Hello everyone! I read the previous post regarding the flu shot and I was wondering if that was the general recommendation to get one? I had A/C and am on herceptin weekly for a year. And if anyone has been told to get the pneumonia shot?? Also, what are most of you doing to protect your heart while on herceptin? For example, does exercise help? And what vitamins are a good idea? I very much appreciate your thoughts and advice! Thanks!! Much luck and good wishes to you all!
I am on Herceptin only at this time and was also last year during the fall. My oncologist recommended that I receive the flu vaccine each year. He also has the vaccine available in his office for patients which was helpful last year when there was a shortage of vaccine. My internist recommend that I get a pneumonia shot. She recommend it although guidelines don't recommend the pneumonia shot until you are sixty as it will require a booster after a period of time. I can't remember if it is 5 or ten years. My internist recommend the pneumonia shot because the newer strains of this bacteria are very agressive. She said that she has seen cases where patient's don't respond to the first commonly used antibiotic for this bacteria, die before a change in antibiotic can be effective. My internist's fellowship was in infectious diseases. She said it is better to get the pneumonia shot now and have to get a couple of boosters in your life time. I had no problems with either vaccines but you should ask your oncolgoist his/her opinion.
I don't know for sure if exercise helps protect the heart but my Ejection Fraction before Chemo was 61,following Chemo was 50 and the first two Muga's after Hercepton were also 50. I have been walking 3 miles at least 5 days a week and last week I had another muga. the Ejection Fraction was 60. I don't have anything but my own thoughts and experience to back it up, but I would say that exercise is the way to go. BERTA
Herceptin & flu shot/ and heart protection
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