[BioBased]

Last week I took the new, once and done, pneumonia shot. And now I am contemplating getting the flu shot as well. In the past I avoided these shots. Despite doing this I did not get sick-I cannot recall having a cold or sore throat in 15 plus years, which could be due to immunity-lots of colds in my twenties and thirties. Fear is motivating me-I cannot take anymore health issues.

The pneumonia shot was quite painful. It took days to abate. If you should decide to get the shot, please read about it first.

Are you getting the flu shot?

[stillsmiling]

My Dr. advised me to never get the flu shot again. I had a terrible reaction to it. My arm swelled up at the site like a hard mound, turned red, and hot for days.

[St George 2013]

When I was working they gave us the flu shot for free. I was always scared to get it until I spent about 5 Christmas vacations in a row with the flu. I finally decided to get one and bam.....no more flu at Christmas.

That continued until I was laid off in Sept of 2012. I haven't had one since but also have not had the flu. I think it's because I'm home 99% of the time. I do have my Medicare first visit coming up and the dr said he wanted me to get a flu shot then. I'm scared to get it and scared not to just like you. I have enough issues with my SFN and everything else and don't want to make any of it worse.

Debi from Georgia

[Littlepaw]

I have religiously gotten a flu shot each year since my time working in hospitals. It has just become habit and I can hardly ask my son to get one if I don't.

This year's flu shot was the least painful of any I have ever had. I had no soreness or swelling at all. I have noticed it varies from year to year. My son also said he was not sore this time.

If getting one, it can help if they pull the muscle out a little bit when injecting. That keeps the injection further from the nerve.

I can't imagine the deep full body aches that go with the flu would be remotely tolerable with CRPS....

[LIT LOVE]

You can request to have it via nasal spray instead of by shot.

[DejaVu]

When I get a flu shot, my immune system is triggered in a major way and I go through weeks of heightened autoimmune reactions, which includes increased pain.

I had the flu three years in a row and did well with the flu medication during two of three times. There was one time I thought it was the end and I was taken to the hospital by ambulance twice and had to go several more times to the ER, yet by private transport. I was in the ER most of the night for IV treatment of flu complications for a total of 6 different admissions.

My doctor was finally candid earlier this year, admitting it's a toss as to whether or not the correct strain is in the flu vaccine and as to whether or not the vaccine will work at all. His entire office had the flu shot last year and every single one of them -- he and his staff -- were out with the flu.

I asked him why he pushes the flu shot if he feels this is the truth about the flu shot? He'd responded giving/getting the shot was also a chance at not contracting the flu, as he'd smirked. He'd added: It's a shot in the dark, yet also public health policy.

I am undecided. Sometimes, my rheumatologist mandates a shot be taken IF we are planning on any type of immunosuppressive therapy. There is still time for her to do so this year.

I guess I should decide soon.

DejaVu

[Lessa]

I worked at an addiction centre for quite some time, and it was mandatory by the Health Authority, get a flu shot or wear a mask (in the health industry). Many of the people who could not get the flu shot when it was out (pregnant women, etc) had to wear a mask even though the thought is, that most of the public should get one to protect our most vunerable.

The first time I had a shot, back when I was 18, it was my sickest year I had ever expirenced. Now I'm debating it, I can't get the flu this year, it would make me worse for aches and pains...BUT and this is a huge BUT. I don't go out much because of this illness. I'm so torn between yes and no right now.

[Enna70]

When I worked in the medical field I had to take those three shots....can't recall name on top of my head now any way I NEVER had a cold sore....my family always had them....after those shots I had cold sores coming out of my nose!
I have been under tbe weather but shots of garlic tea has kept my virus from spreading .....but with crps 2 it still pulls me under....

[NurseKris]

Originally Posted by Enna70

When I worked in the medical field I had to take those three shots....can't recall name on top of my head now any way I NEVER had a cold sore....my family always had them....after those shots I had cold sores coming out of my nose!
I have been under tbe weather but shots of garlic tea has kept my virus from spreading .....but with crps 2 it still pulls me under....

Was it the Hep B vaccine? This one is very common in health care and in any field that may come in contact with blood or body fluids. The cold sores are actually caused by one of the herpes viruses and is easily passed along to friends or family. I have been lucky enough not to get them but my sisters do and I see how miserable they makes them so I'm sorry you have to deal with them too.

Where can you get the garlic tea and does it taste bad? I usually take echinacea but I am always looking for another boost for my immune system. Thanks!

[Enna70]

Originally Posted by NurseKris

Was it the Hep B vaccine? This one is very common in health care and in any field that may come in contact with blood or body fluids. The cold sores are actually caused by one of the herpes viruses and is easily passed along to friends or family. I have been lucky enough not to get them but my sisters do and I see how miserable they makes them so I'm sorry you have to deal with them too.

Where can you get the garlic tea and does it taste bad? I usually take echinacea but I am always looking for another boost for my immune system. Thanks!

Yes, it was the hep b. I never caught it from my family but once I got the second shot, if I got sick I get a burning in my nose and whamo!
I make my garlic tea.....I use organic usa garlic....I grate into a tea ball....bring water to a boil and let it steep until water is milky.....now it is hard to drink....my hubby makes it way too strong....so I do one whole clove to almost a cup....I started by adding honey and one shot until cup was gone....now I drink the cup with out honey.....and yes breath will be garlicky.... Brush brush or what is that green herb? Damn this memory....a garnish .....thanks hubby parsley....lol
But I have to say for me yes I get sick but it never blows into a bad one ....but it still makes my crps flare ....and that's what takes me down.