Got my Flu Shot Friday, Then got the Flu late Saturday night/ WTF??????????

United States
September 7, 2009 10:16am CST
I was glad to get my flu shot this early, in fact this is the earliet I've ever gotten my flu shot; Usually this happens in October, but They got them in early so I got mine again at my local Walgreen's on Friday; Thought I was all good to go for the upcoming Winter months, but no guess I must've already been contagious with the "crap" cause late Saturday night, Early Sunday morning I was in full throttle of the "hell" that is FLU.............. In Fact I was seriously considering calling 911........to have an Ambulance just come and get me, Yep I was that bad off that I even considered going to the Emergency Room at our local hospital which I hate....( long story there ) but being diabetic and being this violently sick it had my blood sugar levels just going nuts...spiking way high, then dropping way low, it was the worst experience I've had in many many years and I pray I never have to experience that again... I hate throwing up, I'd rather have surgery wide awake with no anesthesia, or have a broken bone, (which I've had many) than to throw up that violently, and yeah you know the rest that comes with the flu...that wonderful diarrhea, I was big time dehydrated too let me tell ya....kept trying to suck down my glucose tabs in between bouts of vomiting but that was just futile really .. So have you had your flu shot yet??? Had the flu yet for this year???? Ever get the flu right after having the shot?? I've been getting flu shots now for 10+ years and thankfully never gotten it, as I said in the beginning, surely I must've already been exposed to that blasted bug probably from one of the neighborhood kids, or just your nice little "germs" we all are exposed too daily when we shop or whatever...It sucks to have no immune system to fight off virus' like a healthy person does . Personally I'd be very very very happy if I never never ever had to go through another flu bout...Yep I'd be very very happy; I hate being this weak and having even the "after effects" of it stinks!! Thankfully I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday with my regular Doctor, then WED, I have another doctor's appointment in Columbia..one I just CANNOT miss or change so shall spend today laying around some more, resting trying to get myself well enough to drive to my doctor appointments; How Was your Labor Day weekend?? Mine was not so good!!!
4 people like this
14 responses
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I'm sorry you're sick. Unfortunately the flu shot doesn't work that fast. Doctors claim it takes atleast 2 weeks for it to work its magic. Just think, now that you've had your shot & a nasty bout with the flu, you should be safe for the rest of the season. It's unlikely you'll get another case of the flu in the next two weeks. After that you should be protected by the flu shot!!! My Walgreens isn't getting their supply until this week, so I'll be getting mine tomorrow. I just pray that I don't get the flu before then!!! I do hope you get to feeling better soon!!!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
8 Sep 09
I don't know if that is necessarily true LadyMarissa. My mother never, ever got the flu save two times in her life...when she got the flu shot. The unfortunate thing is that all medications are a one size fits all...that is the same strength is given to everyone without real thought of the individual
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Sep 09
I just know that I had the flu twice a year up until I began taking the flu shot. Now I NEVER get the flu & I have noticeably fewer colds & other respiratory problems. The flu shot used to give you the flu as it was made of a live virus. That is NO longer the case. I stand by my theory that you were already exposed to the flu before you received your shot. The shot just didn't have time to protect you yet. You sound as if you're feeling better & I'm glad!!! I work with a group of younger people who have several children in their home. They seem to stay sick. If the child doesn't have whichever illness, they must have the brought the germs home from school. I know which person is going to be sick from hearing what particular illness is going around which school. The parent I work with that has a child in the school will be sick within 5 days of the outbreak at school. I fear the H1N1 shot so I don't plan on taking it. My boss has worked it out so I can do my job from home. I'm hoping that will reduce my chances of catching the Swine Flu. I talked this over with my doctor & she agrees with me. She says if I'm working from home & am careful when I go shopping, I shouldn't need the H1N1 shot. This vaccine was so rushed I doubt the quality of it. Plus they are saying that it's going to be the young people who get it. So, working from home will take me away from the hazard of working with the highly susceptible group & I'll have control of when I go shopping. I'll clean the handle of the shopping cart & wash my hands frequently. I pray that will be enough!!! It was just announced that we will need only ONE shot instead of the two they originally suggested. That tells me they don't have enough vaccine & I feel that one of those more susceptible should get the shot so they may have mine!!!
2 people like this
• United States
10 Sep 09
HI Pye: How are you? Yeah I agree, I've always thought that too, that those of us, ( like myself ) being a large, very large woman, I would think they'd need to UP THE DOSAGE for me and not so much for someone like yourself, ( such a tiny thing) (G)!! But who knows? They just all give the same dosage as far as I know?? I just had bad timing I guess with mine, had already been exposed darn it all!!! I just know I don't want it again any time soon if ever...HATE THROWING UP!! Just hate it!!!
