Flu Shot

Tamiflu works well... IF given very very early in the disease process. If full blown flu is present, it will not help.
 

I religiously get the flu shot now, after having the real flu about 10 years ago. I truly thought I might die, I was so sick. I was out of work for almost 3 weeks and it took forever to get back to normal. It was going around here and many folks got very sick, including me and there wasn't much of anything they could do for it.
 
QuickSilver said:
Tamiflu works well... IF given very very early in the disease process. If full blown flu is present, it will not help.
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I guess it depends on the person. It seemed to work for you and I, but not everyone is the same. And you are correct. It is like I said in my first post; you have to catch it within the first 48 hours or forget it.
 

Bonnie said:
We've discussed this around here before, and my only reply is what is my own personal experience is..

I never had the flu in my 71 years. Never, ever got the shot before .. until 3 years ago. Very bad choice for me to make.
I was then sick as can be for a whole month - really SICK !!! Never again.
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My 78 year old mother had the same experience (sort of). She didn't get the 'flu' but she did swell up and was in terrible pain in that limb for about two weeks. She also said never again.
 
I've never gotten the flu shot and I never will. Instead I keep my vitamin D dosage up high, I wash my hands constantly and especially when I return home from being out in public (I know how germ door handles and grocery carts are) and I use hand sanitizer constantly when I'm out. The only time I had the flu was about three years ago when I forgot my own protocol for one moment. I wetted my finger to get a plastic grocery bag to open, after I'd touched the door handle to the store and the grocery cart handle. I'm far more careful now.
 
I personally don't believe in flu shots. However working in the medical field I got one yesterday for the first time. So far nothing adverse. I didn't want the thing but I wanted less to be bullied by my director and wear a mask for 6 months. Longer term effect, time will tell.
 
I`ve been getting a yearly flu shot for over 40 years now-ever since I had a flu that I was certain I was going to die from. And I was only in my early 20`s then-I would hate to experience that now at this age. Got my shot yesterday and depending what the flu season ends up looking like,I may get another later on. My 14 yo grandson already had the flu last week-although he wasn`t severely ill-a good friend has been in bed with it for 3 days and now this morning his 14 yo daughter has it as well. So it sounds like the season is starting early.
 
I was told that the flu shot is free thru Medicare. What I'm wondering is, is it really "free" if the yearly deductible hasn't been paid yet for Medicare? I could get the flu shot free thru the VA Medical, but trying to "wean" myself from using the VA since I'm now on Medicare.

Has anyone here got their flu shot "free" thru Medicare. Was you yearly deductible paid yet, or did Medicare just go ahead and pay for the shot?
 
Bonnie said:
We've discussed this around here before, and my only reply is what is my own personal experience is..

I never had the flu in my 71 years. Never, ever got the shot before .. until 3 years ago. Very bad choice for me to make.
I was then sick as can be for a whole month - really SICK !!! Never again.
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I'm inclined to agree Bonnie, I don't plan to get one. Heard too many folks say it made them sick. I just can't afford that with what is going on with the rest of my health right now. Plus the fact I believe I have strong, immune system goin on.
 
That (in red) is what wife and I don't have.........at least when it comes to getting around folks that have a cold or the flu.

nwlady said:
I'm inclined to agree Bonnie, I don't plan to get one. Heard too many folks say it made them sick. I just can't afford that with what is going on with the rest of my health right now. Plus the fact I believe I have strong, immune system goin on.
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I just had my shot this morning... I've never had the flu.. I don't think, but then again I've been getting the shot every year for as long as I can remember... at least 30 years.. Of course my employer won't let anyone work without having the shot.. it's mandated.
 
nwlady said:
I am sure the flu shot is a good thing for some, I mean I can't see why anyone here would lie about them working for them;)
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I'm not sure why anyone would lie either... I get the shot... I've neve had the flu. Now make of it what you want... Either the shots work, or I just never came in contact with the flu..

I've also never gotten sick from having the shot..
 
Mine was free at Walgreens. I also got the pneumonia shot. I'm not sure if it was free because of Medicare, or because of my supplement. Why don't you give them a call and ask 'em? CVS and Wal-Mart also offer them. Why not just get the shot from the VA and get it over with?

My doc says it is medically impossible to contract the flu (the strains that the flu shot covers each year) from the shot, because it contains only killed virus. The nasal spray, on the other hand, contains live virus. You CAN still get a type of flu not covered by the shot; not all strains of the flu are in the yearly shot.

ALSO, remember that what most people call the "flu" isn't really the influenza. Anyone who has ever had the real influenza, like I did, REALLY knows the difference. The influenza is a Godawful, debilitating illness that absolutely flattens you for a couple weeks and makes you wonder if you will die (or to wish you'd hurry up and do it and get it over with). The real flu isn't a walkin' around feeling generally like sh*t thing that most people call the flu.
 
