Flu shot and Risk of Facial Paralysis due to Gullian Barre from vaccine

[CROOKEDSMILE]

Okay. Got flu shot yesterday and had reaction.....swollen eyes, swollen face, fever, muscle aches, coughing nonstop, eyes red, etc.Took Benadryl around the clock and I am fine today other than tired. Then I got to thinking maybe I should look up on the internet to see what other things could happen from this flu shot and got really scared when I read this. It said that some people have a bad reaction from the flu shot and they called it Gullian Barre Syndrome (sorry if I spelled this wrong) It can paralyze your muscles including your face. It said chances of this were small but geez louise......I don't think I'll get another flu vaccine especially since I had an allergic reaction this time and don't need anything that could cause facial paralysis or any paralysis for that matter. What have you guys heard about this and are you going to get your flu shot for those with facial paralysis?
Angie

[Cheryl R]

I have asked in the past if it was ok to get the flu shot when I had paralysis.          I was assured it was ok.             It is doubtful that your becoming ill was an allergic reaction.        Some people just do get sick following the shot.         My sister was just telling me about how a friends mother got sick as did 2 others at the nursing home where she lives.                The vaccine might be more prone this year to causing problems immed past getting the shot due to what strains are in it.     As a nurse I have never seen anyone get Gullian Barre from a shot.                  I saw a 13 yr girl when I was a student nurse on a rehab floor after she had had it.                 I know of an older person who had it and was not the worse effect that it can cause.     It does vary in how bad it affects you.                           I know so many things can be a worry.
                                    Cheryl R

[CROOKEDSMILE]

Yeah. You can worry yourself to death. I did call the clinic and they thought I may be allergic to the egg that they use for the vaccine. I have a ton of food allergies so I wouldn't doubt it. I couldn't even pick my son up from school yesterday because my eyes were swollen shut. I've never had a reaction before other than typical achy, fever type stuff but never the swollen shut eyes and puffy face which the nurse thought was an allergic reaction so this year will be my last for flu shots. Oh well. Glad to hear that Gullian Barre is very rare from the vaccine. I know they really had problems with this in the 70's due to the type of vaccine being used.
Angie

[Jim Scott]

I rarely bother getting a flu inoculation shot because I almost never get the flu.  To be honest, I also don't want to deal with any unpleasant reactions from a preventive inoculation.  However,  I did receive a flu shot 2 years ago (at the hospital while undergoing my FSR treatments) and had no adverse reactions at all.  I think I'll leave well enough alone. 

Jim

[Omaschwannoma]

I do not and have not gotten the flu shot and I have not had the flu for over 15 years, but having said that, doesn't mean it cannot happen.

I do know two people who contracted Guillan Barre, my sister-in-law (had complications of leg weakness, swelling of entire body, one-sided facial paralysis and finally ended up in hospital due to airway paralysis) thankfully her symptoms went away and today she is fine.  A close friend was not so lucky and his paralysis left him unable to walk, but with diligence he regained some use. 

Given this I will take my chances here. 

[wendysig]

My brother developed Guillan Barre while he was in the army.  They give them so many vaccines we had no idea what caused it.  He was eventually retired when his symptoms got bad enough but the Army refused to accept responsibility for his disability.  My brother was going to fight for more money but unfortunately died of a heart attack before he had the chance.  I recently had a flu shot because I am scheduled for BAHA surgery next month and didn't want to take the chance of getting the fllu.  Luckily I had no reaction to the shot at all, but had I thought about it more carefully, I would have taken my chances.

Wendy

[nancyann]

Angie, so sorry about the reaction, glad you're doing better.
I also don't get the flu shot (there's an ingredient in it that I'm allergic to).  My PCP said to 'stay away from crowds' !
Not a problem since I now avoid crowds as much as possible.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy