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flu shot opinion from ITP specialist?

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13 years 10 months ago #19777 by gsh
flu shot opinion from ITP specialist? was created by gsh
Hi there - I know the flu shot has come up a number of times in different areas of the forum but what I would like to ask is whether any of the ITP specialists (e.g. those that speak at the hematology meetings, PDSA conferences, etc) have expressed their opinion on whether a flu shot (not the spray) could cause ITP to "flare" so to speak (rev up the autoimmunity).

I'm not asking if the flu shot is okay for those with low platelets (risk of bleeding) or those on immunosuppresants (compromised immune system) which are other concerns with getting a flu shot.

Has anyone heard or read an expert opinion on this?

Thanks!
13 years 10 months ago #19782 by
Replied by on topic Re: flu shot opinion from ITP specialist?
I've not read anything on the flu vaccine specifically but vaccines by their very nature are intended to rev the immune system into producing antibodies to the specific disease in that vaccine. That being the case, it IS known that anything that revs the immune system can rev up autoimmunity. Which is why they use immune suppressors on people with AI's - to "un-rev" (suppress) the immune system.
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13 years 10 months ago #19807 by eklein
Replied by eklein on topic Re: flu shot opinion from ITP specialist?
I last attended the conference about two years ago. The doctors who spoke at the conference were asked about flu shots (I attended the adult sessions) and they said the flu was much more dangerous than the flu shot in their opinion.
Erica
And she was!
Diagnosed May 2005, lowest count 8K.
4/22/08: 43K (2nd Rituxan)
10/01/09: 246K, 1/8/10: 111K, 5/21/10: 233K
Latest count: 7/27/2015: 194K
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13 years 10 months ago #19916 by gsh
Replied by gsh on topic Re: flu shot opinion from ITP specialist?
thanks patti and erica for your comments. I agree with you Patti and at the same time, to weigh the risk I think getting the flu is just as risky or worse as getting the shot with respect to reving the immune system. I guess the trouble deciding is that the shot is deliberate risk-taking while you might never get the flu! I ended up getting the shot and so far all seems fine (been in remission for 2 years almost). I don't know that I'll get it again next year, however. It was an in the moment decision.
13 years 10 months ago #19917 by
Replied by on topic Re: flu shot opinion from ITP specialist?
Always hard decisions to make.....

Our family is just clearing out from 2.5 weeks of the true influenza. We have never it before (lots of stuff gets called "flu" that isn't really). Our whole family was very sick but we were using homeopathics to keep everyone as comfortable as possible and we're pleased we could manage it this way. It's certainly not been fun, but it was manageable. And now back to the land of the living......:laugh:
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