The Medical Thread: We're experts on everything else; why not?

[dxmnkd316]

What you suffered is a rather common reaction. Many who get it feel like they have gotten the flu (impossible with these shots as there is no live virus used). What you felt can occur with any of the 4 common shots given. Seniors over 65 should be getting what is called the High Dose shot. It has 4 times as much antigen in it so as to try to get a better antibody response as we old times just do not make then as easily as younger patients. Those under 65 get the regular dosage. In theory the HD dose shot for those older folks should give more frequent reactions and somewhat more severe reactions than what you suffered. But now we have to add in another variable. Eac of these two shots can be given in two fashions. The first is the traditional shot as describes above. The other is a shot containing adjuvant (an oil compound meant to elicit a much greater antibody response). When adjuvant is added to the regular shot (for those under 65) the shot is otherwise the same. When it is added to the HD shot for seniors, then they lower the dosage and give a lower dose because in theory, the HD dose is not needed.
Any time you take any of these, try taking a couple Tylenol before you go and then again a couple hours after the hsot. most people find that helpful in avoiding the reaction you felt.
Personally I would not take anything with adjuvant in it unless it has been used for many years before. There is a fairly large increase in Sarcoma cancers in cats and dogs when it has been shown that they received rabies shots with adjuvant included instead of simple rabies injections.

Uh huh
uh huh
right
Cool
wait..
OMG
W TF?

[dxmnkd316]

I think I mentioned this before, but couldn’t find the post.
On ****ty shot reactions, last year I got the flu and pneumonia vaccines the same day, same arm.

The lymph nodes under my arm swelled to the point I couldn’t comfortably keep my arm in a normal position at my side. That first day was awfully worrying. Never had any kind of reaction like it before.

[ScoobyDoo]

OK, Cafe docs.

So, I went for my flu shot today. I am embarrassed to admit I have not had one in years, but the realities of this year brought home how stupid I was being.

Here's two observations: (1) Needles have gotten smaller or better or something. I have virtually zero pain tolerance and shots have always been very difficult for me. I barely noticed it. (2) About 2 hours after the shot I started to feel really dizzy. But in a good way, like drunk dizzy. It lasted about an hour. I enjoyed it immensely. So, what was that about? I've never had that reaction to a shot in my life (though I read up on it to make sure I wasn't about to drop dead and sure enough it is one reaction to a flu shot).

I had a weird reaction to my flu shot as well. My arm where I had the shot felt numb. I felt pain for a few hours. I was exhausted the rest of the night, went to bed early. Very odd. I've had a shot 3 out of the last 4 years I'm guessing. I used to never get the flu shot before that.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

I had a cocktail in feb of hep/typhoid/cholera for my Asia trip that never happened and I did not feel well after that.

flu shot is tomorrow and I’m hoping for nothing crazy post covid

[DrDemento]

I think I mentioned this before, but couldn’t find the post.
On ****ty shot reactions, last year I got the flu and pneumonia vaccines the same day, same arm.

The lymph nodes under my arm swelled to the point I couldn’t comfortably keep my arm in a normal position at my side. That first day was awfully worrying. Never had any kind of reaction like it before.

Some have recommended taking both e flu shot and one of the pneumonia shots the same day. personally I would do it but choose to do one in each arm. usually it is best to follow up the first pneumonia shot a bit over a year later with a second one which is more inclusive of strains (23 vs 13). As I recall when I took these shots, I had a bit of a mild reaction to both of the pneumonia shots but nothing to really mention.

[DrDemento]

I had a weird reaction to my flu shot as well. My arm where I had the shot felt numb. I felt pain for a few hours. I was exhausted the rest of the night, went to bed early. Very odd. I've had a shot 3 out of the last 4 years I'm guessing. I used to never get the flu shot before that.

Always ask what exactly is being put into that needle that is going into your arm. There are 2 separate and different flu shots for those under age 65 and another separate and more potent set of 2 different shots for those of us over 65. you need to know which kind of shot (adjuvant containing or not) so that the following year you can determine if one gives you more of a problem than the other. Also, bears repeating, try not to ever go for any of these inoculations if you are ill or not fully recovered from something. All the reactions I have ever seen have been fairly mild but there is always the exception.

