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  • Flu shot.

    So, it turns out I now qualify for the Flu shot and i'm getting my first one next week.

    So, what's it like? Anything I should do before/after to make it go smoother? I'm guessing it's done in the arm so I won't wear anything that i can't get my arm out of so i can get the shot.

    Any side effects I should know about.

    Can you tell i hate needles? Blech, nothing in the world grosses me out, except needles. (Says the tattoed, pierced, regular blood donor, lol)

  • #2
    I need to get one soon, meself; I can't recall the last time I did.

    As for needles, I'm the same way. I just ask the shot-giver or vampire (phlebotomist) to tell me right before they're ready to stick me, then I close my eyes. If I can't see it, somehow,I'm not so nervous/afraid -- it may not work for everyone, but hey, it works for me. Denial is a powerful thing ^_^
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    • #3
      Have some aspirin or the OTC painkiller of your choice handy. Your arm will likely be sore for a day or two.
      I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

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      • #4
        Make sure you tell your provider if you are allergic to eggs. You'll have to get the nasal version if you are (if you are allergic you can't be charged the difference if you have insurance).

        Some providers think you should get the shot in your dominant arm; it helps circulation and speeds healing. YMMV.

        Your arm will be sore for a day or two. It will sting a bit but it's really not that bad. Don't look when you get the shot. It's not the needle you will feel; it's the injection itself.

        You may feel a bit blah for a couple of days. This is normal; it's just the vaccine getting your immune system to react and create antibodies. You may even have a low grade fever. Tylenol (paracetemol) will fix this.

        Getting the shot early in the season greatly reduces the odds you'll get it; if you do get it you will get over it much, much more quickly.
        They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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        • #5
          My 12 year old just got his shot today. The mass school Flu shot offers shots or nasal and my son has had both during his schooling. Now, he'll pick the shot every time, because the nasal one makes his nose run for a week after. Sore arm doesn't bother him nearly as much as having to breath through his mouth! He says the shot hurts a lot less than the flu.

          Definitely take an OTC pain med/fever reducer before going in and continue it for that day. Have the shot done in the arm you aren't going to be using for lifting that day. If you get a mild fever or headache for a couple of days after, don't worry, just take the OTC pain reliever. I've gotten them after a couple of my shots, but I had a feeling I would, given it was also the tail end of my allergy season.

          Arkansas Mass Flu clinics are usually held later in the month, but this year, there's been issues with the health department getting their shipment, so it's been delayed.
          If I make no sense, I apologize. I'm constantly interrupted by an actual toddler.

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          • #6
            Thank you all, it's good to know it might knock me about for a day or two.

            I'm English and qualify for a free shot because i get carer's allowance because my husband is getting disability benefit, so I don't need to worry about insurance thankfully

            Good to know there may be a nasal spray option although i've never heard of that one before so I don't know if the NHS use it.

            I'll wear short sleeves and make sure not to look. hopefully i'll do ok.

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            • #7
              Quoth Golden Phoenix View Post
              Thank you all, it's good to know it might knock me about for a day or two.

              I'm English and qualify for a free shot because i get carer's allowance because my husband is getting disability benefit, so I don't need to worry about insurance thankfully

              Good to know there may be a nasal spray option although i've never heard of that one before so I don't know if the NHS use it.

              I'll wear short sleeves and make sure not to look. hopefully i'll do ok.
              They probably do, but may restrict it to kids and people with egg allergies.
              They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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              • #8
                Aussieland's national health system will charge you the difference if you're getting the nasal just because you prefer it; but not if you have the allergy (or other medical reason)


                A very small percentage of the population gets flu-like symptoms from the flu shot: I'm one of them. This is not the flu.
                Repeat, this is not 'getting the flu'. This is getting flu-like symptoms.

                When you get the flu, your body responds by raising your body temperature (fever) to kill it. It also makes your nose and eyes run to try to flush it out. Does other things that I can't remember right this moment, also to try to kill it.

                MY silly body can't tell the difference between the flu and the flu vaccine. So my body tries to kill the vaccine. So it feels like I have the flu, for a couple of days. Given the fragility of my immune system, I think it's a low price to pay for not getting the real thing.


                IF you are one of the tiny, tiny portion of the population who has this reaction, do alert your medical team. My medical office nursing staff like to see me when I have the reaction, just so they can .. I dunno. Check the severity of it? Make sure it's not the real thing? Whatever they're doing, I'm happy for them to do it. I'm sure it's sensible.


                Anyway: my point is that this can happen, and that it's not actually a problem. It's just your immune system being very vigilant.

                Also, at least in Aussieland, these harmless reactions are counted in the '% of people who have bad reactions to the flu vaccine' statistics. So take such stats with a grain of salt.
                Seshat's self-help guide:
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                2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

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                • #9
                  That put my wife under for a couple days. I had mine Friday on my lunch hour. I was fried by quitting time.
                  I'm trying to see things from your point of view, but I can't get my head that far up my keister!

                  Who is John Galt?
                  -Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

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                  • #10
                    Quoth taxguykarl View Post
                    That put my wife under for a couple days. I had mine Friday on my lunch hour. I was fried by quitting time.
                    I got mine a couple of weeks ago. I felt blech for a couple of days, and run down for a few more after that.

                    I'll take that over the real deal flu any day.
                    They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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                    • #11
                      Quoth Sapphire Silk View Post
                      It's not the needle you will feel; it's the injection itself.
                      LIAR!!!! I feel that stick every time.

                      But still, Phoenix, if you have tattoos then I'm sure it will be much less painful and over much more quickly. I am the BIGGEST baby in the world when it comes to needles and I can handle it. I refer to pay extra for the nasal, but it's hard to find a place that carries it.
                      Sorry, my cow died so I don't need your bull

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                      • #12
                        Quoth EvilEmpryss View Post
                        LIAR!!!! I feel that stick every time.

                        But still, Phoenix, if you have tattoos then I'm sure it will be much less painful and over much more quickly. I am the BIGGEST baby in the world when it comes to needles and I can handle it. I refer to pay extra for the nasal, but it's hard to find a place that carries it.
                        You feel it because a) you're a wheenie when it comes to needles, and b) I'm not the one giving you the shot.

                        If I gave you the shot you'd never feel it
                        They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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                        • #13
                          At least you're not having your blood drawn and tested. Flu shot needles are in, squirt and out, while bloodwork needles are in, fill vial, remove vial, close vial, lather, rinse, repeat for X amount of times, then out and put bandage on bleeding wound.
                          cindybubbles (👧 ❤️ 🎂 )

                          Enter Cindyland here!

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                          • #14
                            Yeah, my blood draw a couple of weeks ago took TEN vials. You can count 'em because I couldn't believe how much they took. I have to say, though, that the tech made it nearly painless.

                            Sorry, my cow died so I don't need your bull

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                            • #15
                              I had 14 or 15 vials worth of blood drawn one day. When I asked if that was a record, she said no. The clinic record was 22. The guy wasn't allowed to leave for a while afterwards
                              "People can be relied upon to assert, with vigor, their god-given right to be stupid." from Seize the Night by Dean Koontz

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