As if having a PID is not enough...

[floopyjim]

Just when you thought having an immune deficiency is enough to fill your life with medication, needles, pumps and other paraphernalia, along comes the flu.  Three an a half days in bed so far, temperature of 38.2c, aching all over, the coughing won't stop, starting to get chest pains and can't sleep.

Yes, I'm feeling rather sorry for myself.  I had the flu jab as well!  I will probably end up in hospital for the 7th time.  I'm not a happy bunny!

Sorry guys, wanted to offload.  At times of confusion and suffering, this forum is a lifeline and I always feel better after I have written about the latest aches and pains.

Does anyone else migrate towards emotional videos on youtube/tv when they are feeling down? - it's almost as if watching someone else's troubles put's mine into perspective.  I watched a video of someone performing CPR on a dog and cried my eyes out.

James.

[glowing]

Poor you. Glad you can tell us about how you feel, that's what we're here for. You're quite entitled to feel sorry for yourself and have us feel sorry for you too. I know it's not nice having to stay in hospital but what would happen if you didn't?

I'm just like you, watching emotional videos on youtube etc, when I'm feeling down. It allows me to shed a few tears, without being sorry for myself. It's a good release anyway, just as laughter is, but laughter goes on holiday when we're ill. I watch the animal rescues and love to see the badly treated animals restored to good health.

Have you noticed that when frightened trapped animals are finally released by kindly humans, they never show gratitude, but remain terrified of the human.

I hope you feel very much better very soon.

Glo

[conniek]

I can sort of relate with having the flu on top of CVID. I always get my flu vaccination every fall. Even so, I get the flu, usually sometime in January. Thankfully, for me, the bout of flu is about 1/2 as bad as it would have been without the vaccination. I regularly get bronchitis - which is abated by taking antibiotics and several days worth of prednisone to calm the cough. W/O the prednisone, I too would end up in the hospital. A couple of years ago, the ER doctors were prepared to intubate me if the breathing treatment and solumedrol hadn't finally kicked in. Hope that you are feeling much better by now.

Like Glo, I like to watch the animal rescues. What really calms me and makes me feel better are the ones where a cat is grooming another cat, a dog, a human, etc. Don't know why, but it sure works.

Connie

[floopyjim]

Well, I suppose that was expected - I have spent the last 8 days in Glenfield Hospital, on oxygen, nebs and pred as I caught pneumonia. I was on one of the strongest antibiotics they had as IV co-amoxyclav didn't touch it. The side effects are not nice... I have not been a happy chappy. I spent 4 days with a temperature of nearly 40c. That was the worse symptom, my body went mad - shaking, feeling very cold and I'm pretty sure I lost a bit more of what little brain I have left.

I hurt my diaphragm from coughing so much although morphine is pretty good stuff! Missed my last infusion as the consultant didn't want to push me too hard.

Watching sad things on tv is too much now.

James.

[milkmanmike]

With the rise in Temperature comes the possibility of Rigor, I had that one night while in hospital during my first spell of Meningitis, back in the late 1980's, I became delirious and like you couldn't stop shaking, Eventually I was given Analgesic Suppositories, but when I awoke , I was convinced that I had been moved rooms.For the record I was always advised against receiving the Flu Jab as I was told It can be a Live vaccine. So never have had it, On the few occasions when I have presented with Flu-like symptoms, my remedy is a 2 Lemsips with added Blackcurrant Juice , Paracetemol. Layers of clothing , and a sweat session during the night.

[s162216]

May 25, 2015 18:37:57 GMT milkmanmike said:

With the rise in Temperature comes the possibility of Rigor, I had that one night while in hospital during my first spell of Meningitis, back in the late 1980's, I became delirious and like you couldn't stop shaking, Eventually I was given Analgesic Suppositories, but when I awoke , I was convinced that I had been moved rooms.For the record I was always advised against receiving the Flu Jab as I was told It can be a Live vaccine. So never have had it, On the few occasions when I have presented with Flu-like symptoms, my remedy is a 2 Lemsips with added Blackcurrant Juice , Paracetemol. Layers of clothing , and a sweat session during the night.

Hi Mike, I don't know who told you that, but the injected flu vaccine is not live and it never has been as it is an inactivated type vaccine, and the production method has essentially not changed (apart from minor improvements) since it was introduced in the 1950's.

The new 'nasal mist' version being given to children however is live, and should be avoided by those with PID.

Primary Immunodeficiency UK (PID have some good information on vaccines on their website, including about influenza which you might find useful. All of their information is written and reviewed by their medical representative panel (who include some of the world's most foremost immunologists), so you can be sure that it's medically accurate.

Sam.

[milkmanmike]

Thankyou for that reply it has clarified one thing, personally, I probably won't change the habits of a lifetime and start getting vaccinated now, can't see the advantage to it for myself, and would rather chance a once a decade event than know I might be causing secondary problems by having one.As the adage goes..."if it ain't broke "

[hlh]

I agree with others that you should reconsider the flu vaccine. It is not uncommon to get the flu, and have it progress to a pneumonia. This is more common in those with immunodeficiencies, and as you get older. It has happened to my father before. Yes - the flu shot is not a live virus - you were misinformed. The nasal spray is live, like THE BOSS said. My father's immunologist also wants him to call immediately if it looks like he is getting the flu anyway (the flu shot isn't perfect!) because he will prescribe Tamiflu. If you nip the flu in the bud, you are less likely to progress to something worse.

Why not just talk about it with your immunologist next time you see him/her?

I'm in favor of anything that can keep my Dad out of the hospital....

[s162216]

It's just unfortunate that we with PID can never be sure if we'll even form an immune response against any sort of vaccine - I suppose it's better to have them though as there is always the chance that we will; the only organism that I know I have complete immunity against is tetanus (probably because it's the most immunogenic [immune system stimulating] vaccine around) and that is certainly a useful one to have!

Sam