Swine Flu Paranoia!!!

[MamaTrain]

I'm really afraid of getting the dreaded Swine Flu! I have never gotten a flu shot and I've never gotten the flu but since having all my autonomic problems I feel like it would kick my butt like no one's business! Does it really affect us more? I'm worried about the fluid levels as I need to drink a ton of Powerade just to feel good. I definitely think the shot is out of the question. A guy that was an infectious disease specialist was on Fox news saying he wouldnt give it to himself or his kids and definitely no if you have any neurological issues. I would think that even means my ADD son! Thanks for reading and hearing me out....you guys are the only ones who really understand how much this affects your life!

KC :-)

[Jan]

Personally I think the shot is scarier than the flu.

Tons of people here in MN are sick with colds, virus', who knows if it is the flu.

So far, everyone has mild cases of what ever. The medical people say everything is probably H1N1 but who knows.

My advice, don't worry. Mainly because you will get it or you won't. And if you get it, you may be fine.

Worrying won't change anything except make you miserable even if you don't get it.

And when you figure out how to stop worrying, let me know. lol

[iheartcats]

I got the regular shot. The nurse who gave it to me is not even wanting to get the swine flu shot, but they are making him. He told me to wait a bit and see how it plays out.

So, today I got the regular flu shot as I do every year. The bit of feeling crappy for a couple days has been worth the protection for him. The H1N1 shot? Very worried about that, too!

[Sophia3]

I know LOTS of people that would not take the H1N1 shot. Not enough known about it.

NOT SAFE for little kids, or pregnant ladies. Some doctors and pharmacists I've read articles on would never take it..so I dunno. One said H1N1 is mutated strain...some articles say no. So who knows.

stop panicking, wash your hands a lot (don't shake hands when meeting people if that concerns you)

take vitamin C....Do your homework.

I've never taken the flu shot..some in my family have with horrible results ..but my family AVOIDS DOCTORS & HOSPITALS at all costs! Even my ANS doc says that's the last place to be when ill (hospitals!)

Don't we know.

I remember a couple years ago they said the Bird Flu was going to wipe out the country and be VERY CONTAGIOUS!! so...you just have to go withcommon sense and what is right for YOUR BODY!!

[Angelika_23]

I talked with my primary care doc and my children's asthma specialist. What I heard was:

1. If you have underlying health issues, you should get the H1N1 shot, not the nasal mist

2. The H1N1 shot is made exactly the same way as the "regular" flu shot. There is nothing "new" or "experimental" in it.

3. If we get the "regular" flu shot and tolerate it, then we should have no problem with the H1N1 shot.

4. In the next year or so, the "regular" flu shot will contain the H1N1 as well.

Like I said, this is from my primary doctor and the boys' asthma specialist at Children's.

We have all had the "regular" flu shot, and I will be getting the boys vaccinated against H1N1 as well. What happened with my oldest son was way too scary. I'm not taking any chances. All my boys have asthma.

Angela

[Sophia3]

Angela

If you've all had the flu shots before and are fine that is good news.

Also YOURS is an extraordinary situation. I remember the scary time with your oldest and can not imagine that. Seriously.

When I was talking little kids I meant very young. Also pre existing issues like breathing problems are not the norm and I remember you have to get your boys breathing treatments sometimes?

After what your oldest went thru, i would be asking lots of questions to the docs and probably getting the shot for the entire family. But the day to day experience for you as that happened had to be a nightmarish limbo that you thought would never end. AND putting up with hospital nurses....exhausting for MOM!!

The H1N1 stories have all sounded like what your son went thru...breathing problems, fevers, lots of fluid build up on the lungs.

I have to say if I had little one's I'd be tempted to find somebody to home school them for the next 5 months. Ha, easy for me to kid. My cat's don't go to school.

But they do fix me dinner at night.

HA! Don't I wish!!

Keep us posted when your family gets the shots to share reactions.

[Reef Diver]

I have swine flu right now. No fun at all! I suspect my boyfriend had a mild case and passed it over to me (don't know for sure- he never went in the clinic.) However since, like many of you!, we get things way way way worse.... augh. I would have rather had the shot!!

[kayjay]

I asked at Mayo (Minn.) clinic and was told to get h1n1 shots for myself and my children. Remember that fevers can be MAJOR problems for people like us... I can't properly regulate my temp.

Also if I get a secondary infection and have to take something.... possible drug reaction- that can also kill you!

I will run ...not walk to get the h1n1 shot. Sickness for me is a huge setback and I have enough to deal with already. Everything carries some risk but for me getting sick from the flu is a bigger threat. I have never had any problem with any flu shot.... but I have had drug reactions and got sick with some kind of "flu" last year and was sick for more then a month- we had to move in with my mother.

I will take the advice of the POTS specialists at Aayo - and one of the few autonomic neuros in the world and get the shot!

