tamiflu

Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy Forums

Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy forums - a peer support community for folks dealing (directly or indirectly) with seizure disorders. You can visit the forum page to see the list of forum nodes (categories/rooms) for topics.

Please have a look around and if you like what you see, please consider registering an account and joining the discussions. When you register an account and log in, you may enjoy additional benefits including no ads, access to members only (ie. private) forum nodes and more. Registering an account is free - you have nothing to lose!

E

Emee

Stalwart
Messages
238
Reaction score
5
Points
63
Has anyone used Tamiflu? If so, did it seem to cause more seizures. I can't take the flu shot because of allergies & am worried that Tamiflu might also cause a bad reaction. Thanks.
 
haven't taken Tamiflu, or gotten the flu shot either. As I understand it, Tamiflu only helps if you take it within 24-48 hours of coming down with the flu. And recent studies have suggested that even then, it might not be as effective or safe as many patients and doctors think:
The FDA directed Roche to state on the drug’s label the following caveat: “Tamiflu has not been proven to have a positive impact on the potential consequences (such as hospitalizations, mortality, or economic impact) of seasonal, avian, or pandemic influenza.” An FDA spokesperson told the BMJ, "The clinical trials . . . failed to demonstrate any significant difference in rates of hospitalization, complications, or mortality in patients receiving either Tamiflu or placebo.”
Click to expand...

In addition, some seizures have been reported in people taking Tamiflu, but there haven't been any studies tracking an increased risk of seizures with it.

I would say, that if you can, give Tamiflu a miss.
 
I'm late on this. I started having flu symptoms yesterday and was diagnosed with it today. I've had coughing fits so violent I've thrown up and temp was up to 102 yesterday. It's been staying at 100 today.

I first took Tamiflu in 2003. While on it I had my first grand mal seizure. That was long before I was diagnosed with epilepsy. Since then they haven't given me flu meds since (and I wouldn't take them anyway...no grand mals since and I'd rather keep them away). Even though I'm mostly controlled now they still advise against it.

I'm on Motrin, a codeine cough syrup and lots of rest and fluids. It's miserable, but better than seizures. I'm also home alone a lot, and it would be scary and dangerous to risk grand mals alone.
 
No idea on the seizure thing, but the friends that I have that use tamiflu it doesn't seem to really reduce their flu at all. It seems like a waste to me. Also a waste of a trip to the doctor, whilst exposing all those people to your flu!

And I also don't use the flu shot...but then again, we don't do other vax's either.
 
I don't do the flu shot either. I'm somewhat regretting that decision now lol. But it's the first time I've had the flu since 2003. I've had pharyngitis and plenty of colds but no influenza until now.

Let me tell you, it's NOT fun!

That said, I probably won't be doing the flu shot next year, either. I'm just not an unnecessary medication fan.
 
As crappy as the flu is, it scares me less than the shot. The shot still contains mercury. Among many other types of neurotoxins. Which is the same for most vaccines.

It lasts days and days, yes, but the possible side effects from the vaccine could be life long.

Stay hydrated, try to eat healthy foods when you're hungry. Sleep as much as you can.
 
Good call. I'm the same way. I'd rather avoid vaccines and even most meds too.

Soup and tea to the rescue!
 
:D Yep!!

If you can get someone to make you FRESH chicken broth, it's AMAZING for you!

I hate taking my seizure meds....but I'm afraid of what might happen if I don't even more. Ya know? I mostly take them for my family I guess.

I can't soup-n-tea- my way out of that one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom