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bill s
Member
Username: Bill_s
Post Number: 139
Registered: 08-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2013 - 01:58 pm: | 
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Two weeks ago I had a high temp, went to my local ER and found I had pneumonia. The ER team gave me an antibiotic IV and sent me home. The interesting thing was that the ER doc told me to get a pneumonia vaccine shot after a few weeks. It turns out, all those whose immune system is weakened (that means all transplant patients taking antirejection meds) should get pneumonia booster vaccinations every 5-6 years - so go get yours if you, like me, are out of date. And, get your flu shot at the same time. |
papillonbleu
Forum Leader
Username: Papillonbleu
Post Number: 2288
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2013 - 06:22 pm: |
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I agree that this is important. I first learned about the pneumonia shot when I was undergoing all the tests for my transplant evaluation. I have been trying to get mine every five years or so since as instructed by my transplant team. I did get pneumonia one year during this time, but I barely had any symptoms except for a fever and later some coughing some days after I was first put on antibiotics. I wonder if the vaccination made it so that it was not so severe. Mostly I dealt with the antibiotics being harsh on my system, but they were necessary. I also have been getting my flu shot every year since I became ill.
Bobbiejo
Forum Leader-Multivisceral
dx: GERD 1995, gastroparesis 2002, pseudo-obstruction of the bowel 2004
multivisceral transplant, 6 organs, 10/06/05
University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital
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bill s
Member
Username: Bill_s
Post Number: 140
Registered: 08-2011
| | Posted on Monday, October 28, 2013 - 12:44 pm: |
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I just read that it is recommended that the pneumonia vaccine be given at 2 to 5 year intervals. I don't know why the gap is so large. |
LadyDi
Forum Leader
Username: Ladydi
Post Number: 2820
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 08:50 am: |
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We thought we had ours recently. When we started checking - surprise! - it has been 6 years. So we plan to go ahead and get ours. Already got our flu shot.
We did find out that hubby can't get the shingles shot.
If I get it, I need to stay away from him for two days - guess it will be party at the motel!
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bill s
Member
Username: Bill_s
Post Number: 141
Registered: 08-2011
| | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 05:34 pm: |
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I also got a case of the shingles 2or so months ago. It was mild with minimum pain - I didn't even know what I had. I traded emails with my doc for several days before I mentioned these few strange spots on the left side of my chest. He said, you've got the shingles, come in now for verification. He gave me antibiotics and it took a few days for the pain to go away and the spots are still there though now they look like fading freckles. You get the shingles because you got the chickenpox earlier in your life. |
papillonbleu
Forum Leader
Username: Papillonbleu
Post Number: 2290
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 08:03 am: |
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I also got shingles several years after my transplant. I was fortunate too in that my case was not that bad with treatment. I was surprised too when I found out I had shingles. I had not known until then that they were caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox which I definitely had when I was very young. I still remember the picture of me taken when I was about four or so, showing off the chicken pox as if it were a new fashion in which I was well pleased. My poor sister got them at about the same time. She is about five years older than me, and so it was much rougher on her. It goes without saying thus, she did not want any picture of her taken. Best of wishes to all.
Bobbiejo
Forum Leader-Multivisceral
dx: GERD 1995, gastroparesis 2002, pseudo-obstruction of the bowel 2004
multivisceral transplant, 6 organs, 10/06/05
University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital
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