2 people like this
@lawana_f (326)
• United States
7 Sep 09
Hope you are better today, if not hope you do go to the doctor or seek help elsewhere, with you other problems the flu is a serious thing. I have not gotten my flu shot yet, but only because I have not been to the doctor to see f they are in yet. I will check tomorrow when they open to see if they have them yet is so I wlll get mine. It is nice to see that you realize thet you were exposed and actually got the flu a few weeks before you got the shot and do not blame you illness on the shot, which does take some time to get into your system. People do not realize how sick the flu can make you, many feel they have had the flu when all they have is a cold. If you have ever had the flu you will never miss a shot again. It is something that you never forget. My labor day weekend has been good all things considered. I am in pain, but surgery is scheduled for the 22nd. I have arthritis in my spine and I am slowly cleaning my house to get ready for the long recovery period. I am glad it is a small house as it is taking me two or three days in each room to get it clean. God bless and keep you illness free the rest of the flu season.
3 people like this
• United States
10 Sep 09
HI Lawana: Thank you for your concern, sorry I've not gotten back to respond until now its been a crazy hectic week for me, (doctor wise) and so on; Shheesshhh!!! I'm so sorry to hear of your problem with arthritis in your spine what sort of surgery are they doing if you don't mind me asking; I've dealt with neck and back injuries since the car accident back in 1996, so I understand the pain and misery you must be in with your situation; I hope whatever they are doing you are able to get some sort of relief from the pain. if you feel up to it, keep me posted will you?? I am much better now thankfully from my weekend flu bout...just wish I hadn't had to deal with so many different doctor appointments this week you know? Would have LOVED to stay home and in bed resting...Pffttt!!! Whatever that is; do take care and I really do want to know how your surgery goes ok? sometimes it takes me several days to respond back but I always do in the end (G)!! take care yourself now ok??
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Sep 09
HI Lawana: well we have similar health problems and pain so I do understand where you are coming from; I was in a car accident back in 1996 Aug of 1996 I got hung around the neck with my seat belt and since then its all been down hill...I do have degenerative disc disease among many other health issues and age wise I'm right behind you (G)!! I turn 49 Next April but yet feel like I have a 99 year old body most days...it sucks!! I'm just a big old walking "puss" ....LOL!!! here lately I don't seem able to get on much but when I do, I try to catch up with friends on here, so do take care ok?? You'll find out the longer you are on here that many of us share the same health concerns and well Mylot is just a great place to meet people;
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157721)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I consider myself lucky to have a good immune system, so even the one year I did not get the flu shot, but did get the flu it was pretty mild. I usually do not have intestinal symptoms, but have the body aches and fever and feeling that I am being dismembered. I hope our agency gets the shots in early this year. I work with pretty vulnerable population. Hope you make it to all of your appointments next week. I take care of a diabetic young lady and she gets really sick once or twice a year in spite of the best efforts.
• United States
12 Sep 09
HI Ya Gerty; Sorry its taken me so long to get back to you, its been a wild and hectic week for me, with doctor appointments and what not; Good Lord!! I'm glad to hear that you have a pretty good immune system do take care of yourself; I'm sorry to hear that the woman you help take care also seems to get her unfair share of Illness...that sucks for her, tell her I totally understand where she is coming from; So far this weekend is MUCH better than last.... {{hugs always}}
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157721)
• United States
13 Sep 09
I actually am the lead health coordinator and program coordinator for nine ladies aged twenty one to fifty five. It keeps me hopping. I see my share of illnesses and doctors.
2 people like this
• United States
13 Sep 09
Morning Gerty, yeah You have your hands plenty full then right?
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I'm getting mine later this month
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Yeah, me too, get it this friday... H1N1, its killing teens, very few elderly people, so I may take a pass - I'll ask my doc but since I work with an lady with respiratory problems and go to my mom's with lots of sick, elderly people, I'm getting the flu shot
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Sep 09
Morning Elic, yeah you for sure need a flu shot being around and working around the elderly; take care of yourself....
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Sep 09
HI Elic: How are you??? I still think its better for us to get them, than to NOT get them you know? I really do... still trying to make up my mind about getting the H1N1 shot when it becomes available; decisions ....decisions.....
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
8 Sep 09
Hey jan, I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well. Did you by any chance call your doctor and tell him that you have had this happen to you right after you got the flu shot? You do know that you can get a reaction to the flu shot itself? That's what sounds like has happened to you! It is too much of a coincidence that you would get the flu on the same day you got the shot! Some people have severe reactions to the shot which mimic the flu! So that is what might have happened to you. I do hope that you feel better and I'm glad that you are going to the doctor on Tuesday.
