PANS/ PANDAS families-flu shot

[Hilltopmom]

If you have a child with pans/pandas, do they get the flu vaccine?

dd’s pans was started by having the flu last year and I want her to get the vaccine this year for sure figuring a flare from vaccine is better than from actually being sick... and the flu was rough last year- we are all in public school including me this year

thoughts?

(I’m not anti vaccine. Looking for input from pans families specifically, thanks)

eta- we don’t have a PANS specialist & she’s not currently seeing neurology

Edited October 7, 2018 by Hilltopmom

[maize]

Are you concerned that the vaccine could trigger more symptoms?

I hadn't thought of that 

My child who we have suspected may be impacted by PANS got the flu shot last week. I do seem to be seeing an increase in tics this week so maybe that has played a role. I think I would get it anyway though because the actual flu would be much worse.

[Hilltopmom]

Yes I was thinking the shot could trigger a flare- bring symptoms back. she’s sort of back to her pre sickness normal now.

but yeah, I’d rather her not get the flu again if avoidable (she got it last year even with the shot)

[Noreen Claire]

DS9 will get the flu shot, he has every year, and his last full-blown PANDAS attack was 2 years ago.

DS does usually have an uptick in behaviors when he's sick, stressed, and even when he's lost a tooth. However, I  would take a mild exacerbation with the vaccine over the flu PLUS a full-blown PANDAS attack any day.

[Hilltopmom]

Thanks Noreen- those are my thoughts too