Jean in Newcastle Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 My husband (an RN) was really freaked out by my latest illness. He was home on vacation and saw me repeatedly have my tongue and throat swell up. (I'm on antibiotics and am seeing a doctor about that again on Monday.) But anyway, he's so jumpy now. I will cough and he'll immediately jump up and ask "Are you ok? Can you breathe?" So when he saw in the paper that H1N1 (swine flu) has hit our state, he's been bugging me to get a flu shot. He normally asks me about it each year but when I say "no" he doesn't keep bugging me. But this time he's not letting it go. He really thinks that if I got the flu - esp. H1N1 - that I would be in a bad way. So - here's my dilemma. The last time I got a flu shot was 20 years ago. My arm swelled up. (Yes, I have a tendency to swelling body parts). It makes me very nervous about getting another shot. But. . . it was 20 years ago. So I might react very differently now, right? I just don't know. . . Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I don't know what to say, but I'll give your thread a bump for those who know more about this sort of thing than I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Is swelling in the arm more than a local reaction? I would ask your dept of health or doctor. I'm kind've with your dh on this if you aren't allergic. Flu can be so difficult when you have other health problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 My kids doctor and my doctor will not give it to anyone who is sick. With that said, I wouldn't take it with your history but discuss it with your doctor. I am allergic to a preservative in some shots so if it is something that I have to take, I have to sit in the doctor's office for a little while after the shot and I take the vial with me incase of a delayed reaction. My arm swells some but comes with severe itching and a nice rash. It's not pretty. We do not get the flu shot for what it is worth and due to my issue, I rarely get a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Can you use the nasal spray version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I understand your dh's fears. When H1N1 went around the first time in 2009, my dad wrote e-mails to all of his kids telling us to get the shot. He's a pulmonologist who was seeing the very worst cases in the ICU. That flu does hit some people extremely hard (like pregnant women), and with all of the other stuff you have going on, it's possible that you would be in that category. But because you have a complicated medical history, it's a decision I would make with my primary care doctor. The nasal mist is a live virus--I know asthma patients can't get that one. It's also not given to those over 50 (not sure of your age; I just know that they won't let me get it anymore in a few years!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 I'm 50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Well, swelling at the injection site is a fairly common side effect. Of all the reactions that one can get post vaccination, it's the one most people will experience. I got my flu shot ths year and had swelling, a bit of pain, and a slight bit of itching a couple of days post injection. My dd gets quite a bit of swelling and itching with the HepA around the injection site (3" around) and it did not exclude her from finishing the series. A bit of anti-histamine does the trick nicely. Could be a preservative or inactive ingredient that you're sensitive to. Our doctor's office usually has us hang around for 15 minutes post shot and would even if no one had a history of minor reactions. So, that being said there are a few options all of which start with talking to your doctor - does he/she think your previous reaction is a concern? If it were me? I'd be making an appointment to chat with my doc with an eye towards getting the shot. Influenza can be nasty and I'd agree some with your dh that that might be especially true for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 My son has had (local/arm swelling) reactions to shots. I think it's likely preservatives. He's a very atopic kid generally who reacts to things others don't. We did flu mist for him. You might see if that's a possibility for you (it's a live vax, we did do it with my metabolic child too though with genetics green light). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I'm 50. I'm 50, too! Maybe we should start a club. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 I'm 50, too! Maybe we should start a club. :D What would we call it? The "50 and starting to fall apart" club? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 What would we call it? The "50 and starting to fall apart" club? STARTING to fall apart??? Sounds kinda optimistic to me... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I'm 50, too! Maybe we should start a club. :D What would we call it? The "50 and starting to fall apart" club? But I'm only 40! I want to join! Can it be 40 and up??? I'll bring cocktails! BTW, I just realized I wrote "But I'm only 40!" I never thought I would every say (or type) that sentence. When did 40 start looking young? Jean, I think if your doc says it's okay, you should get the flu shot. With your problems, H1N1 could be devastating for you. I have severe asthma, so I have to get the shot, and always have localized swelling and pain. Sometime the swelling is really bad, but like a pp said, I think it's the preservatives. Talk to your doctor! I don't want to have to drive up to your place to bring you chicken soup! Also, I can't blame your husband for being freaked out and jumpy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Jean, In your situation I would talk to your doctor and consider it. Since your dh works in heathcare I would assume he already has one. I would also get one for both dc's. That way even if you shouldn't have the shot hopefully you won't be living with someone who is contagious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I'm another who never had the flu shot before (or the flu), but this year I made an exception due to the medical circumstances of the year. Hubby joined me. In your situation, this is definitely one I'd bring up with your doctor tomorrow - and I'd likely have my kids get the shot or mist for the extra protection. A sore arm is small stuff comparatively IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Since you have a history of swelling, I would rathet you get the shot then the mist...frankly, I would rather your arm swell than your nose or throat. Actually, at 50, I believe you are aged out of flu mist...I am 51, can I join the club? :) In Texas, there have been 65 deaths in the last few weeks from H1N1, most of these deaths have occurred in two counties. Some scientists believe a highly virulent strain has emerged in this area, but it might just be due to population density. If you live in Canada, certain areas of BC are experiencing high rates of flu... But I digress...frankly, the flu shot made your arm swell, but with your pre- existing conditions and history of recent severe illness, I think that even a bad reaction to the flu shot is better than you getting the flu because I think you might