Wellness

[HULAGIRL]

I've had a flu shot every year for many many years.....never had a reaction beyond a little sore spot injection site.....usually gone in a day or two.

[Moonchilde]

On 11/9/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:

On 11/8/2014 moonchilde said:

On 11/8/2014 Fona said:

moonchilde and all of you posters who did have a bad reaction: I did say the following in my earlier post, but I would like to repeat it again - if you have a bad reaction to a flu shot, you should not have another flu shot (even a Regular) because the side effects can be even worse. I was told this by a very knowledgeable pharmacist in regard to my frightening reaction to the 65+ Fluzone High Dose shot (which I had two years ago), and I am not sure if this actually applies to a Regular shot, but please check it out before just going ahead and getting another shot. These side effects can be terrifying.

No offense and I know you mean well, but I have worked in hospitals and around doctors and other medical personnel for 45 years and have never heard this. I just wouldn't take a pharmacist's word on this. In addition, my job literally requires me to have a flu shot or wear a mask 8 hrs a day for 5-6 months. Not just by virtue of my employer, but in conjunction with the requirements of my county department of health. I didn't like the reaction I had (which while nasty was definitely not worthy of a doctor's visit, let alone an ER visit) but am not planning on skipping my next flu shot unless such recommendations become widespread in the media - which I doubt. My bout with the flu was utterly incapacitating.

No offense, and I know you mean well, but "you've never heard this" ..... have you ever ASKED anyone about this?

Sorry to disappoint you, Tink, but I'm not going to bite :-)

If you take the time to read the subsequent exchange between me and pitdakota, you will see a clarification. Fona seemed at that point to be including me and others who had mostly site-specific reactions in the serious, life-threatening reaction category, for which her statements may well be true. They are not true for everyone who has a reaction, and not every reaction, although it might be nasty as mine was, is potentially life-threateningly serious.

As far as "did you ask?" - well no, because I have to read pages of "permission" stuff every year before I sign to receive the shot, and it's never been mentioned. And then there's the fact that I "live" within a medical community 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week and it's never been mentioned. As it surely would have been if it was considered any kind of issue.

And just to reiterate in conclusion - the post I was responding to combined reactions such as mine (since the poster mentioned me by name) with potentially life-threatening reactions. I responded because it was inaccurate. I clarified. I have further clarified. I will clarify no more.