OK guys...here's the heads up. OK, maybe it's my whine of the day but either way I will share what I've just learned about
getting flu shots this year. Whether or not you are someone who chooses to get them it's wise to know the facts.
Had my monthly doctor visit, and yes we actually visit about
my kids, etc. He knows and treats us all. But it was time for my quarterly blood work and flu shot time. I always get the regular flu and since I'm in the category of 'immune suppressed' I qualified for the first round of H1N1 flu shots. I was only happy to get mine because last winter I was in and out of the ER with 'some virus' for several months. This year there is no way I want to be sick.
So after doc bailed out of the room, since they don't often do the "dirty work" with needles and poky things, his nurse who is an absolute angel, comes in with her arms loaded with those poky things and tubes for blood. No problem...done it all before many times. So, left arm for blood draw...great vein there.., left shoulder for one flu shot and right shoulder for the other. Didn't take long and after she was done and I was putting on my coat she says...Oh, by the way...that H1N1 shot is going to be pretty sore. Seems it's different than the regular one that she had injected in the left shoulder. Now THAT'S what scared me. When they tell you it IS going to hurt then it's time to worry.
But the payoff is, I told her, is that there is no way I'll be able to cook and clean for, oh let's say, at least 3-4 days and maybe even a week or two.
I did ask if doc would write that out on a prescript
ion pad for me but he was busy with another patient at the time so off I went.
I didn't think about
it until I was getting out of my truck at home, reached for some library books I had picked up and YEEEOOUUCCHHHHH! OK, THAT'S sore!
I'm sure I can milk this...I mean explain to my hubby how ummm, how I'm sure it will be hard to cook and he will have to help with the vacuuming and maybe even scrub the bathrooms while my arm is in a sling. Oh, didn't I tell you about
the sling? just kidding!...
Hubby is going to reheat supper in the microwave tonight...leftover stew and biscuits. But I'm sure by tomorrow it will be down to a small ache. And from there I will be back to my achy fibro self.
BUT...here's the main reason for posting this. Yes, the flu shot is going to make your arm ache. And having fibro will likely make it hurt worse. But unless you have specific reasons for not getting yours when they have enough for your age group, please go get yours!
The problem with this particular strain of influenza is not about
pigs or eating sausage...it's about
a new strain of the flu virus that is not remotely related to any other flu we've seen before. THAT is what is causing the worry. The flu viruses that come through each year are somewhat related to the ones that came before. Because of this relationship our bodies are mostly protected from getting the flu. But as the strains of flu change over time there is always something just a bit different each year which is why we need to get new shots each year. Because the H1N1 virus is not at all related to any strain of influenza we've seen before, none of us have any immunity to it.
Here's what I found from our state Health Department that was issues by the CDC:
www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_vaccine.htm#3Who_Although there will eventually be enough vaccine for everyone, these initial supplies will be limited at first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people most likely to become ill and those most threatened by H1N1 be the first to get vaccine. They include:
Pregnant women.
People who live with or care for children younger than six months of age.
Children 6 months – 18 years of age
Young adults age 19-24 years old
Health care and emergency medical services workers.
Everyone from six months to 24 years of age. Those from 25 to 64 years of age with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the flu. (I qualified because I am insulin dependent diabetic)
Please take care of you health and your family's too. We do care about
you!
Chutz