Flu shot reaction

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:57 pm

Hi friends,

I got a flu shot yesterday, against my better judgement. I reacted so badly the last time I had one in fall 2003.

I'm reacting to the shot- had D this morning, my body aches big time, headache and feeling just plain awful. I don't think MCr's and flu shots get along.

What's your experience with flu shots?

Love,
Joanna

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 6:31 am

Fortunatly I have never had a bad reaction. One year I had a headache but usually have good luck with them. Sorry you are feeling so bad. Have you seen the doctor? Take care and get better. Love Oma

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:19 am

Hi Joanna!

Bummer about your bad reaction.

I do NOT get flu shots. My reason is that since we have hyper-reactive immune systems to begin with, I do not want to give my body an additional foreign protein (the killed flu virus in the vaccine) to over-react to.

Of course, this is a very individual decision. I am otherwise healthy and fit and take no medications for any health problems. I believe that I can successfully fight off the flu if I catch it (as I did 3 years ago). Those who have other health problems or who are older, etc. may be wise to get the vaccine.

I hope you recover quickly.

Love,

Polly

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:19 am

Joanna,
So sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time.

Actually, I have never had a flu shot. I did get the flu last Jan or Feb but they gave me Tamiflu and I recovered quickly. It was just the straight flu though. Fever, aches, pains etc.

Since then, I have read that the flu shot is not really good for anyone. I am a bit confused about the whole thing. I don't know whether to get one this year or not. I thought I was going to, but then I read some bad things about it.

My Mom gets one every year, and I'm sure she will want one this year. I wish I knew more about it.

Love, Shirley

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:57 am

Hi Joanna---
Sorry about the after effects of the shot--

I take the shot,more so now, due to immune system being susceptible to anything/also the weird pneumonia I had last year--

I also get the pnewmonia shot every 2 years,I believe----this got me sick as a dog---
Funny---to keep one safe from any *bugs* --one has to be sick before hand--

Take care and feel better

luve Barbara

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:06 am

Hi Joanna,

Sorry to read that you're having such a serious reacion to the shot. I never take any flu shots. I see too many "normal", healthy people who get almost as sick as if they actually had the flu, and a very high percentage seem to have some level of reaction. I can't convince myself that its wortthwhile to give myself a self-induced case of the flu every year, just to reduce the odds of possibly getting a normal case that may, or may not be significantly worse.

As Polly mentioned, why antagonize an already corrupt immune system? If I were in otherwise very poor health, and/or taking immune system suppressants, (such as the corticosteroids), I might possibly reconsider, but I doubt that I would decide to go for it.

Love,
wayne

Sally · Post by **Sally** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:22 am

I stopped getting the flu shots not because of any bad reaction to it, but because the last time I got one, I got the flu anyway!!! My immune system, such as it is, seems to be able to handle colds and even bronchitis with the usual care, so why bother? I think I had a little flu-like thing last year, but it didn't last very long and was not all that serious. Aches and pains for a few days and then I was ok. Just a runny nose.

So I just figure why put the extra strain on my poor delapidated body?

Love,

Sally

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:27 am

I have received two flu shots. One did fine, the other I got the flu anyway!!

I had planned on getting one last year but the shortages didn't allow me to.

I don't think I will try this year. I seem to be healthier than previous years so I'm going to go without.

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:45 am

Good Morning All,

Well, I got a good nights sleep at least but had D right off the bat this morning. Still feel achey and have a headache and hope this is short lived.

Incidentally, the reason I got the flu shot was not for my benefit. The woman I work for a couple days a week has VERY PREMATURE twins which I come in contact with while I'm at the shop. Her physician suggested that it would be a good idea for anyone around the babies to have a flu shot. She asked if I would, and I did. SIGH, I pretty much expected this reaction. Oh well, if it's safer for the babies when I'm around them it was the right call. Who really knows for sure...

Off to the shop to make wedding bouquets. Have a good day all and thanks for your input.

Love,
Joanna

Umber · Post by **Umber** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:58 am

I used to get a flu shot every year. My office would set up a flu shot clinic in our conference room. I didn't have any problems. I haven't gotten one in a couple of years due to the shortages. They are setting up another clinic in Nov. My supervisor is pushing for us to get one since we are in a confined area (I call it the dungeon). I haven't decided yet.

I'm sorry you had such a poor reaction and you were pressured into having one. I kinda feel that way at work too.

I hope your feeling better soon.....Making wedding bouquets, what a fun & creative job!

Hugs

Lori

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:04 pm

Hi Joanna,

I'm not sure if there is a risk or not, (Polly can probably tell us), but you might need to stay away from those twins for a couple of weeks.

Love,
Wayne

JJ · Post by JJ » Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:24 pm

Poor Joanna...

Sorry about the bad reaction...I get a flu shot every year...I think I read that Entocort lowers resistance to "bugs". Working at a school with so many kids from different parts of the world, I don't want to take a chance. Hope things are better for you...JJ

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:06 pm

Are you feeling better after your reaction to the flu shot? I was hoping you felt better. Love Oma

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:07 am

Hey,

I felt much better today Oma- I hope the worst is over, but still having D. That's a first for me, in a very long time. I'm certain it is a reaction to the flu shot. My body does not react well to flu shots.

Wayne, I won't be near the twins for 3 weeks. The shop owner left yesterday with them to spend some time with her Mother who is undergoing chemo/radiation treatments for lung cancer.

Hope you all are well, and make it though the flu season with, or without this nasty flu shot.

Love,
Joanna

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 4:57 am

Not to worry, Joanna!

The flu shot is always made with KILLED virus. You cannot get or transmit the flu from the flu shot. Folks who developed the flu after getting the shot were either exposed before they got the shot and there wasn't enough time to develop adequate antibodies, or they got a different flu bug not covered by the shot.

Your reaction sounds as if it is an immune-type reaction and thus would not be contagious. In other words, your body is overreacting (producing excess antibodies) to the flu bug. Another possibility is that you are having a reaction to one of the "inert" ingredients in the vaccine.

Glad you are improving. Hope the D is gone soon. It must be discouraging to have D again, but it should be gone soon.

Love,

Polly

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Joanna