Vaccinations with LS.

Posted , 6 users are following.

For several years I have had an annual flu vaccine and a few months ago I had a shingles vaccine.

I have recieved a letter from my doctor stating that I should make an appointment for this year's flu vaccination as it is now due.

Since the LS diagnosis and it's association with the immune system I feel apprehensive about further vaccinations incase they may have a detrimental effect on my immune system.

At the moment I am holding back from making the appointment.

The last thing I want to do is over stimulate my immune system.

Does anyone else have any views on my concern.

1 like, 35 replies

35 Replies

Next
  • Posted

    I have the same concern and stopped my annual flu vaccine practice a few years ago following reading research questioning its effectiveness anyway. In fact, a lot of research shows that adequate levels of vitamin D do more to support our immune system and prevent respiratory infections than do the flu vaccine. Since getting my blood-tested levels up to 60, I haven't been sick in those years at all, unlike before my levels were adequate and I was catching every cold and flu that blew through! I don't plan to ever get another flu vaccine and will work instead to eat well, sleep well, and take my vitamins! 
    • Posted

      Hi suzanne...There was a time when I had no health worries and took doctors instruction in blind faith.

      Since developing LS and eczema, I question everything.

      We are offered a flu vaccine after a certain age regardless of health requirements.

      Can unnecessary vaccinations cause more harm than good!

      Flu vaccine is no guarantee against flu as it only protects against limited strains.

      Reports of mercury and other chemical contents in flu vaccine prompts me to think with autoimmune disorders it may be wiser to give the flu vaccination a miss unless for essential health reasons.

      Interestingly you mention vit.D as I have increased the amount I take believing it to be a crucial vitamin for many reasons.

      A fact that I learned recently is the importance of having enough magnesium(a very undervalued mineral) because magnesium is necessary for utilizing vit D. 

      Thanks for your opinion.  

    • Posted

      Learned a lot from this discussion...will research more. Thanks. 
    • Posted

      Hi Norma,

      Thanks for your thoughts. And also I'm aware that Vitamin D, magnesium, Vitamin K, and calcium all are necessary for bone health, too. Vitamin D apparently affects hundreds of different epigenetic switches, including reducing the liklihood of manifesting autoimmunity.

      I now question everything I'm told about health and illness, as well. There are many forces to consider when deciding whether to take medical advice. I've had to become a diserning consumer of health information. I have several autoimmune disorders, in addition to LS. We have to educate ourselves thoroughly, not just take our doctor's advice, in order to make our way back to health! There is so much to know and so much yet to be discovered about what causes functional illness and how to regain health. I feel like my hobby has become researching health information in order to figure all of this out! 

      Best to you! 

      --Suzanne

    • Posted

      Thanks suzanne..There was a time when I didn't give much thought to what I consumed. Indulging in what I wanted as much as the next person. Conscious thought went as far as in one end and out the other.

      Now I am a believer in  " we are what we eat".

      Reaching a certain age and unwanted health beasties raising their ugly heads made me aware of a need to do a rethink on my eating and drinking habits.

      The internet has been a boon for anyone wanting to research an issue.

      In fact my doctors surgery uses this site to refer to for information.

      General Practitioners are just that (general) and many times get the diagnosis or treatment wrong. 

      They also follow guide lines which appear to be constantly shifting!

      I think we should be taught about healthy lifestyles and healthy eating in schools rather than becoming aware later in life through ill health.

      Ingorance may be bliss but it doesn't educate.

      Take care Suzanne and good health to you.

