Should I get the flu shot to protect mom?

Veronica91, I agree with your post about vaccines. I also grew up in the era of no vaccines for measles, mumps, chicken pox. Some kids use to get complications from those rapidly transmitted illnesses, some complications for the rest of their lives.

One has to go with their gut feeling about other medical treatments. I took myself off a med I was suppose to take for 5 years, now they say to take for 10 years, for a certain type of cancer. The side effects just weren't worth it.

TheBoogs, if everyone thought the same way all the time, these message boards wouldn't exist. We are all entitled to our own opinions regarding the experiences each one of us has had.

I recall you were upset with me when I gave you information about reverse mortgages.

We really need to take the time and go onto legit websites to gather information to make an informed decision on all forms regarding life in general.

As for the flu shots, about 50% of the population will get their flu shots without any prompting, the other 50% refuse to get shots. Eventually a small percentage of those who didn't get a shot will do so the following flu season because either they became quite ill and missed a lot of time from work, or a loved one because quite ill.

The choice is still yours. But I wouldn't recommend you visit your Mom while she is dealing with chemo, etc. if you hadn't had your flu shot... and since her doctor recommended against her having a flu shot. When I had cancer surgery a few years ago in September, my Oncologist, my surgeon and my primary doctor had recommended I get my flu shot before surgery.

Boogs, get the Flublok shot, it's the safest for you and you will not shed virus. If you get the trivalent attenuated live vaccine, you will be shedding virus for ten days (per NIH). For ten days you would need to avoid anyone with a compromised immune system, like mom. At our big cancer hospital here, Roswell Park, there are signs on the BMT floors to stay OUT if you had a recent vaccine, of ANY kind. I asked what they meant by "recent" and they said two weeks.

I'm getting the flu shot because of all of you nice people who are struggling trying to take care of your loved ones' advice. Thank you.

Listen, I didn't want a debate. I'm going to get the flu shot because of all of yours and the other people's advice. And I DO value your advice. But please, please, be easy on me. And other people. I'm not an angry person.

TheBoogs, let it go.

I am on political forums and if I left because of what someone else wrote, I would be leaving every hour on the hour. I learned to skip over certain posters, instead of running away. But to get a well balance equation on things, you need to read what everyone has to say, and make you own conclusions.

I am glad you are going to get your flu shot, and have your partner also get her shot, too. That way both of you can care for your Mom a bit easier not worrying about passing the flu onto her :)

Boogs, you have to know this isn't right. You have been through a lot in your life, and you know some people won't like you or sympathize with you. Name calling when you are hurt, especially with profanity, is not the best option and does not put you in a good light. Of COURSE you can be a caretaker and be angry! I was once terribly hurt by some comments implying that people who felt negatively about their situation should not and could not be good caregivers, and the person indicated yes, that's what they really though and really meant...but it made no sense when it turned out they were grappling with those feelings and actually very depressed and in counseling. I suspect that kind of self-judgement and denial of those emoptions in herself are what led to it. To be angry - maybe about the unfairness of the situation - that's only human...some of our situations are worse than others - and the key is that you may feel whatever you feel; maybe you need your perspective corrected a little bit and then you won't feel quite as bad, sure, but it does not make anyone a bad caregiver, particularly if they struggle and decide to do what is right despite their feelings. This forum is where, for the most part, we at least tell people their feelings are valid and don't make you a bad person.

My cousin is gay. She took care of my aunt through a terminal illness recently, and had been her main support (along with her husband, not my cousin's father but actually a third marriage) for many years, out in Colorado. And she held the rest of us a bit at arm's length I think out of fear we would sit around judging her, but we didn't, and we are grateful to her for making Aunt Pat's life a little better and being there at the end. My cousin went through a lot of emotions and kept them close to the vest for the most part. Whatever else happens, you care for some people who need you. What can you do but love them, and love yourself the best you can. Feeling angry is being human. Feeling suicidal means you need to reach out for help. You got some perspectives on your life you don't agree with...it's OK. If it makes you realize your choices are good ones and defensible, so much the better. If it makes you realize you know your own life better than anyone else, that can't hurt either. Angry (outwards, towards others or towards the situation) is healthier than anger turned inwards (aka depression.)

