Questions about vaccines at walgreens/cvs

ElTrain5 · March 2014

So I have an enormous needle phobia, and I don't think getting my tdap at the midwives office is going to work. It's hard to explain to people that don't have a true phobia just how strong it can be...but I may end up missing midwife appointments if I know I'm getting the shot there. So I'm thinking it might be best to do it at a walgreens/cvs that offers it, that way I can walk in when I'm ready. Question: Has anyone done this while pregnant before? Do you need a doctor's note or something?

tbmadeamistake · March 2014

I've never done it, so I can't help you with how it works at a pharmacy, though I'd imagine if pregnant you'd need a prescription of some sort.

Can you maybe tell your OB about the phobia and see if she'll just pick an appt. without telling you and then spring it on you at some point so you're already there and have no choice? Or would you just miss all your appts that way? I'm sorry this is hard for you, phobias suck!

ElTrain5 · March 2014

Lilygrace48 said:

I've never done it, so I can't help you with how it works at a pharmacy, though I'd imagine if pregnant you'd need a prescription of some sort.

Can you maybe tell your OB about the phobia and see if she'll just pick an appt. without telling you and then spring it on you at some point so you're already there and have no choice? Or would you just miss all your appts that way? I'm sorry this is hard for you, phobias suck!

I would never go back. 100% serious. I'm totally aware of how crazy that is. I'd also never make the drive to their office to get the shot. I'm hoping I can just quickly cross the street from work to walgreens and get it done. I'll check and see if I can get a script at the next visit though..that might do the trick. I should probably call walgreens too. Why do I have to be so crazy????

ElTrain5 · March 2014

Funny story about the last time I needed a shot, it was Hep A before I went to Thailand. This was a trip I had been planning for my entire adult life....and it was still almost impossible to do. Before my appt. I took every last klonopin tablet (like..3) and a Xanax and I still hyperventilated and cried hysterically (like snot running down the face, ugly cry). My husband (who is a saint) went with me and brought a giant stuffed tiger with him for me to hold onto (we were going to visit Tiger Temple in Thailand). I walked into the office clutching that thing like a toddler clutches a security blanket. It was kind of hilarious since it was about twice the size of my head. I finally passed out in the car for about a half hour on the way home. Ri-frieaking-diculous. Oh, here's a picture of the tiger (he actually looks pretty freaked out too):

wimb01 · March 2014

You could just do it in the hospital after giving birth. Thats what I did. Plus, I'm pretty sure you have to make an appointment at cvs/walgreens in advance.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

wimb01 said:

You could just do it in the hospital after giving birth. Thats what I did. Plus, I'm pretty sure you have to make an appointment at cvs/walgreens in advance.

I want to do it while pregnant so I pass along the immunity to LO. That's the current recommendation anyways. I think walgreens takes walk-ins. At least they do for flu shots. Not sure though, I guess that's another question for anyone who's done this before.

temursgirl · March 2014

In my area some CVS or Walgreens have shots for pregnant women, but not every location (it's a different vaccine, without preservatives, I think), but if you call they will tell you if they do it.

Another option is a travel clinic or the government vaccine office. I once needed a vaccine right away for traveling and was able to do a walk in to the government office. There was a wait, but no appointment needed. Some travel clinics have walk ins.

tbmadeamistake · March 2014

I don't have any phobias, but I have wicked anxiety, especially surrounding hospitals. Makes the whole 'two nights in with a newborn baby' thing really fun. I had a panic attack my second night after C was born. They thought a percocet would help and it was the only med they had on file for me at the time, in case I needed it for pain. I need to remember to bring up an anti-anxiety with my OB next appt. Anxieties and fears suck, rational or not. I feel you!

ElTrain5 · March 2014

Lilygrace48 said:

I don't have any phobias, but I have wicked anxiety, especially surrounding hospitals. Makes the whole 'two nights in with a newborn baby' thing really fun. I had a panic attack my second night after C was born. They thought a percocet would help and it was the only med they had on file for me at the time, in case I needed it for pain. I need to remember to bring up an anti-anxiety with my OB next appt. Anxieties and fears suck, rational or not. I feel you!

Ugh I hear ya lady

I'm seriously considering bringing Tiger with me...I'll totally say it's "for the baby", but DH and I will know.....

LegalLadyBug · March 2014

I'm going to be getting mine soon as well, based on the CDC recommendation, my plan was just to go my local Target as that's where I got my flu shot at the start of my pregnancy. It wasn't an issue for them for me to be pregnant, they just gave me a different variation of it. I got tdap while pregnant with DD at my OBs office but I don't think it was any special type.

Mztwilson · March 2014

You'd hate to be me if your scared of needles. My next appt not only do I get my weekly progesterone shot but I also get the tdap shot. I don't have a phobia for needles but I don't like them not even a little bit and even knowing I need the shots to keep me pregnant doesn't make it easier to tolerate them. I've had to resort to pep talking myself starting every Wednesday night up until I get them on Thursday mornings. I have to tell myself it's ok your a big girl. It only takes a few seconds. You've given birth you can do this. Don't let them see you cry. Don't pass out. Just keep talking. It's worked so far.

diagonalley · March 2014

Oh labor buddy I feel your pain

I have severe anxiety over needles, as well (although I'll admit, you're a notch above me

) I can feel my heart racing and I get clammy all over. I totally make my DH go with me as well. To make matters worse I have horrible veins in that they are not easily visible even with manipulation such as clenching my fist, so it makes having blood drawn an awful experience usually involving lots of poking. The last few times I have had blood drawn I have expressed this to them (along with my anxiety) and by some miracle they were able to get it on the first shot!

