View Full Version : Got flu shot.........
I got one yesterday morning. I was really expecting some side-effects, since my system is so sensitive to everything. But........nothing at all yet. Not even a sore arm.
Maybe I'm jinxing it. 2 weeks ago I got the pneumococcal vaccine, and it was pretty painful for about a week. But I think the shot-giver wasn't very good. Then again, maybe it's just the
type of vaccine carrier.
I was really hesitant to get the flu shot, since 20+ years ago, a flu shot began a descent into hell for a long time. Who knows. I'm trying to stay positive with this one.
I thought the "senior flu shot" was new and chose the "regular" shot, since many times new vaccines need a few years to work out the problems.......but the shot-giver told me it's been around a long time. Hmmm....
I think the best thing to do is to get sunshine, excercise and eat healthy. We'll see.......
I got my flu shot too this week. I'm concerned about avoiding the flu, of course, but as a babysitter for a 20 month old, I don't want to catch anything and give it to her. (of course, it's more likely the reverse, so we both have to be protected as best we can...)
Gardenarian
10-31-18, 1:36am
I got mine too. No soreness at all.
I sure hope they targeted the right strain this year!
I am required to get the flu shot in order to go to work. By the leading-edge medical department in the country. I have not had any issues.
Got mine a few weeks ago. No issues.
Like Bae, required by my healthcare organization. We received a Quadvalent this year. Hoping they got the correct 4. It's a crapshoot every year....I mean an educated guess:~)
It's funny, I had absolutely no reaction to the flu shot this year. Then DH got his, and had no reaction. I asked my doc about this, since usually there is some type of reaction. He said that they aren't using a preservative anymore, so that may be the reason. I don't know how long they haven't been using preservative though. Neither of us had gotten the shot for about 20+ years. I chose to have the "regular" shot, as opposed to the "senior" shot (which supposedly covers more strains). I thought that was new so I avoided it. But I guess it's been around a long time. I've been out of the loop.
Ultralight
10-31-18, 8:21am
It's funny, I had absolutely no reaction to the flu shot this year. Then DH got his, and had no reaction. I asked my doc about this, since usually there is some type of reaction. He said that they aren't using a preservative anymore, so that may be the reason. I don't know how long they haven't been using preservative though. Neither of us had gotten the shot for about 20+ years. I chose to have the "regular" shot, as opposed to the "senior" shot (which supposedly covers more strains). I thought that was new so I avoided it. But I guess it's been around a long time. I've been out of the loop.
He probably just didn't have the heart to tell you that -- other than a little soreness at the point of injection -- your "reactions" were figments of your imagination.
SteveinMN
10-31-18, 8:56am
Dunno. I avoided the flu shot for many years because it always seemed I came down with something right after I got it. It wasn't flu but it was a general achiness and malaise; maybe a fever though it didn't bother me enough to take my temperature. It could have been the injection; it could have been being exposed to all the germs in a doctor's office; it could have been an incredible coincidence. Whatever.
I did get my flu shot (the "normal" one) yesterday as part of my physical. I'm around too many people who would be quite debilitated by flu. I'm a little sore at the injection site and felt a little dizzy for a few minutes later in the day. But, otherwise, I feel better after the shot than I usually have.
He probably just didn't have the heart to tell you that -- other than a little soreness at the point of injection -- your "reactions" were figments of your imagination.
I don't think so.
Me neither, Cathy. I was put in the hospital two years running by reaction to flu shots, and have not had one since, but am thinking about doing it this year because of visiting elderly parents in nursing home and toddler grandchildren.
Hey Steve........I don't know if you're old enough to consider getting the pneumococcal vaccine, but I got that this year too. Doc warned me that sometimes the injection site can get as big as a walnut. haha Fortunately, mine was pretty small, and blended right in with my shoulder arthritis, so that vaccine wasn't a problem at all. And it sounded like that virus could be deadly, especially in older people.
I had the pneumonia shot in February and I had a huge painful hot rash that went from my shoulder to my elbow for about 7-10 days. The funny thing was that I was getting a tetanus shot at the same time, and I asked the nurse to do that in my left arm as I usually ache for days (I'm right handed). The pnuemonia shot pain was way worse than the tetanus shot, and in my dominant arm.
