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Random question about immunizations
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Random question about immunizations

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Random question about immunizations

  • Post
    • January 18, 2017 at 10:24 pm
    sarah.brannon
    Participant
      I’m going to see my oncologist on Monday day, but I just thought I’d throw this out there to see if anyone could answer.

      I finished a year of interferon the end of September. Since it’s supposed to wipe out your immune system, does this mean I’ll need new immunizations, for like smallpox and measles and stuff?

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 18, 2017 at 11:01 pm
        mjanssentx
        Participant

          Sarah – interesting question.  I finished a full year of Interferon about 13 months ago and I have to say it was probably the healthiest year of my life in terms of ZERO colds/flu/etc.  (probably going to get a cold tomorrow having said this)

          I know that they specifically wanted me to still do the flu shots during that year so I am guessing it does not wipe out your other previous preventive shots.  But let us know.

          Best wishes 

          Michel

            • January 19, 2017 at 3:15 am
            sarah.brannon
            Participant

              I was so sick the whole year I was on it. I was admitted to the hospital 4 times with pneumonia, I caught every cold/sore throat/stomach bug. It was a miserable year, being sick and then having pretty much every side effect possible. Everyone else says it's supposed to boost your immune system, but I have never felt sicker in my life.

              • January 19, 2017 at 3:24 am
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                That is typical of a year on Interferon. Majority of patients have the sickest year of their life, a year long flu, it's brutal. To have the healthiest year of your life.. that's unheard of, so just remember you experienced what most other interferon patients have experienced. Bet you're glad it's over with!

                • January 19, 2017 at 4:27 am
                mjanssentx
                Participant

                  Let me be clear on my statement.  The year I was on Interferon was 2015 and it was miserable.  I had no illness except for the 150 times my wife "gave me the flu" via the Interferon 3 times per week shots  (i.e.. all of the nasty symptoms including shakes, fever, fatigue, and many others.)

                  It was in 2016 after I was off of Interferon that was the healthiest year that I can remember.  Can't exactly suggest an absolute cause and effect but my immune system worked perfectly for at least the past 13-14 months.

                  Sorry for any confusion.

                  Best wishes 

                  Michel

                  • January 19, 2017 at 4:27 am
                  mjanssentx
                  Participant

                    Let me be clear on my statement.  The year I was on Interferon was 2015 and it was miserable.  I had no illness except for the 150 times my wife "gave me the flu" via the Interferon 3 times per week shots  (i.e.. all of the nasty symptoms including shakes, fever, fatigue, and many others.)

                    It was in 2016 after I was off of Interferon that was the healthiest year that I can remember.  Can't exactly suggest an absolute cause and effect but my immune system worked perfectly for at least the past 13-14 months.

                    Sorry for any confusion.

                    Best wishes 

                    Michel

                    • January 19, 2017 at 4:27 am
                    mjanssentx
                    Participant

                      Let me be clear on my statement.  The year I was on Interferon was 2015 and it was miserable.  I had no illness except for the 150 times my wife "gave me the flu" via the Interferon 3 times per week shots  (i.e.. all of the nasty symptoms including shakes, fever, fatigue, and many others.)

                      It was in 2016 after I was off of Interferon that was the healthiest year that I can remember.  Can't exactly suggest an absolute cause and effect but my immune system worked perfectly for at least the past 13-14 months.

                      Sorry for any confusion.

                      Best wishes 

                      Michel

                      • January 19, 2017 at 3:24 am
                      jennunicorn
                      Participant

                        That is typical of a year on Interferon. Majority of patients have the sickest year of their life, a year long flu, it's brutal. To have the healthiest year of your life.. that's unheard of, so just remember you experienced what most other interferon patients have experienced. Bet you're glad it's over with!

                        • January 19, 2017 at 3:24 am
                        jennunicorn
                        Participant

                          That is typical of a year on Interferon. Majority of patients have the sickest year of their life, a year long flu, it's brutal. To have the healthiest year of your life.. that's unheard of, so just remember you experienced what most other interferon patients have experienced. Bet you're glad it's over with!

                          • January 19, 2017 at 3:15 am
                          sarah.brannon
                          Participant

                            I was so sick the whole year I was on it. I was admitted to the hospital 4 times with pneumonia, I caught every cold/sore throat/stomach bug. It was a miserable year, being sick and then having pretty much every side effect possible. Everyone else says it's supposed to boost your immune system, but I have never felt sicker in my life.

                            • January 19, 2017 at 3:15 am
                            sarah.brannon
                            Participant

                              I was so sick the whole year I was on it. I was admitted to the hospital 4 times with pneumonia, I caught every cold/sore throat/stomach bug. It was a miserable year, being sick and then having pretty much every side effect possible. Everyone else says it's supposed to boost your immune system, but I have never felt sicker in my life.

                            • January 18, 2017 at 11:01 pm
                            mjanssentx
                            Participant

                              Sarah – interesting question.  I finished a full year of Interferon about 13 months ago and I have to say it was probably the healthiest year of my life in terms of ZERO colds/flu/etc.  (probably going to get a cold tomorrow having said this)

                              I know that they specifically wanted me to still do the flu shots during that year so I am guessing it does not wipe out your other previous preventive shots.  But let us know.