[leswp1]

Late to the party! I got SHingrix earlier this yr and was incapacitated. Got it in the late afternoon, by the next morning felt lousy. By afternoon I was on the couch shivering, aching and feeling like sh1t. My bro had same reaction. mr les had nothing. I guess that means my immune response was, um, vigorous.

Saw something once about Tylenol before or after an imm being contraindicated. Can't remember which journal (sorry, no linky). Theory was they want you to have an immune response. WHen you are feeling lousy it is because of the interferon release. There was some thought that the Tylenol would supress fever and mess that up. I always said I was going to look into more but when I was working I was too busy and now it doesn't matter if I know.

I still have to get my flus shot. Have been in absolute hell week at work and I usually go down for the count so couldn't risk it. Tomorrow is the plan. Followed by a reallllllllly large glass of wine and bed.

[DrDemento]

Late to the party! I got SHingrix earlier this yr and was incapacitated. Got it in the late afternoon, by the next morning felt lousy. By afternoon I was on the couch shivering, aching and feeling like sh1t. My bro had same reaction. mr les had nothing. I guess that means my immune response was, um, vigorous.

Saw something once about Tylenol before or after an imm being contraindicated. Can't remember which journal (sorry, no linky). Theory was they want you to have an immune response. WHen you are feeling lousy it is because of the interferon release. There was some thought that the Tylenol would supress fever and mess that up. I always said I was going to look into more but when I was working I was too busy and now it doesn't matter if I know.

I still have to get my flus shot. Have been in absolute hell week at work and I usually go down for the count so couldn't risk it. Tomorrow is the plan. Followed by a reallllllllly large glass of wine and bed.

Les: you are not alone with the reaction to SHingrix. The number of people who complain to me about a reaction is far more than has been reported in the literature. I find almost 75% call me within a few hours and threaten me with retribution! The shivering can be severe but the reaction usually lasts less than about 6 hours. As far as Tylenol, the early reports that seemed to indicate it was a bad idea have been far outweighed by it's ability to lessen the post shot reactions. Not so with aspirin. Most of us still feel there is far too great a risk of Reye's syndrome. There is really no great evidence of this happening frequently, but all it takes is once as the consequences can be very serious. Once thought of as only a problem with young kids and Varicella (Chickenpox) or flu, it is just not worth the risk as a few cases have been reported and although a relationship to a previous vaccination has not been made in absolute terms, even a tenuous cause and effect is just not worth the risk.
Glad you joined in, although late to the party, your input is always valuable.

[dxmnkd316]

What about ibuprofen? Our house got rid of all the Tylenol. I haven’t taken Tylenol in probably 15 years. Acetaminophen scares the everliving **** out of me.

[Kepler]

What about ibuprofen? Our house got rid of all the Tylenol. I haven’t taken Tylenol in probably 15 years. Acetaminophen scares the everliving **** out of me.

Wot?

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Basically, Tylenol is even worse for your liver than originally thought and should only be taken occasionally.

[St. Clown]

Wot?

If you OD Tylenol, very bad things happen. For pain management, like post-surgical at-home, you’re usually advised to switch to every-other dose between Tylenol (or its non-union, Mexican equivalent) and ibuprofen.


What’s Shingrix? I thought les had misspelled shingles at first.

[SJHovey]

If you OD Tylenol, very bad things happen. For pain management, like post-surgical at-home, you’re usually advised to switch to every-other dose between Tylenol (or its non-union, Mexican equivalent) and ibuprofen.


What’s Shingrix? I thought les had misspelled shingles at first.

Shingrix is a shingles vaccine delivered in a series of two shots a few months apart. My reaction was apparently pretty common for both shots. Sore shoulder and light flu like symptoms for a day.

[Kepler]

If you OD Tylenol, very bad things happen.

Sola dosis facit venenum.

I'm not seeing anything wrong with taking acetaminophen as prescribed. As for taking it not as prescribed...

[DrDemento]

Basically, Tylenol is even worse for your liver than originally thought and should only be taken occasionally.

Taking 4 of them in one day one time? If your liver cannot tolerate that then you have a lot more wrong than Tylenol toxicity. Ibuprofen is fine, sometimes a bit harsh on the stomach, but a good alternative.