My mom had her high dose flu shot yesterday. It may have caused extreme fatigue for her. She went to bed last night about 6:30, wandered a bit in the night, then slept until 11:30 am, was up about 5 minutes, went back to bed, shelf another two hours, had early dinner, finished about 4. Then went back to bed. It is now 10 and she is still sleeping well. Just bizarre, this is not like her at all.

Called the doc and extreme fatigue can be a side effect, but it doesn't happen very often. Hope she is back to her normal tomorrow.

It is now 4 am and she seems to be sleeping soundly, still. Hopefully she will be up within a few hours. She has been sleeping more the past few months. Tires quite easily, used to argue if I would try to get her to take a NEP, now never.

Even though you stopped taking the flu vaccine, and then did not get the flu is because your body had already been exposed to those viruses at that particular point-in-time. Each season, there are different strains with different DNA which crop up, usually from the Far East (Asia), and then move to the U.S. Your mother's immune system will be compromised given her chemo treatments and to not give her and YOURSELF a flu vaccine for THIS YEAR'S STRAIN is irresponsible and dangerous for you both. You do not state what medical education you have and why you object to flu vaccines, but as a medical professional educated to know how the body works, every adult is recommended by the CDC to get a flu vaccines yearly. Your body is not equipped to handle every strain that comes along, and for insurance sake, a vaccine introduces the body to that proposed strain early and then your body will recognize the real thing when or if you were exposed again. My husband and I have already had our flu vaccines, and we both have not had the flu in 10 yrs. He is 88 yrs. and I am 66 yrs. young. The choice is still yours to make...

I have had the bonafide flu 2xs in my life. Trust me, you do not want it! We tend to call everything "the flu" but that is more than likely not what you have at all. As a result of the flu I went into pneumonia and nearly died--and as another poster said, felt so bad that that didn't seem like a bad option. I'm not too sure what your fear is of the flu shot? It is a DEAD virus, nothing can make you get the flu from it unless you were going to be sick anyway and even if you were, its milder. If your mom is allergic to something in the shot, then of course its best not to give it to her. I for one would not consider going without a flu shot.

Last year I did not take the flu shot because I am allergic to polymyacin . I am 81 and do not go out in crowds very often,but I do eat out 5 times a week. How to find if I can take one this year. Never had a problem with it before. My general health is good,it's just arthritis that holds me back sometimes.

pritzy ask your MD if you should have it, and get it done at the next office visit if it is recommended.

Since the question is about protecting your mother the only answer that makes sense is yes get one. Sometimes we do things for others that we might not choose for ourselves. A compromised immune system leaves her vulnerable - why take the chance? The purpose of immunizations is to create a safety zone for those who are at risk. Personally I think you are very open and brave in asking this question based on your personal beliefs about vaccinations. No matter what you decide, the fact that your mind is open and your heart is in the right place says that you are a good daughter.

I care for my mother who is required to get flu vaccine so that she can attend adult day care. I, myself, do not get vaccinated. I have an exceptionally strong immune system, I believe because I eat, wash, clean organic. That said, I do occasionally use homeopathic and other organic preventative supplements.

My mother never got vaccinated until I started sending her to day care and she never got the flu. Allergies, on the other hand, she has always battled.

In Africa many believe that Ebola is fake or was created in a lab to kill people. This is nonsense. You're a writer. Unless you're a doctor or epidemiologist you aren't an authority on vaccines and are just spreading fear. The best protection against getting the flu yourself is washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing a mask in public. The best way to protect someone with a compromised immune system is to get the flu shot yourself and make sure they get the pneumococcal vaccine if indicated by a physician. Furtgermore, the flu vaccine does not cause the flu. The flu makes you feel like you've been run over by a truck and there's no confusing it for "the sniffles." Most people get the flu shot in the fall and the shot can coincide with fall allergies making them think they got sick from the shot. Think about it this way: the rooster crows every morning when the sun comes up but it's not a causal relationship. It's just coincidence and the sun would still rise even if the rooster caught laryngitis.

