Flu shots

[DrummerDeanna]

Well - I don't know about you guys - but I am SO sick of all the flu shot stuff...

Now - I'm just not seeing the whole big deal...because I've never ever had a flu shot in my life...and yeah....I guess I'm just now realizing how popular these things are...

Anyway - I'm very bored and just thought I'd rant a bit...

[amber]

Never had one either - but now i kinda want one cause i know i'll be pissed if i get the flu. I never really get sick, like twice in 10 years (since i started smoking) but i get really upset when i'm sick...but i don't know what the big deal is either. I guess old people and babies die from it? Maybe the flu is stronger now?
Amber

[ShangriLaTroubl]

Well seniors are the ones who the shortage really affects...with people who have alzheimers or other diseases the flu could kill them easily

Chris

[DeeGeMe]

The chronically ill need them too-no matter what their age. For example, I have a cousin who's diabetic--he needs the shot and can't get it. There are none to be had in his town. And I'll give you another example-me. I just turned 40 and am on immune-supressent therapy for severe arthritis (Enbrel). It works by lowering your body's immune system so it doesn't attack itself. It works like a charm (my arthritis blood tests are normal for the first time in over 4 years and I've only been on it for 3 months). I've gotten the flu shot for the past 4 or 5 years--since my arthritis began to flare again. And like my cousin, I can't get a flu shot either. My family doctor told me today that he doesn't think they're going to get the shipment they ordered but he put me on a waiting list because he said I'd be a "high-priority" patient. My arthritis doc told me last week that he KNOWS he's not going to get the vaccine he ordered so that route is out. The local health departments in our multi-county region are also ALL out. So count me as a fairly young (okay-early mid-age) person who needs a shot and can't get one.

I did get one bit of good news today though-my doctor told me that the shot this year contains the same formulation as last year's shot and that I may have some immunity leftover from last year's vaccine. Also, I work at home so I'm not in the public as much as some people would be. Still, I have to leave the house sometime to go to the grocery store, the mall, etc. I just think I'll be doing that in non-peak hours, plus taking my vitamins, drinking my water, and using antibacterial hand wash every chance I get when I'm out in public.

[wondergirl9847]

I'm sick of hearing about the flu too. I mean, it's not like it's friggin' leprosy or something. It's the flu, people. You get fever, you have a headache, you throw up, you get better.

Geez.

ETA: I didn't mean that rant against people who really NEED the shot, I mean, the paranoid people who are healthy.

[amber]

The chronically ill need them too-no matter what their age. For example, I have a cousin who's diabetic--he needs the shot and can't get it. There are none to be had in his town. And I'll give you another example-me. I just turned 40 and am on immune-supressent therapy for severe arthritis (Enbrel). It works by lowering your body's immune system so it doesn't attack itself. It works like a charm (my arthritis blood tests are normal for the first time in over 4 years and I've only been on it for 3 months). I've gotten the flu shot for the past 4 or 5 years--since my arthritis began to flare again. And like my cousin, I can't get a flu shot either. My family doctor told me today that he doesn't think they're going to get the shipment they ordered but he put me on a waiting list because he said I'd be a "high-priority" patient. My arthritis doc told me last week that he KNOWS he's not going to get the vaccine he ordered so that route is out. The local health departments in our multi-county region are also ALL out. So count me as a fairly young (okay-early mid-age) person who needs a shot and can't get one.

I did get one bit of good news today though-my doctor told me that the shot this year contains the same formulation as last year's shot and that I may have some immunity leftover from last year's vaccine. Also, I work at home so I'm not in the public as much as some people would be. Still, I have to leave the house sometime to go to the grocery store, the mall, etc. I just think I'll be doing that in non-peak hours, plus taking my vitamins, drinking my water, and using antibacterial hand wash every chance I get when I'm out in public.
perhaps wear one of those white face masks? How does someone get such severe arthritis at such an early age? Is there any way i can avoid something like that?

[Lee]

I think I may have had the flu once when I was a teenager because I remember everyone in my family had something & I got it so bad, I passed out on the floor. The family dog licked my face, woke me up & I dragged myself back to bed, so it's not a pleasant experience. My husband got it last year (I'm glad I didn't get it.) & he was really bad off. He has asthma, so he's one of the people who should get the shot. In fact, his doctor (& I) told him last year before he got the flu to get the shot. He hasn't even attempted to get the shot this year because he doesn't think any are available right not. It can be a serious thing; some people actually die from it, the very young, the very old, people with chronic diseases like asthma. But healthy people will come out of it OK. I have osteoarthritis in my spine, but I personally would never get the shot because I think the way I am, the shot would give me the flu. :distress:

Lee

[SaraRhiannon]

I had the flu last year & it was the closest I've ever felt to actual death. I'd always just assumed it was a beefed up cold, but oh no. I work with young kids, so I'm sure I'll be catching it again this year, since there seems to be no hope for a shot. :eek:

[estranged4life]

to worry about catching the flu, got too much other crap to worry about as it is...

