Patti B Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hi all- Just asking a question here. What do you all feel about getting the H1N1 vaccine??? I have heard so many mixed reviews on it that I am not sure what to do and was wondering if others are considering it. I am a patient of Dr. Pennels from cancergrace so rather than asking him on there I will ask him Wednesday when I go for chemo. And of course I will share the info with all of you. My g/f says she has talked to two medical professional who say that the Swine flu has a habit of mutating (haven't heard that yet) and so therefore the vaccine may be useless. The swine flu has hit Ohio - southern Ohio has about 40-45 cases with about 7 at one of their universities; another college nearby has two cases and the highschool in the next community over has 1 case. I just hate to have come this far and then get really sick but I also feel like this vaccine was made awfully fast. What are all of your opinions???? Thanks for your input. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I posted the same question to Dr. West a few days ago and he had no input at all. Please let us know what Dr. Pennell says. I'm concerned about my hubby as well. But, each and every time in the past when my husband got the shot he ended up with that flu anyway. Would you mind asking your doc about that also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 Sure will, Michelle. I get the regular flu shot every year and never had a reaction but this would be much worse. I just feel like we have compromised immune systems and don't want to make things any worse. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Ok What happened to the clinical trial Process??? Most drugs take years and this one took week!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Patti, So glad you brought this subject up for discussion. I was wondering the same thing. Every fall, Bill and I receive the regular flu vaccine (dead virus). However, due to the fact that Bill is in treatment presently, and has a compromised immune system, I was actually wondering about both. The swine flue vaccine seemed rather iffy to me due to the haste with which it was put together. Maybe there is no answer to this due to not having any large-scale studies? We will be watching for updates on this - for sure. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrider1 Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Randy and Barb, Randy, clinical trials are already taking place. I can not tell you where I read that (except in the newspaper, WebMD and on Yahoo Health news on the internet, Don't have TV) and there was a list of Cities where they were asking for volunteers to take the shot. Barb, also most (operative word here is Most) flu shots do not need clinical trials nor long term trials as they are just a mutation of the flu we normal have sprouting up each year. All the researchers have to do is determine what is different about the new strain and restructure the shot to fit. With this flu (H1N1), it is a totally new strain of flu, so they have to start from scratch. It also (at this point) shows no signs of being able to mutate (which of course could change(with the exception of the animal to animal strain, which has not been completely proven yet)), so hopefully we won't have to worry about new strains next year. I have heard nothing from my ONC. about a serious need to take this shot as of yet. And since I have a daughter in High School, I am concerned that she not get it or bring it home. She now carries hand sanitizer in her back pack and will be told to use it often. I am watching news on this pretty closely, myself. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 If I have been interpreting it right - it sounds like this flu is harder on kids and young adults. Maybe it is one that we have already experienced in a milder form? I just saw my pcp and forgot to ask. See the onc next week and will try to remember. For that matter - I think I had a bug last week - headaches, achy, fatigue. I got scared, but didn't do anything except take naps after dinner. I pressed on at work. Only when I woke up feeling fine on Thursday did I realize I was probably sick! Huge relief. Yup, funny normal when the flu makes you happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianew Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 The last time I saw my onc I did ask about the H1N1 -- since I'm in a trial they had to check with the "trial people". I was told it was fine if I had the vaccine, but that only means that they don't feel it will interfere with the trial drug not that they think it's a good thing or not. I always get a regular flu shot, mostly because with one lung my biggest fear is getting anything that would wind up in my chest. Hopefully someone will have more information on this soon. One of my daughters-in-law is pregnant, and she is worried also about whether it is a good idea for the baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hi Patti, I always get the flu shot, and will probably get the H1N1 too. I think the pneumonia shot is best. The hubby always gets hard colds with cough every year, but it usually skips over me. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dahknee Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I guess I'm just like everyone else, just wondering. I normally get the flu and pneumonia shots because I have such a tendency towards that sort of illness. Dunno what I'll do this year yet but I see my ONC this week so gotta remember to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I'm with Barb. I got the pneumonia and flu shot last year. They diagnosed me when I was hospitalized with pneumonia and I had walking pneumonia the year before that. But I have to get home first! I will probably get whatever flu shot they are peddling. