Flu shot, other questions

For years, I have gotten a flu shot. I am a teacher and I feel it has always helped me stay pretty healthy. Well last year at this time, I was hugely pregnant. I had a flu shot, had my daughter a week later, then got hand, foot, and mouth from my 2 year old a week and a half after I gave birth to my daughter. Then 6 weeks later, I got the dtap vaccine. 3 days later, I had bruises everywhere, which soon led to my ITP diagnosis. My hemo thinks this perfect storm of viruses and immune system events triggered the ITP, but of course, we really have no way to tell for sure.

Now I am a little scared to get the flu shot. If it weren't for the ITP, there'd be no question. And I should, for my children's sake, if nothing else. But I am still worried. My counts have never gotten below 30, so I've never needed treatment. I am worried that the flu shot will send my platelets crashing. The only thing that does make me think it will be okay is that when I did get sick after having ITP, my counts never seemed to go lower than about 10K lower than they were when healthy. So I can handle a dip, especially since I've been now hanging out in the 50-60k range. But of course I'm worried they'll go lower than that.

I also have another issue I've noticed. When my counts are below 50, I feel I notice more aches and pains. My neck tends to get stiff easier, I get more headaches, etc. Am I just weird, or have others noticed this as well?

I am not supposed to get any immunizations at all, however I asked if I could get the flu shot since I have young grandchildren - was told I could but at my own risk. I did get the flu shot [NOT the mist] last year and had no problems platelet-wise. I'll continue to get it I guess until I have a problem, which hopefully I won't.

We are all different - but you have to do what you feel is right.

It was a tetanus booster that sent my count to the gutter and ended my "remission".

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you, Melinda. Are you not supposed to get immunizations because of your ITP? Also, how soon after the tetanus booster did your counts tank?

The hepatitis B vaccine crashed my count to under 10. When tested it was shown that the vaccine hadn't taken anyway. Normally it would have been tried again but not for me. So far I haven't had the flu jab. Not sure whether I should risk it or not. Maybe I should. If my count fell it would only mean going back on Nplate and I can cope with that.

Taz it was a very short time before my count hit the gutter after the tetanus booster - this was 2002 so memory is foggy, but I recall it was just a feeling I had that my count was down so I went in for blood work. It is felt that a gamma globulin injection in 1989 is what triggered my ITP [very shortly after it the red dots appeared followed by bruises] - I didn't have a hematologist between 1/2004 and 1/2012, my HMO didn't think I needed one and my count was decent. In Jan 2012 I needed dental surgery and the specialist wouldn't do it unless a hematologist said ok - that's how I got the most fantastic hematologist ever! He was surprised I hadn't had certain tests so he ordered a lot and sent me to an allergy specialist since it was felt the gamma globulin injection triggered my ITP and then the tetanus booster tanked my count [pneumonia and flu shots never bothered me]. It was the allergy specialist who said no immunizations.

Right now my thought is - I'd rather have the flu shot than the flu.

There are differing opinions on this subject. I am not a fan of vaccines. I've never had a flu shot and have only had the flu once when I was 10. I am now 54. I have a weak immune system due to Lupus and the treatments, but I don't want to risk an exacerbation of symptoms due to a possible reaction from the flu shot. Vaccines have mercury and possibly mycoplasma in them and I don't feel that they are safe. It's also possible to get the flu even if you have the shot; they are not 100% effective and sometimes they don't even cover the strain that is going around.

That is just my opinion. Most of the US population would disagree with me, I'm sure. It has to be your decision. Base your decision on benefit vs risk. That's all you can do.

I've gotten a flu shot every year since my ITP diagnosis. It's never caused a count reduction for me.
I've had the flu twice; it's not something I want to ever have again, if it can be helped.
In fact, it's safe to say I'd rather have a platelet crash than the flu, and I'm really not kidding.
I know that the vaccine is no guarantee, but if it reduces the odds even a little, I'll accept that.

