So I decided to go the ER

And surprisingly, they are all being really nice. Dr said he thinks I may have a virus and my symptoms are out of control due to the auto immune issue. Waiting for IV and blood work to see what they are going to do.

Im in shock…positive flu “A” test and high WBC. So much for the flu shot, huh?

Oh no!! Its so hard dealing with lupus and then you throw the flu on top... ICK! I got influenza A over Christmas and got to spend three days in the hospital. I hope you feel better soon!!!!! :)

I had the flu a couple of weeks ago and did not move of the couch for 4 days. Now I am trying to get back to where I was. Take care and rest.

Sorry you have the flu. My mom who has RA was in the hospital for two days because she got flu A and it turned into pneumonia, so take care of yourself.

I am glad you got sort of an answer from the ER. Some ERs treat chronic pain people like felons. They think we just want pain meds.

The flu shots cover more than one virus. This virus may not have been covered in your flu shot. Might be helpful if you find out what it covered.

Just a Girl said:

Im in shock....positive flu "A" test and high WBC. So much for the flu shot, huh?

Sometimes the issue with the vaccine is that your body has to mount an immune response to it at the time of vaccination, and if it doesn’t then, you won’t be protected later either. I skipped the vaccine this winter (even though I debated it and am not inherently anti-vaccine… I just knew I was coming off a recent infusion of Rituxan (depleted b-cells, inhibiting production of antibodies) as well as a long-term steroid regimen I’m tapering down from at a snail’s pace (I think 7.5mg/day pred equiv is the lowest I can go without flaring too much.) Last year, when I wasn’t yet on immune suppression, the flu shot triggered a flare that left me very sick all winter, requiring much heavier treatment! I thought back on past years before diagnosis and the ones I had gotten flu vax were bad winters for me, lots of neuropsych symptoms! So I decided to try skipping it, since it likely wouldn’t work as well and possibly could send my lupus control I fought so hard for back off track. A flu would certainly do that and be a big, miserable and dangerous problem in itself… But there’s the chance that exposure precautions. Haven’t gotten it yet, but it hits west coast later, right? Maybe that’s unwise and maybe I’ll still go for it before the winter’s up or next year. I read it isn’t recommended for immunosuppressed people, but maybe they’re talking flu-mist and risk of infection… I know Ann A. always gets hers and maybe that’s reason enough to stick to it. But last year was awful when I got it. Who knows! Such a crapshoot, isn’t it?