SteveinMN
10-31-18, 11:11am
Hey Steve........I don't know if you're old enough to consider getting the pneumococcal vaccine
I don't know if I'm old enough, either! :) I'll have to ask my PCP. She didn't mention it during my visit, but she didn't mention anything other than the flu shot anyway.
DW and I did get the Zostavax shingles vaccine years ago, paying for it out of "leftover" healthcare reimbursement accounts because we weren't old enough at the time for insurance to cover it. We probably won't have HCRA money at the end of this year but we can look into it if it looks like we might. Thanks for the tip!
sweetana3
10-31-18, 11:13am
65 is the general rule or Medicare eligible. Probably can get it if high risk too.
we've been getting the flu shots for years, forgot one year a while back, but we seldom have any reaction except a bit of feverish soreness at the site. I have a friend who quit her job because she was ordered to get a flu shot....her mother died of kidney complications after getting the shot-it put a bad feeling about them in her. we've had the shingles shot and pneumonia shot- both 69.
goldensmom
10-31-18, 11:38am
I have been getting a flu vaccine every year since 1997, I've had the shingles and both pneumonia vaccines, all without any ill effects.
Ultralight
10-31-18, 12:06pm
I don't think so.
Some people don't think that Earth is spherical.
Ultralight
10-31-18, 12:10pm
Me neither, Cathy. I was put in the hospital two years running by reaction to flu shots, and have not had one since, but am thinking about doing it this year because of visiting elderly parents in nursing home and toddler grandchildren.
What was the doctor's diagnosis?
Some people don't think that Earth is spherical.
What are you trying to say UL?
Teacher Terry
10-31-18, 12:38pm
UL, some people will have reactions while the majority will not. I would get the shingles shot if I could but very allergic to one of the ingredients. We never get the flu shot. When my friend was in a nursing home we just didn’t visit if not feeling 100%.
Ultralight
10-31-18, 12:50pm
What are you trying to say UL?
There are a set of verified reactions people have to immunizations. Was yours one of those? What is the evidence that your reaction was from the immunizations?
Ultralight
10-31-18, 12:52pm
What are you trying to say UL?
Let me clarify.
I am calling bogus on your claims until you give me some evidence-based info on your "reactions" and what your doctor's diagnosis was regarding those "reactions."
Ultralight
10-31-18, 12:53pm
UL, some people will have reactions while the majority will not. I would get the shingles shot if I could but very allergic to one of the ingredients. We never get the flu shot. When my friend was in a nursing home we just didn’t visit if not feeling 100%.
So CathyA has a verified allergy to an ingredient?
Teacher Terry
10-31-18, 12:58pm
I was exposed to blood at work and started the hepatitis shots. A hour after getting it I was rushed to the hospital because I was having trouble breathing. Fun times. Didn’t finish the series. 20 years ago I was getting allergy shots and almost died.
There are a set of verified reactions people have to immunizations. Was yours one of those? What is the evidence that your reaction was from the immunizations?
UL, are you confusing me with Tybee's response?
Let me clarify.
I am calling bogus on your claims until you give me some evidence-based info on your "reactions" and what your doctor's diagnosis was regarding those "reactions."
What the hell is wrong with you UL? Do you need to go up on your medication perhaps? Your responses to some things lately have been very curious.
Teacher Terry
10-31-18, 2:25pm
Off his meds Cathy:))
UL I have to agree with Cathy that something is up, your demeanor here is not unlike you but more of the challenging qualities are showing up. In specific challenging people to prove their experiences to you, which I have no interest in doing.
No one needs to prove anything here honestly, I have a daughter who cannot get the pertussis immunization. We reported symptoms to her DR at her first shot. No other DR has questioned this information. We just take extra precautions every time whooping cough goes around.
UL I have to agree with Cathy that something is up, your demeanor here is not unlike you but more of the challenging qualities are showing up. In specific challenging people to prove their experiences to you, which I have no interest in doing.
No one needs to prove anything here honestly, I have a daughter who cannot get the pertussis immunization. We reported symptoms to her DR at her first shot. No other DR has questioned this information. We just take extra precautions every time whooping cough goes around..
Thank you Zoe Girl. I should’ve stated my feelings more like you have. I apologize to UL For the way I stated my frustration with his replies.
I wouldn't apologize; he never does. I think of his approach to most conversations as BDSM: badger, dismiss, snark, and mansplain. Very tiresome.
