The flu shot is required at my job too but my doctor writes me out from getting it. I just have to wear a mask when I am within a certain distance of patients once flu season is declared. I'm not too happy wearing the mask but I am less happy with GBS so I don't take that chance. I guess I could get GBS with the flu but I'm taking my chances with that. I think a second time is not very likely.
No more vaccinations, unnecessary surgeries I was told. My GBS was likely triggered by Flu Shot.
The only thing any doctor here has told me about this hell of a syndrome is to never have a live culture shot I haven't been told why and people with GBS have a 3% chance of it returning. I must say if I ever get a respirtory infection again I will be nervous.
The CDC also mentions people with GBS should avoid getting Td (Adult Tetanus & Diphtheria) vaccine.
My neurologist, March 2016, said that if you got GBS after getting the flu shot then you should NEVER have another flu vaccine.
But for all else the vaccine was safe.
I personally will never touch the vaccine.
No, I was told in no uncertain terms by my Internist NOT to obtain a flu or any other vaccine shot. Same holds true for meds such as longer lasting Botox that I was really hoping I could tr , not for lines and wrinkles, but in an attempt to more effectively address the chronic muscle tightness and spasm I have post acute GBS in my neck and lower spine which results in ongoing chronic pain not well relieved by oral medication (I take Tramadol and Neurontin) .
At the recommendation of my doctors, I have never had a flu shot, or any other immunization. My current Internist and I made the decision recently to try a pneumonia shot. Since first diagnosed with GBS in 1982, I have had pneumonia more than a dozen times and bronchitis at least that many. That has become a more urgent concern at this time. This was in December 2015 and so far so good. I have not experienced any new, or an increase in any symptoms, and no pneumonia or bronchitis. This has as also enabled my asthma meds to finally bring me some relief from the almost daily attacks I was having. So far, this has been a positive outcome for what was a truly frightening decision at the time. In my experience, finding a doctor I could really trust to work with me, not apply cookie cutter treatment, has made a huge difference. All these years later and life continues to improve. Recovery is an ongoing process and I hope it continues for all of you as it has for me!
I recently returned to my doctor and I asked again about the flu shot and he said to me that my Neurologist said it is fine to have the flu shot as it isn't a live culture and I could be much worse if I get the flu. I'm Still not convinced I want to risk aving it so I will take my chances on not getting the flu.
Dana said:
My neurologist, March 2016, said that if you got GBS after getting the flu shot then you should NEVER have another flu vaccine.
But for all else the vaccine was safe.
I personally will never touch the vaccine.
I didn’t get GBS from the flu shot in fact how I got it remains a mystery. When the flu shot time came around 9 months after I was diagnosed my doctor said I should definitely have it so I did and there were no problems.
Hi, loislane.
I just joined this group today, and I believe that I might have some insight into your flu shot question.
When I got GBS, it was determined that I got it “idiopathically”, meaning that they have no idea what caused it. I had not gotten a flu shot recently, nor had I been sick or exposed to anything.
Subsequently, my immunologist said that I should not get any more flu shots. However, when I went to a national conference on immunodeficiencies, I learned from 3 other doctors that one is more likely to get GBS from the flu than from a flu shot! Therefore, I have gotten my regular annual flu shot since then, and nothing went wrong.
I appreciate your input. While I haven’t had a flu shot since gbs I am doing well an am considering getting the next one.
Thanks, Milli