The side effects were horrible!

[Misanthropical]

I had to get a tetanus shot the other day, because I'm an idiot and hurt myself. Anyway, a few hours after getting the shot I couldn't keep anything down and was dizzy the whole time.

The next day, I almost lost my voice, but at least I could keep food down. I still felt horrid though.

Today, is a little better. I had never had a tetanus shot before that I know of, so I had really no idea what was going to happen. Sure, I got the paperwork on it, but I didn't think I would have so many side effect!

[Ree]

You're sure it's side effects, and not a totally unrelated and coincidental attack of the flu that just happened to coincide with the timing of the tetanus shot?

I only ask because my recent bout of the flu started out with those same symptoms.

I know there can be side effects similar to the flu, but they don't usually include the loss of voice.

I realize a person can suddenly develop a sensitivity to something, but I don't think I've ever known anyone who had a bad reaction to a tetanus shot. (Not saying there aren't any. I just don't know anybody...including my mother who is the embodiment of Murphy's Law when it comes to all things medical.)
I've had tetanus shots through my whole life and never had a single reaction, other than the fact that it stung like hell and my arm was tender.

If you keep having the same kind of symptoms, you should check with your doctor to make sure it's not a bad reaction, though.

[Fire_on_High]

Just had my tetanus updated the first of the month. Nurse warned it would feel like I'd been punched in the arm for a couple days, which it did, but nothing more.

Which shot did you get, did they tell you? There's a couple different ones that include tetanus.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I'm with Ree. You might have had a bad reaction to it, but that doesn't sound typical. I've had a number of tetanus shots and sore arm is about the worse I've ever had.

[ArcticChicken]

Chiming in with the "that doesn't sound normal" gang.

Last time I got a tetanus shot, I also got my Hep B shot at the same time. In the other arm. I couldn't sleep on either side for two days, but that was the worst of it.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I got a tetanus shot last spring, and I had pain in my arm for over a month. Other than that, nothing.

[iradney]

I had a tetanus shot where it felt like the doctor took a runup and threw the syringe at my hip like it was a dart, and it hurt like hell - but no side effects...mind you that was about 15 years ago...

[Misanthropical]

You're sure it's side effects, and not a totally unrelated and coincidental attack of the flu that just happened to coincide with the timing of the tetanus shot?

I only ask because my recent bout of the flu started out with those same symptoms.

I know there can be side effects similar to the flu, but they don't usually include the loss of voice.

I realize a person can suddenly develop a sensitivity to something, but I don't think I've ever known anyone who had a bad reaction to a tetanus shot. (Not saying there aren't any. I just don't know anybody...including my mother who is the embodiment of Murphy's Law when it comes to all things medical.)
I've had tetanus shots through my whole life and never had a single reaction, other than the fact that it stung like hell and my arm was tender.

If you keep having the same kind of symptoms, you should check with your doctor to make sure it's not a bad reaction, though.

I was looking at the paperwork the nurse gave me and all the side effects I mentioned were all on there. It could have been the flu though.

The loss of voice and wheezing and dizziness were all listed as things to go to the hospital for, but I would been there forever for something that would probably pass. All that passed the next day.

I am doing better today, just the normal pains now.

[fireheart]

In some cases, tetanus is given with the diptheria and the pertussis shots.

Was yours one of those?

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I had a tetanus shot where it felt like the doctor took a runup and threw the syringe at my hip like it was a dart, and it hurt like hell - but no side effects...mind you that was about 15 years ago...

I detest shots and needles. It always feels like somebody's jamming a steak knife in my arm or my ass.

This is why I do not give blood.

[Fire_on_High]

The needles for giving blood look scary but only hurt for a moment when they first puncture the skin. Did a donation procedure several years ago that involved one needle in the normal vein in the elbow, and another in the side of the wrist on the other arm. Stung about 15 seconds total, and the only annoyance of the whole thing was having to be still for 3-4 hrs.

Now, shots? I've had some nasty ones. Hep B burned like a mother, but the worst, bar none, was a drug given as part of the abovementioned procedure. Most of the nurses injected slow, which made it bearable, but one of em liked to shoot it in fast. F@#$ing ow!

[Flying Grype]

I also find that giving blood hurts way less than vaccinations. Vaccinations are often given intramuscularly, which hurts like a bitch. Giving blood, it's only under the skin, and once it's in there I hardly feel it unless I move my arm.

[fireheart]

I don't give blood as my sister has fainted whenever she's had blood taken. We're not 100% sure if I'm the same and I freak out whenever I DO get blood taken.

[Misanthropical]

In some cases, tetanus is given with the diptheria and the pertussis shots.

Was yours one of those?

The paper work mentions both, but I'm not sure which one I had. I'm guessing Tdap.because the side effect I experienced are listed under Tdap.

Now for the blood thing people are mentioning. I was rushed to the hospital despite my protests of feeling fine for an emergency blood transfusion. They didn't have time for someone I knew to donate the blood, so yes, I did find it a bit weird that I was getting blood from someone I didn't know.

Anyway, the male nurse came in to put the IV needle type thing in my hand and was jabbing it around under the skin. This went on for 5 minutes before I started crying and he finally get the needle in. I hope that evil fuck got fired somehow!

[fireheart]

Mis, I had the tdap as well. When I was about 14.

At the same time, we had Meningococcal C vaccines. So we all asked if we were left or right handed. REason why? THe tetanus vaccines made our arm feel heavy for hours afterwards.