In a previous post I mentioned that I had gotten a weird low immunity response to a test called IGg3. It is a part of IGg. This one in particular makes a person prone to sinus infections, if low. (Btw, knock on wood, I’ve been following advice offered here and doing much better in that department!)
Anyway, the very interesting thing to me is that this subset of IGg is primarily found in saliva and other moisture glands. Hmmm. Well, since SS causes me to have less of that stuff, might that not play some role in all this? Immunologist/allergist says no.
Well, she wants to explore my overall immune responses by giving me a pneumonia shot and testing all my IGG’s again. It’s called a “challenge.”
One of my docs said this would be fine. Has anyone here had an
Pneumonia or flu shot? Results? Generally speaking, what do your docs think of taking such shots with SS???
I would be leery of any doc wanting to perform a "challenge" on my system. Sounds too much like "Hey let's see what happens to her".
However, I get the flu shot every year. Asthma makes me (us?) high risk patients that need it. I specifically get the one that is skin level only so any reaction happens on the skin level only. And I have it done at my allergy/asthma docs office. I react more than the average bear does but that's about it. No serious issues.
I am very interested in the point that you brought up about IG being found in moisture glands. I've had doctors say there is no connection to things, only to have one that is versed in Sjogren's say there absolutely is one. If you find anything more about it, please post!
Ive had both vaccinations (basically against my will) I have not had either illness, but I am constantly sick with everything else …sinus infections, upper respiratory infections. It stinks.
I have never had any of these shots, seems by the time the shots come out, I already have either the flu or bronchitis or both! I am now officially denied biologics, but may be starting Plaquinil, if retina specialist I see Wednesday clears me, so not sure about immune suppressants and shots?
Everything is trial and error it seems, you just have to decide if it's worth a try!
My Mom gets the shots, and as sick as my husband and I were with flu/bronchitis, she never got sick!
Hi Nomad, I have always had the flu shots & every so many years, the pneumonia shot too. I would sometimes have a local reaction on the arm, but that's it.If you have never had either, I would find someone like an endocrinologist for advice. That's who I see when one of my many other doctors suggest anything different for me.
Nomad, I was developing bacterial pneumonia every two to four months for years. I finally gave in and got the pneumonia shot over a year ago and i’ve not had it since. I do suggest getting the shot.
I got a flu shot last fall because I have been getting sick so often. I didn't have any problem with the flu shot. I saw my rheum. this week and told him I think I am getting all of these infections-strep, ear, epiglottitis, because there is very little saliva in my mouth to keep the bacteria in check. He thinks that may be true, suggested that I start using Listerine. I started 2 days ago, will let you know if it helps.
Huh, Listerine? Isn;t that one we are supposed to avoid? It smells good, but as I recall it made my mouth dryer. Why not a mixture of baking soda & salt in warm water to gargle & rinse with? Just the way I feel about using any mouthwash that isn't meant for SS.
It has for me these last few years as I do not have any other choice. Any bottled mouthwash makes my mouth burn. Just start with 1/4 tsp of each in a cup or more of warm water & gargle 3x a day. If you use it more than that it will irritate your already dry mouth Rinse your mouth lightly after each gargle session. If you feel that amount isn't helping, try 1/2 tsp.of each.
Just an aside: when I was a little girl with a severe sore throat, my grandmother who cam from Greece, would wet her thumbs with water, dip them in salt, have me lie back while gently massaging that in the back of my mouth. She would have a cup of water for me to rinse & spit. I did not like it, but it did help. Of course, there were no antibiotics in her youth & unless we had a fever, I don't recall going to the doctors either.
I use a prescription mouth wash, Peridex, to help kill bacteria in my mouth. It has helped me cut down of the number of cavities big time! I follow the Peridex rinse with the Biotene mouthwash before going to bed each night.
If my mouth seems to be producing SOME saliva, I back off on the use of the Peridex, but always know I can go back on it if mouth gets dryer and irritated. My dentist gave me a script for it.
I take the flu shot every year. The pneumonia shot as I understand it is one shot followed by a booster in five years. Please correct me if I'm wrong.. I was skeptical of both shots but came around and do not miss the flu shot each year and have just had the second pneumonia shot this past winter.
Wishing you less pain and more happiness! Hugs for Alabama!
I had the pneumonia shot. No problem for me, anyway. I get the flu shot every year, ever since I got the flu about six years ago. My only response to that has been feeling a little achy for a few days, which is a HUGE improvement over how sick I got with the actual flu. I was sick for months after getting influenza. My doctors (and I have seen a brigade of them) seem to favor shots over getting the actual illness. As long as you are not overly sensitive, then you should be fine, and it beats the alternative. It's a personal decision, though, one you need to make with your doctor based on your own personal story.
AFTER I had pneumonia ten years ago I got the shot plus started the yearly flu shots. I haven't had either since. Furthermore, I haven't been troubled with colds either. I didn't find out I have Primary Sjogrens until April of 2014.I am sure Sjogrens has been with me all my life, however, probably inherited from my father. No proof accept I remember him coming home from work when I was a child and he would ask me to get a pan of water to put his feet in. I have been troubled with feet problems all my life only to find out several years ago I have peripheral neuropathy. I suspect the elusive Sjogrens is the cause of it.
I don't have overly dry eyes and I DEFINITELY do not have dry mouth. (I have to keep wiping my mouth for the over flow when I talk and chewing gum creates a waterfall..) By volunteering with the OK. MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, I learned my blood tested Positive for Primary Sjogrens. Negative for my eyes and mouth. I have reluctantly started taking 250 mg Cellcept once a day. Dr. Z. prescribed doubling the dose in a week but due to my hesitancy to weakening my immune system, I may not do so until after blood testing in June to see how far my antibodies have been reduced, if any. I also take Gabapentin 100mg (2 capsules two times a day) plus 100 mg. Celabrex once a day. This combination gives me "some" relief but it hasn't been enough... so I may have to up the Gabapentin.
If anyone has an opinion or experience with taking an immuno suppressant drug they would share with me, I would much appreciate a message.
I believe I was told to not have a shot that had "live" antigens or something. I know the vaccination for shingles has this live product. Haven't had a problem with the flu or the pneumonia shots.
Thanks Kaz for the warning. A neurologist told me not to take the Shingles shot but he didn't say why. I have gotten so much information in this discussion feature of the Sjogens Support Group...so much more than my Dr.s have been willing to say. They are so busy, all they can do is ask questions, write on their computers, prescribe meds and say come back in 3 months. It's been a struggle and has consumed several years trying to find out what ails me. It may be too late to fix it now. My hope is to put it in remission before I can no longer walk. I am to the point of using a walker for support and balance when I have to walk more than 1/2 a block.
I use a prescription mouth wash, Peridex, to help kill bacteria in my mouth. It has helped me cut down of the number of cavities big time! I follow the Peridex rinse with the Biotene mouthwash before going to bed each night.
If my mouth seems to be producing SOME saliva, I back off on the use of the Peridex, but always know I can go back on it if mouth gets dryer and irritated. My dentist gave me a script for it.
I take the flu shot every year. The pneumonia shot as I understand it is one shot followed by a booster in five years. Please correct me if I'm wrong.. I was skeptical of both shots but came around and do not miss the flu shot each year and have just had the second pneumonia shot this past winter.
Wishing you less pain and more happiness! Hugs for Alabama!
I've had both plus flu shots for years, with no side effects. I'm 77 and I understand that the elderly may be more susceptible, especially with all the other stuff I have, but no problems. But please--no "challenges"!