Immunity/Flu shots and all

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to note that, though I have been taking the flu shots

for years and taking Xolair for over 2 years, and did not take my

Xolair with my flu shot, I had just about the worst reaction to a flu

shot I've had in ages this year. My arm became hot and swollen at the

site the first day (which was manageable). But then I became very

depressed and my joints began to hurt. I had headaches, malaise and

fever for the next week. My peak flows went down and my asthma became

fragile but I didn't develop a cough or runny nose. Since I am

currently unemployed, I was able to stay in bed, but it was no picnic.

Mild, flu-like symptoms indeed!

In response to the query about immunity going down, back in the 60's

when I was a kid, my doctor would give me gamma globulin shots from

time to time to boost my immunity. This was before the pneumonia

vaccine. I kept getting pneumonia, and he was looking for some way to

stop the cycle, I think. It seemed to work, because I recall that I

stopped getting sick so often. But I really hated those shots!

I wanted to share one last thing. Right now it is turning cold for

many of us in the Northern Hemisphere. One of the best pieces of

advice I ever got was to always wear something over my mouth and nose

in the cold weather. Cold dehydrates the lungs making breathing more

difficult. Time to launder those scarves and put them to use!

Breathe easy!

--Kitty