Are you ready for your flu shot?

I am getting it, but whether or not it works remains to be seen.

Now, I'm concerned with the type of shot that I get. What do they consider a "senior" flu shot? If it makes you really exhausted, does that mean it's much stronger than normal? I don't do well with super strong things. I like small doses. lol

Sunny, the "senior flu shot" is what is recommended for those who are senior citizens. The nurse at the hospital explained it to me so I could decide which one to get. Since I have had zero problems with the regular tried and true flu shots, I took that route.... I also don't do well with super strong meds, either, and was afraid to try it :P

No way. 6 years ago I got my first flu shot. I had my flu shot for a total of 5 years (skipping last year), The five years I got the flu shot, I got the flu. the one year I didn't get the flu shot, no flu...that's enough testing for me.

Angel

I don't know which one I got. I made an appointment at my doctor (who just moved to a "group" building) and they gave me a shot. My doctor was one of the last "holdouts" to remain a single practitioner. Two months ago she finally had to give in and join a group because of the huge changes, expenses and rules that Obamacare has placed on doctors. Now I have to go to a big place, see the receptionist, wait in a big cold waiting area, and get limited time. Some great improvement the past 8 years have been (being sarcastic here). I used to go to a cozy office, could even bring my dog, and knew everyone and the doctor always had time to say hi, even if I saw her PA. I had zero wait time and she spent as much time as she needed with me. Now she has to take on more patients to cover the costs of the big fancy building, she hates typing on a computer instead of talking to me face to face, etc. She had to hire more people and take on a medical intern who is "just learning". I hate being part of "herd medicine" which all family doctors are forced to practice. My husband is looking for a new GP. We have looked at the ratings on line, and have called 10 different doctors - and none of them are taking new patients! So he gets stuck with someone no one knows anything about.
Our health care system is surely broken.

AmyGrace, one thing I like about the computerized "charts" is that other doctors can email to your doctor their findings and it goes into "your file". My doctor got to see x-rays that way instead of me bringing in films or discs. On her computer are a list of all prescription medicines that are out there, thus it is easy for her to download it onto a prescription to either give me a paper copy or directly email it to my pharmacy.... the pills are usually ready when I get there.

But I can understand how you feel about "herd medicine". When I first saw my surgeon she was in a nice cozy townhouse office, just her, her tech and the receptionist. Then she went to a group practice which i didn't really care for, but she was so good I went anyway.... I had a feeling she preferred to be outside the box, and sure enough not long ago she went back to private practice.

Doctors are going from private practice to group practice to cut on overhead, medical equipment, payroll, etc. Plus the cost of medical malpractice insurance is eating up their profits since America is so sue happy.

Just up the street is an urgent care that also take on regular patients. I really like the place as is is so close by as my primary doctor's office is quite a drive. I am seriously thinking of changing over to those doctors.

Angel, I'm sure you were sick, but did you really have influenza? So many people call any bad cold, upper respiratory infection or even stomach ailments like noro virus "the flu" when they are not. I think it would be pretty unusual to contract the influenza virus 5 times in 6 years.

I had my flu shot a week ago Friday and then on Sunday & Monday, I sweat buckets in bed. No other reaction symptoms, really, just a lot of sweating. I took a hot shower and felt much better.

cwilie, in 2014 I tested positive for the H1N1 flu...I was hospitalized as I was so dehydrated and my fever was 103 and a terrible cough. I went to the hospital thinking I had pneumonia. I didn't have pneumonia, nor any other infection...just the flu virus. I was tested because the hospital was collecting data for the CDC. However I wasn't tested in any of the other 4 years I got the flu, although doctors usually consider any illness that has muscle aches, fever, fatigue, chills, etc. They are far more serious than a cold, and usually mean a two or more days of bedrest. I was hoping I had an infection as those can be treated with antibiotics. No such luck. Flus don't usually include stomach symptoms (though they might but usually don't). I had no stomach symptoms. I am very familiar with the norovirus as I work in the cruise industry...that's been an awful bane for some of the ships.

On the year I got no flu shot, I had no illnesses beyond seasonal allergies...no fevers etc.

Angel

Angel, all I can say is... please don't stand next to me in a thunderstorm LOL.

I've also been bitten by a shark....:)

Angel #2

If I go to the clinic and they offer it to me, I take it. If they don't bring it up, neither do I. The last flu shot I had, it suddenly but very briefly caused my whole body to relax. Good thing I was at a stop on red at the traffic light. That was a first reaction to the shot. I remembered thinking that's why they tell me to wait 15 minutes after given the shot. To see if there's any reaction.

