[Rmdctc]

I got the H1N1 flu shot this afternoon. I didn't die and I feel fine. My arm doesn't hurt nor do I feel ill at all. Just thought I would share my H1N1 flu shot experience.

[Amanda_1981]

Thanks Rmd! I have been having doubts and concerns about getting the shot so it helps me to hear any positive feedback from those who got it so that if I do decide to get it I know I will be ok Glad to hear all went well!

I got mine last week. H1N1, seasonal flu shot and there was another one I can't remember the name...

I thought I was fine but I started to have aches head to toes for 3 days.
I was in bed and crying... took extra strength Tylenol and Advil and survived...

[Amanda_1981]

When I told my doctor that I didn't want the h1n1 shot, that I just wanted the regular flu shot instead, she told me that next year the 'regular' flu shot will include the h1n1 vaccine in it because that will be the seasonal flu next year...

[Brightheart]

My daughter had one vaccination and was supposed to get her second one today, but it's apparently too late. She's been running a 101 degree temperature the past couple of days. I think she has it. I'm hoping it won't be as bad though since she had one shot.

[Rmdctc]

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

When I told my doctor that I didn't want the h1n1 shot, that I just wanted the regular flu shot instead, she told me that next year the 'regular' flu shot will include the h1n1 vaccine in it because that will be the seasonal flu next year...

I have been told the same thing.

[Naturefreak]

Originally Posted by Rmdctc

I got the H1N1 flu shot this afternoon. I didn't die and I feel fine. My arm doesn't hurt nor do I feel ill at all. Just thought I would share my H1N1 flu shot experience.

When I saw your thread I thought you meant you caught it yourself.
So glad to hear you didn't.

[Rmdctc]

LOL sorry. My arm is a little sore today but thats the only thing that has happened. I was just posting this because I know people think that something will happen to them from the shot so I wanted to share my good experience.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Rmdctc

I got the H1N1 flu shot this afternoon. I didn't die and I feel fine. My arm doesn't hurt nor do I feel ill at all. Just thought I would share my H1N1 flu shot experience.

LOL when you said you didn't die Thanks for sharing your experience. I think the worries about the shot are being blown way out of proportion - the side affects are the same as the regular flu shot - the only people who shouldn't get it, are people who can't normally get shots because they're allergic to eggs or mercury.

My daughters had theirs 2 weks ago with the typical sore arm. I'll be getting mine1st week in Dec. - I can't get it earlier because here in Canada they do the vulnerable groups 1st and the healthy folks are last. Just curious do you have to pay for the shot where you live? It's free here - that's another reason they need to only do certain groups because they would be bombarded with mile long lines. Happy it went well and I agree, there's nothing to worry about

[Rmdctc]

Glad to hear you will be getting yours soon. No I don't have to pay for mine. I called my local health dept. and they said for me to come in on tuesday and get it. As with you I was told that you have to be in the high risk group to get it right now (and I am). I didnt have to wait long at all. I was scared to get my shot just because I am a baby when it comes to needles. I had the nurse hold my hand and then it was done before I knew it lol. Now today my arm feels better too.

[Gabi925]

Originally Posted by Rmdctc

LOL sorry. My arm is a little sore today but thats the only thing that has happened. I was just posting this because I know people think that something will happen to them from the shot so I wanted to share my good experience.

[modelcarguy]

I got my H1N1 shot about a month ago. I was asked to volunteer at the health department flu shot clinic to work the registration/consent form area. A side benefit of volunteering for the day was getting a free shot. I had no reaction at all, not even a sore spot.
I don't know if it was the nurse or the needles they use but I did not even know when she injected me. I did not feel a thing.
I have volunteered at the clinics every week since, seeing 3000 to 4000 each day and never heard anyone complain of a reaction or any discomfort from the shot.
Even my son who is a big chicken about needles, got a shot and he did fine.

[Rmdctc]

Originally Posted by Gabi925

What does this mean?

