Patti in Michigan - I agree with you.  My neuro (I am on my second because I
moved) and they both recommend that I NOT get any shots - even for singles.
I will take my changes.

Patti in Wisconsin

On Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 9:35 AM, <pjv1...@chartermi.net> wrote:

> Our local newspaper has a medical column in the Sunday edition by Dr.
> Anthony Komaroff.
> www.ask doctor k.com  Sunday had a column titled "shingles vaccine is a
> good idea for adults over 60".  A healthy 65 year old woman asked - what is
> shingles and should I get the shingles vaccine.  The doctor explained
> shingles and the vaccine.  Here is a portion of the article.
>
> "Getting the vaccine does not gurantee that you will noy get shingles.  But
> it does reduce your chances by 50 percent or more.  And it does an even
> better job of reducing your risk of postherpetic neuralgia.
>
> I've had patients worry that the vaccine itself could give them shingles.
> That's because the shingles vaccine is made with a weakened - not dead -
> form of the virus.  And a tiny percentage of people do get either a shingles
> or chicken pox - like rash within a month or so of getting the vaccine.
>
> You may wonder if the risks associated with the shingles vaccine, though
> minimal, outweigh its benefits.  And if we were only talking about shingles,
> you might be right.  It's not pleasant, but most people get through shingles
> just fine.
>
> Postherpetic neuralgia is another story.  It can last for months, even
> years, and be debilitating.  The shingles vaccine can cut the risk of that
> happening by two thirds.  And I'd say that tips the balance in favor getting
> the vaccine.  I've voted with my feet.  I got the vaccine, because I've seen
> too many of my patients suffer from postherpetic neuralgia.  Chronic pain
> can disrupt a person's life"
>
> (end of article)
>
> Jim,
> I think this is a question for a neurologist.  Unfortunately, I haven't
> seen mine in three years so I cannot ask for you.  I think it would be good
> of all our Tmers who are seeing a neuro to call and ask if the neuro votes
> yes or no for the vaccine and post the results for us.
>
> -------------
>
> Regarding the flu shot:
>
> I did not have a flu shot proir to my TM that was later lableled idiopathic
> - undetermined cause.  I was also asked dozens of times during my
> hospitalization and rehab if I had had the flu shot thus determining that
> all medical personal thought the shot causes TM.  Not so.  Medical personnel
> asked if we had had the flu shot because they know the flu shot can cause
> various reactions and it is one of the many questions they ask a patient.
> The neuro who diagnosed me with TM asked if I had the flu shot during his
> first observation of me.  I saw him for five years post TM and learned that
> he, his wife, and children received the flu shot annually.
> I asked my PCP in September why he didn't ask me if I wanted a flu shot.
> He said, "Do you?"  I questioned if he takes one and he said he did not
> because he is not prone to getting the flu and he will not push them on his
> patients.   That was the best answer I've received yet.  I am not getting
> the flu shot.
>
> -------
> Patti - Michigan
>

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