Hi fellow RA folks. Do you know if it is recommended we get the H1N1 flu shot?
10/22/09 10:54am
As with the regular flu vaccine, it's generally recommended that you get the H1N1 vaccine - not only does it protect you, but also the people around you. For more information about H1N1 in general, go to our H1N1 flu page. You can also read about H1N1 vaccine and immunosuppressant drugs in a recent post by MyRACentral's Dr. Mark Borigini and you may also want to read this Newsweek article called 11 things you need you need to know about H1N1 vaccine (e.g., if you're allergic to eggs, talk to your doctor as both the regular flu and H1N1 vaccines are cultivated in eggs).
10/22/09 10:18pm
10/22/09 10:47pm
Depending on what meds you are on, my rheumatologist recommended that I not get any live vaccines. I have been on methotrexate and Orencia. If you are on immuno suppressants too, you should ask your Dr.
10/23/09 9:14am
Thanks for your reply. I am also taking Methotrexate, so I'll be sure to check with my Dr.
12/ 4/09 4:32pm
Sue, my doctor is very passive and I can't say I trust him. I know, I need to change to someone I trust. In the meantime, is Orencia a needle injection? My doctor wants me to consider something whereby I give myself shots every day.
12/ 5/09 8:45pm
Hi, Orencia is what is called an infusion. It is ran like an IV and takes about 1 1/2-2 hours each infusion. You get your 1st infusion then in 2 weeks get the next (this is called "loading") then once a month after that. This is a pretty intense drug to take right off the bat. Enbril or Kineret are self injectable drugs and so is Humira. I have been on all three of them. Humira worked the best (in conjunction with methotrexate) for a number of years. All the above drugs are in the same classification if my memory serves me right they are TNF blockers ( tumor neucrosis factor) a cell linked to RA. So, needless to say Orencia didn't have much success with me. I gave it 8 months. My body just didn't respond. I will begin a new classifcation of drug soon. It is a B cell blocker called Ratuxin. It is also an infusion treatment but the 1st dose takes all day (9am-3pm) then in 2 weeks the next dose (9am-1pm) then nothing for 6 months. I love my rheumatologist and his staff. I've been with him for 14 years. I guess I'm blessed to have him. I hope you can find one you trust, but research things on your own too. I hope I was of help and would love to answer any other questions.
1/18/10 3:49pm
I am on both MTX and Orencia and was told to definately HAVE both shots, because you have a compromised immune system. But NO LIVE VIRUS, as in the nose spray for H1N1. Only the shot.
10/24/09 1:23am
I would definitely NOT get the H1N1 vaccine, and probably not any of the others, either.
This latest vaccine has not been tested on humans. Do you want to be a guinea pig? Not me. The last time a "Swine Flu" vaccine was distributed, many who got it ended up paralyzed. The government has paid out millions (by their own admission-check .gov websites under health pages) to people who have had "adverse" reactions to vaccinations.
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By Pepper— Last Modified: 12/04/10, First Published: 10/22/09
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Thank-you so much for your reply!