Random question about immunizations
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Random question about immunizations

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Random question about immunizations

  • Post
    • January 18, 2017 at 10:24 pm
    sarah.brannon
    Participant
    I’m going to see my oncologist on Monday day, but I just thought I’d throw this out there to see if anyone could answer.

    I finished a year of interferon the end of September. Since it’s supposed to wipe out your immune system, does this mean I’ll need new immunizations, for like smallpox and measles and stuff?

Viewing 14 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 18, 2017 at 11:01 pm
      mjanssentx
      Participant

      Sarah – interesting question.  I finished a full year of Interferon about 13 months ago and I have to say it was probably the healthiest year of my life in terms of ZERO colds/flu/etc.  (probably going to get a cold tomorrow having said this)

      I know that they specifically wanted me to still do the flu shots during that year so I am guessing it does not wipe out your other previous preventive shots.  But let us know.

      Best wishes 

      Michel

        • January 19, 2017 at 3:15 am
        sarah.brannon
        Participant

        I was so sick the whole year I was on it. I was admitted to the hospital 4 times with pneumonia, I caught every cold/sore throat/stomach bug. It was a miserable year, being sick and then having pretty much every side effect possible. Everyone else says it's supposed to boost your immune system, but I have never felt sicker in my life.

        • January 19, 2017 at 3:24 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        That is typical of a year on Interferon. Majority of patients have the sickest year of their life, a year long flu, it's brutal. To have the healthiest year of your life.. that's unheard of, so just remember you experienced what most other interferon patients have experienced. Bet you're glad it's over with!

        • January 19, 2017 at 4:27 am
        mjanssentx
        Participant

        Let me be clear on my statement.  The year I was on Interferon was 2015 and it was miserable.  I had no illness except for the 150 times my wife "gave me the flu" via the Interferon 3 times per week shots  (i.e.. all of the nasty symptoms including shakes, fever, fatigue, and many others.)

        It was in 2016 after I was off of Interferon that was the healthiest year that I can remember.  Can't exactly suggest an absolute cause and effect but my immune system worked perfectly for at least the past 13-14 months.

        Sorry for any confusion.

        Best wishes 

        Michel

        • January 19, 2017 at 4:27 am
        mjanssentx
        Participant

        Let me be clear on my statement.  The year I was on Interferon was 2015 and it was miserable.  I had no illness except for the 150 times my wife "gave me the flu" via the Interferon 3 times per week shots  (i.e.. all of the nasty symptoms including shakes, fever, fatigue, and many others.)

        It was in 2016 after I was off of Interferon that was the healthiest year that I can remember.  Can't exactly suggest an absolute cause and effect but my immune system worked perfectly for at least the past 13-14 months.

        Sorry for any confusion.

        Best wishes 

        Michel

        • January 19, 2017 at 4:27 am
        mjanssentx
        Participant

        Let me be clear on my statement.  The year I was on Interferon was 2015 and it was miserable.  I had no illness except for the 150 times my wife "gave me the flu" via the Interferon 3 times per week shots  (i.e.. all of the nasty symptoms including shakes, fever, fatigue, and many others.)

        It was in 2016 after I was off of Interferon that was the healthiest year that I can remember.  Can't exactly suggest an absolute cause and effect but my immune system worked perfectly for at least the past 13-14 months.

        Sorry for any confusion.

        Best wishes 

        Michel

        • January 19, 2017 at 3:24 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        That is typical of a year on Interferon. Majority of patients have the sickest year of their life, a year long flu, it's brutal. To have the healthiest year of your life.. that's unheard of, so just remember you experienced what most other interferon patients have experienced. Bet you're glad it's over with!

        • January 19, 2017 at 3:24 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        That is typical of a year on Interferon. Majority of patients have the sickest year of their life, a year long flu, it's brutal. To have the healthiest year of your life.. that's unheard of, so just remember you experienced what most other interferon patients have experienced. Bet you're glad it's over with!

        • January 19, 2017 at 3:15 am
        sarah.brannon
        Participant

        I was so sick the whole year I was on it. I was admitted to the hospital 4 times with pneumonia, I caught every cold/sore throat/stomach bug. It was a miserable year, being sick and then having pretty much every side effect possible. Everyone else says it's supposed to boost your immune system, but I have never felt sicker in my life.

        • January 19, 2017 at 3:15 am
        sarah.brannon
        Participant

        I was so sick the whole year I was on it. I was admitted to the hospital 4 times with pneumonia, I caught every cold/sore throat/stomach bug. It was a miserable year, being sick and then having pretty much every side effect possible. Everyone else says it's supposed to boost your immune system, but I have never felt sicker in my life.

      • January 18, 2017 at 11:01 pm
      mjanssentx
      Participant

      Sarah – interesting question.  I finished a full year of Interferon about 13 months ago and I have to say it was probably the healthiest year of my life in terms of ZERO colds/flu/etc.  (probably going to get a cold tomorrow having said this)

      I know that they specifically wanted me to still do the flu shots during that year so I am guessing it does not wipe out your other previous preventive shots.  But let us know.