PCVS, it's the other people you need to worry. All you need is one person who has the flu to cough or sneeze within 6 feet from you to get the flu virus. You could carry that virus around with you and not even know it [have no symptoms, and pass it on to others who do have a weaken immune system.

I'm sure she thought her responses would be helpful, not sarcasam.

gladimhere -- I hope it subsides. May be the side effects. If she develops a fever, I would take her to the ER. But I seriously don't think it'll go that far. Keep an eye on her.

Sending positive thoughts…

Mom has been awake for about 12 hours in the last 60 hours. Unbelievable!

Do not forget that viruses DO NOT DISCRIMINATE. No matter what you do well to take care of yourself, you are no match for a virus if it wants to invade.

Ferris1, you got that right. I remember reading back when some people didn't want to take the smallpox vaccine nor the polio vaccine. Some of the reasons not to take it were old wives' tails and myths about the vaccines. Same with the myths about the flu vaccines.

NYDaughterInLaw, yes, I am a writer and I do a lot of research. I also research ~thought-to-be-whacky~ conspiracy theories and have known some of them to come into fruition. If you trust our government, then that's your business. For me, I think taking the vaccine is "big pharma" business, plus the fact they are adding so many other chemicals into this vaccine to make it neurologically dangerous for anyone.

In an article written by Ken Picard in a local Vermont newspaper, it reads, "Nicole and Justin Matten of Barton have lived every parent’s worst nightmare. On December 2 2012, their 7-year-old daughter, Kaylynne, visited her physician for an annual checkup. She got a flu shot. The next day, she developed a bad headache and fever. On December 6, the normally happy and healthy girl, who had no previous history of chronic health problems or adverse reactions to vaccines, turned blue, stopped breathing and died in her mother’s arms."

Many medical experts now agree it is more important to protect yourself and your family from the flu vaccine than the flu itself. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind this verdict. From extremely toxic ingredients and lack of sufficient research to disabling and even deadly side effects, here are 20 reasons you’ll want to consider before stepping up for your annual flu jab.

1) There is a total lack of real evidence that young children even benefit from the flu shot.(8)

A systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children age 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo. Also the shots are only able to protect against certain strains of the virus, which means that if you come into contact with a different strain of virus you will still get the flu.

2) Injecting vaccines can lead to serious health problems.

Medical journals have published thousands of articles revealing that injecting vaccines can actually lead to serious health problems including harmful immunological responses and a host of other infections. This further increases the body’s susceptibility to the diseases that the vaccine was supposed to protect against.

3) The flu shot causes immunosuppression.(9)

Ever noticed how vaccinated children within days or few weeks develop runny noses, pneumonia, ear infections and bronchiolitis? The reason is the flu virus introduced in their bodies which creates these symptoms. It also indicates immunosuppression (i.e. lowering of the immunity). The flu vaccines actually do not immunize but sensitize the body against the virus.

4) The flu shot contains additional immune sensitizing ingredients.(10)

Its a known fact that Flu vaccines contain strains of the flu virus along with other ingredients. Now think about the impact such a vaccine can have over someone with a suppressed immune system? If you have a disease that is already lowering your body’s ability to fight a virus, taking the flu shot will put your body in danger of getting the full effects of the flu and make you more susceptible to pneumonia and other contagious diseases.

5) Flu shots contain mercury.(11, 12)

Mercury is a heavy metal known to be hazardous for human health. The amount of mercury contained in a multi-dose flu shot is much higher than the maximum allowable daily exposure limit. Mercury toxicity can cause memory loss, depression, ADD, oral health problems, digestive imbalances, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases and many more such serious health ailments.

6) The flu shot is ineffective and dangerous for elderly.(8)

There is mounting evidence that flu shots can cause Alzheimer’s disease. One report shows that people who received the flu vaccine each year for 3 to 5 years had a 10-fold greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease than people who did not have any flu shots. Also with age the immune system weakens, thus lowering your ability to fight off infections. Introducing the flu virus in the bodies of elderly could have dangerous consequences.

