I know exactly what you mean Sandy...I won't let them touch my left side with a needle so my doctor is stuck (sorry for the pun) with using my right hand for my lido infusion IV's. I have very small veins so it's really hard to get any other veins on my right side and since we have been using the same spot for so long it really hurts now, often for days afterwards. I used to worry about RSD spreading there but I've decided not to allow myself to go there anymore.

I think your doctor is right, a flu shot would be prudent for most of us with compromised health but I'm more afraid of the unknown side effects since I've had such terrible reactions to seemly safe drugs. I guess I'm the poster girl for those rare side effects on endless list of pages of disclosures. We all have to measure our risk levels and act accordingly. Since I don't have kids I'm a little bit more isolated but who ever really knows. I wish there was more information on the safety of the new H1N1, we are still behind here in Canada with it's release. Can you imagine the Canadian government sent an anti-flu kit to an Inuit community in the North that had been badly affected last year by the swine flu, it included body bags. People were shocked and very disappointed to be treated that way. It was a major political gaff and apologies could not come out fast enough.

MsL

For the last few years, I have been going to a pediatrician's office and getting the nasal mist version of the flu shot. Does the same thing, but without the needle stick. Talk to your doc about setting you up with a pediatrician willing to work with you (I'm 27.) Always the oldest patient in the waiting room. haha