flu shot,whooping cough, shingles shot

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beachmd
beachmd Member Posts: 19
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Are these good or bad to take with chemo coming up in nov?

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited October 2012

    Ijust heard on TV the other night that all shots are risky for everyone because they contain mercury. I have never heard of this before. Ask your doctor if he/she thinks it is safe for now.

    I always feel sick after getting shots anyway, so have skipped them for the last two years.

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  • jenlee
    jenlee Member Posts: 504
    edited October 2012

    I found myself wishing I had gotten them, plus pneumonia. Knowing your resistance will be down, it's definitely something to ask your doctor about!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2012

    Here is a recent article from the CDC regarding thimerosol, the mercury derived preservative, in vaccines.

    http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm

    My infusion center recommends the flu vaccine for all patients on chemo and even sends a mobile cart to give vaccines to those attending chemo class. I have had the vaccine for the past three years with no problem. Prior to that, I had the flu and was sicker than I'd ever been.

    Caryn

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited October 2012

    Absolutely ask your doctor.

    The week after I was dx'd, I got all my vaccines, plus the shingles shot - because they didn't know what my treatment would be, and wanted me to have them as soon as possible.

    The shingles vaccine is considered a live vaccine, and cannot be administered to anyone who is immune-compromised.

    The seasona flu, and whooping cough vaccines are examples of killed, or inactive vaccines, so may have more widespread applications.

    I'm actually allergic to thimerosol (mercury-based preservative) but have gotten my flu shots every year since they started. I've never had a reaction except for some slight redness at the site, and usually not even that. Not every dose of every vaccine is preserved with thimerosol.

    (and jenlee is right....ask about the pneumonia vaccine....)

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2012

    Yes, if you read the CDC page it says that only certain flu vaccines contain thimerasol. This year, I had a lot of soreness at the injection site but I chalk that up to an unskilled administration of the shot!

    Caryn

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  • jenlee
    jenlee Member Posts: 504
    edited October 2012

    Forgot to mention, really important, get your teeth cleaned before chemo and any dental work such as fillings.  Also talk to your dentist about dental & mouth care during chemo. The Biotene line has numerous products for dry mouth.  

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