Flu Shot?

GayleMc
GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi. This is my first flu shot season since diagnosis and have appt. with onc in a few weeks, but was wondering if flu shots are recommended. Thanks for any help.
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Comments

  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    #2
    My onc office gave me mine
    My onc office gave me mine last week! She highly recommended it.
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    #3
    pinkflutterby said:

    My onc office gave me mine
    My onc office gave me mine last week! She highly recommended it.

    Thanks. That's good to
    Thanks. That's good to know.
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #4
    GayleMc said:

    Thanks. That's good to
    Thanks. That's good to know.

    Flu Shot
    Last year I was in chemo/herceptin treatment and my oncol. recommended it. It was the first one I've ever had. I'm gettig another one this year.
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #5
    I never got one, but I have
    I never got one, but I have heard of them being recommended for cancer patients. The body has a lot to deal with, and chemo can lower immunity...certainly not a bad idea if your Doc. says so.

    seof
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #6
    Yes they are!
    Had mine all through treatments.

    Blessings,

    Sylvia
  • Scotch Freckles
    Scotch Freckles Member Posts: 273 Member
    #7
    Flu Shot
    Was your flu shot just the flu med or was it all inclusive with the H1N1 too?
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #8
    sea60 said:

    Yes they are!
    Had mine all through treatments.

    Blessings,

    Sylvia

    I had both last year during
    I had both last year during treatment. I will get it this year as it is mandatory where I work. Someone suggested a pneumonia shot, I havent figured out that yet though.
  • KateCarroll
    KateCarroll Member Posts: 3
    #9
    Flu Shot or Not
    My onc asked if I've had one in the past and I said NO. He asked if I've gotten the flu in the past and again, I said NO. He saw no reason for me to get it. Unless I would feel more comfortable with one. I am getting radiation and Avastin every 3 weeks.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #10
    Yes
    I've gotten flu shots off and on for years when I remember to go in and get them. Last year I was in chemo so I definately got the 'reg.' flu and Swine flu/H1N1 shot. I'll be getting my flu shot on Nov 4th as that's the first day that my Clinic will have them in.
    It's been suggested that i get a pneumonia shot and a shingles shot this year too as they wanted to give it last year IF I hadn't been on Chemo then.

    (I'm one that had the original Swine Flu shot back in 1976 - also one of the lucky ones that didn't have any bad side effects from it.)
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #11
    Rague said:

    Yes
    I've gotten flu shots off and on for years when I remember to go in and get them. Last year I was in chemo so I definately got the 'reg.' flu and Swine flu/H1N1 shot. I'll be getting my flu shot on Nov 4th as that's the first day that my Clinic will have them in.
    It's been suggested that i get a pneumonia shot and a shingles shot this year too as they wanted to give it last year IF I hadn't been on Chemo then.

    (I'm one that had the original Swine Flu shot back in 1976 - also one of the lucky ones that didn't have any bad side effects from it.)

    I had both shots last year
    I had both shots last year so wondering if I need the combined one this year too. My aunt got the shingles in her eye, it started on her forehead, and it has been a long road, pain, vision issues, we commiserated on email, when I was going through chemo. She was really mad she didnt know about the shingles vaccine or she would have taken it.
    Rague glad you were ok, I remember I had the Hong Kong flu as a kid. I was so nervous last year particularly with shortage of vaccine for swine flu, it didnt seem like anything to ignore. Hope this is a better flu season, although I know lots of sick people already so wash those hands!!!
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #12
    I had one last year while
    I had one last year while undergoing chemo. My oncologist recommended it. I plan to have another the end of this month at my PCP's office.
    BL
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #13
    good idea
    My Onc nurse gave it to me.....Onc strongly recommended it......no side effects!
  • upnorthlive57
    upnorthlive57 Member Posts: 41
    #14
    Sher43009 said:

    Flu Shot
    Last year I was in chemo/herceptin treatment and my oncol. recommended it. It was the first one I've ever had. I'm gettig another one this year.

    sher43009 kittens
    the kittens in the pic look like mine the blk/white one is named sylvester we rescued him from the animal shelter. He was sooo tiny and sic, that was 5 years ago now he is shinny black and weighs about 14 lbs. the other orange tiger Leo is our little warrior also 5 years old found wandering the neighborhood lookin for scraps to eat. He now weighs about 7/8 lbs and is the best hunter for moles and mice. they both know when i am not feeling good they lay on my lap or beside me and turn on their purring machines. Such a wonderful sound to fall assleep to!!!
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #15
    upnorthlive57 said:

    sher43009 kittens
    the kittens in the pic look like mine the blk/white one is named sylvester we rescued him from the animal shelter. He was sooo tiny and sic, that was 5 years ago now he is shinny black and weighs about 14 lbs. the other orange tiger Leo is our little warrior also 5 years old found wandering the neighborhood lookin for scraps to eat. He now weighs about 7/8 lbs and is the best hunter for moles and mice. they both know when i am not feeling good they lay on my lap or beside me and turn on their purring machines. Such a wonderful sound to fall assleep to!!!

    Actually these aren't mine
    Actually these aren't mine but a picture of cute animals a friend emailed me. Mine hate the camera and always move. I'm down to one cat now--an orange tiger Lyon I've had for 15 years. Like yours a major hunter and always trying to "feed" me. My other one was a sweet calico that would always be on me during chemo and if I was crying she'd sit next to me and make litte mew noises until I stopped. She passed (old age) last fall. My Lyon sleeps with me and has to be under the covers.
  • GregStahl
    GregStahl Member Posts: 188
    #16
    We were
    told to get the shot, not the nose spray. The spray is a live virus.
  • cookie97
    cookie97 Member Posts: 200
    #17
    I just asked my....
    I just asked my onc Friday when I was there for treatment. He said as long as my WBC was good that i should go ahead and get one. I have gotten a flu shot every year for the past 5 years and I make my husband and daughter get them as well. This will be the first one I will get along with chemo. Interesting? Well good luck; I've never had any adverse reactions.

    Peace and Love,
    Edie
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #18
    I had mine this morning--no
    I had mine this morning--no side effects at all. I usually take tylenol right before I get the shot and then I don't have a problem.

    I get it every year, not just for myself but to protect my patients. One immunologist who I spoke with believes that these shots actually "smarten up" your immune system, so that it becomes more adept at fighting viruses in general. Definitely a win, win for a breast cancer survivor!
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #19
    CypressCynthia said:

    I had mine this morning--no
    I had mine this morning--no side effects at all. I usually take tylenol right before I get the shot and then I don't have a problem.

    I get it every year, not just for myself but to protect my patients. One immunologist who I spoke with believes that these shots actually "smarten up" your immune system, so that it becomes more adept at fighting viruses in general. Definitely a win, win for a breast cancer survivor!

    P.S.
    I also make my immediate loved ones get the shot. I beg them to do it for me and that always works! Actually, I know it as much for them but don't tell ;-)
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    #20
    CypressCynthia said:

    P.S.
    I also make my immediate loved ones get the shot. I beg them to do it for me and that always works! Actually, I know it as much for them but don't tell ;-)

    Once again, thanks ladies
    Once again, thanks ladies for the responses. Will definitely be getting the shot.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #21
    My onc
    told me to get my flu shot the week before chemo so I had it today.
    Char

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