Feeling awful after flu vaccine - Page 2

[ema-adama]

That's because the newest studies suggest the culprit may not be infections such as the flu per se, but pregnant mothers' immune reactions to such infections. Current guidelines recommend that pregnant women get a flu shot -- and the point of the flu vaccine is to set off an immune reaction. If the risk for schizophrenia is increased as a result of maternal antibodies, might protecting mom and baby from the flu raise the risk the child could get schizophrenia years down the road?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...112301327.html

Bolding mine.

I am not saying that the flu vaccine causes schizophrenia in the fetus later in its life.

I do think it is interesting that it's the immune response that is being studied. And the effect of an immune response on the development of the fetus.

Something that the vaccine or the wild virus elicits.

It is my understanding that pregnant women can be at a higher risk for complication from the flu. But not all pregnant women get the flu, and hence not all pregnant women's immune systems are provoked by wild influenza. Getting a flu vaccine pretty much ensures an immune response.

This is just to say that we don't know very much about the immune system and the interplay between the mothers immune system and the development of the fetus.

OP, I hope you are feeling better. It sounds like you had a horrid experience with the flu.

[ema-adama]

For any pregnant women reading, Pregnant and flu shots is from the archives and goes into more details on why some MDC users have chosen to get the shot and why others have chosen not to.

[cvanlieder]

I had the thimerosal-free version last week. The nurse warned me the arm was likely to be sore, but I felt fine otherwise and the soreness only lasted a day or two. It was, however, the most sore I've ever been from a flu shot.

[beanbean]

Originally Posted by Otto

The targets are A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2), and B/Brisbane 60/2008 for the U.S. seasonal flu vaccine this year, so three.

Thanks, that's good to know. Does anyone know if any of those are still in circulation?

[quiero a mi bebe]

I totally understand getting the shot. I have a few times and then regretted it though, and considering I am even having trouble taking dd in for her vaccines, I wouldn't do it now. But I do know that get the flu shot does not prevent you from getting those strains, just reduces the severity, and colds are sooo common and there are soo many strains that I think that it is almost pointless to get it. I do know a couple of people who have had reactions right after the flu shot. One time I was there and a friend was really sick the night she got it, she even threw up once I think.

However, this is a very hard thing to decide and I think whatever anyone thinks is best, is best for us. Good luck! I hope you feel better already.

[carriebft]

I had sore arm for a bit after flu shot this year, but I also lift weights and I think that was what did me in for the soreness since I neglected to take the day off. no other issues other than that brief discomfort. hope you are feeling better soon! have you tried compresses? I can't think of anything to help with the sleep situation...maybe elevating your head/upper body so that you are not lying on that section of your arm when you roll over? I did this for a shoulder injury once and it worked out pretty well.

[carriebft]

Originally Posted by beanbean 

Originally Posted by Otto

The targets are A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2), and B/Brisbane 60/2008 for the U.S. seasonal flu vaccine this year, so three.

Thanks, that's good to know. Does anyone know if any of those are still in circulation?

Yes, that is why they chose them. this document has all the reasoning but I can't find a free copy, you can only read it with access:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20004635

though maybe the WHO site has more information.

ETA: looks like you can also get info on those strains on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_A_virus_subtype_H3N2#2010-2011_flu_season

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by floyd07 

The low response to flu shots could be due to the myths surrounding them as some people believe that they are infective, have severe side effects or contains harmful chemicals. The fact that cold and flu have similar symptoms also confuses some people as they usually mistake a severe attack of flu as a mild cold. This ignorance can lead to aggravation of symptoms and in some cases may also lead to death.More information here http://www.mynetpharma.com/flu-shot-myths-and-reality.html

Yeah, you're right Floyd.  There are no harmful chemicals in flu shots.    

[carriebft]

well, formeldahyde, for example since you used that one, is naturally found and utilized in the human body. It is found also in many fruits and vegetables. the amount of formeldahyde in the flu vaccine, for example, is 50x less than what is found in an average pear. It is much much less than is found at all times in human blood. We actually need it, believe it or not.

Dose makes the toxin. Even water can be "toxic" or "harmful."

[changingseasons]

You're absolutely right about dose making things toxic.  Things like mercury and aluminum are found in nature as well, but we certainly don't want to shoot a large quantity of them directly into our veins.  But I'm pretty positive that there are synthetic chemicals in the vaccines too- things that AREN'T found in nature.

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by katroshka 

I don't see why it would be ridiculous that there could be health implications later in life from a mother being infected with flu while pregnant... German measles causes deafness and a host of other problems, chickenpox can cause brain damage, physical deformities and other problems. There's absolutely no reason that influenza couldn't cause heart damage, or epigenetic changes that result in shortened lifespan.

I think it was Dr Blaylock who pointed out that studies have shown that ANY immune stimulation in the mother (whether from naturally occuring illnesses or from vaccination) increases risks to the baby of developing schizophrenia (and a few other disorders, can't remember at the moment)

So its not ridiculous that a pregnant mom being sick could "increase" the chances of health risks for baby down the road. But pregnant moms beware: vaccination can do the same. It is foolish to believe otherwise.  I'd personally take my chances with the natural illness.

I also want to point out the reasoning behind rubella and other viral illnesses causing deformities, deafness or blindness etc is because of depletion of vitamin A (in the mother) in the effort of fighting the infection, and at that critical moment of baby's development, vit. A deficiency caused those problems.

I've never had a flu shot, never plan to. I got the flu (or so I was told) as a youth, rarely as an adult. Already immune to most strains I presume. My parents (60s) also never had a flu shot, and never get the flu. When we build up our immune systems naturally we protect ourselves in years to come. Not that you can't do anything about getting ill or suffering from illnesses.. I second the vitamin D recommendation and would suggest doing research on how to attain better health and immune system (vaccines are not the answer)

 The reason elderly people were not at risk for swine flu last year was because a similar strain went around decades ago - yep, they had natural immunity.  Couldn't say the same for the vax, which if it works at all, will be wearing off within a few years.

[pacifica]

Originally Posted by MyBoysBlue 

I always find it odd that we are supposed to have a lowered immune system while pregnant. Is there data on that? Because I have always been at my healthiest when pregnant. Not sure why. I usually get at least a minor cold every 2-3 months. But I didn't get a single cold while pregnant. It's not because I am taking extra vitamins or supplements because I never took prenatal just folic acid.

Me too!  Super healthy and immune to everything when I'm pregnant.