I usually don't read many of his posts or responses, so I didn't know this. Now I know. I wonder what he's really so mad about, on a deeper level?
Ultralight
10-31-18, 4:48pm
What the hell is wrong with you UL? Do you need to go up on your medication perhaps? Your responses to some things lately have been very curious.
I am asking for medical evidence for a claim that you made about reactions to immunizations. Is that really that far out?
Ultralight
10-31-18, 4:48pm
I usually don't read many of his posts or responses, so I didn't know this. Now I know. I wonder what he's really so mad about, on a deeper level?
Mad? LOL
Annoyed with people who make claims without any kind of evidence? Yes.
Ultralight
10-31-18, 4:52pm
...mansplain.
I would be very interested to hear you explain to me what you think "mansplaining" is and how I have purportedly done that.
But... I am guessing you will:
1. Ignore this request for clarification.
2. Respond in a way that further obfuscates whatever point you are trying to make.
Watch. I am about to be a psychic!
UL......everyone is different in their reactions to things. First of all, I think you confused me with someone else's post. Next, the different people's reaction to the same drug can't be compared, or minimized because the doc doesn't give it a name. Systems can be very different.
So......that's it for me talking with you about this.
Ultralight
10-31-18, 6:23pm
UL......everyone is different in their reactions to things. First of all, I think you confused me with someone else's post. Next, the different people's reaction to the same drug can't be compared, or minimized because the doc doesn't give it a name. Systems can be very different.
So......that's it for me talking with you about this.
Oooooookay!
Ultralight
10-31-18, 6:28pm
I wouldn't apologize; he never does. I think of his approach to most conversations as BDSM: badger, dismiss, snark, and mansplain. Very tiresome.
I think of your approach as DUMB: Drivel Unending Moronic Bullcrap.
Very annoying.
I don't know if I'm old enough, either! :) I'll have to ask my PCP. She didn't mention it during my visit, but she didn't mention anything other than the flu shot anyway.
DW and I did get the Zostavax shingles vaccine years ago, paying for it out of "leftover" healthcare reimbursement accounts because we weren't old enough at the time for insurance to cover it. We probably won't have HCRA money at the end of this year but we can look into it if it looks like we might. Thanks for the tip!
Did you have any reaction? I never have with a vaccine before, but I have a rash and hard area at the injection site from the Zostavax vaccine I got Wednesday. Supposedly Shingrix is more effective, but I didn't want to miss work a second time fir the booster. Now I am second guessing myself would it have been better to go with Shingrix?
I am also waiting to make sure this is billed correctly as medical not pharmacy so it is covered. It is not unusual for medical billers to code things wrong. It happened earlier this year with an x-ray.
rosarugosa
11-3-18, 8:20am
My PCP said the new Shingrix vaccine for shingles is supposed to be much more effective. My insurance covered it in full for me at age 59 (I think the prior vaccine was only covered at age 60+). It was a series of 2 shots, and left some soreness at the site, but no big deal. I got it done at Costco.
I also got my flu shot at Costco and there was no soreness at the site, which was a pleasant surprise. I usually get some arm soreness but no other reaction.
I will be getting my Shingrix shot (first one anyway) in March. 50th birthday prezzie for me since I had a bad case of the shingles on my 49th birthday this year. Doctor ordered.
I will be getting my Shingrix shot (first one anyway) in March. 50th birthday prezzie for me since I had a bad case of the shingles on my 49th birthday this year. Doctor ordered.
Doesn’t having shingles give you immunity to it?
Cathy, I don't understand the Shingles shots. Having chicken pox means you have the virus, and it makes you likely to have it again as shingles. If you have chicken pox itself, you don't get a chicken pox shots. But if you have chicken pox, you are supposed to get Shingles shot.
I also heard if you have shingles, you get the shot to lessen chance of having it again--that would be like what Tradd's doctor prescribing. But I just don't get how this is supposed to work, either.
I.e. I had German measles so I would not need to get a shot for it because I already had the real disease.
No. I had shingles at age 17, after chicken pox at age 6. I’m actually at higher risk of shingles a second time. It has to do with reactivation of a dormant virus. Once it’s in your body, you remain at risk for another episode.
