FYI about the flu shot and Tdap

sugarland726 · October 2013

No, I'm not fear mongering. I got my flu shot today in my right arm and the Tdap in my left arm today. Now I can move neither. I suggest you consider getting them at different appointments so you can still function.

LuGal623 · October 2013

Oh no Sug! Exactly why I'm waiting until my next OB appointment to get the Tdap. The flu shot left me shifting my purse to my other arm and that threw me off something fierce.

caraconner · October 2013

Yeah, I'm gonna space them out because I'm a weenie with shots!

bethughknee · October 2013

I got my Tdap at like 14 weeks and was so sore for like 2 days! Flu shot was today and it was definitely sore for a few hours but it's not so bad right now. I'm definitely glad that I got it in my left arm because I couldn't really make a fist for a little while and I write with my right hand. Blech.

Sorry you got both today, @sugarland726. Bummer.

I get to go back for Rhogam next week! This needle party is so much effing fun..

pennstated912 · October 2013

Alright, this changes my plans. Going to get the flu shot tonight! TDAP is at my next on appt November 4

Unknown · October 2013

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bethughknee · October 2013

wilburbud said:

bethughknee just a warning- I have found that of all the shots I've gotten, the Rhogam hurts the worst.

I remember the Rhogam I got during pregnancy hurting SO badly last time. The one after delivery was barely a pin prick and that nurse commented that it was probably because I still had lingering meds in my body. What do you think the odds are they give me an epidural next week before the shot? :P

sugarland726 · October 2013

blondie7385 said:

I really need to remember to ask my OB if they have either of these shots in the office on Thursday so I know if I need to make an appointment at my regular dr. I will take note to not do that, though. I don't remember the flu shot hurting me last year, but you never know.

Both the injections were a breeze, and I really don't like needles. The Tdap arm definitely hurts worse, but the flu arm is sore too.

rowanthefrog · October 2013

I remember that TDAP hurts like a mother. Its the tetanus part of it. Flu didn't bother me.

A

jinkybink · October 2013

sorry to hear about your poor arms. the nurses say to try to work the muscle to get it to feel back to feeling normal. (so um yes I flap my arms like a duck)

moosebaby2011 · October 2013

Ouch. Maybe I won't get both at my physical next week...

sugarland726 · October 2013

jinkybink said:

sorry to hear about your poor arms. the nurses say to try to work the muscle to get it to feel back to feeling normal. (so um yes I flap my arms like a duck)

I've been doing arm circles all morning since the shot. So far I'm in the "it will get worse" phase which hopefully will be followed by "it is getting better" soon.

Firefly9 · October 2013

I'm sorry your arms are so sore!

My flu shot didn't do that to me.

Jen4033 · October 2013

@sugarland726 - this was me Monday. I also had be 1 hr test that day so add the sore bruised arm from the blood draw to the list.

Side note: at least I passed the 1 hr test

sugarland726 · October 2013

Jen4033 said:

@sugarland726 - this was me Monday. I also had be 1 hr test that day so add the sore bruised arm from the blood draw to the list.
Side note: at least I passed the 1 hr test

Haha! I also had my glucose test today too. I should find out by Tuesday, I think.

pennstated912 · October 2013

Flu shot question:

Is anyone getting the intramuscular flu vaccine where your arm swells up like a balloon? I got it last year and didn't expect that to happen lol. Or are they not offering that one again this year?

pennstated912 · October 2013

Xan84 said:

MarBee1214 said:

pennstated912 said:

Flu shot question:

Is anyone getting the intramuscular flu vaccine where your arm swells up like a balloon? I got it last year and didn't expect that to happen lol. Or are they not offering that one again this year?

Aren't almost all vaccinations intramuscular? I know they have mist for some, but anything administered by needle should be intramuscular. I've given many a vaccine in my nursing days and they all go in the muscle.

My flu shot was intramuscular and my arm did not swell up at all; I've never had that happen from any shot. Maybe you had an unusually bad reaction?

I believe most vaccines are intradermal (someone correct me if this is wrong). Intramuscular is much deeper. When it swelled up, I went back to the pharmacy and showed them and asked if I was having a bad reaction and they told me that it was a normal reaction to this type of shot. He showed me some article from the CDC about it. I'll see if I can hunt that down.

