Good question Greg! I was just in my doctor's office today and meant to ask him as I saw the flyers up all over the waiting room...however, due to my short-term memory, looks like I forgot.    Let's see what other's post.  I have another appt tomorrow, so hopefully I remember to ask.... Having asthma, I'm also interested in whether pneumonia shots are also recommended for MM patients.

Take care,
Shan

The doctor said Tyler should always get the flu shot because of the asprin therapy. He got it last year and did fine. I would rather get it and not have to worry about him getting a fever and not being able to stop his asprin and having to worry about Reyes.

Dang MM can make a lot of things confusing!

  Kathleen has always gotten the flu shot since her diagnosis. Rena, like your son, Kathleen takes asprin and is under 17 this is one of the high risk groups.I have no worries about her gettting it because as I understand it you can not get the flu from the shot because it's not a live virus like the chicken pox vaccine is.By the way has your son had the CP vaccine? Kathleen did when she was younger but when she was in Kindergarden(about 5 months after surgery) there was a CP outbreak at her school.The first thing we did was check her for the imunity(which she should have had because she had the vaccine...)and she was not imune so I had to keep her out of school until it passed.About 60 children came down with CP,all of whom had had the vaccine.We didn't want to take her off the asprin(you can actually get CP from the vaccine) to vaccinate her because she was only 5 months out of surgery. We did revaccinate her last year and then checked to be sure it took.
Mary Grace

Mary:  I wonder why I hear people say they don't want to take the flu shot because they don't want to get sick.    That has always been my concern.  I had a co-worker that swears the shot makes her more sick than if she contracted the flu on her own.  hmmm...

Kim: Yes, I do remember the shortage last year.  It's funny about the older lady asking about whether Matthew really needed it, but it also made me a little disturbed, sorry.  (sorry, just feeling a little protective..that's all)  That was very kind of you to explain to her that he in fact did need it.

Renee:  Well, it's about time you got back!    How was your cruise?  You need to PM me and let me know how it went.  I'm so envious...now get back to work!  hee hee  Glad you're back!

Take care,
Shan

Holly's doctor said she had to have one.  In fact she gave the whole family one so we don't pass anything through the house.  Anyway, we got it yesterday, and my mom had a reaction to the shot and has felt horrible all day.

Hillary

Hi!
Could someone please explain the connection between mm - flu vaccin - and Rheyes syndrome. And what is Rheyes syndrome? 
Thank you in advance!

Annica

   The connection isn't between MM and Reye's Syndrome it's the asprin.Taking asprin for a serious virus such as the flu or Chicken Pox puts a child at risk for Reye's Syndrome. That's the main reason Kathleen gets the flu shot.  She was also revacinated for the Chicken Pox.
Mary Grace

I just wanted to say that the doctor did explain to me that Rheye's Sydrome is very rare, and if Tyler is to get a Fever for anything it is safer for him to continue his asprin rather than risk a stroke.

Of course we all know about rare medical problems. So Tyler will get the Flu shot and I will keep a close eye on him . However the flu shot doesn't prevent the stomach flu and it seems Tyler gets that every year. Since that is what pushed his MM over the edge I always get very scared for him during that time, since he dehydrates so easily. Last year the doctor admitted him so they could put an IV in him to keep him hydrated.

Does anyone else have the stomach flu to deal with every year?

Will a flu shot still be effective (or even safe) if you've just had a bout with the flu?  If so, does anyone know if there should be a waiting period between having the flu and getting a shot?    I've been down and out with this darn thing for a week now and I don't want to go through this again anytime soon!

Thanks,
Lisa

I received a flu shot last year with no side effects or ramifications.  I will also get one this year!  Lisa, you sound like you have had a terrible bout with the flu.  I would imagine the shot would help prevent most future flu bouts this year. Poor Daphne and her belly. 
Everyone needs to get better!
Stephanie

Annica,

Please don't worry about letting your frustrations out.  We are here for you! And want to help in any way we can.  

Quote:


Are you able to mail copies of the films (MRI's, angio, etc) to MM specialists in the United States?  You can   call their offices and explain to them your situation and then send them your films, etc.  I am sure they will get back with you on their opinion(s), or you can always contact them.  

I know that my neurosurgeon, Dr. Takanori Fukushima, was literally flown to Israeli to perform a life-saving brain surgery once from a family who desparately requested his medical expertise. (I'm trying to find the newspaper article...)  I know that this was an extreme case; however, he does travel the world and I believe frequents your area (which means he works closely with local area doctors who may be able to provide "translation" services).  His "overseas" professorships in your area include: honorary professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, the University of Frankfurt and the University of Marseille. Therefore, may I suggest you  contact his office and speak to his office manager for more information.  He is currently in Japan; however, you may want to inquire if/when he will be in/around your area.

Dr. Takanori Fukushima
Email: fukushima@carolinaneuroscience.com
Phone: (919) 239-0264
Fax: (919) 239-0266

I hope this helps, Annica.  Please keep your spirits up.  We're all here to help.  My opinion, once again, is to send Louise's info to MM specialists (even if they are located in the U.S.) for their opinion.    I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but you may need to consider traveling to a MM specialist if there isn't one available in your area.  Monica, another MM family member, recently traveled from Germany to California for her surgery.    I too did not have any neurosurgeon that specialized in MM here in my state, so I had to travel across the Pacific Ocean, then across the continental United States to North Carolina...so I understand the feeling.  Although, I know that the language barrier also doesn't help the situation.  Just a thought...traveling to a MM specialist may be something you may want to consider.

Hang in there,
Shan