Should we or should we not get the vaccine? If we do we have to be off our meds for three months correct?
The last time I looked up the stats on effectiveness of the shingles vaccine I decided, for me, the effectiveness was not worth the experience. I do not remember the exact numbers but insurance only covered a little so it was $500.00 (or maybe 300.00) and I have really great insurance. And it was only 30-40 % effective. There is a lot of advertising for the vaccine which tells me the drug companies make a lot of money on it but physicians are less than thrilled with the results. A too large (in my opinion) of patients still get shingles though they have had the vaccine. And not all patients who get shingles get a bad case. Some barely know they have it. Since it is a live virus it is very difficult to administer and so some vaccinations are rendered ineffective by improper storage or handling. And you have to be off your PsA meds for at least 3 months. Not something I am willing to do. This was my decision for myself only but may help you make up your mind I hope <3.
What Michael said. There is a reason the Vaccine is being heavily marketed by drug stores to Seniors on medicare and by real doctors not so much. With or without our meds I wouldn't bother. You have aless than 1% chance of getting shingles to begin with with the vaccine not so much
An interesting tidbit of the 1% getting shingles only 8% were inmmunosuppresed. someqhat lower than the portion of the population that are immunosuppresed anyway......
Do you guys get the flu shot? I have in previous years, but not sure if I should this year. Was going to ask the rheumy on Monday.
Yes I got flu and pneumovax this year. The only ones to be careful with are the ones with live virus; polio, shingles, and typhoid are the most common but there are others. It is important for PsA patients and their families to get annual flu shots. Hand washing and disinfecting wipes are alos important esp. with kids in school.
I've never had a flu shot yet and didn't want to get one, however I've been told that because of my condition and the meds I have to. I will be getting mine tomorrow when I see the doctor.
always, always get the flu shot. I was inpatient last year and hospital protocol is to offer the pneumovax, so I got that too. Ps. If you can’t remember when you last had a tetanus shot, it’s time to get one.
I concur with Grumpy. Tetanus is every 10 years unless you have contact with horses than it is 5. I get mine every 5 as I never met a horse I didn't like and I have to pat every one I meet!
Unfortunately, I haven't had a tetanus shot in more than 30 years. I had a terrible reaction to my last one. I've ridden horses most of my childhood and up until around 14 years ago when I sold my last one. Never had a problem. But I will be more cautious in the future when I am around horses now that I am immune suppressed. Thanks for the info
Just got both flu and pneumovax...it wasn't so bad.
WAIT...what? I'm around horses every day, both my Drs know this, and no one ever told me that I needed tetanus. Who knows the last time I got one...
But I got flu and pneumonia shots 8 weeks ago. And my arm that got the flu shot still hurts like I got the shot yesterday. If I move my arm a certain way I almost cringe in pain. and its the muscle not a joint. I don't ever want another flu shot after that!
FYI, I request most IM injections be given in a gluteal muscle. They don’t hurt as much or for as long.
Also, if you move and flex your arm around a lot after the shot, you will get the vaccine flowing and you won’t have much pain.
My wife had terrible pain after her shot, and someone told her she should have done this. I had mine a few days later, and I didn’t have any pain at all.
I always get my flu shot and I make sure everyone around me gets one. I haven't been told I needed a pneumonia shot by anybody, nor did I know that I needed a tetanus shot. Just when I think I have all my Dr. appointments taken care of, darn it.
Michael, just wanted to thank you for sharing this info. I asked when I was getting mine if they were aware I can't have any live virus shots, as you had shared this info. They were aware and also gave me the pneumovax.
michael in vermont said:
Yes I got flu and pneumovax this year. The only ones to be careful with are the ones with live virus; polio, shingles, and typhoid are the most common but there are others. It is important for PsA patients and their families to get annual flu shots. Hand washing and disinfecting wipes are alos important esp. with kids in school.
You are welcome TaraLynn. I am glad it was of use to you and you will have a good winter with no viruses visiting!
Thanks Michael! The most ironic thing right now is the past two days since having the shots have been amazing as far as energy! I haven't felt this great in months!
michael in vermont said:
You are welcome TaraLynn. I am glad it was of use to you and you will have a good winter with no viruses visiting!
Sounds like the vaccines gave your immune system a jolt! Enjoy!
I was just thinking I need to get a shingles vaccine before I go on a biologic, but thanks to your posts here I don't think I'll do it.....however, I'm scared of shingles because two aunts of mine within the past couple years got shingles and it attacked their faces/necks. They look absolutely hideous. They both got bells palsy from it, which is why their faces became very distorted and freakish. Both of them are really depressed and they are having a hard time coping. Shingles has been known to "attack" people who are run down--aren't we in that category?
My family doc suggested a shingles vaccine before I started Enbrel. I’lll never know whether it was a good idea – and that’s a good thing!