Flu Shot??

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marky

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Apr 30, 2006
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Just curious if you get the flu shot? If your cardio or surgeon has suggested it? and if you have always done it or only since your surgery?
 
Mark,
Looking forward to some replies. I have never had flu shots but have wondered if I should get them now. My family doctor says 'everyone needs one'. I haven't asked Cardio about it.??.??
 
Nathan's cardio and surgeon insisted that he get his flu shot while in the hospital @ 3 days post AVR. It was also encouraged that the entire family get them and we did. We did not get them in the past.
 
I have always gotten a flu shot and after my surgery both my cardio and surgeon said I should get one every year.
 
I've gotten one every year since 1991 and pneumonia shot once every 5 years. This was after my lung disease diagnosis, but even the Cardio wants me to have them now.
 
ABSOLUTELY!! Both Tyce and I get them yearly. He never use to, but since OHS, our pcp recommends it. One year, when they had the flu shot shortages, we stood in line at 5 am at our local CVS pharmacy. When we got there about 4:45 we were #16 and 17 in line.....by 8a.m. they were over 500 people for 200 vaccinations.......scary. hope that never happens again.

Evelyn
 
One flu over the cuckoos nest

One flu over the cuckoos nest

Yes yes yes
I get my flu shot every year. even before surgery.
I also got my pneumonia jab.
Well worth it.
In 2001 I had bronchal pneumonia. Not funny. Three weeks in hospital on a drip, lots of pain. Loads of needles!

Lotti
 
marky said:
Just curious if you get the flu shot? If your cardio or surgeon has suggested it? and if you have always done it or only since your surgery?
Click to expand...

No doubt about it. Evidence is in. Flu shots work. Get one!
 
I am allergic to eggs so flu shots are out. However, I do carry cleaning wipes and lotions everywhere I go and wash my hands an almost ridiculous amount. I do not shake hands and avoid crowds and eating out. Short of wearing a surgical mask, I take every precaution possible. I do get slightly sick once in a great while but only once, in the past 20 years, can I say I got the full blown flu.

So, if for some reason you cannot get a shot, take all the other precautions and it does help.
 
People with valve problems are considered priority patients for the flu shot. Your cardio will give you a note, if shots are scarce.

The only year I haven't had one since being diagnosed was when we had the shortage. I had a note from the cardio in my hand, and was about three people in front of a lady in a wheelchair with oxygen, one of many very frail-looking people in line behind me. They announced how many shots were available, and plainly there were not enough for those in line. I couldn't do it. What if they ran out of shots right after me, and that lady didn't get one?

Still, you should get the shot, as long as you're not allergic.

Best wishes,
 
Absolutely!! I get a flu shot every year and had my pneumonia shot the first fall after my surgery. Luckily I work in a hospital so get them there. Every cardiac patient should get a flu shot and keep their pnuemonia shot up to date. Karen
 
tobagotwo said:
People with valve problems are considered priority patients for the flu shot. Your cardio will give you a note, if shots are scarce.

The only year I haven't had one since being diagnosed was when we had the shortage. I had a note from the cardio in my hand, and was about three people in front of a lady in a wheelchair with oxygen, one of many very frail-looking people in line behind me. They announced how many shots were available, and plainly there were not enough for those in line. I couldn't do it. What if they ran out of shots right after me, and that lady didn't get one?

Still, you should get the shot, as long as you're not allergic.

Best wishes,
Click to expand...

Absolutely get your flu shot. The year of the major shortage was in the fall of 04 and I had my surgery in March of 04. My PCP put me in the priority list and I also got it early. Speaking of early...I'm getting mine Wednesday. :)
 
I have never had the flu shot.. no one ever suggested it to me? Not even now after OHS in May!
Nor has it ever been suggested that I get a pnemonia vaccine. I am 43 yo female.. does that make a difference?

My younger 2 always get a flu shot b/c they have asthma..
What is the egg issue?

I can't eat the yolk of an egg, but eat the whites all the time.. what does that have to do with the flu shot?

Thanks for your replys, I was curious why my PCP never suggested it, and I just had my physical with her 3 weeks ago... and my check up with Cardio at the same time.
 
I started getting the flu shot in 1998 at age 47 because I developed asthma and it is considered a chronic condition that warrants the shot. My PCP also gave me the pneumonia vaccine.
In August 2004 when I was diagnosed with mitral regurgitation, the cardio advised me to be sure and get the flu shot from now on because of my heart.

so that's what I do....
 
I have always gotten the flu shot. But then, I've had known heart issues since birth. My mom used to get them for me through her work, and now I do through mine. The year of the shortage, though, work had a day planned and then the day before cancelled it. I was in a panic. It was already November and I hadn't gotten one. I went to my ACHD doc and when she heard that I hadn't had one yet she told me it was very important for me to get one. Her exact words were "If you were to get the flu it would be devistating." That afternoon my MIL called a friend of hers whose husband is a doctor. He had ONE shot left and when my MIL explained the situation they saved it for me and gave it to me at their house. My mother cried with relief when she heard I'd gotten one. My husband thought she was crazy for being so worried until I told him what the ACHD doc had said.
 
My wife (stroke) and I (VR) are both in high-risk groups so we get the flu shots every year. The year of the great shortage, we had to stand in line all day to get one. This year, we're told, supplies are expected to be plentiful.
 
I'm going to my new cardio Thursday. Will probably need to ask her and oncologist about flu shot. Had pneumonia shot in June after pleural effusions post-op. How long are those good for? Nuelasta (white blood cell building injection) is made of e-coli bacteria. I'm sure flu shot will be recommended. Just weird to me how medicine in general works. I need all these nasty shots, but I cannot take vitamins to build my blood up during chemo.
Perhaps all these questions explain why I am a special education teacher and not a medical doctor. :eek:
Debbi
 
I have always worked in a place where I can get a flu shot, I've gotten one every year for a very long time. I do have a friend that had a flu shot and she had one every year. That year she had an allergic reaction to it and almost died. She can never take another one. So you still have to be careful even if you have never had any problem with it.:D
 
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