Kate7617 Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Good morning, Thank you for all the support that comes from this community, not only have I learned a lot, but you all have lifted me up. I went to see a Pulmonary Dr Friday, Oct 4th 2019 after CRT, and 5 durvalumab infusions. The adverse side effects have caused me a lot of distress, and my onc didn't feel the need for me to put my treatments on hold until my inside GI tract and urinary tract plus swelling and weight gain ( 4.5 lbs ) in one week, hey I wasn't even on a cruise ship, lol, would be cause for concern, oh a rash and other things I don't want to mention in this setting. Well, Pulmonary Dr believes as I do and others that another Doc would be the answer. And that's what I decided to do. I feel relieved knowing I made the right decision. Why go to a Doc that you feel stressed and uncomfortable about her decisions, medically. Whew! So after it was told to me, ( they only treat cancer) not the side effects I have seen 3 Drs and on to a 4th next Friday. Let me know if anyone is getting the flu shot? I have some fear about it. Thank so much, and enjoy the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rower Michelle Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Hi Kate Glad to hear you’re comfortable with this decision. I hope you find an oncologist that’s a better fit. I got the flu shot two weeks ago- no problem. Be sure you’re up to date on the others as well (Shingles, Tetanus , and Pneumonia). We need all the help possible to stay healthy! Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonH Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Kate - Regarding flu shots; my Onc told me last year not to worry about it and that the benefits from the flu shot and its help preventing getting the flu far outweigh any potential risk of any chemo or Durvalumab interactions with it. I personally had my flu shot last year a few weeks after my last chemo and a few weeks before my first Durvalumab, and had no issues. The following guidelines I found online: These guidelines are to ensure that patients with cancer who are on treatment receive appropriate influenza immunization advice. The information is provided as a resource/guide only and does not take the place of any diagnostic, treatment plan or recommendations from a patient’s oncologist or specialists. 1. Patients on active chemotherapy, immunotherapy (including checkpoint inhibitors) or radiation therapy can receive inactivated influenza vaccine if not medically contraindicated. 2. Patients should not receive live attenuated influenza vaccine. This includes the intranasal form of the vaccine (e.g., FluMist®). 3. Inactivated influenza vaccine can be given at any point during the patient’s treatment, recognizing that while they may not get the full benefit of the vaccine, it still provides some value for patients. The optimal timing is not known. 4. For patients who have had a stem cell transplant the general guideline is that the influenza vaccine should not be given if the stem cell transplant is < four months in adults and < six months for pediatrics. 5. Patients who are treated with rituximab, or other B-cell depleting antibodies, should not have the influenza vaccine if the rituximab dose is < four months. 6. Patients receiving single agent checkpoint inhibitors such as PDL-1 inhibitors (e.g., durvalumab, atezolizumab) and PD-1 inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab, nivolumab) can receive inactivated influenza vaccine. 7. Patients treated with CTLA-4 inhibitors (e.g., ipilimumab, tremelimumab) alone or in combination with other anti-cancer agents and those who have discontinued treatment should not have the influenza vaccine if < three months. 8. Patients on clinical trial protocols should continue to follow instructions based on their specific protocol. 9. Families and care providers of cancer patients should be encouraged to consider receiving an inactivated influenza immunization if not contraindicated. The live influenza vaccine is not recommended because of the high risk of influenza viral shedding. https://www.skpharmacists.ca/uploads/media/5bd37c3345390/sca-influenza-immunization-guideline-october-2018-final.pdf?v1 http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/nursing-site/Documents/BC_Cancer_Provincial_Systemic_Therapy_Committee-Flu_Vaccine_Guidelines.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate7617 Posted October 6, 2019 Author Share Posted October 6, 2019 thanks, I will be going to my internal med dr next week for flu shot, I never had one before, I was always fearful of vaccines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 I was wondering about the flu shot as well. I’ve always opted not to do it but I’m considering it this year. There is also a pneumonia vaccine I’m considering. I’m 43 and it’s recommended for people over 65 but given the circumstances it is something I plan on asking my doctor about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudia Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 I asked my oncologist this question just the other day and I got an emphatic yes. Get a flu shot. I am at the end of fighting a cold so I'm going to wait until I'm feeling a little stronger and them get the flu shot my dr wants me to get. Positive thoughts, Claudia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 Kate, While my mom was in active treatment, she received her flu shots while getting her infusions. Her oncologist states they are very necessary, along with the shot for pneumonia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 Kate, I can't understate the importance of a lung cancer survivor receiving a flu shot. As a one lung survivor, any cold can and often does turn into a chest-congestion nightmare so I get my flu shot. I've also had both types of pneumonia vaccinations and am in fact current on all my vaccinations. So, I would definitely recommend you receive the shot. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulaC Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 I was told by my doctor to get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda F Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 On 10/5/2019 at 7:34 AM, Kate7617 said: Good morning, Thank you for all the support that comes from this community, not only have I learned a lot, but you all have lifted me up. I went to see a Pulmonary Dr Friday, Oct 4th 2019 after CRT, and 5 durvalumab infusions. The adverse side effects have caused me a lot of distress, and my onc didn't feel the need for me to put my treatments on hold until my inside GI tract and urinary tract plus swelling and weight gain ( 4.5 lbs ) in one week, hey I wasn't even on a cruise ship, lol, would be cause for concern, oh a rash and other things I don't want to mention in this setting. Well, Pulmonary Dr believes as I do and others that another Doc would be the answer. And that's what I decided to do. I feel relieved knowing I made the right decision. Why go to a Doc that you feel stressed and uncomfortable about her decisions, medically. Whew! So after it was told to me, ( they only treat cancer) not the side effects I have seen 3 Drs and on to a 4th next Friday. Let me know if anyone is getting the flu shot? I have some fear about it. Thank so much, and enjoy the weekend! My hubby had stage III-C non small cell (inoperable) LUNG Cancer. He finished chemo/radiation and now on 3rd immunotherapy (dav) can't spell. Anyways he got his flu shot today at the infusion center. His cancer have not shrunk but are stable ( I was told today). The latest c.f. Scan showed the main tumor was 5 cm and now 5.2 cm and the 5 lymph nodes that are malignant are all 3cm. I was told they were stable whatever that means. I asked when we would do another PET Scan? My hubby almost lost his battle a couple of .in the ago but GOD HAD DIFFERENT IDEAS. THANK YOU GOD. Anyways point being he got a pneumonia shot while in hospital and flu shot today. Yay!!!! On 10/5/2019 at 7:34 AM, Kate7617 said: Good morning, Thank you for all the support that comes from this community, not only have I learned a lot, but you all have lifted me up. I went to see a Pulmonary Dr Friday, Oct 4th 2019 after CRT, and 5 durvalumab infusions. The adverse side effects have caused me a lot of distress, and my onc didn't feel the need for me to put my treatments on hold until my inside GI tract and urinary tract plus swelling and weight gain ( 4.5 lbs ) in one week, hey I wasn't even on a cruise ship, lol, would be cause for concern, oh a rash and other things I don't want to mention in this setting. Well, Pulmonary Dr believes as I do and others that another Doc would be the answer. And that's what I decided to do. I feel relieved knowing I made the right decision. Why go to a Doc that you feel stressed and uncomfortable about her decisions, medically. Whew! So after it was told to me, ( they only treat cancer) not the side effects I have seen 3 Drs and on to a 4th next Friday. Let me know if anyone is getting the flu shot? I have some fear about it. Thank so much, and enjoy the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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