                              Best wishes 

                              Michel

                              • January 18, 2017 at 11:01 pm
                              mjanssentx
                              Participant

                                Sarah – interesting question.  I finished a full year of Interferon about 13 months ago and I have to say it was probably the healthiest year of my life in terms of ZERO colds/flu/etc.  (probably going to get a cold tomorrow having said this)

                                I know that they specifically wanted me to still do the flu shots during that year so I am guessing it does not wipe out your other previous preventive shots.  But let us know.

                                Best wishes 

                                Michel

                                • January 18, 2017 at 11:23 pm
                                BrianP
                                Participant

                                  Sarah,

                                  Where are you hearing that interferon "wipes out your immune system".  I know it's a much disparaged treatment but that's one I don't think is accurate. 

                                  • January 18, 2017 at 11:23 pm
                                  BrianP
                                  Participant

                                    Sarah,

                                    Where are you hearing that interferon "wipes out your immune system".  I know it's a much disparaged treatment but that's one I don't think is accurate. 

                                    • January 18, 2017 at 11:23 pm
                                    BrianP
                                    Participant

                                      Sarah,

                                      Where are you hearing that interferon "wipes out your immune system".  I know it's a much disparaged treatment but that's one I don't think is accurate. 

                                      • January 19, 2017 at 12:36 am
                                      Bubbles
                                      Participant

                                        Interferon, albeit, older and less effective in the fight against melanoma….is still in the category of immunotherapy….as is ipi, and anti-PD1.  Rather, than "wipe out" ones immune system….it is meant to trigger it…ie stimulate t cells to fight melanoma.  However, with all immunotherapy….vacccines to prevent disease are still warranted.  

                                        • January 19, 2017 at 12:36 am
                                        Bubbles
                                        Participant

                                          Interferon, albeit, older and less effective in the fight against melanoma….is still in the category of immunotherapy….as is ipi, and anti-PD1.  Rather, than "wipe out" ones immune system….it is meant to trigger it…ie stimulate t cells to fight melanoma.  However, with all immunotherapy….vacccines to prevent disease are still warranted.  

                                          • January 19, 2017 at 12:36 am
                                          Bubbles
                                          Participant

                                            Interferon, albeit, older and less effective in the fight against melanoma….is still in the category of immunotherapy….as is ipi, and anti-PD1.  Rather, than "wipe out" ones immune system….it is meant to trigger it…ie stimulate t cells to fight melanoma.  However, with all immunotherapy….vacccines to prevent disease are still warranted.  

                                            • January 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
                                            jennunicorn
                                            Participant

                                              It does not wipe your immune system out at all. That's more what traditional chemo does. Interferon was one of the first immunotherapy drugs created many years ago when docs figured out they could boost the immune system to find cancer to fight it. So, no worries, all your previous immunizations are still there and were not wiped out. Continue to get regular immunizations just as you would with the same schedule based on when your last one was.

                                              • January 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
                                              jennunicorn
                                              Participant

                                                It does not wipe your immune system out at all. That's more what traditional chemo does. Interferon was one of the first immunotherapy drugs created many years ago when docs figured out they could boost the immune system to find cancer to fight it. So, no worries, all your previous immunizations are still there and were not wiped out. Continue to get regular immunizations just as you would with the same schedule based on when your last one was.

                                                • January 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
                                                jennunicorn
                                                Participant

                                                  It does not wipe your immune system out at all. That's more what traditional chemo does. Interferon was one of the first immunotherapy drugs created many years ago when docs figured out they could boost the immune system to find cancer to fight it. So, no worries, all your previous immunizations are still there and were not wiped out. Continue to get regular immunizations just as you would with the same schedule based on when your last one was.

                                                  • January 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm
                                                  brendaholmes
                                                  Participant

                                                    I was on Interferon for 16 months until melanoma visited again (sub q and lymph nodes). I too had a year long flu. I am now on mekinist/tafinlar combo x 1 year. Did not have to repeat any vaccines but my oncologist does not want me taking flu vaccine at all. My counts are good now unlike when I was on interferon so I'm not sure about his reasoning–especially after reading that other docs encourage vaccines. Any thoughts?

                                                    • January 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm
                                                    brendaholmes
                                                    Participant

                                                      I was on Interferon for 16 months until melanoma visited again (sub q and lymph nodes). I too had a year long flu. I am now on mekinist/tafinlar combo x 1 year. Did not have to repeat any vaccines but my oncologist does not want me taking flu vaccine at all. My counts are good now unlike when I was on interferon so I'm not sure about his reasoning–especially after reading that other docs encourage vaccines. Any thoughts?

                                                      • January 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm
                                                      brendaholmes
                                                      Participant

                                                        I was on Interferon for 16 months until melanoma visited again (sub q and lymph nodes). I too had a year long flu. I am now on mekinist/tafinlar combo x 1 year. Did not have to repeat any vaccines but my oncologist does not want me taking flu vaccine at all. My counts are good now unlike when I was on interferon so I'm not sure about his reasoning–especially after reading that other docs encourage vaccines. Any thoughts?

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