This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi to All,

This something everyone in the Tovaxin study should be aware of.

Best regards, Tim

Reported November 30, 2006
Vaccines & Painkillers Don't Mix
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The first thing many people do after getting a vaccination is reach for a painkiller to ward off common reactions like fever or pain at the site of the injection.
That's the wrong thing to do, according to University of Rochester researchers who studied the effects of common pain relievers on the ability of vaccinations to produce antibodies in the blood.
Their investigation reveals non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin, Advil and Celebrex, actually inhibit the ability of the vaccine to produce antibodies to the disease it is designed to protect against.
The problem lies in the interaction between B cells in the body, which produce the antibodies, and the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors found in NSAIDs. COX -- which can cause pain and inflammation when it gets out of control -- is actually necessary to help B cells produce the antibodies, which would attack an invading virus.
The researchers arrived at these findings after studying the effect of NSAIDs on the newly approved HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. While the vaccine was 100 percent effective in clinical trials involving women, laboratory studies conducted in mice and on blood samples taken from women who received the vaccine revealed NSAIDs were capable of reducing its effectiveness.
The authors write NSAIDs may have the same effect on people receiving other vaccinations, like the flu shot. The effect could be worse in elderly people, who have reduced immune function to begin with and are more likely to be on regular doses of the painkillers for arthritis and other conditions.
"For years we have known that elderly people are poor responders to the influenza vaccine and vaccines in general," reports principal investigator Richard P. Phipps, Ph.D. "And we also know that elderly people tend to be heavy users of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase such as Advil, aspirin or Celebrex. This study could help explain the immune response problem."
SOURCE: Journal of Immunology, 2006;177:7811-7819

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Well Tim,
It's nice to see you back...but I don't see anything about how you are doing. We would be very interested to hear something that is not directly related to benefiting the study. Hope you doing well...can you tell us a little about how your progress has been with the vaccine???
NN

I’m also pleased to see that you are posting again Tim!

Hi to all,

I am doing okay, about the same as last reported. My EDSS flops between 3.0 and 3.5. The EDSS is a lousy measure of MS disability. The key thing is that I have not had an attack in over 3 years. If my EDSS was still 5.5, I would still consider this a great success, personally.

Before, every time I had an attack and my symptoms/disability would settle down, I would rationalize that my new level of disability was okay and I could live with it. I just hoped I wouldn't have another attack. I used to run cross country. I don't have any delusions that I will be able to do that again.

It is great that I have regained some of my lost function, but I am most thankful that every time I have an unusual feeling, I am not worrying if it is the start of another attack.

Best regards, Tim

Hi Tim,

Thanks for posting the info about the NSAIDs and vaccines. That's good to know, especially for those of us beginning in the Tovaxin trial.

It's good to hear you're doing ok and not having attacks. To have your EDSS reversed as much as it has been is a great improvement. I hope the vaccine will keep you from progressing and give you some more improvements. If you can keep from having relapses, you might gradually regain more strength over time.

Thanks for being an early participant in the Tovaxin trial. You helped make it possible for it to advance as far as it has.

_________________
Take care, Ewizabeth Previously Avonex, Rebif & Copaxone RRMS ~Tysabri, 31 infusions, ended 9/09. Starting Copaxone 12/09, waiting for Cladribine to be approved in 2010.

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Hi Tim,
Thanx for the post even though you were out of country??? Anyways...that is what I have always hoped for you. Just that you are well enough that you are living your life. I wish that I could see this day when I was first diagnosed and read your website. I thought that you would never post again. It's good to know that you are doing well.

NN