Unreasonable fear of getting my flu shot this year

Marie5656

Marie5656

SF VIP
Location
Batavia, NY
I usually get my flue shot about this time every year. Never had an issue. This year, though, is the first year I am eligible to get the senior flue shot. And I am totally afraid.

Last year, Rick got the senior shot for the first time. A few weeks later he was sick...and we know the rest. We were assured repeatedly that it was not a reaction to the flu shot. Yes, he had a virus, but it was not because of the shot. Then he developed the respratory issues, and I lost him in April.

Now, I am totally hesitating to go get the flu shot. All I can think about is Rick.

I need to think rationally and go get the damn shot. How do I convince myself I will not get sick from the shot. Before we go on, I go to my therapist next week, and yes I will discuss this with her.
 

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We cannot get the flu from the shot.

@Marie5656 , in your case I have to sympathize with your feelings. You know the shot is harmless but in the face of such a huge and tragic event, fear takes over and logic flies out the window!

No doubt I'd be just as scared but hope I could control it eventually. But yes, it is your choice.
 

I was going to ask, if you would feel better about taking the regular one, then that is okay to do, imo, especially for this year when you are not much older, and while that upsetting feeling is with you.

I am so sorry for all of the grief and difficulties. đź’ź
 
If you usually get them Marie, then I would continue to do so. Pepper and Kaila had a good suggestion in just requesting the regular flu shot, that seems to be a very reasonable alternative. I don't take them, and the last time I had the flu was decades ago, when I was taking the shots. Also, doctors won't say the shot is responsible for any patient's virus or sickness, even if it could be positively proved, they'd be reluctant to admit such a thing.

At most right now I would agree to a Pneumonia shot before I took a flu shot. Sometime in the future I may have a change of heart for some reason and start with flu shots again, but not now.

I don't blame you for feeling uncertain like you do...hugs. 🧡
 
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Any of these vaccines can cause symptoms/side effects, but they are about the Only way to protect yourself from the hacking and coughing of others that we are exposed to when out in public.
 
I had no idea that there were different shots
for seniors and others.

As far as I am aware ther is only one here in the UK.

I can understand your reluctance Marie, we are all
probably the same and would hesitate in the same
situation.

Mike.
 
For many years, there was only the one flu shot vaccine for adults, here in the USA, too.
And it is still considered better than none, for seniors.

It is in the more recent several years, they developed 2 additional option choices for seniors, that aim to get the immune system to respond more strongly and work better. One has an adjuvant in with the regular dose, and the other is the "high dose" 4X strength of the adult one, without any other addition. (A person just gets one type per season, of the adult, or high does or with adjuvant)

Personally, the years I didn't have one, I avoided crowds and group gatherings, and stayed home.

If one is going to a group event with family and friends, and shopping, etc, for Holidays,
then those are the places that many come down with flu, afterwards. If you want one and plan to have it to be effective then, it is best to have the vaccine 2 weeks before a holiday, if that is what you want to do.

Then again, if i would need to go to a medical appointment, wait rooms, or unexpected hospital, then those places, i would be glad I'd had the flu vaccine well ahead of time.

If i didnt have the flu shot, i would consider the pneumonia shot, which might help protect me, if i got the flu, from that complication of getting the pneumonia in addition.

BTW, pneumoni is around all year round, as opposed to the flu viruses, and a pneumonia shot is available any time of year, too.

So Marie, i think it is good that you had that, whether or not you decide to have the flu one.
 
Marie, if I were you I would grit my teeth and go ahead and get it. I got the senior one a couple of weeks ago and no problems except a sore arm for a day or so.

IMHO there is much more risk associated with not getting the shot than getting one. The virus used for the vaccine is killed virus and can't infect you, it just alerts your system to build up antibodies.

I asked the pharmacist where I got my shot whether the seniors' shot was much different than the regular one, and he said no, but that it was a higher dose since many times senior have a harder time with their immune system. I opted to get the senior one anyway, just because after having influenza years ago, I NEVER want to get that sick again and I'll take any help I can get to see that doesn't happen.
 
Marie5656 said:
I usually get my flue shot about this time every year. Never had an issue. This year, though, is the first year I am eligible to get the senior flue shot. And I am totally afraid.
Last year, Rick got the senior shot for the first time. A few weeks later he was sick...and we know the rest. We were assured repeatedly that it was not a reaction to the flu shot. Yes, he had a virus, but it was not because of the shot. Then he developed the respratory issues, and I lost him in April.
Now, I am totally hesitating to go get the flu shot. All I can think about is Rick.
I need to think rationally and go get the damn shot. How do I convince myself I will not get sick from the shot. Before we go on, I go to my therapist next week, and yes I will discuss this with her.
Click to expand...
I posted previously about a similar topic:

"Not to discourage anyone from getting a flu shot - confidence is half the battle, but.....
The flu shot is heavily marketed to people with "pre-existing conditions." A good friend of mine who is 62 & has a pre-existing condition just got out of the hospital with a high fever & breathing troubles. Since he had a hernia surgery 3 weeks ago, his doctor suspected a possible infection. And, since he had a lung infection 2 years ago, they suspected it was a re-occurrence. After those were ruled out, they verified that it was a reaction to the flu shot.
Well, perhaps not everyone with a "pre-existing condition" should get a flu shot.
And, no....I'm not against all vaccines. I simply note the fact that many people who get a flu shot still get the flu, so I don't have confidence in it. I've never had one & the one time I got the flu was 37 years ago, so I'm not interested. But to each his own."

