Being a retired medical professional, I'm not always the most obedient compliant of patients. I don't mean to imply that I totally disregard the advice of my medical providers, but I do bring my own knowledge to the table when we discuss things like treatment options.
For the past several years, Dr PreciousMetal has strongly suggested that I get a flu shot. Early on, I'd just ignore his suggestion and not bother even thinking about getting a shot. Later, after I had Neatnik, I thought that maybe I should be a little bit more responsible about the whole thing since I really didn't want to contract a raging case of flu and then infect my wee one with it.
Unfortunately, each year, when the flu shots were available, I was down with some respiratory ailment or another. It is much easier to get a flu shot if you aren't already sick. Doctors do not like to administer flu shots to people who aren't perfectly healthy. Even if it is the nurses who physically administer the serum.
But I digress.
This year, Dr PreciousMetal suggested that Neatnik and I both get both flu shots. I dutifully placed my name on his list and contacted Neatnik's pediatrician.
Neatnik received her regular flu shot during her well-child visit back in October. Her doctor's office wasn't going to be able to secure H1N1 vaccinations but that was okay since the local health administration is coordinating inoculations through the public school districts. Since I volunteer at her school, I am supposed to be eligible for the H1N1 vaccine, too. We should be "covered" with respect to the piggy-virus but that still left my "regular" flu shot.
I waited for DrPreciousMetal to receive serum. Instead of a friendly phone call asking me when I wanted to come in for my shot, I got a friendly phone call stating that they weren't able to get any serum and that they wanted to let their patients know immediately so that we could try our general practitioners' office or local flu clinics.
Not a problem. I called the GP's office last Wednesday morning. They told me to call back on Friday because they were scheduled to receive a shipment Friday morning. I started experiencing a vaguely surreal sense of deja vu. Nonetheless, I called back on Friday. They had received serum, hallelujah! They scheduled me an appointment for this morning.
Several hours later, I am here to report that I now am thoroughly cranky and out of sorts. My left shoulder is all achy and I feel depleted of energy.
And I get to do this all over again when the H1N1 serum becomes available.
Is all of this excitement what I was missing all those years when I didn't get a flu shot? If so, perhaps I'll pass next year.
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I remember having effects the first year or two that I got them regularly, but then fewer effects after that. (Work used to offer them free to us every year.) Last year was the first year they didn't do that, and I never got around to getting a shot... and I had the flu from Christmas Eve eve through New Year's. Can't remember the last time I was that miserable.
Of course, here I am dawdling about getting a shot this year...
Flu is horrible but I know what you mean about the shots.
I'd forgotten about the aftereffects of the flu shot too, but was reminded after getting mine a week ago. The lower back ache and general crankiness passed over the weekend and now I can feel smug when others are prostrate with the virus. I'm not eligible for the H1N1 shot but Durwood is since he has COPD. Hope the serum comes soon.
You're a good mom for getting the shot, think of all those germy college students you hang with.
I wonder if you got a saline shot, but told it was the flu shot, if the symptoms would be the same? Not that you purposly feel this way, but our minds are very strong that way.
My grandmother was adamant the flu shots made her sick...every year she would complain about how ill she felt after the shot. However, her brain was getting a bit old and she "forgot" she didn't have the shot on her normal visit - it was a vit. B shot instead. She was telling everyone how sick she felt from the flu shot...she didn't believe anyone when they told her she got a vit. b shot instead of the flu shot.
After a serious case of the flu, I learned to always get my flu shot, even if the side affects are awful.
I have not had a flu shot for quite a few years. I just do not feel comfortable about it. I have only had the actual flu once in my life.
A friend just told me today that a physician told another friend (parent of a high risk child) that the swine flu virus has a 2-3 day incubation period, so it is vulnerable to being killed in your nose and mouth during that time. Rinsing your mouth with salt water or listerine will do it. You can swab your nose with the salt water, or use a netti pot. I think I like this low tech idea!
Good for you! And the side effects are reduced after you've had the vaccination, in my experience.
I'm one of the "you can't be first in line, but you can definitely be second" flu shot people. I have to get one after the whole Monkey Pox saga, but they didn't have enough so now I wait.
And hope. The flu is not my friend. I'm so glad you were able to get yours!
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