2 people like this
• United States
13 Sep 09
HI {{Opal~darlin}}, how are you?? Gosh I've missed you; I've been so nutty busy lately and what little time I do spend on here, just can't seem to get around to everyone anymore...haven't made payout now the last two months and if I don't get a move on I'm not gonna make it this month either...(sigh)!! I don't know what to think really about the flu shot and then getting it that quickly; I hear both sides of it as to how you can get it, and how you can't after having the shot all I know is I HAD THE WORST FLU OF MY 48 YEARS ON THIS PLANET....that's all I know! and I guess too being diabetic made it all the worse for me all I know is I don't care to EVER repeat that again, nope noooo thanks!!! Yeah I had a doctor's appointment anyway set up for Tuesday of this week, then had to run to Columbia to another doctor on WED, then had to turn around and go again on Thurs. I was so stinkin tired each day, good grief!! and my biggest fear was that I'd come right back down with the flu you know? all those waiting rooms have so many REALLY REALLY SICK people in there...I hate going to them but when else can I do??? Hope you are well and not been sick or anything of yet this year, that too is what surprised me you know? I mean it was the first weekend of Sept for heavens sakes... I don't recall ever having the FLU that early in the year..... Love & hugs to you dear lady;
1 person likes this
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
8 Sep 09
This is why I never get a flu shot. Every time I do, I get sicker than a dog. It's a gamble, anyway, because they never know what virus will be making the rounds. When you get the shot, you're actually putting the virus in your body. Just my two cents.
2 people like this
• United States
29 Sep 09
HI fortunata: I'm so sorry its taken me a whole month to get back to this discussion here, shame on me and I wish I wasn't on stupid dial up either; it just makes me crazy to try and wrestle with this site especially like today its near the end of the month and everybody and their son is online trying to reach payout and I'm one of them (G)!! LOL! Yes you are so right it is a gamble when we get these shots and I'm still debating whether or not to get the swine flu shot when its available I'm sure I will as I am hoping to NOT get it and be sick all winter long that's my goal are you getting it?? take care and stay healthy this winter.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
8 Sep 09
So sorry to hear that you were sick. Having the flu is the worst. It makes it even worse when you are all alone and nobody around to help you out, its scary too. Last year I had the flu and spent 2 days in bed, I felt horrible. I have only gotten the flu shot once, normally I am healthy. This year I am concerned with the swine flu, I just hope we don't have problems with that. Take care, keep taking it easy and get better soon. My labor day weekend has been good. I hung out all day with my best friend, we visited her family and also went to a union picnic. Food was yummy, even got to bring some home.
2 people like this
• United States
13 Sep 09
Hi Ya Polly: Yeah that was indeed the worst flu I've ever experienced and I blame that too on being diabetic, it just threw my body into a major tailspin...don't care to ever go through that again; Nope I'd just rather not!! (G)! I too am concerned about the swine flu as there again, having a crapa$$ immune system I don't need any sort of any other episode this winter, and its early September, not a good sign for me, but crap I can't live in a glass bubble either you know? Glad to hear your Labor day weekend was a good one and that you got to eat some good food at your friends family reunion...God I hate those things too...LOL! I'm such a STICK IN THE MUD anymore...just an old sour puss with a crappy attitude (G)! ( no comment )
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
8 Sep 09
Goodness! I'm sorry you're feeling so lousy...well isn't that just the way of it though? My mother NEVER got the flu save twice in her life, and guess when? The ONLY two times she decided to get the flu shot I'm under the weather myself a bit with bronchitis...seems every time this year I get it, no matter how much I try and avoid it Nope no intentions of getting the flu shot,and especially NOT the swine flu one--since it hasn't been tested long enough one can never tell what reactions people might get from it
• China
8 Sep 09
what?
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Sep 09
hi dreamweaverjan sounds to me like you had what I had last winter with horrible diarrhea and vomiting and sliding blood sugar all over he place horribly low and thenhigh then low.I am also a diabetic. I went to my doctor with a strept throat right after that ordeal and he told me that the vomiting and the severe diarrhea were not flu but what is called norwalk virus.makes you horribley ill. then i was weak and the strept.bug got me and i was sick again.this time he gave me antibiotics for the strept throat.,when you have a lousy immunesystem due to diabetes you get everything it seems like.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Sep 09
typo aLert should be sliding blood sugar allover the place horribly low and then high then low.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Sep 09
Hi Hatley: forgive me for being so late in answering here; Where does the time go?? I see you know exactly what I was going through here, its a horrible experience isn't it?? VEry scary; UGH! I had strep throat a lot when I was younger but haven't had it thankfully for many many years; Yes our immune system gets very lax and we catch every little bug in the air, do you usually get sick like after visiting the doctor just being in the waiting room?? I do...I hate when I have to go for my monthly visits or to the chiropractor as I wind up sickly; I hate it! Take care of yourself, I hope you stay well through the winter, are you going to get the swine flu shot?? I will, but I'm nervous about doing it you know?
