Anybody have advice about the flu shot this year? I have been toold it is a 3 in 1 with the H1N1 included. I know last year it was mention to not receive the H1N1 shot. My son's peditrician's office is calling to schedule appointments and was hoping for some ideas to give to him.

Please let us know how Connor has been doing so far this year, and what medications he's been on, if possible by updating your profile page. SCLS in children is exceedingly rare, so we know very little.

Dear Arturo, I also wanted to know your opinion about the flu shot this year. Last year i didn't get either one. I just didn't want to do anything to compromise my immune system. I had heard Dr. Oz recommend a daily dose of vitamin D 3 (like a super dose of vitamin D), as a preventive step. To which i quickly stocked up on. I never got ill. I actually made it through the holidays without an episode!!! wow! (Once the flu season passed and i ran out of D3, i forgot to go buy another bottle.) Then, after a stressful (both physically and emotionally) few days in May of providing intensive/emergency care for both my parents, i had an episode. This episode occurred just days later, after my sisters came to relieve me.(both live out of state) Pretty crazy! I really felt stress had played a huge role in my attacks in the past, due to the holidays. But after this May episode i felt convinced of it being a huge factor for me. So,...... to make a long story short (too late for that), i am okay with the basic flu shot, just apprehensive with the H1N1. How do you feel about this? thanks, marilyn

This is a question I can't answer -- most MDs can't, either, given how little is known about what triggers episodes of SCLS in the first place. (Besides, I can't give medical advice; it was one of the sensible conditions imposed on me by the RareShare team when I agreed to serve as an "expert" for this community.) Now, I imagine that those of us who are not having any episodes of SCLS because whatever medication we're taking is working well -- in my case, IVIG -- have less to fear from any kind of vaccination. Those who are having episodes would be well advised to discuss it with their doctors and, directly or via their MDs, with Dr. Greipp of the Mayo Clinic.

I have contacted De Greipp by email but to date have not had a reply. I do not want to bother him again. How long does he take to reply please?

Maire I have answered all my emails - I read the posts regularly. Something is wrong. Can you write to my gmail address instead? greipp@gmail.com Sorry Dr. Phil Greipp

Oct 13 , 2010: Flu Shot: I was in the hospital for 24 hours earlier this month with with a mild attack and my doctor was adamant that I get a flu shot while I was there (and it included the H stuff). No ill effects so far (other than a sore shoulder for a couple of days) so take this experience for what its worth. I also get a pneumonia booster every six years or so. I would be interested if other people's doctors are recommending shots as well.

I received my flu shot two weeks ago. No problem so far. My Doctor did say that it may be more risk to get the live virus. I figure that I have a better chance with after effects of the flu shot than coming down with the flu.

I got my flu shot yesterday. My doctors recommend that I get the shot every year to minimize any potential threats to my immune system.

I have had the flu early on in the winter here in NZ and lived to tell the tale... Infact I had know problems at all and even managed to stay hospital free. Ruth Nolan NZ

Influenza vaccine - We have not evidence for triggering an attack. I believe all patients should have the vaccine. Phil Greipp

Jim had his flu shot a couple of days ago on the recommendation of his physicians. There's been no adverse reaction.

I received the influenza shot and had no adverse reaction -- but then, I'm on a monthly regimen of IVIG.

I received my flu shot, which my doctor explained is a combination now, i guess of the basic flu shot and the new one being pushed so much last year. He assured me that it was not a "live" vaccine, and he thought it was to my best interest to receive it. So, i did. No adverse affects, just muscle soreness for a couple of days.