Flu Shots

Hi Everyone,

Since I've had fibro, getting a flu shot leaves me sick for a few days. Bad muscle pain, fatigue, headache... I know these are fibro symptoms that we experience often, but they nearly always start up right after the shot, even if I am lucky enough to be having few good days in a row just beforehand. We are scheduled to get them next week, and I am already flaring, and not sure if getting the shot this year is a good idea.

I've never had a flu shot. I've heard there are harmful chemicals in them. Last year I was in a chiropractor's office and he had a poster on the wall listing the harmful chemicals in the shots. I wish i could recall what it said.

Luckily I don't get the flu. I contribute my flu like symptoms to what I've eaten and also my fibro. Sometimes they're worse than other times.

I agree with you almost medfree.  I believe flu shots have too many chemicals in them and I choose not to receive them.  I had my children vaccinated when they were little and my college son had to get some too but I don't agree with too many shots at one time because I worry about autism.  That's just my opinion and so I don't get a flu shot either.

I get one every year. I catch everything that comes down the pike, and have a really hard time getting well. I am a victim of the lingering cold.

Also, in my line of work, I come into contact with students who all live, work, play, and eat together. When campus gets sick, everyone gets sick. I try to avoid it as much as possible.

I've gotten one every year for the last 10 years or so because either my or my wife's employer paid for it. I had always had a very sore arm after any vaccination until this year, strangely enough. I'd been dreading the shot because I was really afraid of a flare but all I had was a kind of sore arm for a day or so and then nothing. I felt the same during the few days after as I did before. After having had moderately severe H1N1 (wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy!) and influenza when I hadn't had the vaccinations for them in the past I wouldn't go without it even if I flared every time. I've never vaccinated my kids, though, because they've never gotten the flu and I'd prefer if they didn't have the chemicals put into their bodies needlessly.

I have lingering colds but I also have a lot of environmental allergies. I get really bad upper respiratory and ear infections at least twice a year, usually in April and August. I've been told that due to the fact that my sinuses are always wet from the allergies I'm very susceptible to viruses and colds. With my heart condition I'm very limited to the meds I can take for allergies and illness but I've found good combinations of meds to prevent me from needing prednisone and/or needing to use an inhaler.

I get the flu shot every year and if I get any symptoms I say thank goodness I am not going to get that flu it would probably kill me. This year my arm is sore and I have a bruise about the size of a quarter on my arm.

Had the shot today, about 6 hours ago. So far no problems! There shouldn't be any at this point. Thanks again everyone.

Free Spirit

I was too. Now I feel good that it is over with.

Good for you! I'm always so relieved after I get mine because I know that I'm less likely to get some other yucky illness (flu) to have to deal with on top of everything else.

Hugs - Austen