      Best wishes 

      Michel

      • January 18, 2017 at 11:01 pm
      mjanssentx
      Participant

      Sarah – interesting question.  I finished a full year of Interferon about 13 months ago and I have to say it was probably the healthiest year of my life in terms of ZERO colds/flu/etc.  (probably going to get a cold tomorrow having said this)

      I know that they specifically wanted me to still do the flu shots during that year so I am guessing it does not wipe out your other previous preventive shots.  But let us know.

      Best wishes 

      Michel

      • January 18, 2017 at 11:23 pm
      BrianP
      Participant

      Sarah,

      Where are you hearing that interferon "wipes out your immune system".  I know it's a much disparaged treatment but that's one I don't think is accurate. 

      • January 18, 2017 at 11:23 pm
      BrianP
      Participant

      Sarah,

      Where are you hearing that interferon "wipes out your immune system".  I know it's a much disparaged treatment but that's one I don't think is accurate. 

      • January 18, 2017 at 11:23 pm
      BrianP
      Participant

      Sarah,

      Where are you hearing that interferon "wipes out your immune system".  I know it's a much disparaged treatment but that's one I don't think is accurate. 

      • January 19, 2017 at 12:36 am
      Bubbles
      Participant

      Interferon, albeit, older and less effective in the fight against melanoma….is still in the category of immunotherapy….as is ipi, and anti-PD1.  Rather, than "wipe out" ones immune system….it is meant to trigger it…ie stimulate t cells to fight melanoma.  However, with all immunotherapy….vacccines to prevent disease are still warranted.  

      • January 19, 2017 at 12:36 am
      Bubbles
      Participant

      Interferon, albeit, older and less effective in the fight against melanoma….is still in the category of immunotherapy….as is ipi, and anti-PD1.  Rather, than "wipe out" ones immune system….it is meant to trigger it…ie stimulate t cells to fight melanoma.  However, with all immunotherapy….vacccines to prevent disease are still warranted.  

      • January 19, 2017 at 12:36 am
      Bubbles
      Participant

      Interferon, albeit, older and less effective in the fight against melanoma….is still in the category of immunotherapy….as is ipi, and anti-PD1.  Rather, than "wipe out" ones immune system….it is meant to trigger it…ie stimulate t cells to fight melanoma.  However, with all immunotherapy….vacccines to prevent disease are still warranted.  

      • January 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      It does not wipe your immune system out at all. That's more what traditional chemo does. Interferon was one of the first immunotherapy drugs created many years ago when docs figured out they could boost the immune system to find cancer to fight it. So, no worries, all your previous immunizations are still there and were not wiped out. Continue to get regular immunizations just as you would with the same schedule based on when your last one was.

      • January 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      It does not wipe your immune system out at all. That's more what traditional chemo does. Interferon was one of the first immunotherapy drugs created many years ago when docs figured out they could boost the immune system to find cancer to fight it. So, no worries, all your previous immunizations are still there and were not wiped out. Continue to get regular immunizations just as you would with the same schedule based on when your last one was.

      • January 19, 2017 at 1:02 am
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      It does not wipe your immune system out at all. That's more what traditional chemo does. Interferon was one of the first immunotherapy drugs created many years ago when docs figured out they could boost the immune system to find cancer to fight it. So, no worries, all your previous immunizations are still there and were not wiped out. Continue to get regular immunizations just as you would with the same schedule based on when your last one was.

      • January 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm
      brendaholmes
      Participant

      I was on Interferon for 16 months until melanoma visited again (sub q and lymph nodes). I too had a year long flu. I am now on mekinist/tafinlar combo x 1 year. Did not have to repeat any vaccines but my oncologist does not want me taking flu vaccine at all. My counts are good now unlike when I was on interferon so I'm not sure about his reasoning–especially after reading that other docs encourage vaccines. Any thoughts?

      • January 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm
      brendaholmes
      Participant

      I was on Interferon for 16 months until melanoma visited again (sub q and lymph nodes). I too had a year long flu. I am now on mekinist/tafinlar combo x 1 year. Did not have to repeat any vaccines but my oncologist does not want me taking flu vaccine at all. My counts are good now unlike when I was on interferon so I'm not sure about his reasoning–especially after reading that other docs encourage vaccines. Any thoughts?

      • January 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm
      brendaholmes
      Participant

      I was on Interferon for 16 months until melanoma visited again (sub q and lymph nodes). I too had a year long flu. I am now on mekinist/tafinlar combo x 1 year. Did not have to repeat any vaccines but my oncologist does not want me taking flu vaccine at all. My counts are good now unlike when I was on interferon so I'm not sure about his reasoning–especially after reading that other docs encourage vaccines. Any thoughts?

Viewing 14 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.