Flu Fears!

[MrsM25]

As if having Cdiff for the last 4 months of my life hasn’t been traumatic and stressful enough, this would be one of the worst flu seasons in recent years just to latch onto my already heightened anxiety!! Am I the only one terrified of getting the flu? I am 4 weeks out from my FMT and things have been a rollercoaster but I’m hoping that making it 4 weeks is a good sign. I normally get the flu shot every year but because I was so sick the last few months with Cdiff, I did not get one and now I’m fearing the worst. I don’t know if I am far enough out from the cdiff and my FMT to get a flu shot? I still don’t feel 100% since having the FMT done and wondering if it’s a good idea to have a flu shot when I’m not feeling great anyway? This whole thing is just throwing me into mind overload. I never feared sickness before like I do now. I’m a nurse and I was a pharmacy tech before I became a nurse. I was in the heart of sickness for many years working on the front lines and I never worried. Now I’m a stay at home mom with a 4 year old and a 19 month old and I’m more worried then ever.

[beth22]

Call the GI who did your FMT and ask about getting a flu shot. I don't know how much they help this year. Our cousin just died of the flu and she had a shot.

[AllisS]

I share your fear of flu. I've been following the news coverage about the effectiveness -- or lack thereof -- of this year's vaccine. I got my shot back in September; I get the shot each year. The consensus seems to be that the shot could be as high as 30 percent effective and that it can decrease the severity or at least the duration of flu, were one to get the illness. If your doctor says it's OK and if I were you, I'd get the shot, as flu season is being predicted to last as late as May (!) this year.

[MrsM25]

My GI says it’s ok and he recommends it so I think I’m going to go and get it today. I hope it’s not too late since it takes 2 weeks for full effectiveness.