Benefits of having flu shot outweigh the risks

Dear Dr. Roach: I had surgery last year to remove my spleen and three-quarters of my pancreas. I had numerous vaccines before and after the surgery. Now I’ve been told that I need the pneumonia vaccine and the flu shot, neither of which I want after all the other things that I have been given. I’m really torn, as I am trying to put only safe things in my body. C.T.G. I understand your concern, as there are risks from taking a vaccine. For the flu and pneumonia vaccines, those risks are very low. Fewer than one person per million has a serious reaction.

There are risks, too, from not taking a vaccine. Someone with no spleen is at very high risk of certain infections, including pneumococcus, which is the most common type of pneumonia. In my opinion, the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks. Dear Dr. Roach: I read your recent column on taking medication longterm. Through endoscopies, I have had Barrett’s esophagus diagnosed. My doctor has prescribed omeprazole for the foreseeable future. I have regularly scheduled endoscopies. How firm should I be in asking my doctor to consider reducing or eliminating my omeprazole? What is your opinion of the potential side-effects? J.W. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which, after a prolonged period of acid reflux, the cells of the esophagus become similar to the cells of the stomach.

This predisposes a person to the development of a type of esophageal cancer called adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Many authorities believe medications that turn off acid production, such as omeprazole, reduce a person’s risk of developing cancer, although this isn’t definitive.

However, essentially everyone with Barrett’s esophagus has reflux disease. Many have damage to the esophagus, so this is a condition in which I think the benefits of omeprazole and the other proton pump inhibitors outweigh the small risks, which include probable increases in rates of bone loss, lung infections and infection with Clostridium difficile, a type of diarrhea.

The likelihood of these sideeffects is low. People who need proton pump inhibitors should stay on their medications.

I wrote the column because I often see people who have been taking proton pump inhibitors for years for only mild heartburn symptoms. Most people don’t need to take such powerful medications for a prolonged time. Dear Dr. Roach: After a compression fracture in my L-2 vertebra, which was repaired with surgery, I am dealing with arthritis in my lower spine. I have tried injections, a nerve block and acupuncture, without relief. What’s next?

B.V.M. There is no reliable medical treatment for arthritis of the back that can stop progression of the disease. You have identified some common treatments, but I have a few comments that might help.

The first is that, although they don’t stop the disease, medications can ease symptoms. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a reasonable first choice. Anti-inflammatory drugs have more side-effects, but may be worthwhile in some people.

Exercise is my first-line treatment for arthritis. Exercise reduces pain, increases function and has few side-effects beyond soreness, which comes especially after the first few sessions. A physical therapist can be a fantastic resource in helping to design a personalized program.

Spinal manipulation, as done by a chiropractor, osteopath or massage or physical therapist, has been shown to have modest benefit. Surgery for the back is an option that I recommend for very few. Those whose pain cannot be controlled with medication or people with progressive neurological symptoms deserve surgical evaluation.

Let me finish by saying that a compression fracture of the spine should lead to an evaluation for osteoporosis. If you haven’t had one, speak to your doctor. Dr. Roach cannot answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column when possible. Email questions to ToYourGood Health@med.cornell.edu.