[schitzo-girl626]

Originally Posted by Rmdctc

Glad to hear you will be getting yours soon. No I don't have to pay for mine. I called my local health dept. and they said for me to come in on tuesday and get it. As with you I was told that you have to be in the high risk group to get it right now (and I am). I didnt have to wait long at all. I was scared to get my shot just because I am a baby when it comes to needles. I had the nurse hold my hand and then it was done before I knew it lol. Now today my arm feels better too.

im still not getting it. glad you are ok. i heard it already mutated, what does that mean when it comes to the shot? they have to make another one?

[Rmdctc]

Originally Posted by schitzo-girl626

im still not getting it. glad you are ok. i heard it already mutated, what does that mean when it comes to the shot? they have to make another one?

What don't you get?

It has mutated in one state and that strain is tamaflu resistant. It just means that next year in your seasonal flu shot it will have the H1N1 part plus the mutated strain as well.

[Gabi925]

For me it's a little hard to understand why the fact that a person is not dying or feeling bad after a shot could assure another one that is not dying. Or vice-versa.
I have done for years all the vaccines are to be done and my children too. But this year, reading plenty of sites on this subject, I decided that I simply can't say "do it" to my 14y child and let her decide for herself. Why that? Because she is asked already to make decisions in health matter and sign. When you think about teenagers deciding to have sex or remain pregnant you should also think that they should study, get information when is about their health and start to evaluate pros and cons.
I have sent her all the official links (That are not very detailed and updated in information as i have expected - not even WHO's ones! - and sometimes their informations do not match: try that for U.S., Canada, U.K. health sites.) But I sent her links also about another site that I was attracted attention to read it: theflucase.com

I take all with "a grain of salt" but some things can't be denied. We have them on official sites too.
For me it was the first time when I couldn't give an advice to my child because I didn't know what's the best for her and I couldn't argue with her when my child said, after reading all: Mom, I am not going to do a vaccine made by a company who asked -and got! - immunity for any injure or death!

My sister who lives in Sweden thought I got crazy not to do a vaccine. In our education we are pro science and progress. But, after reading the newspapers with 4 death (by other causes) happened after doing voluntary the vaccine in Sweden and after she has seen a TV show with a doctor refusing the vaccine and having an argument with the Swedish Minister of Health... she called me and asked me not do it either! We haven't done it this year and from now on I think I am not going to do, as I did before, not even the seasonal flue shot. Not because I think I could die from shot! I really do not think this is the point. It's more about natural immunity and risks to have taken in account.

But this is my opinion and each one is still free to have one, I suppose.

[Rmdctc]

I just want to say that I believe we all do have freedom of speech and that each others opinions and voices should be heard. While I may not agree with some opinions I still have respect for people because thats what I would want. I also want to thank you for your opinion.

I am not having it I refuse as I have heard it has not been tested on humans and that it has animal proteins in it and murcury (spelling). Since I wouldn't have it I wont be letting my children have it either.

Just my thoughts.

[Greenleaves]

I wrote this post on social as well. I am just lazy and just copied and pasted it. :P

It doesn't make sense to get the seasonal flu shot and not the H1N1 flu shot because both of the vaccines are made the same way. The seasonal flu shot isn't tested before it is given to people either. If H1N1 came into the world a bit earlier, it would have been included in this year's seasonal flu shot.

Plus the dominant flu strain out there is H1N1. Seasonal flu is practically non existent. I got my H1N1 shot and I am not sure the seasonal flu shot is necessary.

The mercury in the flu shots is ethylmercury and not methylmercury. Ethylmercury is much safer than methylmercury because methymercury accumulates in the body but ethyl mercury is passed out. Methymercury is in tuna fish. So it is actually more dangerous to eat a tuna fish sandwich than get the flu shot.

There is a risk of Gullian Barre Syndrome with the shot, but there is also the risk of Guillian Barre if you manage to catch flu itself. Any infection can trigger it. Your chances of getting Guillian Barre from an actual infection is much greater than from a vaccine. The vaccine actually makes your chances of getting Gullian Barre lower because it prevents the flu.