be one of the people who is hit very hard with it precicely because of your tendency to swell. You see, it is the cascade of severe inflammation that kills people with flu. You can also check flutrackers.com for information regarding flu in your particular area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 We premeditated before getting our flu shots. If we don't, we get huge localized swelling...nothing systemic (yet). If you know you are likely to have issues, have the conversation with someone well versed on how to handle complications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Are premedicated .....stupid autocorrect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 A couple of answers without quoting. Yes, dh has had his flu shot. It is required for him but he'd probably get one anyway. That's a good point about having the kids get them too. They are our family's disease vectors! And good points re. me getting one. I'm not sure if the ENT I'm going to see does them or not since he's a specialist, but I'll discuss it with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 But I'm only 40! I want to join! Can it be 40 and up??? I'll bring cocktails! BTW, I just realized I wrote "But I'm only 40!" I never thought I would every say (or type) that sentence. When did 40 start looking young? Jean, I think if your doc says it's okay, you should get the flu shot. With your problems, H1N1 could be devastating for you. I have severe asthma, so I have to get the shot, and always have localized swelling and pain. Sometime the swelling is really bad, but like a pp said, I think it's the preservatives. Talk to your doctor! I don't want to have to drive up to your place to bring you chicken soup! Also, I can't blame your husband for being freaked out and jumpy! Once you hit 50, then 50 looks young too! Of course you can join. Maybe we'll just call it the "Mature and Falling Apart Club". Maturity can be defined case by case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Yes, dh has had his flu shot. It is required for him but he'd probably get one anyway. That's a good point about having the kids get them too. They are our family's disease vectors! And good points re. me getting one. I'm not sure if the ENT I'm going to see does them or not since he's a specialist, but I'll discuss it with him. I think this sounds like a great plan. At worst the ENT refers you back to your own physician, but I would think the ENT would at least have a helpful perspective in your specific case. :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 But I'm only 40! I want to join! Can it be 40 and up??? I'll bring cocktails! I am 51, can I join the club? :). OK, both of you can join. I'm thinking we should all meet at Panera. We can show up about 10 minutes before they close and then see how long it takes for them to kick us out. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in nj Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Just wanted to say that I completely understand where you are coming from and why getting a flu shot is such a agonizing decision for folks with unusual and complicated medical conditions. My daughter has severe asthma, but also has multi-chemical sensitivity and 50+ foods/dye intolerances and allergies. For the last 5 years, we opted not to do the flu shot as she was homeschooled for high school--prior to that she would get the flu shot and within days she would get sinus infections and her asthma would spiral downward. This year, she is a freshman in college so after much prayer and anxiety, she decided to get the flu shot the day she got home for winter break. She's been fighting a sinus infection ever since, but seems to have won the battle and she is breathing fine. We absolutely required that she only get the flu shot without preservatives or mercury (the one they give to pregnant woman). You might want to consider whether a similar safer version of the H1N1 shot is available and factor that into you decsion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Just wanted to say that I completely understand where you are coming from and why getting a flu shot is such a agonizing decision for folks with unusual and complicated medical conditions. My daughter has severe asthma, but also has multi-chemical sensitivity and 50+ foods/dye intolerances and allergies. For the last 5 years, we opted not to do the flu shot as she was homeschooled for high school--prior to that she would get the flu shot and within days she would get sinus infections and her asthma would spiral downward. This year, she is a freshman in college so after much prayer and anxiety, she decided to get the flu shot the day she got home for winter break. She's been fighting a sinus infection ever since, but seems to have won the battle and she is breathing fine. We absolutely required that she only get the flu shot without preservatives or mercury (the one they give to pregnant woman). You might want to consider whether a similar safer version of the H1N1 shot is available and factor that into you decsion. Wow. Your DD and my DS sound so similar! We opt out of flu shots for him, but it is agonizing. The severe asthma makes me second guess it all flu season. But the other issues are severe, too. We have different specialists recommending different things. This year, and the last two, we went with no shot. Our doc that we most trust and respect wins out. Jean, the above is what I wanted to tell you... It is such an individual decision and there won't be a right choice. What does your favorite doc say? What does your instinct say? I have a friend who was hospitalized after swelling from the flu shot this year. It was no picnic. :( And may I join the over 40 part of the falling apart club? ...and how do we lose our membership in the falling apart part of it??? I'd like to *not* fall apart this year for a change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 And may I join the over 40 part of the falling apart club? ...and how do we lose our membership in the falling apart part of it??? I'd like to *not* fall apart this year for a change! Sure. You're in! :party: I'm working on the not-falling-apart part, too. So far, I'm not doing a banner job of it, but I figure it's only January so I shouldn't lose hope. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 Just a note that I'm not talking about a little swelling around the injection site. I'm talking about an entire arm that swelled up. My last shot (not flu but the TDap which I got last month) gave me a rash across my chest and swelling that was about five inches diameter around the injection site - so somewhere in between a minor reaction and slightly more. If I get a similar reaction to the flu shot it won't so bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I wouldn't. A doctor once voiced concerns to me about the medium in which the serum is kept and there are other issues, HOWEVER, I would immediately mount a natural defense strategy. VS-C Immune Stimulator both available from Nature's Sunshine. No, I am not a stockholder there. Maybe I should be as often as I recommend their products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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