[Maxine]

I'm hoping I already had it in April. Like I said on here in another post, I was never so sick, and had all the symptoms of H1N1----really high fever, and I had trouble breaking it. I do not want to get the shot.

I'm worried about my granddaughters-----5 years, and the other 20 months old. The 20 month-(little Mackenzie) was horribly sick with pertussis (whooping cough) when she was only 6 weeks old. It was a nightmare. Fortunately she was a strong little girl, and she recovered----however, it took about 3-4 months for full recovery. She ended up on monitors until she was 5 months old.

I'm wondering if she should have the H1N1 flu shot. We live in Ohio, and Columbus Ohio is hit hard with a couple of children dying from this flu. We're at the NW tip of Ohio-----so this is too close. With Mackenzie being in day care every day it really makes me worry.

Maxine :0)

[gertie]

I had always taken the flu vaccine without a problem & after I got Dys my PCP thought it would be better to take the change on taking the vaccine than getting the flu. I asked him to give me 1/2 dose & wait & see how I reacted to it but he didn't think that would work. I let him give me the full dose of the vaccine & had very bad reaction. A few days after the vaccine I began getting sicker & weaker. I was so weak I had to prop my head up to eat & was that way for weeks. I don't think I ever fully recovered and will never take another flu vaccine.

[Sophia3]

Alicia

some of us with chronic health problems have mitochondria disorders that are VERY complicated and timely to figure out. And if you have it, not much we can do about it. Those people have wildly different reactions to vaccines of any type and probably should avoid them.

I have not had confirmation of mito issues but it's common in many health problems thus the wildcard for some of us in NOT getting any flu shot.

Your reaction sounds like many I have heard from healthy people...so thus I've chosen not to get the shots as have some family members of mine. If your family doesn't do well with them, chances are we will not either (those of us blood related)

I also worry about the so called mutated virus shot (that many say does exist, others say it does NOT) as that can set you up to get the virus again and again. YIKES!

There is no EASY across the board answer. You really need a doctor you TRUST that knows you and your history..as well as some pharmacists or people giving out the shots who can give feedback on reactions.

Folks with COPD type issues are at risk for any illness thus I can see them taking the risk to get the flu since it can impact the lungs.

[MomtoGiuliana]

I have heard exactly what Angelika already stated. One of my good friends is a physician. I trust her judgement and she feels the H1N1 shot will be safe. I think we all have our prefered sources of information/advice and with so much "information" out there, honestly, some of it misleading and not based in peer-reviewed science, it can be hard to judge risks and benefits appropriately. All that said, I have not decided yet whether I will get the shot for my daughter or for me. I am leaning towards it. We did both get the regular flu shot this year.

[MamaTrain]

Well it seems it is split down the middle on whether or not to get the vaccine. I am going to try to put a link to the new cast I saw and then it was later put in Dr. Mercola's newsletter. I am feeling like I will take my chances with the flu and being that my son's little buddy from down the street has it my chances are closer than I thought! LOL! Thanks everyone you're the best!

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[Angelika_23]

Just to clarify, it was not the H1N1 flu that was so bad for my son, it was the pneumonia that followed it. He got over the virus in about 5 days, was just tired after that. Then the pneumonia hit. The boys' pulmonary specialist said with any flu there is about a 20% chance of a post viral pneumonia, and an even smaller chance of it being complicated. BUT - I think this flu is producing higher numbers of these complicated post viral pneumonias. That is (in my observation) what is getting people. So the thought of the other two boys (who are more health challenged) getting this pneumonia scares me to death. My oldest son was in the hospital 16 days and had two surgeries.

Sophia, yes, my boys all have asthma. Although the oldest had the mildest case and was the healthiest. I do from time to time have to give breathing treatments. The two younger ones have been hospitalized for asthma a few times. I have to take the oldest back to Children's in a week and a half for a follow up from all the pneumonia and complications.

MomtoGuiliana - it is nice to hear what I heard validated. I am sure you will make the best decision for you and your daughter.

Angela

[MomtoGiuliana]

Here's an interview that was on NPR today on the topic:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=113734207

And his op-ed piece that ran today. It addresses the mythology that attends some vaccination concerns:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/opinion/12offit.html?_r=1

[iheartcats]

I just had the regular shot last week - I was told my doctor office won't have the H1N1 shot until two weeks from now. Have any of you actually got the H1N1 shot or are you still waiting?

The mist isn't an option - it's really not for people with chronic health issues, I was told.

I have two weeks to decide. I'm now leaning toward the shot - 70% for/30% against. I may have to place my faith in the usual place - science - and hope it works out!

[Notgivinup]

Crap, I don't know what to do. I have an almost (Jan) 5 year old who is in preschool 3 days a week. My husband and I, well actually all three of us got the reg. flu in 2007, and it.was.awful. Thought we were going to die. Body pains were the worst. I am scared of H1N1 too.