My brother is not a flu shot person. Don't ask me why. He works with the public and one would think that he would want to get one. (Years ago, my employer which was a municipality, told us that we HAD to get a flu shot. Then they lined us up and we had to get it.) Anyway, last winter my brother got the flu so bad that he was almost hospitalized. He was sicker than sick. He says that he WILL get one this year. I hope he doesn't retract on that. And he is a healthy, 40 year old man. Still, it was VERY serious. Even 20 year-old people can die from the flu. I take it very seriously.

I started getting the yearly flu shot when I became a caregiver, to protect my mother more than myself. Got it this year a few days after my mother got hers. I don't know whether I got the senior shot or the regular - it wasn't discussed with me. I've never had the flu, before or after getting shots. I've never had a reaction to the shot either. I'm just hoping my luck holds out.

Just got mine today - whatever Kaiser was using, I never knew there was much variety beyond the nasal spray - and several years ago you'd have to specifically ask for one with no thimerosal if that mattered to you - at least at Kaiser. Anyhoo - been doing it for years with no problem.

The flu is starting to go around now, so I was glad I got my shot.

It's a myth that one can get the flu from a flu shot. What happens when one does get sick not long after having the flu shot is because they already have the flu virus caught from someone else, but the symptoms weren't showing as of yet. It takes 2 weeks before one gets the full coverage of a flu shot, so if one already has the virus that shot isn't going to help for that strain... but will help for the other strains.

With being caregivers, it is very important to have that flu shot. I would hate to pass on a flu virus to an elder, as one can have the virus and feel good not realizing they have the virus. Hug Mom or Dad, or kiss them, oops, now Mom or Dad could get the flu.

My parents had worked at a regional hospital at the front information desk for over 20 years... they got their flu shot every year.... not once did they get the flu. Same with me, I also do volunteer work at this same hospital. It is now mandatory for all Staff, volunteers, and vendors who come in on a regular basis to get the flu shot. There is major building going on, so all the construction workers need the flu shot. No shot, no work.

I wouldn't risk my life, because someone may have provided me inaccurate information.

Everyone has the right to make their own healthcare decisions, however, I suspect that if everyone really learned the facts about immunizations, the risk factors associated with getting the flu, etc., that they would get it.

It can't protect you 100%, but, it's better than no immunization. I've gotten it almost every year since I was a young adult and I've only gotten the flu once, and that was in the SPRING of the year when I had just traveled to EUROPE. I got sick on the flight home. I'm not sure if my shot from the year before had worn out or it was a different strain of flu.

We always hear about people who said they never got a flu shot and never had the flu. There is always the first time for catching the flu. And whenever that happens, I hear how they wished they had the shot as the flu was a terrible experience.

I do volunteer work at a regional hospital, and during the flu season the ER is packed with people who are so very sick and dehydrated. I am always hoping that no elderly person is among the patients because it is extremely high risk.

The hospital even starts to limit visitors.... no one under 18 is allowed to visit patients during the flu season... and any visitor who feels a tad under the weather must wear a hospital mask and use the hand cleaner. Us volunteers are constantly using those hand cleaners.

Mom got her flu shot yesterday and mine will be in 2 weeks.

I am personally glad that the drs. are all on computers these days as it makes my life easier. I can sit and look at our health charts, renew scripts and keep track of moms appointments.

As a parent of a child with autism I have my own objects to vaccines- I know what the studies say - but I still have my doubts. Regardless, I think everyone should consider the risks and benefits of any vaccine - especially parents of new borns- giving a day old infant a series of shots all at once is crazy in my opinion. I do believe that babies should be vaccinated against the basic contagious diseases but it certainly can be better spaced over the first year. I do believe it's in everyone's best interest to vaccinate against anything contagious- my mothers sister contracted polio back around 1915 and it made a mess of hers and her family's lives. Still - things like tetanus- never had that shot and never plan on getting one as that's not a contagious thing - and I get annoyed when my dr or his nurses try to pressure me into one EVERY TIME I'm there. We centainly don't want to go back to the times when small pox could wipe out an entire town - but I do think there's more middle ground than the pharmaceutical industry would scare us into believing.