I have an update. After my friend was sent home, he again developed breathing trouble & chest pain. He's back in the hospital.
 
@win231 I did read your post in the other thread. I do not have any pre-existing conditions. My husband did, though. But his docs said his shot did not contribute. Thanks for the info though. I think I will still go for it.
 
I don't take them anymore and have had less flu than when I did take them. I have several autoimmune disorders and when I got the shot, I would always get a severe case in the spring. Since I stopped taking them appx 15 years ago, I've had it twice.

And it's looking like the wrong strain may have been chosen again this year, so if you don't want to take it, you're likely not missing out on much. In the last 5 years, it has been the wrong strain several times. I work as a consultant at two nursing homes and have seen residents and staff who got the flu shot get sick. I practice vigilant hygiene and take elderberry extract during an outbreak. Haven't gotten the flu since I've been consulting at those homes though the residents and other staff have.

https://www.statnews.com/2019/09/30...sFRkzcFEZ5PLFS2GwrcPItSkmSj-yIl79pTIebiB7VW60
 
I can certainly understand your reluctance, given your dear husband’s bad experience. All I can say is, I’ve gotten whatever was the “regular” flu shot every fall starting in 1982 & never had a bad reaction, or even got a bad winter cold. And since the regular shot worked fine for me, I didn’t see any need to get the super shot, even if it were free, which it isnt on my Ins. So, why not just do what you’ve done before, if it worked for you in the past. Sending warm thoughts & good vibes.
 
Marie5656 said:
@win231 I did read your post in the other thread. I do not have any pre-existing conditions. My husband did, though. But his docs said his shot did not contribute. Thanks for the info though. I think I will still go for it.
Click to expand...
I frequently hear, "Ask you doctor if you should get a flu shot," or "Talk to your doctor about the flu shot."
I've heard very few doctors advise against it. That would be like an admission that some things doctors do can cause harm; not something they would want people to think.
What I do find interesting (and a bit amusing) is the hard sell that gets more desperate each year. In previous years, it was the "Guilt Sell: "If you don't get a flu shot you're making other people sick." (Why wouldn't other people be protected by their flu shot?)
Then, there is the "Good Samaritan" sell: "Get a shot; Give a shot." If you get a flu shot, you will provide poor people in third-world countries with a life-saving vaccine."
Then, the other "Shorter Illness" sell: "Even if you do get the flu in spite of your flu shot, your illness won't last as long." Well....strange....that hasn't happened to people I know.
 
AnnieA said:
I don't take them anymore and have had less flu than when I did take them. I have several autoimmune disorders and when I got the shot, I would always get a severe case in the spring. Since I stopped taking them appx 15 years ago, I've had it twice.

And it's looking like the wrong strain may have been chosen again this year, so if you don't want to take it, you're likely not missing out on much. In the last 5 years, it has been the wrong strain several times. I work as a consultant at two nursing homes and have seen residents and staff who got the flu shot get sick. I practice vigilant hygiene and take elderberry extract during an outbreak. Haven't gotten the flu since I've been consulting at those homes though the residents and other staff have.

https://www.statnews.com/2019/09/30...sFRkzcFEZ5PLFS2GwrcPItSkmSj-yIl79pTIebiB7VW60
Click to expand...
I hear that "Wrong Strain" thing every year. It's frequently used as an explanation when people ask a medical professional why so many people got the flu despite their flu shot. I think they need to come up with something more creative; that one is getting old.
 
I've never taken it and doubt I ever will. I believe that the more you coddle your body, the less it can help itself by becoming lazy and immune to drugs. To each their own, though, not preaching here, just stating my opinion.

@Marie5656 - If you have always taken the shot then it's safer for you to keep taking it, your body is already accustomed to the extra boost to your immune system.
 
win231 said:
I frequently hear, "Ask you doctor if you should get a flu shot," or "Talk to your doctor about the flu shot."
Click to expand...
I would really like to find out what percentage of doctors take the flu shot, it would be very interesting to find out. Do you think they would be truthful in a survey?
 
My doctor insists on it. But my arm was sore for months after I got a shot one year so I refused. I now get it as a nasal spray.
It's important to wash your hands often.
That's how we transfer virus by touching our face.
 
Marie5656 said:
I usually get my flue shot about this time every year. Never had an issue. This year, though, is the first year I am eligible to get the senior flue shot. And I am totally afraid.
Last year, Rick got the senior shot for the first time. A few weeks later he was sick...and we know the rest. We were assured repeatedly that it was not a reaction to the flu shot. Yes, he had a virus, but it was not because of the shot. Then he developed the respratory issues, and I lost him in April.
Now, I am totally hesitating to go get the flu shot. All I can think about is Rick.
I need to think rationally and go get the damn shot. How do I convince myself I will not get sick from the shot. Before we go on, I go to my therapist next week, and yes I will discuss this with her.
Click to expand...
I can appreciate your concern. How do you convince yourself? Go when you get the confidence. It will come to you.
 

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