Last year I had the flu vaccination, shingles and pneumonia all at the same time and never had any ill effects from any them.

All free through the NHS.
 
This antivaccination craze sweeping this country is dangerous. Particularly folks who are misinformed about childhood vaccinations. We have had several outbreaks of measles around areas with a high number of vaccination skeptics... including the dangerous Measles Encephalitis complication. Some faulty study indicated that vaccinating kids causes autism.. it took off like wild fire. Sad.
 
I get the shot every year,now this year they have a"high risk ,for over 65 ,shot thats only available at the doctors office..

Ill stick with the "regular" shot at the pharmacy.
 
nwlady said:
I'm inclined to agree Bonnie, I don't plan to get one. Heard too many folks say it made them sick. I just can't afford that with what is going on with the rest of my health right now. Plus the fact I believe I have strong, immune system goin on.
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Your immune system is only as strong at the antibodies it makes from exposure to pathogens. Your immune system will not save you from getting sick from a virus you have no prior exposure to. AND that is how the flu shot works. You cannot catch the flu from the vaccine.. It is made from components of the viruses that are expected to be the most prevalent that flu season. It's not only dead.. but it is deconstructed and only the parts that trigger antibody production are used.. it takes at least 2 weeks to begin antibody production from the vaccine. So get the shot soon. If exposed to Influenza, you will already have some immunity and antibody production will kick in right away.
 
Haven't had a flu shot in decades and I've worked in some the most disgusting, dirty, rundown, high immigrant areas and/or slums in the country. I should be dead. But Ive always worked out and taken vitamins. I'm sure plenty times feeling run down or sinus problems were a reaction to a bug or germ but I never get the days of fever, runs or nausea. And working in those conditions might have boosted my immune system a bit. The only thing that disables me are stomach problems and that's because I need a bathroom. Combine that with knowing how to be sick or treat symptoms physical injury is the only thing that has kept me bed ridden in decades. Ebola and plague will be different.

I sometimes wonder when sick how many times someone gets one of these dreaded diseases and it's written off as something else. Or their body fights it and wins. How many patients are actually tested for the actual germ or strain when they go to the doctor.
 
Got the "65 Plus" flu shot and pneumonia shot yesterday afternoon at local pharmacy. When I went to bed last night, the pain started! Got up at midnight to take some Motrin. Up again at 3AM to sit in the recliner, with pillow under my arm, and pain seemed to subside some. The pain this year was somewhat worse b/c I got two shots (flu/pneumonia) whereas last year only got flu. Pretty much the same thing (pain) happened to my wife last Friday when she got her flu shot. We think hers was a "65 Plus" flu shot, but not sure.

In a short while, will be sitting in the recliner again, w/a pillow, but also have an ice pack on the area. In a few hours will take some Motrin again.

Is the pain worth it? If it helps us from getting the flu, preventive thing only, no guarantee we won't get the flu, we said to each other........"yes, the pain is worth it." I had some pneumonia in a lung in 2009 and I hope that never happens again! Just got to be EXTRA CAREFUL at our age!
 
ClassicRockr said:
Got the "65 Plus" flu shot and pneumonia shot yesterday afternoon at local pharmacy. When I went to bed last night, the pain started! Got up at midnight to take some Motrin. Up again at 3AM to sit in the recliner, with pillow under my arm, and pain seemed to subside some. The pain this year was somewhat worse b/c I got two shots (flu/pneumonia) whereas last year only got flu. Pretty much the same thing (pain) happened to my wife last Friday when she got her flu shot. We think hers was a "65 Plus" flu shot, but not sure.

In a short while, will be sitting in the recliner again, w/a pillow, but also have an ice pack on the area. In a few hours will take some Motrin again.

Is the pain worth it? If it helps us from getting the flu, preventive thing only, no guarantee we won't get the flu, we said to each other........"yes, the pain is worth it." I had some pneumonia in a lung in 2009 and I hope that never happens again! Just got to be EXTRA CAREFUL at our age!
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It means it's working CR.. I get the shot every year. The cocktail of strains mixed in it are the CDCs best guess at what strains will likely hit in a given year. Some years, I have no reaction.. some years I get a mild runny nose and some throat scratchiness lasting about 24 hrs. This tells me I was NOT immune to what is out there... so I'm grateful. I got the shot last monday... I had a runny nose tuesday and wednesday.. I'm fine now.. and hopefully protected... but since I have never had the flu.. I'm sure I am. The older you get, the more dangerous influenza it. It kills more people than ebola.. and those people are the elderly and the already ill. Why take the chance... ?
 
I got my flu shot Wed 10/8/14, at a health fair attended mostly by old folks. Felt a bit warm after, but the rooms were crowded & warm, no side effects at all so far.
 

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