Deb is lucky in a way, She cannot receive the flu shot even if it was necessary, since she is allergic to eggs and part of the base of the live culture in the flu shot is egg based.

Brian j.

[GypsySorcerer]

I've never had the flu, so I think I'm doing just fine without the shots.

[sparky]

I, for one, am majorly irked that I cannot get a flu shot. I have had one every year since 1996. I got the flu that year. 2 days after Christmas. I thought I was going to friggin die. In bed for over a week, and when it hit me, I did pass out on the floor for 4 hours. When I woke up, I crawled to the bathroom, and basically could not stand up for four days. It was horrible. Had I been able to drive, I would have taken myself to the hospital. And I was healthy ! Thankfully my 75 old neighbor at the time brought me food and medicine. I am not interested in going through that again.

[amber]

I, for one, am majorly irked that I cannot get a flu shot. I have had one every year since 1996. I got the flu that year. 2 days after Christmas. I thought I was going to friggin die. In bed for over a week, and when it hit me, I did pass out on the floor for 4 hours. When I woke up, I crawled to the bathroom, and basically could not stand up for four days. It was horrible. Had I been able to drive, I would have taken myself to the hospital. And I was healthy ! Thankfully my 75 old neighbor at the time brought me food and medicine. I am not interested in going through that again.
god, you guys are confirming my worst fears about being sick. And i want to die when i just have a cold...seriously, sometimes i cry... :laugh: Ok, now i'm kinda pissed i can't get the flu shot...but if i've never gotten the flu before, maybe i'll be lucky...
Amber

[sparky]

I am OCD from here on out in the handwashing department. I have that crazy anti-bacterial hand goop in my truck, and use it constantly, LOL.
Maybe that will help !

[amber]

I am OCD from here on out in the handwashing department. I have that crazy anti-bacterial hand goop in my truck, and use it constantly, LOL.
Maybe that will help !
hopefully, but do you know i've never, in my life, washed my hands? and i never get sick. though since I started smoking at age 21ish, i've gotten sick twice. And, of course, it's not true that i've NEVER washed my hands :laugh: but i'm just not one of those germ-care-y people. Although it grosses me out too much to ever drink milk after someone. And i'm good about covering my mouth when i cough, burp, yawn, or sneeze, then washing it (for a sneeze or cough) but, yeah, hope that will help. I was reading a blood type thing, and it says "type O's" have super immune systems, so... :shrug:
Amber

[DeeGeMe]

perhaps wear one of those white face masks? How does someone get such severe arthritis at such an early age? Is there any way i can avoid something like that?

You can get arthritis at any age. A friend of mine has a sister who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 3! They think that what I have-psoriatic arthritis-may be inherited. There's a strong suggestion that it was in my case--my grandfather had it, my father has it, my half-brother has it too. I was diagnosed at 29.

It's a "cousin" so to speak of rheumatoid arthritis. My thumb and index finger were the first joints to be attacked--I first thought I'd sprained my finger or something. From there it went to my wrists, my neck, my hips, my ankles, knees, and my lower back. You can develop skin lesions with it too, but so far, other than a few dry, scaly patches, I've been very, very lucky in that regard.

The fatigue is the worst thing though. I went from being someone who had tons of energy to someone who just wanted to sleep all the time, but at the same time, I'd suffer from horrible insomnia.

I went into one pretty long remission there for about 3 years before it came back again-this time with a vengeance. Nothing worked-not vioxx, not celebrex, not even methotrexate which is as nasty drug as you'd ever hope not to be on. That one was originally a chemotheraphy drug which they found would work on certain forms of arthritis but causes the same horrible side effects most people taking chemo have (at least you only take it 2 days a week but it ruined every weekend for over 3 years). And when that stopped working, my drug of last resort was Enbrel. And it's a miracle drug. After 90 days on it, my arthritis blood tests were normal for the first time in over 3 years.

I work at home, so that gives me a good degree of protection from the public at large. And from now until spring, I'm going to try to do my shopping at non-peak hours/days and I'm taking my vitamins, drinking lots of water, and trying to get lots of rest--they say that's what you need to do if you have an immune system disorder anyway, so these were things I was already doing. And I'm going to try to avoid flying for business if I possibly can, since an airplane is basically a flying petri dish. Luckily, the winter is a "slow" season for my business so I should be able to avoid airplanes for awhile.

[Violet]

..but if i've never gotten the flu before, maybe i'll be lucky...
Amber

Hopefully you will be, Amber. Start washing your hands! I get kind of nuts in public restrooms. My daughter touches NOTHING. I do it all. And after my hands are washed, I use a paper towel to touch everything, even to turn the water off. and I get my paper towel BEFORE I wash my hands. And door knobs/handles? NEVER touch them with my bear hands. Yuck.

I just got my flu shot last night. I have mild asthma. This is only the 2nd year I got it. I considered not getting it and letting someone with more serious problems get it, but two years ago I got the flu twice (Really bad), three sinus infections and had bronchitis twice. Granted, that was the year I was diagnosed w/asthma and my first winter back up north, but I do NOT want to go through that again. Last year, with the shot, nothing. And I had always been very healthy before that.