       

        

       

    • Posted

      We never stop learning judy and research can be mind provoking. There are so many researches and studies out there with some studies conflicting others. It all comes down to which and what information one finds acceptable.  
    • Posted

      We are so much in agreement, Norma! I have radically changed my diet and lifestyle. A total about-face in the last few years. Now I eat a whole foods, autoimmune diet (no grains, basically only grass-fed, free-range meat/salmon, and veggies/fruits), and I'm more mindful of issues of sleep, stress, exercise. Has helped a lot, though I certainly am not cured of every problem that I have. I appreciate hearing from another health seeker. You are right--the internet has made so much info so readily available! Suzanne
    • Posted

      I'm loving bone broth, too! Also just found an online source for pasture-raised and grass-fed bone broths, so may help save time once in a while to use those! I have a chicken in the crockpot at home right now! 
    • Posted

      yum! the chicken broth seems to turn out lovely and white and thick....i'm using it as the base for carrot and ginger soup. would you like to come over for tea?
    • Posted

      Sounds lovely! Carrot and ginger soup sounds delicious! 
    • Posted

      Hi suzanne....Here is another fan of bone broth....

      I use my slow cooker regularly to cook bones for hours so the goodness leaches out into the added liquid.

      I also put a small chicken in the slow cooker and leave it until the bones become so soft and crumbly the bones can be eaten.

       

    • Posted

      Hi Norma--I'm so glad to hear that there is another fan of healing with bone broth!  --Suzanne
    • Posted

      Your GP uses this site for answers?! Well lets give them some great info! Anyone fixed yet? Or feeling better? Whats the best to be expected? Actually that question could let in some negativity so I'm going for reversing this. The AS people seem to be doing well. Anyone else got other autoimmune things going on?

      Great that you're another bone broth maker Norma and nice to meet you. It took me a while to appreciate that this long long simmering is more than just a broth. Its serious medecine. 

    • Posted

      Thanks for the compliment. Yes it is tasty. Do you have any tips or favourites? 
    • Posted

      in terms of tasty ways of using the bone broth? I was sipping it in the mornings but am now looking for good recipes to include the broth. Am so pleased to be able to discuss this as it is quite challenging!
    • Posted

      Hi Jannley--I just made chicken soup tonight, I've made lentil soup with the broth, I often make a split pea and beef bacon soup with it, as well as a fierce veggie soup (with swiss chard, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, and leaks). Re: your question about other autoimmune issues--I also have celiac disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (currently those antibodies are down), LS, and a mast cell activation disorder (or histamine intolerance). I found out with testing that I have antibody elevations on a number of dreadful diseases (such as Lupus, Crest syndrome, pancreatic antibodies, and several others) that I have not yet manifested (and don't want to!). I have been eating a whole foods diet without grains, sugar, or processed foods for the last four years, as well as restricting a lot of foods that I'm sensitive to, such as diary, citrus fruits, nuts/seeds, etc. I'm trying super hard to heal naturally, and react with terrible allergic reactions to over a dozen medications, so that's not the way to go for me. How is your AS?

      --Suzanne  

    • Posted

      Hi jannyiey.. Our doctor gave my husband this site to refer to as the surgery uses the patient site themselves.

      That is how I came to be on here.

      I wouldn't think they target the LS discussions but rather the site in general and probably the Professional Reference.

      As for who may be fixed or improved!!!!

      I don't think with an autoimmune disorder we can claim to be fixed but some claim to be in remission.

      LS isn't something we can pigeon hole as symptoms and successful treatments vary from person to person.

      At the moment we can only glean what we can from others and try different approaches to see what we as individuals can do to help ourselves the best and this forum is especially helpful.

      Yes, it's common for an autoimmune sufferer to have several autoimmune disorders.

      If the endocrine system has a malfunctioning gland or organ it does seem to have a knock on effect.

      My personal belief is unbalanced hormones in the endocrine system contribute to autoimmune disease.

      Though I haven't taken that path myself several LS sufferers benefit from some form of hormonal therapy either oral or topical.

      Extracting goodness from boiling bones to use as stock is an old practise when food wasn't so plentiful and nothing was thrown away.

      In modern times, unfortunately a lot of nutrients are poured down the kitchen sink.

       

    • Posted

      Thank you so much. Now that does sound delicious. I have more foodie questions but first I'd like to look up the other conditions you mention. Just to understand and to be able to send a return circuit of the healing energy which you have sent me by your kind thoughts and words.

      I think I am on top of the AS.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.