I got the shot about 5 years ago, but my doc never said there was a second dose ...
thanks, Tammy, that explains a lot about the dormant virus. I think it's only the new one, the Shingrex shot, where you get the second dose. DH just completed the second dose.
Tammy, five years would've gotten the old shingles shot. The new one, shingrix, is two doses and just came out within the last year or so. Supposedly it's much more effective. I had a terrible reaction to both doses, getting a fever of 103 for about 24 hours both times.
catherine
11-3-18, 11:41am
Tammy, five years would've gotten the old shingles shot. The new one, shingrix, is two doses and just came out within the last year or so. Supposedly it's much more effective. I had a terrible reaction to both doses, getting a fever of 103 for about 24 hours both times.
You are right, jp1. I've done a ton of market research on this subject, and Shingrix is very effective: it gives you about 96% protection--the first vaccine was significantly less effective.
I think I’ll just be content with having received the original vaccine – the new one sounds more trouble than it’s worth
Unless of course the doc pushes for the new one, and then I’ll probably go ahead with it with that 96% effective rate… The return of shingles is often related to physical and emotional stressors in one’s life, which usually increase as we get older ...
DD had chicken pox when she was about 5-6. When she was about 26, she got shingles. Fortunately, she called me as soon as she had a weird upper side pain with some reddening, and we got her an anti-viral med. So it didn't last too long. I thought it was weird for someone so young to get it. She did have mono at 17, and I've always wondered what weird things the Epstein-Barr virus can cause. Hmmm.....maybe I should mention the new Shingles virus to her.
To those of you who had shingles, I'm curious if you ever had mono?
I think I’ll just be content with having received the original vaccine – the new one sounds more trouble than it’s worth
Knowing several family members who've had shingles....no way I'm skipping this vaccine when it's recommended for me. I don't want that level of severe pain and disability even if temporary.
I will never forget my very first patient in nursing school. 48yo female in the Nursing Home. She had shingles so severe she opted for a complete cordotomy (sever the spinal cord to be paralyzed below her lungs). She was amazing with a great attitude and not at all regretting her choice. She said the pain was absolutely intolerable despite morphine maximum doses.
I think I’ll just be content with having received the original vaccine – the new one sounds more trouble than it’s worth
Shingles is awful. Get the damned thing. The inside of my left knee is still numb from the shingles. It will lessen an attack if you get it. I now know what to wish on my worst enemy.
I never had mono. But when I got shingles at age 17, it was during a very busy and stressful semester,
I had chicken pox. I had mono at age 17. I get cold sores anytime my stress level rises. No thank you shingles. "It is strong with this one":(
I had measles just before six.months of age. I had mono at 12. I've never had chicken pox.
Both of my kids have had it, though. Ds was 9, and had a small rash for three or four days. His sister got it 13 days later and had complete body coverage of a full rash for a complete two week period. She was miserable!
I never got it.
Dh had shingles about two years ago and is getting the shot. My doc tells me no. But why didn't I get the pox?
I had measles just before six.months of age. I had mono at 12. I've never had chicken pox.
Both of my kids have had it, though. Ds was 9, and had a small rash for three or four days. His sister got it 13 days later and had complete body coverage of a full rash for a complete two week period. She was miserable!
I never got it.
Dh had shingles about two years ago and is getting the shot. My doc tells me no. But why didn't I get the pox?
My understanding is that if you've never had chicken pox you should get THAT vaccination, not the shingles vaccination. The thinking being that if you never get chicken pox you can never have shingles.
I had measles just before six.months of age. I had mono at 12. I've never had chicken pox.
Both of my kids have had it, though. Ds was 9, and had a small rash for three or four days. His sister got it 13 days later and had complete body coverage of a full rash for a complete two week period. She was miserable!
I never got it.
Dh had shingles about two years ago and is getting the shot. My doc tells me no. But why didn't I get the pox?
I've never had chicken pox either, though I've been exposed a couple of times. I did have mumps and measles--getting immunized to old fashioned way.
I'd prefer to limit my vaccine exposure, so I'm happy to have avoided the pox.
SteveinMN
11-5-18, 10:52am
I had chicken pox as a kid, so we were interested in the Zostavax vaccine. Neither one of us recalls any notable reaction to the vaccine. As others have posted, Shingrix comes in two doses and is around 96-97% effective, which is much higher than the Zostavax vaccine. We'll definitely get it as soon as we can.
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