I'm having a reaction to my flu shot. Ask me anything.

[Missy Vixen]

Okay, I'm off to the doctor. It seems that the flu shot is not agreeing with me. (I thought it wasn't that big of a deal, and called the doctor just to check. They said I need to be there ASAP.)

In the meantime, I'd better not get sick, dammit!

Julie

[flamingyouth]

1. But you're not supposed to!

They're completely safe! Nothing to worry about.

Sorry, I'm not trying to belittle your circumstances. I've gotten very sick every time I have had a flu shot too. It's very frustrating, especially when everyone is barking at you to get one.

I hope you feel better soon. See your doctor and try to rest if you can.

[Ilsa]

2. Are you allergic to poultry or egg products?

Shouldn't be getting sick on the flu shot unless you are allergic to a component or you already have the flu.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Missy Vixen]

6. Nope, no poultry or egg allergies

The doctor says that I am exceptionally sensitive to whatever the flu shot is made up of. He says this is pretty common, actually.

I'll live to eat another cheeseburger ;-)!

Julie

[Timefortruth]

3. I just posted this, but it may apply here.

If you do have that reaction it could have been caused by the shot. But it isn’t the flu or infectious, it is a reaction to your body producing the antibodies. It happens to me and I’m sure it’s real. I have found that if I take a prednisone the day of the shot and the next day the side effect is nowhere nearly as pronounced.

It mystifies me that the public heath types don’t inform people that the reaction is possible. People know when it happens to them and that is the source of persistent belief that the shot will make you sick. It is an uncomfortable side effect, tell people about it and most will be grown-ups about it.

[toddzilla]

4. why do people continue to poison themselves with these things?

*sigh*

[Timefortruth]

5. Speaking for myself.

I have asthma which grows worse over time so the flu could make me very sick.

[Missy Vixen]

7. Toddzilla, here's the 411

My healthy 42-year-old friend spent several days in the hospital two weeks ago with the flu. It scared the living hell out of me, especially since some 29-year-old guy in Snohomish dropped dead from flu yesterday. He was on the way to the emergency room at the time.

DH has Type II, so he'll probably end up getting a shot. In the meantime, I just have to take Advil and take it a bit easy till the painful arm and swelling subside. We're already pretty good about washing our hands, trying to get enough sleep, and making better food choices.

This is the first year I've had a flu shot for at least ten years. The neighbors two doors down sent their kids over a couple of years ago with some creeping crud; it took us a month to get rid of it. Consequently, we're pretty careful about small fry in our house as well during cold and flu season.

I hope that you'll stay healthy and keep warm this winter!

Julie

[Timefortruth]

8. What was the reaction?

What did the doctor say?

[Missy Vixen]

9. I didn't think it was actually that big of a deal ;-)

The first day I got the shot, I took an Advil and figured it was over. :eyes:

The second day, my arm was so sore I could hardly raise it, I got a large amount of swelling around the injection site, and this was raised, red, and warm to the touch. I just called the doctor to make sure it wasn't something I should be worried about, and they came back on the phone and said, "You need to be seen, now."

Things are fine now, but it was a bit weird...

Julie