Question About the Flu Shot

Because I have MS and really bad asthma, I get the flu shot and have gotten pneumonia shots every fall for as long as I can remember. Well, yesterday, I went to the doctor for a follow-up on my increase in the MS meds and while there he told the nurse to give me the flu shot. I didn't protest because, frankly, I don't want to get the flu. The nurse gave me shot, didn't feel it, and I went on my merry way. Two hours later, I was in my office and started feeling really weak. I left work, and when I walked in the door at home, I noticed how bad my arm was hurting too. I was so weak that I immediately sat down and asked DH to get me a cool washcloth. The rest of the evening, my arm killed me and I ran a low grade fever, finally going to bed before 10, which isn't like me at all.

I guess the reason I'm blabbering on about this is that I have never gotten sick with a flu shot and because my arm reacted so badly, I wonder if she gave me the wrong thing or if there was something in it that I am allergic to. But, I don't want to call my doctor because I don't want to waste another afternoon sitting in his office...Have any of you ever had that kind of a reaction to the flu shot?

I would think you could just call and talk to the nurse first. She should be able to tell you about the various reactions to the flu shot. I know they change it each year to try and anticipate the various mutations the flu strains undergo annually. I hope you feel better soon.

I agree with Vickie about this. I vaguely remember there were years when the flu shot would hurt my arm, but my memory is weird on this one. I have always gotten the flu shot, some years the school nurse, who used to give them at pharmacies, would have extras and offer them. Then, when I developed asthma, my insurance covered it. The public schools are basically germ factories, and even though the school district would send home letters telling parents NOT to send their kids to school with fevers, kids would walk in to homeroom with fevers. One year it was so bad, the district installed hand sanitizer dispensers. I had already been bringing in large bottles of it, plus regularly wiping down desks and doorknobs with Lysol disinfecting wipes.

Definitely call the nurse, and double check the side effects.

Hugs

Jeannie- call the nurse for sure. I didn't have a reaction this year but it's a quadrangle not vaccine this year. What you describe i think is a normal immune response to a vaccine. Some people run low grade fever after vaccination. Allergic response would be more swelling and itching. Didn't you just have a peanut reaction recently? Your immune system may just be in hyper mode right now.

Cindi B

Jeannie...I agree....call the nurse. Everyone has different reactions. Because of your MS I would ask about it!

My arm hurts after, almost immediately. Then I get a low grade fever...then a couple hours later I get sick ...like the flu....this last time I was sick for 3 days....happens every time!!

More love and hugs....connie d