Re-posting this ..from ERTHWLKR

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Kritter
Kritter Member Posts: 147
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Re-posting this for ERTHWLKR hoping he can get some replies as it was buried in my thread about Flu shots.. 

New

Hi Patrick and all:

I'm trying to find some backup for the statement that laryngectomy patients should get the high potency flu shot. Is this due to a higher susceptibility or increased symptoms if one does get the flu?
I know several laryngectomy patients and want to explain why with references...

Thanks!

- Jeff

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  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #2
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    I am a Laryngectomee Or Lary

    When I had my larygectomy surgery I had the flu shot at Stanford Medical and it was a standard tri flu shot. I had the flu shot and pneumonia shot the year before due to severe emphysema I am told to get the flu shot every year and pneumonia every four years. This year I had the Fluzone Quadrivalent shot. From what I have read the High dose is for 65 and over to protect more and build up a better imune system. Now maybe if you had Chemo or Radiation that might be an option. I had neithor and only 63, but my risk for the flu is about 8 times more then someone else, due to being a neck breather and stage 3 emphysema.  I hope this helps, as a Lary I have never ben told to get the high dose even by Stanford who did the surgery.

    Bill

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #3
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    wmc said:

    I am a Laryngectomee Or Lary

    When I had my larygectomy surgery I had the flu shot at Stanford Medical and it was a standard tri flu shot. I had the flu shot and pneumonia shot the year before due to severe emphysema I am told to get the flu shot every year and pneumonia every four years. This year I had the Fluzone Quadrivalent shot. From what I have read the High dose is for 65 and over to protect more and build up a better imune system. Now maybe if you had Chemo or Radiation that might be an option. I had neithor and only 63, but my risk for the flu is about 8 times more then someone else, due to being a neck breather and stage 3 emphysema.  I hope this helps, as a Lary I have never ben told to get the high dose even by Stanford who did the surgery.

    Bill

    Flu and susceptibility

    Hi Bill:

    Many thanks for your reply and also to Kritter for the reposting. This is the first time I heard of a higher potency flu shot and definitely the first about laryngectomy patients opting for it.. I thought it might be a susceptibility factor but found no backup online. Most likely the impact would also be greater on these patients considering the beathing changes - so some added protection would definitely be of benefit.

    Appreciate the info - I'll certainly pass it along!

    - Jeff

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #4
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    ErthWlkr said:

    Flu and susceptibility

    Hi Bill:

    Many thanks for your reply and also to Kritter for the reposting. This is the first time I heard of a higher potency flu shot and definitely the first about laryngectomy patients opting for it.. I thought it might be a susceptibility factor but found no backup online. Most likely the impact would also be greater on these patients considering the beathing changes - so some added protection would definitely be of benefit.

    Appreciate the info - I'll certainly pass it along!

    - Jeff

    Hi Jeff

    I didn't know you were a laryngectomy also.  I just had mine this past January.  It followed my tonsil cancer that was treated in 2007.  They say is was a different primary.  I'm healing okay - just really tired all the time.  But, I'm trying to get in shape, preparing for the next bout that will come (I don't know when - but I want to be in better shape).

    Are you on WebWhispers also?

     

    Lorna 2007 & 2014

     

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #5
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    lornal said:

    Hi Jeff

    I didn't know you were a laryngectomy also.  I just had mine this past January.  It followed my tonsil cancer that was treated in 2007.  They say is was a different primary.  I'm healing okay - just really tired all the time.  But, I'm trying to get in shape, preparing for the next bout that will come (I don't know when - but I want to be in better shape).

    Are you on WebWhispers also?

     

    Lorna 2007 & 2014

     

    Laryngectomy and webwhispers

    Hi Lorna -

    I'm not a laryngectomy patient - actually I'm a veteran of sphenoid sinus cancer, 7 years out next month. I was looking for the info for my fellow survivors/verterans in the head & neck cancer support group I co-facilitate. We haven't even discussed the flu vaccine yet but I'm going to raise the issue at our next meeting in November with the additional info about the hi-potency vaccine.

    Yes, cancer is quite an exhausting disease on many levels. But all we can ask ourselves to do is adapt, stay flexible, and stay as healthy as possible. About as good advice can be given to anyone...

    Wishing you continued good health with no further interruptions!

    - Jeff

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
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    ErthWlkr said:

    Flu and susceptibility

    Hi Bill:

    Many thanks for your reply and also to Kritter for the reposting. This is the first time I heard of a higher potency flu shot and definitely the first about laryngectomy patients opting for it.. I thought it might be a susceptibility factor but found no backup online. Most likely the impact would also be greater on these patients considering the beathing changes - so some added protection would definitely be of benefit.

    Appreciate the info - I'll certainly pass it along!

    - Jeff

    i am also a lary and just got

    i am also a lary and just got my flu shot last month.  nothing about a higher dose was mentioned to me so I'm assuming i just got the regular shot :0)

    dj

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