmune disease known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome after immunizations, including the influenza vaccine. Guillain-Barre (pronounced ghee-yan bar-ray) is an autoimmune condition that affects the nervous system, causing symptoms that range from weakness and tingling in the extremities, to a period of paralysis that can last weeks or months, and require the patient to be on a respirator to breathe. There are also controversial studies showing potential connections between immunizations and onset or worsening of other autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

The issue of this connection between vaccination and other autoimmune illnesses is a controversial one, however. Some practitioners caution their autoimmune disease patients to avoid immunizations whenever possible, because they believe that the safety of immunizations for people with autoimmune diseases -- including autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease -- has not been sufficiently examined.

Richard Shames, MD, author of Thyroid Mind Power, Thyroid Power and a number of other popular books about thyroid and autoimmune disease, has said that he is careful about recommending the flu vaccine to his patients with autoimmune thyroid disease:

Generally, the people at higher risk should be concerned about getting the flu shot. But if you have Hashimoto's disease, having a flu shot is an immunological event. The determination needs to be made more carefully, then, because there is the potential for the flu shot to trigger the Hashimoto's into flareup or exacerbation.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to galathea]

Last time I looked, I think around this time last year, all flu vaccines in the UK did NOT use any form of mercury as preservative.

Sorry - have not got time to check right now, but it does need someone to do so.

Rod

[galathea in reply to helvella]

Ah, funny enough there was a n article today in the daily fail..... Here is a paragraph of it....

Mercury in flu vaccine is linked to autism

by BEEZY MARSH, Daily Mail

Millions of flu jabs issued by the Government contain a mercury-based preservative which is being phased out in Europe and the United States amid fears over autism and brain damage.

Four out of seven flu vaccine brands approved for NHS use contain thiomersal, a mercury-containing agent at the centre of safety concerns over its effect on brain function, particularly in children.

Read more: dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[Clutter in reply to galathea]

Galathea, for the first time children are being targetted for the jab as they're seen as vectors in spreading it

Sue11, flu jabs were discussed on tonight's Inside Health. Health professionals are not lining up for it, nor is Dr. Margaret McCartney although she would agree to partiipate in a ramdomized control trial if invited. bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jk3rx

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to galathea]

How odd that they have, as I see it, reverted to thiomersal.

Thanks for posting.

Rod

[joanSOWTON]

Because of my cancer, I was given the flu jab at an earlier age on the nhs, I was never well and always went down with slu like symptoms and it took me ages to get over them. I have not had the flu jab now for over five years and find a good vitamin replacement is much better for me, my doctor believes that my reaction to this was caused by my hypothyroidism, so always worth discussing this with you doctor first or even a nurse practioner they prob know more anyway... jo

[Chippysue]

I had Guillain Barre syndrome in 1999 from a tetanus booster (ironically at a well woman screening) so I would never be offered the flu jab or some other vaccinations.

This is just my personal opinion:- Big Pharma make a lot of money from injections as they do with medication. They do not tell us about the harm they cause. We are not told what is in them.

I think of it this way - Doctors are super keen that you have the flu jab, anti-depressants, statins, blood pressure medication but they don't want to prescribe different thyroid meds or B12 or (for some of us) vitamin D, now you can take a guess why this is!

Sue

thyroiduk.org

[Angel_of_the_North]

I have seen no medical evidence that the flu jab is actually helpful. The Cochrane report (quite old now) I think it was that looked at the medical studies reckoned that just under 3% of people get flu in any one year. Among vaccinated people that drops to about 1.6%. So for every hundred people vaccinated, one who would have got flu doesn't (but that's about 60% improvement so don't be conned) - it might be you, but statistically that is unlikely. And that's only if the virus you get is the on of the ones the vaccine deals with. They don't test flu vaccines (As far as I know) on sick people, the elderly or young children. In fact, none of the groups that the NHS targets vaccines at. Apparently, vitamin D is more effective with fewer side effects - see also Sambucol - made from elderberries (and you can make your own this year if you hurry).

Your best bet is to try to find the package insert/patient information leaflet from the brand you are thinking of getting and see how effective it is for each age group, what the side effects are. Then decide.

[Mystory4u]

I'm in Australia where we get bad outbreaks of the flu each year as well, particular in the cooler south where I am. I work as a carer so got the flu jab. I became so unwell within 24 hours or so of the vaccine that I couldn't get out of bed and had to take two weeks off work. I have Hashimoto's and take levo - my doctor didn't advise me of any risks in having the flu shot, in fact the medical centre sent me a letter encouraging me to get it. In the end I had to go back tomthe doctor who prescribed anti-inflammatories for a week to try and stop the inflammatory response by body had to the vaccination. It wa all awful. I still got a nasty virus later after caring for two people who were ill. The only benefit was I didn't get a respiratory tract infection or secondary bacterial infection but I was sick for three weeks with the nasty virus just the same. I would suggest you don't bother with the flu shot but be careful about hand wishing etc during flu season especially as that's more likely how you will get infected. Also be prepared to rest as soon as you get viral or flu symptoms and continue to stay off work and rest until they've completely cleared. If you've got a job that means you will refuse to take time off work when you're sick or of you can't afford to stay home during an illness then consider getting the vaccine (especially if you have a respiratory condition like asthma - which I also have). Be prepare to have to take drugs to combat the side effects of the vaccine...

[greygoose in reply to Mystory4u]

People should always be careful about hand-washing! There are lots of germs and stuff out there and dirty hands will help them get Inside of you. Always, always, wash your hands!