The only really dangerous thing about the flu shot is that it may trigger a serious allergic reaction in a very select group of people, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is very rare though and one person gets it for every 100,000 people vaccinated. That is why it is important to wait 15 mins after the shot. Usually anaphylaxis occurs within a few minutes of getting the vaccine. A shot of adrenaline will save your life if that happens. Anaphylaxis can develop from anything really, not just the vaccine. You could suddenly develop an allergy from latex for example and get it.

The really big side effect from the vaccine is a sore arm. Some people may also get a mild fever and fatigue, but it is not serious. Just take some Tylenol and you will be fine. It is not the flu.

Some people will develop the actual flu after the vaccine, but it is not from the vaccine. The vaccine can't give you the flu. It can take 2 weeks for your body to develop enough immunity to the flu from the flu shot so during that time you could still catch the flu. Aslo the flu vaccine doesn't prevent the flu if you've already gotten infected with the flu before the shot. The flu vaccine also doesn't work in all people, especially the non adjuvant version. Some people will get the flu despite getting the vaccine.

In Canada we have the H1N1 vaccine with an adjuvant and without an adjuvant. Only pregnant women and healthy people between the ages of 10 to 65 can get the non adjuvanted shot. People with any illness should get the adjuvanted version because it gives you more protection.

I'm glad I got the adjuvanted version myself. The adjuvant is also a natural substance that is actually in our bodies naturally. It makes the immune system response more robust and makes the flu vaccine work better.

I did get a side effect from the vaccine though, a very sore arm. It's been a week and it is still sore when I raise my arm. It is very annoying, but it is not dangerous. I would much rather get a sore arm than get the flu.

In my opinion however, the H1N1 flu is way overblown by the media. Seasonal flu kills as many people. The worrying thing is that H1N1 seems to kill young people more than the seasonal flu and there are cases of healthy young people dying from H1N1. H1N1 seems to target the lungs too. One my my chemistry profs at the University of Ottawa actually was comfirmed to have died of H1N1. He was healthy. Just google it, you will find the story. It is very sad.

I do think the media has scared a lot of people though. H1N1 flu sucks a lot, but most healthy people get over it OK. I do agree that those with underlying conditions and risk factors should get the vaccine though. I don't think it is too important to get the vaccine if you are healthy.

I am healthy though and I choose to get it because I really hate getting the flu, plus I want to do my part in preventing the spread of the flu.
_

[Greenleaves]

If you are really really worried about the ethyl mercury in the vaccine (thiomersal), you can opt to get the single dose vaccine. The ethyl mercury thiomersal is added as a preservative in multi-dose vials and is not needed in single dose vials.

The adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine (the one with squalene) is not available in the United States, but it has been used in Canada and Europe for a long time with no really bad reactions. Squalene is an animal by product, in the form of a oil from fish, but squalene is also a natural substance in humans as well. Humans have squalene naturally in our bodies all the time.

I think people need to be more educated about the vaccine to make a decision as to whether or not to get vaccinated. People also need to think critically and took at the risks verses benefits. Don't let heart tugging ancedotal stories get to you. Look at the numbers. Just because you hear about a tragic case doesn't mean it will happen to you.

I think both sides of this H1N1 debate have gone overboard. People are resorting to using scare tactics on both sides.

[Greenleaves]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. One main benefit to using adjuvants is that it helps the vaccine be more effective. You will be protected from even mutated versions of the virus.

[splitimage]

I went at lunch today to a clinic and got the shot. I didn't feel a thing, not even the needle going in. And my arm is not at all sore. Usually when I get the regular flu shot, I get a little swelling at the injection site and a sore arm, but not with this one.

Oh and I was really impressed with the clinic, public health had it super well organized.

--splitimage

[lynn P.]

I got my H1N1 shot yesterday. I asked my doctor before hand if there any difference in side affects compared to the regular flu shot - she said her arm was more sore. So today I woke up and yes it is more sore than the regular flu shot. I also didn't feel the needle go in. I'm glad I got it done and don't mind the sore arm. After natural childbirth, I can tolerate alot of pain LOL