Tdap pain

angelsnight · February 2014

I'm a little late getting my Tdap, for some reason I thought my OB would give it to me, but they don't carry it. Then Target has been out of stock a few times now, so I'm just going to get it tonight.

I asked the pharmacist since I have a cold if I can still get it...she said a cold is fine as long as I don't have a fever, but she did warn me it's a little painful and it's up to me whether I want to add to my misery of my cold.

So how painful is it? I'm pretty miserable right now....between third tri exhaustion and discomfort, achy stuffy head and stuffy nose and more exhaustion from not sleeping because of the cold I pretty much want to kill everyone in my path.

I'm not being induced for another three weeks, but obviously she could come at any time (though my exam yesterday didn't make it seem like she could come in the next few days or anything). Is it better to suck it up and just get it tonight to make sure she can benefit from it some, or would it be better to not add to my misery and get it this weekend? I figure can handle being miserable at home better than I can at work.

Natty13umppo · February 2014

My arm was painful (muscle achey) for a couple/few days after it. It wasn't unbearable, but more like when I'd move my arm, it would be enough for me to say "ow!" But it wasn't the kind of pain that prevented me from using my arm, I would just notice the ache when I moved it in certain ways.

teaforthree · February 2014

If you don't think she'll come before the weekend (but like you said, who knows?), I would probably wait. Everyone is different: DD and I got our Tdap shots together and both of us were in pain for nearly a week. Our arms were stiff and sore, and we couldn't lift our arms all the way. On the other hand, DH got his about a month ago and was totally fine, no pain at all. I guess maybe it depends who's giving the shot? Since you don't know how you'll do, maybe just wait. Good luck!

WoodShopGirl · February 2014

Mine was barely noticeable. Just a tad sensitive to the touch the day after.

Have them do it in your non-dominant arm and hang your arm down and try not to flex any muscle.

defri17 · February 2014

Nothing compared to getting Depo for however many years. I was surprised at how little the TDAP hurt in comparison! Use your arm and flex those muscles and the residual soreness will be less.

VanessaBee · February 2014

I was surprised, I didn't think the actual shot hurt and I didn't get aches or soreness after either. The nurse who administered it said I should move / exercise that arm and massage the injection site. I did that, but I have NO idea if it made any difference!!

pepperedmoth · February 2014

I'd just get it. It makes my shoulder sore for a few days, but nothing major.

clo1982 · February 2014

It's not bad, I don't know why she would say that. The shot itself is like any other shot then your arm will be a bit sore. Not a big deal.

Aturl · February 2014

When exactly are we supposed to get this??

sopranoali · February 2014

The shot itself is not painful...but the tetanus component does make your arm sore for a few days.

codec · February 2014

I got tdap and flu shot and I felt more sore from the flu shot. I was too lazy to remove my tight sweater so I ended up getting it pretty high up on my arm dont know if that made a big difference.

rockopera · February 2014

I ended up feeling it for a week. Sore muscle for a couple of days. And then a knot in my arm for a week. Kinda felt like a spider bite for a few days.

But it was just irritating. Nothing that would make me skip it in any way.

akb1125 · February 2014

rockopera said:
I ended up feeling it for a week. Sore muscle for a couple of days. And then a knot in my arm for a week. Kinda felt like a spider bite for a few days.

But it was just irritating. Nothing that would make me skip it in any way.

Ditto.

angelsnight · February 2014

Thanks....well I decided to be a baby and wait. I'm just soooo crabby at work from this cold, I was afraid one more thing to make me uncomfortable might make me snap. I'll get it Friday or Saturday.

angelsnight · February 2014

Aturl said:

When exactly are we supposed to get this??

Now....before you give birth so you can pass on some of it to your baby since they cannot be vaccinated until 3 months I think.

SassyFlats · February 2014

Mine as just a little sore, like a bruise. It lasted a few days but was no big deal at all.

sebullows · February 2014

My mom kept telling me how bad it was so i was expecting it to be awful. To me it wasn't as near as bad as a progesterone shot!

erinsullivan427 · February 2014

I think they advise between 32-36 but still get it if you've passed that mark! From what I've read, it is because it takes 2 weeks to get into your system so if you get it at 36 and go into labor the next week, it won't have the same effect on the baby.

Babybeachbum · February 2014

My dr won't give me the shot until I have the baby. I asked him about it 2x bc I keep reading about everyone on here getting it. I got the flu shot but he said getting vaccinations during pregnancy is risky. Has anyone else had their dr tell them to wait?

huskymomma94 · February 2014

I am not normally sensitive to shots at all, but my tdap hurt like a mofo. I honestly think she got me in a nerve or something because it felt like she stabbed me in the neck (shot was in my shoulder)...it hurt so much it made my stomach feel a little queasy. It hurt pretty bad for the rest of the day--I was really surprised by how much my arm hurt--but then by the next morning it was fine.

SassyFlats · February 2014

@babybeachbum maybe print this out for your doc:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/tdap-pregnancy-hcp.htm

yzgal247 · February 2014

I thought I was being smart when i got mine in my left arm since im right handed but I failed to think about the fact that I have to sleep on my left side. Like sleeping isn't miserable enough already. I would get it in my right arm when you do get it.