ElTrain5 · March 2014

MommyP710 said:

Oh labor buddy I feel your pain I have severe anxiety over needles, as well (although I'll admit, you're a notch above me ) I can feel my heart racing and I get clammy all over. I totally make my DH go with me as well. To make matters worse I have horrible veins in that they are not easily visible even with manipulation such as clenching my fist, so it makes having blood drawn an awful experience usually involving lots of poking. The last few times I have had blood drawn I have expressed this to them (along with my anxiety) and by some miracle they were able to get it on the first shot!

Thanks LB!

It's really weird, I have zero problems with getting blood drawn, I actually donate! It just injections of any kind. It's a super specific phobia. Like being afraid of clowns, but only ones with yellow shoes and frowny faces. Sorry you suffer the same fear, and I totally get the whole bad veins thing too. My poor mother has teeny tiny veins and they have to stick her a million times. Forget setting up an IV, it's a mess!

shellbell813 · March 2014

I have a severe phobia of spiders and heights... crying and panic attacks and paralyzation and such.

I hope you CAN get the walgreens one. I would ask DH to go, he always helps me with my anxiety! And I also tend to have to just do it without thinking too much so I totally get that.

Good luck... I feel for you.

Eta: grammar yo.

SecondTimeinMSU · March 2014

If they won't at walgreens is their some sort of local community health office that does them in your area? DH has to get boosters for rabies since he tests for it at work and they send him to the local community health place office type place for it to be covered thru his job.

Kinipela7 · March 2014

ElTrain5 said:

So I have an enormous needle phobia, and I don't think getting my tdap at the midwives office is going to work. It's hard to explain to people that don't have a true phobia just how strong it can be...but I may end up missing midwife appointments if I know I'm getting the shot there. So I'm thinking it might be best to do it at a walgreens/cvs that offers it, that way I can walk in when I'm ready. Question: Has anyone done this while pregnant before? Do you need a doctor's note or something?

I have not read any of the responses, so if this is repetitive - sorry. My husband and I just went to Walgreen's last night to get our TDAP vaccine. We just walked in and brought our insurance cards, filled out a piece of paper and they took us back. Easy peesy! The shot didn't hurt AT ALL.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

Kinipela7 said:

ElTrain5 said:

So I have an enormous needle phobia, and I don't think getting my tdap at the midwives office is going to work. It's hard to explain to people that don't have a true phobia just how strong it can be...but I may end up missing midwife appointments if I know I'm getting the shot there. So I'm thinking it might be best to do it at a walgreens/cvs that offers it, that way I can walk in when I'm ready. Question: Has anyone done this while pregnant before? Do you need a doctor's note or something?
I have not read any of the responses, so if this is repetitive - sorry. My husband and I just went to Walgreen's last night to get our TDAP vaccine. We just walked in and brought our insurance cards, filled out a piece of paper and they took us back. Easy peesy! The shot didn't hurt AT ALL.

Sweet! Thank you

jtaylor199 · March 2014

I didn't read other peoples responses, so I'm sorry if it's already been said but I would talk to your DR. I also have a huge needle phobia and my DR is super accommodating. When I need blood drawn they prescribe me anti anxiety medication and I go into the office an hour and a half before they even open so they have plenty of time to have the nurse draw my blood. They have a phlebotomist at the office but I had an issue with her, so they have someone else take care of me. So like I said they are SUPER accommodating. DR's are used to dealing with people who have all sorts of phobias and they should be able to help you out.
As far as CVS or Walgreens goes, you might have to wait there for a while before they take you in. If people are in front of you it might even be an hour wait. For me that would cause a lot of anxiety. Just something to think about.

babygabe614 · March 2014

I just walked into my local Walgreens when I got my flu shot. There was something I had to check off on the paperwork that asked if I was pregnant, and they didn't even question me about it. I don't suffer from the same issue with shots as you mentioned, so it's just easier for me to do the Tdap in office but I did ask my Walgreens if they administer the shot to pregnant women there and they told me yes. I would not need an appointment for that one, either, though it might be a good idea to call ahead just in case to make sure they have it in stock. GL!

MamaTree17 · March 2014

I just went over this with my OB at my appointment on Wednesday and they don't offer the TDAP in their office but said to just go to any pharmacy, no prescription needed. I have CVS right next to my office and they said no appointment needed just to walk in. Sounds like it may vary pharmacy to pharmacy but my good old neightborhood CVS does it no problem, pregnancy or not.

MrsCase1 · March 2014

I don't share this phobia but you have my sympathies. My brother is the exact same way. He was required to get a meningitis shot or they would not allow him to enroll in college. He literally had to plead with his school to extend him so he could work up the courage after missing his first deadline. His entire future was literally on hold over a shot. He went to a pharmacy to have it done and I had to talk him off the ledge in his car for over an hour. He told the nurse he was scared and she pulled a MacGuyver. It was over so quick he didn't even realize she had done it he was just rambling on and then she said, "All done." He was genuinely fearful he would have a physical reaction and slap her or something in defense. So, sending you a big hug. If my brother can do it, so can you. Plus, the technology is so good now the needles are teeny tiny. When I got my flu shot I couldn't even see the needle it was so small!

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Questions about vaccines at walgreens/cvs

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Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

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