Wellness

[ID2]

I always get the chills with my senior flu shots. I'd rather put a sweater on than be deathly sick for 2 weeks. OP, rethink your priorities.

[millieshops]

i have been taking the senior flu shot for all the years it’s been available.  So far, so good.  I haven’t ever had more than a slightly sore injection spot with any shots unless I think all the way back to the small pox vaccination,  but that may have been more than a tiny shot.  Funny, I don’t remember the vaccination process itself, but I can still visualize the scabby site -  75 years ago!

[Sooner]

There's a sore arm and a few chills, then there is another thing all together from a flu shot.  I seriously doubt I'll get another senior shot ever.  

[Effie54]

I refuse to take any vaccines. They always make me feel ill after, and its not worth it. I'm in the minority for sure.

[violann]

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@bunk wrote:

I got my "senior" shot yesterday and today the injection site is bright red and itchy and a hard lump.  I look like I worked out with weights.   Hope you feel better .

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I had "the hard lump" this year, not much else. I worked in schools my whole life, and most years, got the flu shot. I had the flu just once, can't remember if I'd had the shot that year or not, but the flu was awful.

[Vivian]

The only time I ever had a reaction to a vaccine was the shingles shot. I had fever,naches, faute, etc., but it only lasted a day. I take the senior flu shot ever since I turned 65 and have had no problems. The one year I neglected to get a flu shot I almost died of the flu. That was lesson enough to last me forever,

[redbird]

My cousin has had bad reactions to the flu shot. Now at age 77 her dr gives her half a flu shot and then two weeks later the other half. She has no reaction and is protected. 

[ALRATIBA]

@jannabelle1 

I'm 78 and got the senior shot last year and was sick for two weeks - longer than I've ever been sick when I actually got the flu!

I was warned there would be flu-like symptoms when I got the shot that may last a few days.  Little did I know ....

Started out with aching body, headache and just feeling awful.  No appetite, but drinking lots o water.  Then the optical migraines started on and off for several days.  I started feeling better toward the beginning of the next week - but all of a sudden my legs felt like they were made of jello.  Difficulty standing and walking. 

A week or so later, I fell and ended up in the hospital and told the doctor about the side effects from shot - but she just made a note of it in the file.  

I made up my mind - no more flu shots for me.  I've had the flu several times even though I've had the shot every year for yars .... and it was never as bad as those side effects.

[BriggsiePeawiggle]

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@jannabelle1 wrote:

I'm 72, so last year I had the "seniors" flu shot that seems to be more potent (for lack of a better term). I was sick for 2 days - lethargic, chills, no energy, and slept as much as I could. Yesterday, I had my 2020 flu shot and asked for the regular vaccine because of my reaction last year. Last night I started getting chills and didn't feel good - woke up this morning with chills and spent most of the morning on the sofa sleeping under a heavy throw. I had no energy this morning and am just now starting to feel a bit more normal. It seems like my body just doesn't react well to the flu shots. I'm small in stature - 107 pounds and don't know if that has anything to do with it. But - I'm starting to think that with my limited exposure to other people and my reaction to the vaccine, that I may just stop getting them. Has anyone else had reactions like this?

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I seriously doubt it has anything to do with your size. I am almost 6' tall, and every flu shot I have ever gotten have felt just like you are feeling. I stopped getting them. I believe it is how your immune system responds to them. Mine seems to really go nuts. I know all about how I SHOULD get one -- but I just don't anymore. And I haven't gotten the flu since I stopped getting them -- and I was a teacher for 21 years -- around large groups of kids all the time. I am 68 now, retired and basically sitting at home. Not going to get another one now. HOWEVER, IF and when they come out with a safe Covid vaccine, I will get one and take the consequences. The chances of dying from Covid for me are much greater than from flu.

[BirkiLady]

@jannabelle1  That's really unusual. So sorry you had such a bad experience. However, you'll be protected from a really nasty flu this year which all experts (and my PCP and specialists) recommend each year. Best wishes on staying healthy this winter!