Travel Vaccinations with Crohn's in Remission?

[kristenp6]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your help. I have Crohn's Ileitis, which has been in remission (with no maintenance meds) since early 2010, after a small bowel re-section. Right now, I feel about the best I've felt since 2004ish and I am trying desperately to maintain remission so as to not have to go back on steroids or 6MP.

I am traveling to Central Africa in a few months and have been given a long list of vaccines and boosters I *should* get. There is only one required (Yellow Fever), but the rest are just recommended. I am so nervous about anything that might upset the balance my body has finally found after so many years. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I do not trust the pharmaceutical industry at all and don't want to take any chances.

What would you guys do? I am thinking of only getting vaccines for possibly deadly illnesses (such as meningitis and typhoid) and foregoing boosters for polio and MMR. I'm only 28, so I had a very full vaccine schedule as a child and I just don't see why I should get a second MMR (which has been questioned a lot in the research RE: safety) or other boosters.

Also, has anyone had the Hep A or Hep B vaccines since being diagnosed? I don't know much about those, so I'm sort of on the fence. I should say that while in Africa (we are adopting), I won't be traveling much at all from a very centered metro location. Unfortunately, due to the current climate in country, we will only be allowed out and about for adoption-related things - no real tourism.

Any thoughts? I am so conflicted. Thank you so much for any thoughts and experience you may all have.

Kristen P.

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

Aw, congrats on going to get your baby! We traveled to Vietnam (twice) to get our babies in 2006 and 2008. I did get all the recommended vaccines for our trip and had no adverse effects. However, on our first trip, I got extremely ill, almost to the point of going to the hospital (in a third world country, that's pretty desperate). We were very careful about boiling all our water, even before brushing teeth, etc. I have no idea what happened, but I was bed-bound for most of the trip. It seemed to clear up near the end of the trip, though, without any medication. Just be careful what you eat/drink, as our systems are more sensitive to the bad things.

 

[rygon]

If you are immnusuppressents you shouldnt be getting any live virus injections as this could cause serious illness.

For the rest you will need to weigh up the pros and cons. I know a lot of people do not take maleria tablets due to the side effects which can be really bad

 

[kristenp6]

Thank you guys so much for your replies! I have an appointment with my GI today, so I will discuss it with him as well. And thanks, Stephanie, for your story. It does make me feel better about getting the recommended vaccine schedule.