Flu Vaccinations

I always always get a flu shot.  Especially since having chemo and radiation.  This cmpromises the immune system. 

I have also had the pneumonia vaccine.  This shot is supposed to be good for 5 years.  I would ask your onc or primary care because I've never heard of chemo making the shot not work.

Another vaccine you might ask about is the vaccine to prevent an outbreak of shingles.  It seems that those who have been through chemo are susceptible to getting shingles.

I got my flu shot last week. I couldn't believe how much my arm hurt afterwards, I never experienced that before with the flu shot or any shot. It lasted 3 days, the first 2 I had difficulty raising my arm. I have scrawny arms and maybe she just stuck it in the wrong way. Did anyone else have the same experience?

I have received a flu shot every year for the past 10 years, through pregnancy and last year chemo, in fact I got it at my Oncs office.  I make my husband and kids get it every year too.  I have not received a pneumonia shot yet and was  told I was not at high risk.  This surprised me last year since I was going through chemo.  My last chemo was October 20, 2006.

My kids had their shots Friday and I will receive mine in about 2 weeks at work.

I will be getting one at my next onc visit in November. She mentioned that it is imperative to get the flu shot because of being cancer patients and weakened immune systems.

I'llget mine on the 23rd of this month at my company's health fair day.  I get a flu shot every year and have for almost 10 years - the company I work for gives it to us for free so I have no reason not to get it.  I haven't had a pneumonia shot but I have a doctor appt next week so I'll ask her.

Margaret

<>I've been getting a flu shot every year for years, except the year I was dx'd and there was a shortage of the vaccine.

<>I would also encourage anyone who's had chicken pox in the past to get the vaccine for shingles.  I had a case of it last year, and it's a miracle I didn't get it right in the middle of chemo, surgery or rads.  I've been told by three different doctors that the vaccine isn't effective on anyone who's already had shingles.   

I'll get one later this month, I have for the last several years.  And I'll talk to my doctor about that shingles shot.

Just to add...

They says your lymph nodes will not swell if you get a flu shot - not true, so don't freak out.  Last year I got my first flu vaccine.  It was given in the hip and I had a lymph node in the groin that was swollen for almost three weeks after.  I had never had a node swell in that area and I was less than a year from diagnosis - and did that ever mess with my head until it went away.  I was convinced I had cancer throughout my whole body!

This year at least I won't be surprised.

I always get the Flu shot. I received the pnemonia one 2 years ago. It lasts 5 years I hear.

I'm getting my shot this week at a nearby drug store - hopefully before I get on a plane to Japan!

Yes, by all means get a flu shot. The only risk is a sore arm. Influenza can be life-threatening even in people with normal immune systems. And most of us spend too much time in waiting rooms with people sniveling and coughing.

I always get a flu shot--and am watching paper for free clinics!!  Sometimes my arm is sore, sometimes not.   And, my pcp gave me a pnemonia shot last year mostly because I have developed COPD since my bc treatment.   It was my understanding that it was a one-time shot, no expiration date.     I will have to ask him about the 5-yr time frame......

Does it drive y'all crazy to listen to what YOUR doctor tells you, then read here what another doctor tells someone else??????    I try to consider that we are each individuals with different health-related backgrounds and that our doctors are factoring all things into our individual health backgrounds to prescribe treatment.   Our collective connection is having had breast cancer and treatment--but toss in high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD, RA, many, many other things--and we may each get a different recommendation from our doctors based on other factors that reside outside having had bc....

just food for thought...................junie 

Are we still considered to have weakened immune systems if we are over a year out of treatment? (ie. surgery, no chemo given)

Just wondering - I've never had a flu shot, and besides breast cancer, rarely get sick.

Also - I had a bilateral as well. Are most doctors/nurses aware of the lymphedema risk and comfortable with giving the shot in the hip? Does it hurt in the hip??  (Okay, I'm a wimp when it comes to shots!)

Theresa 

 I have never had a flu shot. 

I'm glad to know you feel OK now after having two shots.