My apologies if this has been asked a million times...

CML11 · October 2014

Let's talk about the flu shot.

I've never gotten it before, never had issues. I've seen those around me get the shot and later some get the flu anyway. I know it's crazy, but I feel like I'm jinxing something by getting it.

Doing a poll at work, they are talking me out of getting it even though it's offered free through my work (they don't know we are even trying).
Can you even do it while stimming? Typically you do get mildly sick to build the antibodies.

MrsS2203 · October 2014

I got the flu shot one time and ended up with the flu. Since then I have not gotten another. DH gets one yearly due to work requirement.

IfMamaAintHappy · October 2014

I'm going to get it after my ER. I don't think the flu shot will give me the flu, but I am not taking any chances.

CML11 · October 2014

The reason I'm considering it is that I'm in healthcare (it is not required though) and if I got the flu the risk of a miscarriage is very high.

lebradford · October 2014

I usually get a flu shot because I can get them for free at work. It has never given me flu symptoms (or any symptoms at all). Without talking to my RE I would probably not do it during a cycle, but if you ask they might ok it!

katers79 · October 2014

I'll be getting it before I start prepping for FET. I'm required to since I'm in healthcare. I still get sick almost every year, but it's worse when I don't get the shot. I'd check with your RE about getting it mid-cycle/during stims.

tumbleweed123 · October 2014

I asked my RE about this and he said that I might as well wait until after ER in three weeks. He said that even though he can't prove that it would affect my cycle, it isn't necessary immediately, so I might as well wait.

CML11 · October 2014

Thanks that's great advice!

chicory · October 2014

Back when we started TTC, my PCP told me to get it to protect our future pregnancy/child. Prior to that, I had never gotten the vaccine, but I did have what I think may have been influenza. (It kicked my ass, I probably should have seen a doc and possibly been hospitalized as I was unable to eat or leave my couch for 5 days except for a rare trip to the bathroom. Thanks DH for going on a work trip when we'd just moved to a city where we knew no one, leaving me to die...but I digress.) So, I got those last couple years of flu shots but the "future baby" never materialized. I've not gotten flu-like illness. We recently moved on to IVF and my nurse said to go ahead and get it. I got it about 3 weeks ago, and I will start stims this weekend.

stace2524 · October 2014

So if you get the actual flu shot ( as opposed to the nasal vaccine) it is a "dead" virus, therefor cannot give you the flu at all. If anyone gets sick after they recieve the vaccine it is by coincidence, keep in mind it takes 4 weeks to develop full immunity and the flu vaccine does not prevent all strains of the flu. This year's vaccines cover either 3 or 4 strains.
CDC specifically recommends pregnant women get the vaccine due to decreased immune system, which is why I would highly recommend it for all of us TTC. But if you're mid-cycle, I'd probably wait til after. It's perfectly ok to receive while pregnant, I'd just recommend preservative free.

obizyanka · October 2014

I am an RN and I do not get the flu shot. Only did once when I was forced to by university. My job does not require it. I would especially now not get one. Too many toxic fillers for a developing brain. If I can't dye my hair, I sure as heck am not injecting Mercury and other goodies into my body.

fjamil1 · October 2014

I had the Flu shot once, ended up getting sick, and that was my last flu shot I got. Every year my mom and doctor tell me to get it, but I refuse.

siempre595 · October 2014

You do not get the flu from the flu shot. This is a common misconception. You should absolutely get the flu shot if you are pregnant or intend to be during flu season. Pregnant women are at higher risk for serious illness or death from flu. I have personally seen pregnant women die of the flu. No vaccine is 100% protective, so yes, you still can get the flu even if you get the vaccine. The shot is not harmful to a fetus at all.

I'm a NICU doc. And also a pregnant lady. I will be getting my shot next week.

aliciafiggy · October 2014

You can get the flu shot during a cycle and pregnancy. I just confirmed this with my nurse last week and received one myself during my stimming. I'd rather get one now before I'm pregnant.

Twinkie0612 · October 2014

I got my flu shot before I started this cycle (Both my RE and RI recommended that I get it, but preferred that I get it before starting steroids). The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get the flu shot (unless they have medical conditions preventing them from getting it). The influenza virus can cause serious complications during pregnancy which can result in miscarriage. The flu shot is a dead virus so it is not going to make you sick. The regular flu shot is perfectly safe (even for pregnant women), but if you are worried ask for the preservative free shot.

SweetieShellieH · October 2014

I work in a hospital laboratory and just got mine 2 hours ago... it stung! It's technically not required, but if there is a flu outbreak you are not allowed to work, and don't get paid for it. Plus they come hunt you down if you haven't got it yet! Last year I had strep throat when they started giving the flu shots so had to wait and the nurse with the flu cart came looking for me a couple of weeks later after I was done my antibiotics lol. It's safer to get it then not. Plus I am asthmatic which puts me at a higher risk of complications from the flu, so I always get it.

Twinkie0612 · October 2014

NariaDreaming said:

obizyanka said:

I am an RN and I do not get the flu shot. Only did once when I was forced to by university. My job does not require it. I would especially now not get one. Too many toxic fillers for a developing brain. If I can't dye my hair, I sure as heck am not injecting Mercury and other goodies into my body.

You can get a preservative free version of the flu shot- one that does not have ethylmercury. And honestly, ethylmercury isn't even a concern because it's easily excreted from the body.

Also, you get as much formaldehyde from eating an apple as you do a flu shot

This thermisol (ethylmercury) is not the same as methylmercury which can harm the nervous system in high amounts. Like @NariaDreaming said, if you are still worried about the "mercury" (which you shouldn't be) you can get the perservative (thermisol) free versions.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/thimerosal_faqs.html#a

FYI. you can also dye your hair when you are pregnant, just do it in a well ventilated place.

erbear84 · October 2014

I absolutely get a flu shot. I need to get mine next week. I work in education and if I dont, I get very, very sick.

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My apologies if this has been asked a million times...

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