topic Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS? in Wellness

FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

NanaS — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:56:42 GMT

Has anyone taken the flu shot and had a reaction? This is the first time ever in my life that I have taken the flu shot and had such a strong reaction I landed in the ER the other night.

I had my shot at 2 pm and by 5 pm had severe chills ....joint pains...terrible headache and nausea. AS the evening progressed I developed a cough and then a rapid heartbeat at which time my husband and I headed for the ER. I might add I am 72 and the shot that was recommended was the stronger one.

After numerous tests it was determined I did not have the flu....just severe reaction.

Just wondering if anyone else out there may have had the same experience. I am quite leery of ever taking one again !

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

Jersey Born — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:57:54 GMT

I am sorry that you had such a swift and bad reaction. What you experienced has happened to others. You are not alone.

Here's something from Sharyl Attkisson, a former CBS news reporter:

http://sharylattkisson.com/govt-researchers-flu-shots-not-effective-in-elderly-after-all

You are very lucky you recovered from your reaction. Some people don't.

Here is a package insert for one of the high dose flu shots to read. I am not sure if this particular vaccine is the one you received, however.

I wish you the best, and hope you feel 100% better very soon. All of us are different. Some of us can tolerate certain medications and vaccines, and others of us cannot.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

HonnyBrown — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:12:07 GMT

Nana, I am paranoid about getting flu shots for that very reason! They offer them at work, and every year, I go back and forth until flu season is over and it's too late.

On the other hand, my Mom gets them every year and has no side effects.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

brandiwine — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:14:31 GMT

I've been getting flu vaccine my whole life. Once in a great while I'll feel a little achy for a couple of hours. Nothing like you describe. I've never heard of someone getting so ill. Clearly, they should not be giving you the stronger shot. Hope all is well now.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

wonderfulworld — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:21:14 GMT

I hope you feel better soon.

I had heard that the high dose was more likely to have adverse effects from the pharmacist. I got the regular, my husband the high dose. We were both fine.

So what are you going to do in the future?

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

RedTop — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:34:42 GMT

What you experienced is not at all uncommon. Reactions vary from redness and swelling at injection site to the highest level that sent you to the ER. These higher level reactions are why so many people think they get the flu from the shot.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

Perkup — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:00:51 GMT

I have a mild allergy to eggs, which I did not know years ago. In the late 1960's I had a flu shot, which they gave me on the inside of my lower arm. The arm swelled to about three times its normal size and I was hospitalized for a couple of days. Turns out the flu shot is grown on an egg, and that was the problem. I've never had another and don't intend to do so. I have not had flu in all these years.

One bonus daughter in her late 60's gets the flu shot every year, and always gets ill for a few days afterwards. No idea why, but I wonder why she keeps on getting the shot.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

Montana — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:11:43 GMT

I get mild reactions with the regular flu shot. Usually feel like I am coming down with a cold for a few days and a slightly sore arm. Nothing serious.

I will not ever take the senior shot because of the severe reactions some people have - some posted on these boards. It is a roll of the dice I am not willing to take.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

qvcaddition — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:27:26 GMT

OMG, I am 78 and the same thing happen to me, every symptom you had.. I live alone and really got scared. I had ice packs on my head and the back of my neck. Took more than the recommended amount of EXCERDRIN. I went to the DR. Office and he said it was a reaction of the stronger dose they are giving seniors' I know Seniors are not valued in this country, but let's not kill us off with a flu shot. IN 13 YEARS OF GETTING FLU SHOTS, NEVER HAD A REACTION BEFORE LIKE THIS. . Next year, I just want the regular Shot. If I DIDN,t volunteer so much, I would not get it. I got so sick from one in my 20,s, I never got another until I was 65, then no reaction until this year.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

BeckiWV — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:30:50 GMT

I've been getting flu shots for years with no more reaction than a sore arm.

This year, I got the higher dose and while I did not get a reaction like you described, I was dizzy for a period immediately after and really felt out of sorts for the rest of the day. I assumed that was due to getting the higher dose shot.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

jjeanne — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:32:01 GMT

I had the same problem. I never took the flu shot until the last couple of years. I am terribly allergic to booster shots. I had the shingles shot last year after having shingles. My arm was huge!!!!!!!!!!!! The doctor came out said to come back tomorrow, but I didn't. It went away in about 10 days. When I had shingles I went to doctor and got the medicine needed, but calamine lotion helped with the pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

RinaRina — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:49:15 GMT

People are still getting flu shots? For what? If you're gonna "get" the flu, you're gonna get it. Shot or no shot.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

Clover29 — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 18:13:00 GMT

On 11/7/2014 rina33 said:
People are still getting flu shots? For what? If you're gonna "get" the flu, you're gonna get it. Shot or no shot.

