Can I get the flu shot?

As long as your illness wasn't caused from the influenza vaccine it should be ok. I'm a nurse that works in a hospital and for the last 4 years my employer requires employees to receive the flu vaccine or else wear a mask while at work during the whole flu season. Since my illness happened in June 2009 and a vaccine wasn't the cause, I had received the influenza vaccine the years prior to my illness without problems, I still get the vaccine.

There is a warning on the flu vaccine information sheet that states you should consult with your neurologist before getting a flu shot. My own opinion is that you should do this before getting ANY type of vaccine even if your GBS wasn't caused by the flu vaccine.

I was told, and still told by pharmasist, famely doctor, Specialist to not have the flue shot, h1n1, and anithing whit dm in it because it would cause a significant risk of having it again.

 

Keep in mind, I'm not a doctor, nor have any training in the mather apart from what i was told on this. Also since i was 4, wich was wen i had it, i never had it again yet.

 

I have been advised NOT to have the vaccine. Also, there is a question on the survey that asks if you've ever had GBS that I thought pretty much disqualified you right then and there. Same with donating blood... I was one pint away from receiving my Gallon Pin when I was dropped from their call list. They don't want my blood any more. I can no longer donate plasma, and am no longer an organ donor. None of them want me any more. :(

 

A statement provided by the GBS-CIDP Foundation International about flu vaccinations. 

https://www.gbs-cidp.org/ecommunicator/flu-shots-and-gbs/

Any questions can be referred to the Foundation via their website at www.gbs-CIDP.org or email them at [email protected]  

 

@ Erin and blood donations - 

I'm involved with several GBS & CIDP support groups, and  the question of blood donations crops up frequently. The comment below is from the Foundation Medical Advisory Board  Hope this clarifies the issue for you  

The question of whether or not GBS & CIDP survivors could be blood donors, was raised recently. 

Because it is asked on a regular basis, I asked the Foundation Medical Advisory Board for a response. Here is that response. 

"Patients with GBS have their antibodies gone by 6-8 weeks. CIDP patients may have circulating Ab implicated in some of the neuropathy mechanisms over the entire course of their disease. I would not use the latter for blood donation just to be safe."

 

 

 

As a long time survivor of GBS (1993 was first incident) I have not nor will I get a Flu shot of any type...mine was not caused by the Flu vaccination but I have been advised by doctors and pharmicists not to chance it. 

 

Just my $0.02 for what it is worth.