7) The CDC Advisory Committee cannot be trusted.(13)

The Center for Disease Control appoints a 15-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This committee is responsible for deciding who should be vaccinated each year. Almost all the ACIP have a financial interest in immunizations. It’s all about the money and may have very little to do with your health and well being. The very people pushing these vaccines stand to make billions of dollars. This itself creates a doubt on how effective these flu vaccines really are.

8) Overuse of flu vaccines may be making flu viruses more deadly.(14)

Research shows that over-use of the flu-vaccine and drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza can actually alter flu viruses and cause them to mutate into a more deadly strain. Couple this with drug resistant strains and you have virtually no benefits with much risk.

9) Several ingredients cause serious neurological disorders.(15)

There is enough evidence that shows that the ingredients present in the flu vaccinations can actually cause serious neurological disorders. In the 1976 swine flu outbreak(16), many who got the flu shots developed permanent nerve damage. Flu vaccines can contain many harmful materials including detergent, mercury, formaldehyde, and strains of live flu virus. Is this what you want to put in YOUR body?

10) The ridiculous guessing game of flu strains.(14)

Trying to guess what strain to vaccinate against each season has proved to be no more effective than a guessing game. This has been very true in recent years with the H1N1 strain. Moreover, getting multi-shots will only prove more dangerous as different strains of viruses and harmful ingredients are introduced into your body.

11) CDC reports even more adverse events with Fluzone High-Dose.(17)

Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone High-Dose is a new influenza vaccine created in 2010 for people over 65 years of age. Even though the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) insists that the vaccine is as safe as any other seasonal vaccine, the fact is that the shot is replete with side effects like pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, fever, and malaise. All the listed negative symptoms were observed during clinical studies for Fluzone High-Dose.

12) CDC expects at least mild, flu-like side effects.(7, 18)

The CDC says that the 2013-2014 flu vaccine will also have the same side effects the 2010-2013 vaccines had. These include soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot is administered and nasal congestion after the flu vaccine nasal spray.

13) Novartis’ Monovalent Vaccine caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome, anaphylactic shock, and death.(19)

The 2009 package insert for Novartis’ Monovalent Vaccine which was leaked on the internet created a huge uproar. Why? Because, its side effects, as stated on the insert, include: Guillain-Barre Syndrome, anaphylactic shock, vasculitis, and get this – death. This finding backed two studies conducted in 2007 and 2009, of which the latter found that, out of every million people diagnosed with flu, between 40 and 70 developed Guillain-Barre after getting the shot. However, this information didn’t stop Government health officials from pushing the vaccine into the market in 2010 and 2011.

14) 2010 flu shot for children caused high rate of febrile seizures.(20, 21)

In December of 2010, however, the flu vaccine formulated specifically for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old was found to be causing a higher than normal incidence of febrile seizures

15) The World Health Organization reported in 2010 a link between H1N1 vaccine and narcolepsy.(22)

In February 2010, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 12 countries had recorded a possible link between the development of narcolepsy, a chronic nervous system disorder that makes people uncontrollably fall asleep, and the H1N1 vaccine. Finland, was one of those countries who openly admitted that the swine flu vaccine “conclusively” causes narcolepsy. The Finnish government acknowledged that link and said that would pay for “lifetime medical care” for 79 children who have been irreparably damaged by the swine flu vaccine. Narcolepsy wasn’t the only side effect admitted to be caused by swine flu vaccines: 76 of the 79 children also suffered hallucinations and “paralyzing physical collapses”.

16) H1N1 flu shot linked to miscarriages.(23)

A series of miscarriages were recorded in the US after June 2010 due to the H1N1 vaccination. Hundreds of cases were reported across the country, and most miscarriages took place within days of the vaccination.

17) Flu shot increases risk of Alzhiemer’s disease 10 times!(24)

Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, a world renowned immunogeneticist announced that you have a ten-fold increased chance of Alzheimer’s after receiving five flu shots. That’s ten times more likely than no flu shots or one, not ten percent more likely.

18) In 2010, Australia banned flu vaccines in children.(25)

Vaccinated children were going into convulsions, began vomiting, exhibiting dangerously high levels of fever, and having seizures. The flu shot also put at least one child into a coma.