Like the shingles vaccination, it not only reduces the likelihood of you getting flu or shingles in the first place, it also reduces the severity if you do get either. No one ever claimed they totally stop you getting ill. Getting a lot less ill seems like a great idea to me.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

adelle38 — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 18:19:54 GMT

For those who got the senior shot, did your doctor discuss the options with you? I just turned 65 and got the flu shop at Wahlgreens and they didn't even mention the senior shot. Now I'm glad they didn't. My 90 year old mom got the senior shot with no problems but then she's in excellent health.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 18:33:58 GMT

I no longer get the flu shots ........... seems like every time I got one, that would always be the years I was really sick months later.

I also live in California and the flu rates aren't as high here ...... and don't have any human petrie dishes, more commonly known as kids in school.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

qvcaddition — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:30:40 GMT

I was not told until I went to my Dr. that is what they did. He did not give it too me, our HMO has days to go get it and the person giving it said nothing. They told my friend.

I am in excellent health also, but got a reaction.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

ANewHue — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:48:33 GMT

This is scary news to me as I have gotten flu shots every year because of a chronic illness. The other night on the Nancy Grace show she reported on a little girl in Florida that is paralyzed due to the flu shot. Between your story and this story I'm growing weary about getting it this year.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

chrystaltree — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:48:46 GMT

It was a coincidence, you were going to get sick anyway. I find it astounding that people don't seem to know what the flu is. Astounding. Every cough, cold, upper respiratory infection is NOT influenza. And flu shots can't prevent those. So, if you were coming down with cold and just happened to get your flu shot a day or two before the cold symptoms hit you; that isn't a flu shot complication. The most common complication is a sore arm that can last 2 or 3 days. Rarely, very rarely; a person will have a MILD flu like symptoms after a flu shot. It lasts a day or two. But all those "I got so sick" stories that go round and round are grossly exaggerated or people tell them because they think they have to justify their decision not to have one. I'm not sure why they think they have to come up with a reason for not getting flu shots. It's a choice. This post made me laugh because last Friday, we got our mandatory flu shots at work. We have no choice, get the shot or they terminate your employment. I bumped into one of the docs I work with this morning, he was hobbling in with a cast on his foot and a cane. I was about to ask what happened and he said "Don't ask, I always get sick after I get a flu shot". The whole elevator burst out laughing.......because we here that line a thousand times every winter.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

rudy — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:50:14 GMT

Yes, I had a very severe reaction about seven years ago. I was allergic to nothing they asked about, yet it still happened. I experienced breathing difficulties and had huge welts all over.

The doctor's office told me to take Benadryl and use Calamine on the welts. Neither did anything to help! After 12 hours of suffering, I went to the ER. They hooked me to an IV drip of Prednisone and within 30 minutes, my symptoms were gone. But I was pretty worse for the wear and wish I had gone to the ER much sooner.

I have not taken a flu shot since and no doctor will assume the risk of giving it to me after that mysterious reaction.

Re: FLU SHOT REACTIONS?

spot555 — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:12:47 GMT

On 11/7/2014 chrystaltree said:
It was a coincidence, you were going to get sick anyway. I find it astounding that people don't seem to know what the flu is. Astounding. Every cough, cold, upper respiratory infection is NOT influenza. And flu shots can't prevent those. So, if you were coming down with cold and just happened to get your flu shot a day or two before the cold symptoms hit you; that isn't a flu shot complication. The most common complication is a sore arm that can last 2 or 3 days. Rarely, very rarely; a person will have a MILD flu like symptoms after a flu shot. It lasts a day or two. But all those "I got so sick" stories that go round and round are grossly exaggerated or people tell them because they think they have to justify their decision not to have one. I'm not sure why they think they have to come up with a reason for not getting flu shots. It's a choice. This post made me laugh because last Friday, we got our mandatory flu shots at work. We have no choice, get the shot or they terminate your employment. I bumped into one of the docs I work with this morning, he was hobbling in with a cast on his foot and a cane. I was about to ask what happened and he said "Don't ask, I always get sick after I get a flu shot". The whole elevator burst out laughing.......because we here that line a thousand times every winter.

Really....& you know this how??? It's nice how you're basically disregarding the horror stories here. I'm sure there are many "studies" to back your claims....funded by the pharm companies who provide the vacs, lol.