I have an annual flu jab as front line nurses really need them. Last year was my first as an ITP patient. It didn't affect my count at all

I had an allergic reaction last year to the flu shot. While I was at urgent care getting some treatment the doctor ran a platelet test. My count had dropped in half. Did my count drop because of the shot? or the allergic reaction? or did my count just drop because I respond well to treatment and than my count drops? Personally I did not care I just wanted to breath easier and the itchy throat to go away! I will never get the shot again that said I've never had the flu.

Immunizations trigger the immune system to create antibodies towards the disease you are getting immunized for ie: flu. It is possible that triggering the immune system may or may not trigger and increase of platelet destruction. My personal opinion is to speak with your doctor. Discuss the pros and cons than make the decision. Since everyone is different everyone will react differently.

Just received my flu shot a couple hours ago - wanted to get it today since I'll be getting a platelet count within the next 3 days. Was told because of my age I get the injection that is for 4 strains of the flu, if I was younger I would have had the injection that is for 3 strains.

Melinda, how were your counts after the shot? I still haven't gotten the shot, but I think I'm going to soon. My hemo said he would if he were me. I am still a little scared, but I'm trying to look at it as a virus. And any virus I've had has seemed to not affect my counts much.

I asked the immunologist if I should get it and he said "no". I was all ready to have it this year. Haven't bothered in the past but this time I thought I would and I could have got it through work which was easier than at the doctors.

Ann, did he say no because of your ITP? Is it because previous vaccines have caused your crash of platelets?

In most cases I would get the shot. Sure, it could possibly fire up your immune system and lower your platelet count but if you don't get it and get the flu your immune system will not only be VERY fired up but you will have the flu to boot.

Flu jab had no effect on my count at all

It's because I've got something going on with lymph nodes at the moment and he doesn't want anything else added to the mix upsetting either my lymph nodes further or risk crashing my platelets.

Taz my count dropped - but it is rebounding now on its own. I would much rather my count drop than to get the flu!

Yes, for sure! I keep thinking that as I prepare for it. I'm going to go this coming week.

Good luck! Keep us posted Taz!

I have had the fu shot every year since I was 18 - this year I reached the milestone of 50 years of having the flu shot. My counts drop slightly but soon come back and have not ever had a reaction to it.However if you are concerned watch for symptons and have bloodwork done.

My flu shot was Monday. My counts today were 44K. Last month, my counts were 64K. I doubt if the shot really dropped them. I truly think they fluctuate a lot over the course of a month. And I think they just usually end up in the 50-60 range at blood draw time. I did my draw a few days early because my schedule next week is hectic. But I almost wonder if I went on my usual day, if they'd be back in that range. Who knows?

But that brings me to my next set of questions. How much do counts fluctuate daily/weekly/monthly? And is it normal to see somewhat of a pattern with them as I feel I've been seeing these past few months?

Sounds like all is well after the injection. The only thing certain about ITP is that there isn't anything certain about ITP. I don't know Taz if anyone can tell you an exact amount a count could fluctuate at any given time.

Be sure to let us know what your next count is!

They can fluctuate a lot depending on the person.

I've always had the flu shot and have never noticed a reduction in platelets.

Also, I've not had the flu!

My hematologist assured me the flu shot was safe for me. I had always been advised that I shouldn't have live vaccines, however, and so I didn't have the shingles vaccine--though I was quite afraid of the shingles. Then, earlier this year, my platelets, for some mysterious reason, went up, almost to normal (100-130) and I reduced my pred to 2-1/2 mg/every other day. My hema told me the reason I had been advised against the shingles vaccine was more related to my prednisone dose than my ITP--and since my pred. dose was so low, I could have the shingles vaccine.

I did. I noticed no change in platelets.

Some months afterwards, my platelets are doing their "normal" thing--I'm usually in the 30s and on 5 mg pred/day.