I was talking to my sister last night, and she got a flu shot, too, but she has no chronic conditions. But she is an RN in an ICU unit. So maybe that's why? :shrug:

Amber, stop smoking! Wrinkles, discolored teeth, lung disease, increased risk for osteoporosis...etc, etc. My mom is a walking billboard for not smoking. Lecture over...

Carol

[DrummerDeanna]

Wow - I didn't know the flu could be such an ass kicker. I think I also thought it was just an intense cold or something....

I do know there are some people who actually need the flu shot - here in New York State Blue Cross apparently just decided it would cover the FluMist nasal flu shot spray (it normally does not cover that) so I think that may help...

my mom and her husband got a flu shot - she's a mess health wise - horrid immune system and her husband is older and diabetic...so they actually needed one....but yeah - there are perfectly healthy people STILL getting shots - I think that's pretty selfish....it's all over the news to forego one and let the high risk folks have one....

Anyway - All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation - all these shows are on Flu news overkill....I was just sick of hearing about it.

[DeeGeMe]

Flu Mist is an option but it contains the live virus and can't be used if you're over 49, if you have a chronic illness/compromised immune system (like me), so that cuts out a lot of folks who need it but can't take it. Also, since Flu Mist is so much more expensive than the regular flu vaccine, it is usually not paid for by insurance (glad to hear that BC/BS in NY is) and since it wasn't a huge, runaway hit last year, the manufacturer didn't produce as many doses of it this year as they did last.

[DrummerDeanna]

Flu Mist is an option but it contains the live virus and can't be used if you're over 49, if you have a chronic illness/compromised immune system (like me), so that cuts out a lot of folks who need it but can't take it. Also, since Flu Mist is so much more expensive than the regular flu vaccine, it is usually not paid for by insurance (glad to hear that BC/BS in NY is) and since it wasn't a huge, runaway hit last year, the manufacturer didn't produce as many doses of it this year as they did last.


Interesting...I did not know that...but again - none of it really applies to me as I've never gotten a flu shot nor was I planning to anytime in the near future...

I remember about a week before Chyron pulled the vaccines I was reporting about how there was going to be plenty of flu vaccine to go around this year - more than needed in fact....then this happened...crazy.

[Bella Figura]

I'm sick of hearing about the flu too. I mean, it's not like it's friggin' leprosy or something. It's the flu, people. You get fever, you have a headache, you throw up, you get better.

Geez.

ETA: I didn't mean that rant against people who really NEED the shot, I mean, the paranoid people who are healthy.

over 30,000 people in the US die of influenza each year. In the last true worldwide epidemic in 1918, close to 1 million people died in the US, 20 million worldwide...

being healthy and young can help you recover and avoid death but a particularly strong strain can kill anyone...

everyone is more vulnerable this year because of the lack of vaccine...less people vaccinated means more people exposed to and/or spreading the influenza virus. so if you're young and healthy, this year may be the first time you actually get influenza not just a bad cold...

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/influenza/

http://history1900s.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stanford.edu%2Fgroup%2Fvirus%2Fuda%2F

[amber]

Hopefully you will be, Amber. Start washing your hands! I get kind of nuts in public restrooms. My daughter touches NOTHING. I do it all. And after my hands are washed, I use a paper towel to touch everything, even to turn the water off. and I get my paper towel BEFORE I wash my hands. And door knobs/handles? NEVER touch them with my bear hands. Yuck.

I just got my flu shot last night. I have mild asthma. This is only the 2nd year I got it. I considered not getting it and letting someone with more serious problems get it, but two years ago I got the flu twice (Really bad), three sinus infections and had bronchitis twice. Granted, that was the year I was diagnosed w/asthma and my first winter back up north, but I do NOT want to go through that again. Last year, with the shot, nothing. And I had always been very healthy before that.

I was talking to my sister last night, and she got a flu shot, too, but she has no chronic conditions. But she is an RN in an ICU unit. So maybe that's why? :shrug:

Amber, stop smoking! Wrinkles, discolored teeth, lung disease, increased risk for osteoporosis...etc, etc. My mom is a walking billboard for not smoking. Lecture over...

Carol
I'm trying to stop! mainly so i can exercise at a higher level, and so i don't look like a hag...soon, soon! :sorry:
As far as washing hands, probably a good idea. But I think germs just float around everywhere, I don't think there are more amounts of flu and cold germs in a public restroom. there might be other "grosser" germs, but...I probably encounter most germs on BART, or busses, i would think...I can't really live my life washing my hands all the time, or being afraid of germs. I mean, it's just not in me to devote much thought to that.
Thanks for the lecture, I need it!! :thumbsup: :wavey:

[Vianna]

I always get a flu shot. I've had flu, more than once. I have bad sinus problems and flu always leaves me with a bad sinus infection. I work with children and they will come to school sick no matter how many times we send messages home saying please don't send your child to school sick. So I am majorly po'ed about the situation. Today I read in the paper there's plenty of vaccine for the Congress members! :mad: How about that?