Are flu shots worth the danger of possibly contracting Guillain-Barré syndrome like Richard Ryan, 44, did? Ryan, a Canadian, got his flu shot last year. A few weeks later he was in so much intense pain he sought treatment at a hospital emergency room. The doctor there knew what he had as soon as the words, “flu shot” were mentioned.

Richard Ryan was hospitalized for ten weeks and spent three of those weeks in intensive care, paralyzed.

I’ve often wondered if it might be worthwhile to get flu shots, but so far, have avoided them. Last winter I discussed this with a co-worker at a restaurant I was then working at.

Cook: “I’ve never had one. One winter someone working here got one and was sick all winter, and I never got sick.”

Me: “I’ve never had one either. I wonder what they put in those shots.”

Cook: “They’re having the flu shot clinic tomorrow. It’s a drive-by clinic. You don’t even have to get out of your car.”

Me: “No thanks. I didn’t get sick at all last winter either. I take precautions like washing my hands a lot. And if I start to feel under the weather, I take a couple Golden Seal capsules. Works every time.”

Cook: “Golden Seal? What’s that?”

Me: “It’s a herb with mild antibiotic qualities. I usually take some Golden Seal, Vitamin C, and orange juice. Not all at one time of course - I like to space things out.”

Cook: “And it really works?”

Me: “For me it does. Just be careful not to take too much. Read the directions.”

Two other employees were feeling sick and the cook told them I recommended Golden Seal. One recovered almost immediately after using Golden Seal extract; the other didn’t. [Note: I don't know how much she took; it may have been minimal as it was the one who actually purchased the Golden Seal that recovered.]

Meanwhile, back in Canada, Richard Ryan has never fully recovered from the effects of his flu shot. The Guillain-Barré syndrome symptoms are in remission, but it could return at any time. Ryan’s illness turned into CIDP - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. He still uses medication, can’t work, and has developed memory loss.

Source: B.C. man paralyzed after flu shot warns of risks published in CDC News on October 22, 2008.

One more thing: You can learn a lot by reading the 100+ reader comments on the article I referenced.

I’ve had pain in one of my thumb joints for a few years. I thought it was because my daughter grabbed my hand once and pulled on it the wrong way. But I never suspected Rheumatoid Arthritis. I thought I was too young for that!

This year I started feeling pains in the other thumb joint too. And when I started working at a stand-up-for-hours job downtown, I had pain in one of my ankles. My boyfriend was the first one who suggested it could be Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I did some research to see if that could be it.

. . .

I discovered there are several basic types of arthritis:

1. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (Still’s Disease): Usually starts between 2 and 5 years of age, and disappears before puberty. A malfunction in the body’s defense system causes antibodies to attack the body’s tissues. They cause inflammation of the joints and organs. Attacks last for a few weeks, and subsequent attacks are usually less severe each time.

2. Psoriatic Arthritis: Psoriasis starts with emotional stress, skin damage, or poor health. It is seen as pink patches of thick skin, caused when skin cell production speeds up. This can cause a mild form of arthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Infectious Arthritis: Caused when bacteria invades a joint and causes inflammation. This is rare, and usually involves only one joint.

4. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Usually starts with hand and foot joints feeling stiff, tender, and/or painful. This usually starts during ages 40 to 60, but it can happen to people of any age.

. . .

I learned that the words “arthritis” and “rheumatism” are used interchangeably yet technically, there are no medical conditions that use only those words. They could refer to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatic Fever, or Osteoarthritis. If your physician tells you that you’ve got arthritis or rheumatism, ask to know what exactly the disease is.

Some people think that rheumatism is occasional, brought on by bad weather, and that arthritis is a chronic painful condition. But there’s actually no distinction of this sort except in folklore.

. . .

Rheumatoid Arthritis is usually a chronic, long-term condition. Less than half of those who have it recover fully. However the fact that some people do recover fully leaves me with the desire to be in that number. I will be looking for solutions and will keep blog readers informed of any progress I make in controlling arthritis pain and inflammation.

. . .

I went to see my nurse practitioner as soon as I was convinced that I too, could have Rheumatoid Arthritis. She confirmed my self-diagnosis and showed me her deformed finger which helped me see I’m not the only one suffering, that my current condition is mild, and that Rheumatoid Arthritis can become crippling and much worse than I’d imagined.

The nurse practitioner also told me that the thumb joints are often the first places where Rheumatoid Arthritis appears. I guess I’m right on schedule for old age diseases.

Her prescription for me: Motrin. Yes, that’s all I got - a prescription for Ibuprofen! That, and the advice to get used to it.

That leaves me with a lot of questions - and the desire to find ways to deal with this naturally.
. . .

Remember - I’m not a doctor or nurse. If you are one, you’re welcome to comment and give your opinions. Well, for that matter, EVERYONE is welcome to comment and give opinions - I’m hoping to hear from others on this topic.