I was going to get my flu shot very soon (I'm having an MVD on Oct 30th and don't want to get the flu for sure this season). I found out that there was an interaction with Tegretol and the influenza vaccine. My pharmacist didn't find anything specific as to why so I did a little research and found a few places that said it could increase levels Tegretol in your blood that might cause toxicity.
Has anyone gotten a flu shot while taking Tegretol and if so, any reactions? Has anyone been warned by their doctor not to have one? I see my neurologist in 2 weeks so I figured I would wait to get my shot until then.
I'm definitely having the MVD, just wanted to get a flu shot now before as I do every year. I have mild asthma, which is not so mild if I get the flu or even a cold. The pharmicist told me I should talk to my doctor about getting one because it is much easier to catch the flu (and other stuff) after going through major surgery. I had the real flu once about 15 years ago and it was horrible. Just worried about toxicity with Tegretol/vaccine interaction and was curious if anyone has had a problem with this at all.
I get my flu shots at a compounding pharmacy, they are mercury free. Do you know which ingredient in the vaccine causes the reaction. FYI- they gave me a pneumonia vaccination in the hospital after my MVD.
The hospital gave me a flu shot two days after MVD before I checked out. I was still taking 1200 mg of Tegretol at the time. I didn't wean off my tegretol until 2 months after the surgery because I have TN on both sides. I did not have any reactions to the shot.
Too late for me to get the flu shot. I got hit with the coughing, fever kind. It his me harder than my boyfriend, assumingly due to me having a,low immune system from the TN. Coughing attachs have been tha worse. I'v ebeen in bed , basically for 4 days, but the stabbing pain, when I cough has been the worse of it all. I never even thought about the flu shot, mixing badly with Tegrtol. This is good to know, for next year.
So sorry you got the flu.I remember one year i got it and was scared to death because of the triggers.Coughing,throwing up ect...I was so lucky because as the flu came on,the TN retreated.Good luck and i hope the same happens for you.Personally,i don't trust the flu vaccine.
domelover said:
Too late for me to get the flu shot. I got hit with the coughing, fever kind. It his me harder than my boyfriend, assumingly due to me having a,low immune system from the TN. Coughing attachs have been tha worse. I'v ebeen in bed , basically for 4 days, but the stabbing pain, when I cough has been the worse of it all. I never even thought about the flu shot, mixing badly with Tegrtol. This is good to know, for next year.
I have TN2 with pain 24/7. This is the second flu shot I have gotten (one last year as well) and I have had no reaction and thankfully no flu either. Take care.
I had no reaction either when I had it this fall before my MVD. I had e-mailed Dr. Casey prior to the surgery and he said it was very rare and that if there were a reaction, it would be about 14 days out. Apparently Tegretol interacts with so many medicines. I had my annual wellness visit shortly after my surgery and my doctor found my thyroid levels low. I have been on Synthroid for a few years now and all has been stable but she said that the Tegretol has likely affected the absorption of the Synthroid so I had to up my dose. Thankfully, I'm weaning off Tegretol now and am down to just a pill a day (200mg) for the next 5 days and then am done :)!! I need to celebrate that day for sure!
Are doctors sure, that the flu and all this coughing that goes alone with it - doesn't cause even more damage in my head? OMG! This coughing is making it unbearable. I feel like my head is going to split off in sections.