Flu shot

[kimblanchard]

I went to my pulmonologist today that I have the utmost confidence in. I was pleased that the new oncologist had sent him a report and he approves of her recommendations. He brought up an interesting thought. He has always made sure I had the flu shot on time. Today he told me to check with the oncologist first because sometimes they don't want patients on chemo thaking it. Have any of you heard anything about that?

[karenl]

Hi BLT

The problem with chemo is that it tends to reduce your immune function, leaving you susceptible to contracting illness. Having a flu shot during chemo might actually make you more likely to contract the flu, as the flu shot introduces the bugs into your system. If your immunity is low, then your body is less able to deal with these intruders.

Hope this helps

Karen

[Don Wood]

Just last week we asked Lucie's onc about the flu shot and he had no problem with Lucie getting it. In fact, he recommended it, and she is toward the end of her chemo treatments. Don

[karenl]

I am sure it all depends on how your body is dealing with the chemo. If your blood work is good, then the doctors would probably be happy for you to have the shot.

I know that Mum wanted to have her flu shot, and the Onc recommended that she have it during her week off chemo (when she was on a 3 weeks on, one week off cycle). Mum's blood count didn't usually start to drop until several days after commending the cycle, so the timing should have been fine. Unfortunately, she had her shot, and 2 days later her blood tests showed that her neutrophils (? I think) were very low, so we had a worrying few days waiting to see whether she was going to develop any flu symptoms. I think the main problem is not just that you might get the flu, but that it could develop into something much worse if your immune system is low.

That is my understanding of it, anyway!

All the best

Karen

[Frank Lamb]

I was told to make sure I got a flu shot.At the time I was more at the beginning of the chemo treatments.They told me flu shot every year and pneumonia shot every 5 years if I lived that long.

[TAnn]

Last year I was on chemo when flu season rolled around. My oncologist recommended getting the shot during my "good" period between chemo cycles. So, I had my shot just prior to the next scheduled chemo, after making sure my blood counts were all up and good of course!

TAnn