19) No evidence of protection in people over age 65.(26, 27)

A study published in the Cochrane Systematic Review in 2010 stated that there was no scientific evidence to prove that regular or seasonal flu shots protect people over the age of 65. The study concluded: “Evidence for the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccines in the over 65 is poor, despite the fact that vaccination has been recommended for the prevention of influenza in older people for the past 40 years.”

20) The Lancet published a study showing that the flu shot was only 1.2% effective.(28)

A study conducted by The Lancet in 2010 brought out some startling revelations about the effectiveness of flu shots. The study involved a control group of 13,095 adults who were not vaccinated. The group was monitored to see if participants had been infected by the influenza virus, but 97% remained unaffected. Only 2.7% or 357 people in the non-vaccinated group ended up contracting the virus. Of the group of adults who were vaccinated with a trivalent inactivated influenza shot, only 1.2% did not catch the flu. The difference between the two outcomes is that the flu vaccine only prevents the flu in 1.5 out of every 100 adults injected with the flu shot not 60% as you’ve been told.

I have been doing research on this vaccine for years and nothing - nothing - not. one. thing….leaves me to believe that it's safe or healthy for any of us.

I know that many of you are pro-vaccine, and that's okay, but I wish people would do more research instead of trusting their family doctors and run of the mill pharmacies who are giving it out for free. There's a reason they're giving it out for free.

Dig in more. That's all I'm trying to say.

So, TheBoogs, I don't understand your question or why you would even CONSIDER getting a shot, if this is what your research has convinced you. If not one thing leaves you to believe that it's safe or healthy, why on earth do you even raise the question? This is truly puzzling. You have every right to make your own decisions based on your research.

TheBoogs, big pharmaceutical companies barely break even or take a financial loss when it comes to manufacturing the flu vaccine. It's not like this vaccine can be put back on the shelf for next year and the year after. Research and development is terribly expensive.

The pharmaceutical companies make the vaccines because they don't want to see millions of people dying from a flu pandemic.

TheBoogs, also please note that pharmaceutical companies are worldwide, the vaccine we get here in the States are made under U.S. control even some of the batches are made in other countries.

The Australia ban on a flu vaccine had to do with the then controversial Fluvax vaccine not made to standard. If those children were given flu vaccines made from other government controlled pharmaceutical companies there wouldn't have been that issue.

Because Mom. (UGH!!!) I love her so much and if it means keeping her longer despite the risks, then so be it. But I am struggling SO badly because I am SO anti-vaccine.

NO doubt --- I'm going to do it to save Mom and keep her here longer, but as you can see, I'm going NUTS over this.

Sorry.

I'm just venting and banging my head against a wall here! LOL!

*breathe*

Thanks for your patience with me.

And GOD forbid she gets sick because I got sick, I could never live with myself.

Boogs, If you get sick and she gets sick, consider that who survives is decided by mother nature, god, and microbes. Much of life is a no fault situation.

TheBoogs, I know it is a conflicting choice for you, and you are right you need to do this for your Mom. Don't wait too long because it takes two weeks after you get the vaccine for it to take full affect, and this year the flu season will start early.

I know I got to get my parents in for their flu shot, they are in their mid-90's and every year for the past 30 some years they have been getting their flu shot, and they are still sharp as a tack for someone their age.

My husband and I both get flu shots every year, with no side effects. Of course it is not 100% guaranteed, there are lots of different types of flu in existence. So it is still possible to get a type of influenza during the year. But to blame it on the flu immunization has always seemed to be a shame. Our healthy neighbor of middle age thought he had a bad cold, collapsed, and despite excellent health care, died within 4-5 days.He had been strong and in good health. I believe the diagnosis was Influenza A. Last year I had 2 cases of something that laid me low and precipitated serious asthma attacks. It is so hard on the immune system that I certainly would recommend people who have asthma, are cancer survivors or have any autoimmune disease or are elderly get the vaccine. I have not have influenza except the illness last year, but I have no factual information that they were a type of influenza. It was so debilitating, especially since is was in my senior years. I am still trying to rebuild muscle tone and strength I lost while in bed for such a long time. If there is a next time, I will not lie in bed until I feel better. I would force myself up to not lose so much strength. This is just my personal view of the situation.