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonni Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 My understanding the shot will not be available for seniors...I do keep up with the pnemonia and flu shot cause I had the flu and pnemonia at one time the year before last ....and let me tell you I was sicker that after my lung surgery....IT was awful.... I just hope they are blowing this up like every other flu that they have scared the crap out of us over the years...it does sound scary...but even if available...I don't think I would take it....got it ready to fast for me.... God Bless us All xoxox...nonni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 OK - I did not get to see Dr. P but saw Tara my PA instead. I asked her what her and Dr. P. are doing about the vaccine. Bottom line - nothing much to say because 1) it hasn't even been released yet, and 2) they have had no information from the powers to be at the Clinic or the CDC or anyone about who for sure to give it to. Some news stories are saying it will NOT be available to senior citizens and some say it will be. She did say that its a dead virus vaccine which is safer to take. Michelle - to answer your question - its the same answer you always get about the regular flu shot - it doesn't cause you to get the flu. Of course, if they have no info how do they know???? I get the regular flu shot every year, along with my hubby and son and we have never gotten sick afterward but I do know a lot of people who do. I guess you will have to wait until they start giving it out to see what happens to other people. Sorry I don't have more information - we will all just have to get as much info as we can to make an informed decision. I do trust my doc and his opinion will mean a lot to me. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Patti...thank you so much for remembering me and asking. That was really sweet......no surprising since you're such a sweet lady anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Right back at ya, Michelle Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I got my regular Flu Shot yesterday at Walgreens. I asked the Pharmacists who gave me my shot what he thought about this N1H1 flu shot. His reply was pretty simple. He said, " I don't know. They don't know. No one no's what will happen or if this flu shot will help with the flu or not." Then he sighed and said, "We honestly just don't know." I tend to believe that. I asked my PCP about it, and he said, he didn't know if I should get the shot or not. He did say in my case he wanted me to check with my Cardiologist and my Pulmonoligist and see what they think as well. I honestly think the media is making this a LOT more HYPE then it may be, but it's also one of those things that there damned if they do, or damned if they don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Connie- Sounds pretty much like what I was told. Its a shame because we have so many cases of it here in Ohio and its getting real close to where I live - the next community over and unfortunately, we had an eight month pregnant woman die from it over the weekend - from the next community over the other direction!!! It seems like a lot of our cases of in colleges and high schools and so Nick will probably be exposed and he has asthma. With the holiday season approaching, I think of all those people at the mall touching stuff - guess its going to be an on-line shopping Christmas for me. I carry a little bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse but that won't help in the mall!!! All this controversy over it makes me wonder even more if its the thing to do but I hate to put my son or myself in jeopardy. I guess we all just wait and see. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calintay Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Patti I also am worried about my 8 yr old who has severe asthma. Here at work will probably be giving them out within the next month not sure what I will choose for myself or son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calintay Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Here is what my work says The flu has never gone away this summer, including H1N1 (swine) flu. At ******** employee health and infectious disease specialists have been closely following the situation, and here’s what is expected to happen this year: - close The annual flu shot campaign will involve three vaccinations over two months. Employees, physicians and volunteers should begin receiving the seasonal flu vaccine at the end of September or early October. The first dose of H1N1 vaccine should be given in late October, with the second dose given 21 days later. Flu is expected to be much more prevalent this year, so it’s especially important for everyone to take proper precautions by getting vaccinated, washing their hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when feeling sick. Employees and volunteers are strongly encouraged to be immunized this year as the best way to protect our patients, our co-workers, our families and ourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 On our Local News station they just reported that (who ever approved this N1H1 flu shot) has decided "Adults will only need ONE shot rather then Two Shots as they previously thought. They feel confident that One shot will do it." The shots will be available next month is what our news just said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursol Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Like connie, I also heard one shot will do it for adults. I called my oncologist and they told me to call my pulmonologist because they don't expect they will get doses of the vaccine early. She thought my pulmonologist may. I haven't called him yet. I believe children are first in line for the vaccinations. I'm not sure if I will vaccinate my kids. My plan is to get the regular flu shot next week and then follow up with the H1N1 as soon as someone will give it to me. The swine flu seems to do the most damage to people with existing respiratory illnesses. With my COPD the way it is, if I get the swine flu I could go into respiratory failure so I'll take my chances with the shot and hope it gives me some protection. Lilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 You should try and get Tamiflu and keep it just in case. Its hard to get docs to give perscriptions but in cases where a persons immune system is low or is a threat to your lung capacity you could probably get it. Here is the link if you want to read about it. Has anyone taken it in the past? http://www.tamiflu.com/ Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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