[crimple]

As far as I am concerned the GP's get paid for giving flu jabs, that is there "bottom line" I refuse to have the flu jab (I have Hashi's and various food intolerances) Beware going in to see practice nurse who will give you a jab sooner than look at you! This happened to my friend who went in for ear syringing and came out with flu jab before she knew what had happened!! I call that assault!

[Joyia in reply to crimple]

I would not have the flu jab either, although I did have it some years ago. On one occasion I asked the Nurse what was in the flu jab and she was visibly annoyed with my question, like crimple above I was jabbed very quickly before I could catch my breath, it also felt like an assault, never again!

[Pink_Bear]

My endo told me definitely not to have it - that anyone with a compromised immune system should steer well clear. He also said that in his opinion the whole flu jab programme is misguided, to say the least, and does not deliver anything like the benefit that would justify the cost. But it's Emperor's New Clothes again, and no one dare say they got it wrong......sounds familiar? Reminds me of statins too....

[Hypopotamus]

After far too much research into vaccinations, I would also say steer clear of the flu jab.

For many years I have used a homeopathic remedy, and rarely been troubled by winter flu since I started it (before I was almost permanently ill with one bug or another).

Here are the details.

With so many people unsure about having a flu injection, I have been asked to post some information here regarding a homeoapthic flu remedy called Oscillococcim 200 .

I have been suffering from what doctors call ME/CFS for over 30 years and was recently diagnosed with an under-active thyroid.

I have been taking this remedy for about eleven years now. Before I took it I was one of those people that picked up every single bug doing the rounds. If it didn't last until the next bug came around then it would go but come back a second time.

As I put at least some of my problems down to innoculations, I was very reluctant to have a flu jab and I was not offered one anyway. I couldn't see how a flu jab would prevent a new strain of flu anyway and I understand that they can't!

Then I discovered a homoeopathic remedy called Oscillococcim 200. Now let me say right away that having spent thousands of pounds on 'alternative' medicine and not found anything that did 'what it says on the can', I am now very reticent to spend more money on this type of item. However, my experiences with homeopathy show that it does do something, so I thought that I would try the Oscillococcim. After all, at under ten pounds for 4/5 years supply, it is no big risk even if it doesn't work!

Anyway, to keep things short, I have been taking Oscillococcim for the last eleven winters and in my case, the results are near miraculous! I have hardly had a bug and when I have, I have recovered much faster than I used to. So fast that I am now not as affected as my of my so-called 'healthy' friends.

So I am happy to promote this remedy and recommend it strongly to anybody - chronically ill or otherwise. I would certainly suggest trying it before you resort to a flu jab!

I have no vested interest in the sale or promotion of this remedy and no connection with the Galen Pharmacy, other than as a very satisfied customer. I recommend them as they are a friendly and helpful supplier with low prices. But you can buy this remedy at other homoeopathic outlets, though probably not at your local chemist/health foods shop!

The remedy is called Oscillococcim 200. (The strength is 200). Ring the Galen Pharamcy on 01305 263 996 and ask for a bottle of 50 tablets. These will do for 4-5 winters or for 4-5 people for one winter. Their address is Lewell, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8AN.

When you have the tablets, take one, first thing in the morning and last thing at night on the first day of each winter month. Take the tablets with a clean palette and avoid strong tasting food or drink (or toothpaste), or stimulants like tea/coffee/tobacco for an hour either side of taking the tablets. Do not handle the tablets. I tip one into the bottle cap and then tip it into my mouth. I put it under my tongue and let it dissolve. There is no unpleasant taste!

And that's it, cheap, effective and no side-effects!

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Hypopotamus]

Thank you for the recommendation Hypopotamus, I had been about to make an appointment for my annual flu jab when I read these posts.

So I have just called Galen to order a pack and was amazed at what I was told when I said I would need to fetch my debit card...that payment isn't taken at point of sale, they put an invoice into the parcel.

Further amazement at the price, only £8.00 which included p/p.

How brilliant is that?

[Hypopotamus in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Yes, they are really good people at Galen. The price was just £2 when I bought my first batch - perhaps I shouldn't have given them such good publicity! lol

[greygoose]

I came across this today :

"Why vaccines are always ‘safe’ and ‘effective’...

When you hear that a vaccine is "effective" of course you think that "effective" means it will prevent a disease or illness.

What else could it mean?

Well, get ready for the real definition.

Vaccine expert Dr. Sherri Tenpenny explains it like this...

"What always comes out is that vaccines are 'safe' and 'effective.' It took me a while to figure out what that word 'effective' really even meant," she said.

When patients and parents and even doctors hear the word, said Dr. Tenpenny, "they assume that vaccines will keep you from getting sick."

But as Dr. Tenpenny "dug deeper" into scientific research, she came to the shocking realization that "effective" really means something else.

It means that when a vaccine is injected into you, it creates an antibody. So if that shot causes an antibody response, then "science says that vaccine is 'effective.' It did what it was supposed to do," she said.

And here's how they trick us, because if we think "antibody" and "protection" mean the same thing, they don't. Dr. Tenpenny calls that "a leap in assumption."

So when you see that word "effective" being parroted by the press, don't think that automatically means you're protected.

Because that word, like the vaccines themselves, is just a shot in the dark.

The Healthier Life... join the natural health revolution"

I would never, ever have a flu shot, ever.

[saab93]

I am now more confused then ever, My GP says anyone with a compromised immune system or a Chronic respiratory condition should have a flu Jab. The comments posted above do not seem to agree