[Angelika_23]

I don't know if we are going to be able to get the vaccine. H1N1 is hitting hard in our area. I know about 8 people who have it. We may already get sick with it before the vaccine is available. Does anyone know how long it is after you get the shot before it is effective? I know with the regular shot it is 2 weeks. Just so I have a point of reference.

Thanks,

Angela

[iheartcats]

I don't know if we are going to be able to get the vaccine. H1N1 is hitting hard in our area. I know about 8 people who have it. We may already get sick with it before the vaccine is available. Does anyone know how long it is after you get the shot before it is effective? I know with the regular shot it is 2 weeks. Just so I have a point of reference.

Thanks,

Angela

Not sure - from what they are saying the shot is the 'same' (made the same way, at least)...so I'd think about 2 weeks? It is hitting hard. I know people with it now. If you get it before the shot, then no need for the shot, right?

[kayjay]

Hello all, I have not been able to find anyone with the H1N1 vaccine to give it to me. I finally found I can get one from my OB/GYN. I made an appointment for next Wednesday to get one. I thought I would share this info for those of you who can't find a place to get this shot.

[kayjay]

I just wanted to let everyone know that 11 children were out sick today in my daughter's 5th grade classroom and 3 more were sent home during the school day.

I would love to hear from those of you who has gotten over this "bug" and let me know how you are doing. I am bracing myself.... but I am worried b/c like many of you when I get sick... I get REALLY sick. I can't take drugs like ADVIL and I am not in the best of health right now.

I am keeping her home tomorrow and hoping that her classroom gets cleaned out over the weekend! kari

[Elfie]

This is a topic I have been watching. I am very worried about swine flu, not because it is horribly serious, but because for me anything is serious. A cold can keep me from functioning for two weeks, and flu is worse. If I got swine flu I would probably lose my semester, and my scholarship. My area is short on regular flu vaccine. When it first reached out area in early Oct. I made an appointment and my doc ran out of the vaccine before my appointment, three days later. By that time Walgreens and the hospitals and clinics were out. One of the hospitals got another shipment last weekend. They were out by 9 a.m. I got one of the last flu vaccines in the state because a company that does vaccines from Arizona brought some over on Sunday. Now all of the states around us have the swine flu vaccine even though we have just as high of a rate of flu. I am considering driving across the state line to get it but right now you have to show your id at the county clinics (the only places that have it). Right now they are only vaccinating residents and illegal aliens. So, I am s.o.l. and my area isn't supposed to get it until November. I am a college student and we have plenty of cases of both flus on campus and I am about to my breaking point about people sneezing in class. The next person that tells me that they are sick and it isn't allergies is going to get it. I can only keep from killing people for so long. I don't mean to seem like a jerk, but so many people just think about themselves or feel that if they are sick everyone else deserves to be to. The only time in the past year I have gone to school sick was after I had confirmed with my doctor that I wasn't contagious. It is so bad on my campus the director of the health center found out about my condition and told me not to come in anymore, that it was risking my health too much to fill a prescription or have a doc check out my sinus infection there because of how many students come in and ask for drugs for something they are sure is a cold. He keeps telling students to stay home unless they have a high fever, but that would just take too much common sense. So now I have to fill my prescriptions elsewhere at full price!

[kayjay]

maybe I will sound crazy. .. but school are the main breeding ground of this thing. I wish they would close them all for a week and allow anyone who wants to get the vaccine have it. I am like you ...even a cold is too much for me!

Most people are too selfish when they are sick. Things got really out of hand in my daughter's room because one child kept comming in sick. I feel so sorry for that little boy. Who wants to be sent to school with a fever.

The sad fact is though things like that ensure the rapid spread of germs.

good luck to you and thanks for your reply to my message.

[llcsmom]

I think my daughter is recovering from h1n1. Her school had a 23 percent absence rate this week for 3 days, but they did not close the school. Can you believe it? The health dept. claims that closing the schools doesn't help with decreasing the infection rate! Just think of all those students missing alot of information in their classes because they are sick. The school really buckled down on keeping kids home with fevers. No one was allowed with a temp above 99.9.

There were 50 confirmed cases of the h1n1 at her school. Her pediatrician felt that he did not need to run the test on her, but he did give her Tamiflu. This was the first experience our family has had with this antiviral med. I think it really helped her with the virus. She only had a 101 fever for 2 days. The cough was/is nasty, but she felt alot better after 2 days on Tamiflu. I totally isolated her at home in her room once she had the first sign of being sick.

Having fibro and POTS, she really gets sick when she gets sick, as I'm sure alot of you do.

She did have the seasonal flu shot 1 week before she got sick with this virus.

I guess she won't need the h1n1 shot, now...LOL May still have by younger "healthy" daughter get the shot.

Dawn

[potsgirl]

I just got the regular flu shot, and it sounds like most places won't have the H1N1 vaccine for another couple of weeks. Please remember, the shots take about two weeks to take effect after one gets them.

Jana