OSUWifey09 · October 2013

Got my Tdap at my last appointment - my left arm hurt for four days. Hope it doesn't last that long for you.

cpm1223 · October 2013

Ouch!!! I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago and my arm was so sore from that for a couple of days. TDAP should be happening at my next appointment...ugh!

twobluelines · October 2013

My arm didn't hurt at all from the flu shot. Not even if I pushed down on the spot.

Also, I participated in a study one year that was trying out a new kind of flu shot you could give yourself that was only transdermal I think. They did titers after a couple of weeks to make sure you had immunity to it to ensure you were giving it to yourself correctly.

peanutmuse · October 2013

I had them both done on the same day, taught dance a few hours later, and did a lot of shoulder rolls that day on the Tdap arm. (In case you want to see what a shoulder roll is: link.)

My flu shot arm was sore down by my elbow and annoying for 2 days. My Tdap arm got a hard marble-sized knot in it, which was extremely painful. But (obviously) that was my own fault.

I also would not recommend getting them at the same time because it was very difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep. Very difficult.

Deblondie1 · October 2013

Maybe y'all know this and can save me a trip to base. Can I get either shot if I've been sick the last two weeks? It was all sinus stuff and is starting to clear out. Should I wait another week?

COgirl29 · October 2013

@deblondie1 - I don't know about the tdap, but def don't get flu if you've been feeling sick. I just spent the night in the ER with DH bc he got the flu shot yesterday while he had a sore throat/cough/congestion, and the ER doc said to never get the flu shot if you are having any cold or flu symptoms. His fever spiked to 103.5!

They weren't sure if it was a flu shot reaction, viral infection or possibly pneumonia, but his body temp is back to normal this morning so we are leaning towards flu shot reaction.

Deblondie1 · October 2013

Thanks @COgirl29 I guess DD and I will go next week!

jhjocelyn · October 2013

I got them both but in the same arm, it hurt like heck for a few days, and I couldn't sleep on that side, but it was all over in one visit!

AnnikaD20 · October 2013

Last time I got the TDAP, my arm was super stiff for about a week. This time, I moved it as much as I could, and it was fine after two days. FWIW, my post TDAP arm workout closely resembles the Chicken Dance.

Winnieella · October 2013

I already got my shots and was in pain (I got them at the same appointment.) One of my friends got her TDaP in her butt. If I had known that was an option I probably would have done that.

MrsGraham06 · October 2013

Hey, I also got all 3 today- glucose, TDaP and Flu. I can use my flu shot arm, but my other arm is quite sore. I'm trying to do stuff about it...but I hate pain

( I admit, I'm a wuss, and wanted to have it all done at once.

LexGator · October 2013

I had some soreness w/the flu shot. Haven't gotten Tdap yet but will soon. Rhogham does hurt -- it stings going in, and the area was sore for a couple of days. Didn't help that the area was the butt. Ugh.

nicnique · October 2013

Omg. Poor you. My arm was sore for a week after the flu shot. I couldn't even sleep on that side. The tdap my arm was only sore for a couple days. I hope yours aren't sore for very long.

Jen4033 · October 2013

when I went in Monday I asked about being sick & getting the flu shot & they told me as long as there is no fever I will be ok getting it.So I did.

Also - She told me the DTap usually causes more arm soreness & stiffness than the flu shot. So, since I am right handed, I got the DTap in the left. Turned out for me, the flu one hurt more So that sucked.

daltosostarby · October 2013

I just got my flu shot yesterday, and my arm is definitely still sore today. Feels like someone punched me really hard. I hope you feel better tomorrow!

COgirl29 · October 2013

Jen4033 said:
when I went in Monday I asked about being sick & getting the flu shot & they told me as long as there is no fever I will be ok getting it.So I did.
Also - She told me the DTap usually causes more arm soreness & stiffness than the flu shot. So, since I am right handed, I got the DTap in the left. Turned out for me, the flu one hurt more So that sucked.

That's what the nurse told DH too....but the ER doc said it increases your chances of having a bad reaction to the shot if you have any cold or flu symptoms - not just fever. Glad you didn't have a reaction!

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