Flu and/or other shots? Nodes Removed In Both Arms

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woodstock99
woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
edited September 2017 in Lymphedema

Where do you get shots if you have had lymph nodes removed in both arms?

Need my flu shot which I missed last year and contemplating he pneumonia and shingles shots but on the fence about these.

I will be 65 in March and I did have chickenpox as a child.

Thanks.

Comments

  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited September 2017

    Balthus, these shots can be given other places on the body. Just ask the nurse or whomever is giving the injection.

    And yes, get all of them--flu, pneumonia, and shingles. A lot of miserable-ness can be prevented with vaccinations.

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited September 2017

    Definately get the shots! Getting shots does not guarantee that you can not get what that are to prevent. In a very few people, they do not develops immunity as their body just doesn't 'work' the same as almost everyone's does. Learned this the hard way during the 1991 Measles Epedimic in SW Fla. Both Sons were current on their MMR's but it turned out that they had never developed immunity and younger Son was exposed to Measles in a waiting room for a 'well kid' appt. and came down with them. Older Son also came down with them from his brother. Titres done after they were healthy again (and had had more MMRs) showed that of course having had measles they had immunity BUT still have no immunity to Mumps. Not telling you this to scare you but to show that while 'we' think that a vaccination will insure that 'we' won't get whatever it was for is true for the vast majority BUT there are a VERY few that's not true for. I am a firm believer in getting vaccinations as for almost all they work. I get all my shots and stay current with them. IF not gotten there is no way that they can work.

    The thigh or buttocks can be used for IM shots (flu and shingles are both IM shots). In other words, they can be given in basically any somewhat large muscle.

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited September 2017

    I definitely want to get the flu shot - just wasn't sure what my location options were and was curious about the other 2. Thanks!

  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited September 2017

    We are just coming out of a really bad flu season (Australia). Please do get the vaccine. I came down with the flu even with the shot, but it probably saved my life. Quite a few young and healthy people died, along with children and the elderly.

  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited September 2017

    Be sure to check with your MO before getting vaccines. Mine definitely wants me to get the flu vaccine (I do as well) but definitely does not want me to get the shingles one. That one is a live vaccine and he said that even though my immune system is recovering from chemo - it still wouldn't be safe to get that one yet. I could potentially come down with the very thing it's meant to protect me from!


  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited September 2017

    I get shots in my thigh. This means I can't get a flu shot at the grocery, but it's easy enough to call my PCP to request a non-arm injection.

  • BellasMomToo
    BellasMomToo Member Posts: 305
    edited September 2017

    My MO said the exact same thing as NotVeryBrave's MO. She also said that I should wait at least 3 years before getting the shingles vaccine (because it's a live vaccine). I *think* she said 3 years. Anyway, I'll be sure to get her permission before I get the shingles vaccine. (I finished chemo in 02/2017. ) I always get a flu shot and plan to get one in the next couple of weeks.

  • Luckynumber47
    Luckynumber47 Member Posts: 397
    edited September 2017

    I haven't had any injections (and I don't have lymphedema) but my MO said to get blood draws and blood pressure on my DCIS side.

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited September 2017

    Yes. I get draws and have IVs on the DCIS side.

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited September 2017

    good info. So some of you who had bilateral bc have used the dcis only arm if necessary. I hear ok on flu, ask or wait on shingles sho but what about pneumonia shot? Thanks.

  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited September 2017

    I get my flu shot in the arm with the least nodes taken out. My doctor said that flu shots are not as effective when in legs. I don't know why. Anyway....no problems thus far. I HAD shingles around my eye about a year after my first bc.....not fun.....so yes, if you can it and at the proper time, get this shot. Even if you do get shingles, it will be less virulent. Ditto for flu and definitely pneumonias. BTW, new evidence suggests lymphedema is an inflammatory problem which poses some interesting possibilities. I am on a ketogenic diet which is anti=inflammatory and my lymphodema has gone down.

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited September 2017

    Flu shots are IM injections...get it in your rear!!

  • BellasMomToo
    BellasMomToo Member Posts: 305
    edited September 2017

    Balthus: Pneumonia shot is OK. My PCP gave me one at my first checkup (in 5/17) after finishing chemo.

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited September 2017

    I did get my flu shot while doing chemo at my Chemo Dr's request. I did not need the pneumonia shot as mine was current then. I was told not to get the Shingles shot until out of TX, as it is a live virus and if I got it and then went to Chemo or Rads it would be dangerous to those who had compromised immune systems from their TX - nothing about concern for me IF I got it during TtX but for those I would come in contact with. (My immune system was working great and still is.) So I got my Shingles shot as soon my extensive Rad burns were finally healed (almost 4 months).

    Another thought - if 'you' are around babies/small kids, don't forget to stay curreet on your Pertussis/Whooping Cough shot for the wee ones safety.

  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited September 2017

    Pneumonia vaccines are given intramuscular--IM--and don't contain live bacteria. You can get them in your thigh or hip. Hip probably stings less.

    There are two types of pneumonia vaccines--PCV13 and PPSV23. For adults 65-years and older, just one shot of each vaccine is recommended. The shots should be given about a year apart.

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2018

    thanks everyone

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