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
11 Sep 09
I've heard that can happen! LOL! As for me I've never had a reason to get the flu shot because I might get the flu every 5 years or so. Same thing with a cold, every 5 or so years. I feel very fortunate for that. Just out of curiousity, when you got the flu how long did it last? Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Oct 09
Hi Jan! I'm so glad that you're doing better! Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@AKMEDIA2 (328)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Luckily all of my kids had the flu shot. Unfortnately I did not. Even though my friends all said it might be a bad idea because some of them got sick, I wish I'd taken it when I got the flu. Since then, I had to see the doctor about the same flu over and over again. There is a good neighborhood doctor that we have though called Kahala Urgent Care. The docs in that office see you right away and there are no scheduled appointments so they don't have to "ft you in."
• United States
29 Sep 09
HI Akmedia: OH My sounds like you really need to get this flu shot and soon, I'm sorry to hear you've been under the weather so much; I just cannot imagine being sick with the flu over and over once was enough for me this year (G)! Are you considering getting the swine flu shot too when it comes out? I'm sure you'll get it for the kids there is so much of it all over anymore it seems, very nasty stuff; I hope you and your family get better, stay better and don't have any more flu, take care now and thank you for stopping by; That Kahala Urgent Care place sounds really nice, we need more places like that;
• United States
8 Sep 09
"They" (whoever they are) tell us that it is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot. However I talk to too many people who get ill right after having it. Of course they say it is coincidence that they get the flu or flu-like symptoms immediately following the shot! there just can't be that many "coincidntals" with that many people. It's a crock if you ask me and I don't intend on getting one. Never have and don't plan on it either.I'll take my chances washing my hands a bunch!
• United States
13 Sep 09
HI Madingolinger; Yeah I've heard that too for years but it sure makes you wonder you know when it happens to you... But I do think for the most part I was already exposed, and just some of that bad luck I have that I did come down with the flu after having gotten my shot...but who knows for sure right? You say You've never had the flu shot?? I never did either until my many many other health issues started in several years ago, and then when I became diabetic 3-4 years ago I really had to make sure to get those yearly flu shots and stuff; I hate it all!! I hope your health continues to do well for you, and that you don't come down with any of this stuff, its no fun that's for sure; I wash my hands so much its a wonder I have any skin left and that's the truth;
• United States
8 Sep 09
ooh, thats nasty, I'm sorry - hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. Sometimes people can have a reaction to the shots, like having the flu - is that what it is do you think? I am diabetic too so I know what a nightmare it is trying to get your blood sugar to behave itself when you're that sick. I haven't had my shots yet. Get well!
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Sep 09
HI EnglishTeaDuck: What a wonderful username you have chosen here I like it! Sorry its taken me forever to get back to answering you here, I usually am much better and quicker at this but its been a crazy hectic month for me, and having stinky dial up again is just a nightmare when it comes to trying to do anything on the net these days..(sigh)! So you are diabetic too, seems like there are so many of us these days; Have you ever had an experience like that? That was my first time of being that sick since I became diabetic about 3-4 years ago and it was a bit scary for me, guess I'll have to teach my cat to DIAL 911 for me...LOL! But I really did consider calling the ambulance to come get me so I could go to the hospital but I made it, but there was about a 2-hour period when I wasn't so sure what was gonna happen to me; take care of yourself now and you might want to get those shots I think we really need them you know? take care
@Metabie (32)
• Belgium
12 Sep 09
I think its quite possible that you got the flu the next day since the shot contains weakend flu bacteria and your body must have been weak on friday or perhaps just couldn't make anti-bodies against them . Its ofcourse unfortunate that you got the Flu , but now atleast your body will make antibodies so you are safe for a while again . Its all about health and not being healthy at all .Rest out allot and drink and eat enough .
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Sep 09
HI Metabie: WELCOME to Mylot; I really am sorry its taken me so long to get back to you and several other of my friends on this post, what a crazy month I've had; And too I have dial up which is a nightmare when trying to post here on mylot; Have you had any of the shots yet yourself? The next shot I get will be the swine flu shot I guess when it comes out in Oct...though that one has me a bit nervous since its so "new" you know? thank you for your concern and thanks for stopping by I hope you are enjoying mylot, its a great place to meet people; take care