I'm glad I got mine at work before broke my ankle! It's manditory at our hospital too

Rainmom, I completely agree with you about vaccines! It always scared me, newborns having mandatory immunizations day one of their little lives, and yes, I understand and agree that contagious illnesses that have vaccines, and that can be prevented should be utilized, but there are 5 years before children are in mainstream schools, and that the vaccines could be spread out quite a bit more, before worrying about major outbreaks of most long irradicated diseases. And again, I'm not saying don't get them, just spread them out, so as not to overload their little bodies!

I worked in family medicine, and gave thousands of vaccine injections over the years, and sometimes saw the side effects of those shots! But regulations dictated the schedule and they had to be adhered to I realize, as if not, a child could so easily get behind and not meet the requirements before starting school. But still, I hated that we had to administer so many so fast! Uggg! I have often wondered if there is any Vaccine connection to Autism, and I'd hate to think that there is, but who knows, so much mixed information out there about it! And Rainmom, as a Mom to an Autistic child, I hear your concerns, for sure!

I have to admit, that I have skipped the Flu jab for the past few years, and I've only had actual Influenza one time in my life many years ago, and would not want to repeat it, so I guess I should get my butt in there and get er done! Especially with an older person living in my home.

staceyb, I agree, vaccines should be spread out more. The CDC has a schedule calling for 6 vaccinations at age 2 months. That's a sure fire way to make them sick. Then 8 vaccinations all at 12 months. Look them straight in the eye and say "Are you nuts?"

Yes, 49 doses of antibodies before age 18, Wowza, that's a lot of jabs! Nessesary? Probably, but a heck of a lot than we ever had! I still have my Smallpox scar from the airgun method, back in the 60's! That hurt!

Whatever happened to the new mother's immunity being transferred to her baby especially if she is breast feeding. Glad they dis not do that when my kid's were born.
I did have the flu when I was about 14 and was off school for two weeks. I do get mine reguarily these days can't afford the flu risks at my age .

I had The Influenza on New years eve 1986, my first ever New Years with my now hubby. I was so sick, I felt like I was going to die! Body aches so bad that I felt like I had been run over by a Mac Truck, high fever, dehydration and then cough, my lungs were bursting, it was Horrible! I was young, only 25, but I can't imagine how an older senior could survive such a thing. If you are around the public or a Senior or work around a Senior, you really should get the Flu Vaccine! Influenza, It's not to be messed with!

I just got my flu shot for the very first time ever. I hate shots...BAck in July my daughter got pnuemonia and a few days later I had 105.3 temp. Hubby and kid asked if I wanted to go to hospital. No, I just wanted to lay there and die...Well, I guess I didn't, and then found out I could have had major other issues... well now, I do have an excuse. A couple weeks ago saw my doc and decided what the heck...It was a dead strand so I shouldn't get sick...so does it really help? I will get virus #5 which wasn't included in the shot.... I HATE SHOTS..And if it wasn't for these miracle drugs I wouldn't have had a kid... :) Circle of Life. I just told my daughter instead of taking mom to get blood drawn, I will be doing this with her... Happy happy..

HOw many strands of flu are there? Shots cover 4, so do we get to choose which strands we want to fight? And then what about pneumonia? etc etc etc? Did you know fleas are stronger or more resilient now than they were 20 years ago?

Talking about funerals...Saw the Dignity advertisement next to this...DO NOT EVER EVERY PRE-purchase a casket, especially from a brick and mortar store. They can move their business or go out of business, and not tell you....Happenedd to a friend. Now they are trying to locate the business to collect the casket that was paid for 5 years ago so they can proceed with funeral plans.....Yikes! It might be easier to buy another one, and count your losses...So rule #1, just wait to buy a casket. Locate Caskets stores near you, you may get a better price, just shop a bit. Costco sells caskets? I don't belong, but heard that rumor. And then funeral homes have transport fees from hospital to funeral home for processing? Didn't know that either. Expensive cost you don't know exists.....Good night.

I don't have children so I am not familiar with vaccines for them, but I do know I need them for my cats. As we all know dealing with aging parents we put off not only our own doctor appointments but that of our pets.

I finally got my boy in for his much needed rabies shot, distemper and leukemia shots. Couple days later he couldn't keep any food down, so we took him to the Animal ER where they ran a battery of test. Doctor figured since Charlie was years behind in getting his shots that could have been the cause. Lesson learned.

Now I have two other cats [female] who aren't outdoors that much, and run from danger [where Charlie runs toward danger and makes friends with any critter that passes through the yard], that we will only do the rabies shot and nothing else on the other two.