5 replies to this topic

[Janine]

Hello,

I was diagnosed in late January and have been on Gleevac for 2 months and treatment is going well.  Now that my blood counts are back to normal (though I am slightly anemic) my hematologist suggested I get the N1H1 vaccine (I live in Brazil so we are moving into winter).  The last time I had a flu shot was in 1993 and I got terribly sick, so I wonder whether or not I really should.  I was just wondering if other CMLers had been getting the vaccine.  Thanks.

[lthouse612]

Hi there... Well it was highly recommended for me to get the shot (H1N1) so I went ahead and got it. I haven't felt any different as I can tell but I was still very hesitant to get the shot. I was told that since my immune system is so compromised that having the shot was more of a benefit. If I were to get sick my body would have a very hard time combatting the flu (which ever kind) if I didn't have the immunization. Hope that helps a bit and good luck!

[td1961]

Message removed by poster due to  privacy concerns.

TD1961

[Tedsey]

It was recommended to me and I got it.  Got no adverse reaction.

[Irishmonk]

My understanding it has a lot to do with the current state of your CML (which phase you are in) and how well whichever medicine you are on reacts to the vzccine.

I am on Gleevec 400 mg for the last 9 months and as of yet do not have complete molecular remission.

My doctor recommended I have the shot and the Pheumonia shot also. I had no adverse reactions to either one. He said his main concern with live vaccines and he does not recommend CML patients on Gleevec to get live vaccines.

Hope that is helpful. Base on my experience not all doctors agree on which ones to get and which one to not get but getting "dead" vaccines makes the most sense to me.

[Susan61]

Hi:  I got my regular flu shot in the Fall, and there was no H1N1 available. It was in such short supply.  I finally just got mine 2 weeks ago, as all my doctors said they wanted me to have it, even though its April and spring here in N.J.  My arm was not even sore from it like when I got a regular flu shot.  No reaction of any kind.  Our news lately said their is another outbreak again.  Personally, I would go get it.