Flu vaccine

[sww817]

I am curious about the opinions or experiences of your children with the flu vaccine? I am clear that we should stay away from the mist... but what about the shot? My son's last exacerbation was last year from the flu that progressed to bronchitis. I would love to avoid it this year OBVIOUSLY! But I am not sure what the experience is with the shot version (and I cannot search for "flu"). So I am asking for opinions???

[LNN]

I stopped giving my kids flu shots 2 years ago, but we also have more going on than strep/Pandas. So every parent has to weigh their own health situation. Just make sure that for any vaccine you or your child is about to get - ask about thimerosal BEFORE getting the shot. Last year, I was offered the flu shot by the nurse giving DD her allergy shot and begrudgingly said ok. On a whim, I asked after that fact "They don't use thimerosal anymore, do they?" Fully expecting an "of course not". Wrong. It did contain it. Moral of the story - always ask and don't be a ditz like me and ask after it's too late.

[PhillyPA]

My son had a severe pandas episode after he got the flu. He has never had a reaction to a vaccine. I get him the flu shot and I get it early. For him, getting the actual flu is more worrisome than a flu vaccine.

[dcmom]

My kids both had pandas episodes post H1N1. I still cannot bring myself to knowingly inject them with something that could cause and episode. Just can't do it- would rather take our chances with getting the real thing.

 

We are done with vaccines in general for the near future.

[Dedee]

DCMOM- Just curious for my information, did your kids have episodes after having the H1N1 vaccine or after having the actual virus.

 

I know I am not going to let my daughter have the flu vaccine in any form since the flu mist is what started this whole mess in the first place. My boys have had the shots in the past and not had a problem. However, my middle son is in an exacerbation and I worry about giving him anything right now. I do really worry about what would happen if my daughter got the flu though. She has a cold right now and has been horrible. I am hoping things get better as her physical health improves.

 

Dedee

[dcmom]

actual H1N1, not vaccine.

 

Dd had tamiflu, then steroid burst immediately, which stopped a horrific downward spiral, she was fine then.

[Kayanne]

The last 2 years all of my kids have had flu shots. They've had no adverse reactions.

 

I based my decision on the fact that my PANDAS daughter was well when it was time for them, and on the idea that the antibody load from vaccines is much less than actually getting the flu.

[butterflymom]

=

Edited February 3, 2016 by butterflymom

[beeskneesmommy]

I was advised by a very well known and reputable PANDAS specialist not to give the flu vaccine now that the H1N1 is in it. This doc told me that there were several cases, both brand new PANDAS as well as exacerbations that resulted from the vaccine last year. We did not get it last year and we will not get it (or any other vaccines this year). Also, a friend of mine with an almost 5 year old allowed him to have the flu mist 4 weeks ago and he had sudden onset of behavioral problems and unusual irritability/mood lability that coincided with the mist.

[JAG10]

My girls don't get it, but I do. I work in an elementary and high school...exposure to lots of germs, so I figure they won't get it from me. I also started wearing a work sweater which I leave in my office (think Mr. Rogers neighborhood.) I was going to start wearing a lab coat, but thought I'd draw too much attention.

Edited September 30, 2011 by JAG10

[beeskneesmommy]

In addition, my husband and I make sure to get the flu vaccine so that at least we can protect our son within our little family circle...

[thenmama]

xx

Edited March 27, 2013 by thenmama

[beeskneesmommy]

The last time I allowed my son to have the flu vaccine was over 2 years ago, when they were giving the flu and the H1N1 separately, but you could get them both. I allowed him to have the regular flu shot but disallowed him to have the H1N1. He still had a PANDAS response, although I did not recognize it at the time. Keep in mind that my son also is (was?) very sensitive to meds - could not even take OTC allergy meds without a PANDAS exacerbation I steer clear of absolutely anything that can cause a problem, much to my nervousness, given that he is now open and available to the flu/H1N1. For us, however, it is the right choice to take the risk.

[jdude]

We all get the flu vaccine every year. PANDAS son also has asthma. Breathing trumps PANDAS symptoms. He didn't have any reaction last year to it (he had first symptoms of PANDAS May 2010). Shot, not mist (can't get mist with asthma anyway).

[dut]

Hi - Dr B told me that both my kids PANDAS/PITANDS shouldn't be getting any shots as they will stimulate the immune system. Dr T felt we should be avoiding them too although if we felt we needed to we could give them (for us tetanus) as long as we give them when well and out of exacerbation and as uncombined as possible. Dd rides and so is round horses a lot.. possibly heightened risk of tetanus but we decided against it.

 

Somebody mentioned that the viral load with vacs is lower than with the real disease which is true but for me it wouldn't be the viral load that would be the worry necessarily but rather the adjuvants that are added with the express intention of stimulating the immune system. Perhaps this may be more of an issue if you're PITANDS rather than pure PANDAS.. dunno but we're taking our risks with the real disease rather than shots for now.