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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 11:48:14 GMT -5
And/or pneumonia shot?
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charley
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Post by charley on Oct 5, 2016 12:18:23 GMT -5
Been getting the flu shot for about 4 years. I got the pneumonia shot and shingles vaccine a couple years ago before I started using Humira.
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Post by mcgee on Oct 5, 2016 12:19:59 GMT -5
I used to always get a flu shot when I worked in an office because they offered them onsite for free. Now that I work from home it's not as convenient to get one (even though I could go to Kaiser and get one free) so I haven't had one for the past couple of years. Don't think I'll get one this year either. When I get a little older (and we're only talking maybe a couple of years) I may get a pneumonia shot but not right now. My dad always got the pneumonia shot.
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Post by mcgee on Oct 5, 2016 12:21:53 GMT -5
Been getting the flu shot for about 4 years. I got the pneumonia shot and shingles vaccine a couple years ago before I started using Humira. Guess we were posting at the same time. I should get the shingles shot - maybe I'll look into that. Heard some horror stories on the old CLBB about the shingles.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 12:26:52 GMT -5
I rarely get sick. Never had a flu or pneumonia shot. A few years ago I was hospitalized with pneumonia. So, not sure if I should get one or both, or at the same time. Shingles shot has been on the list too. Did you have side effects, did it prevent you from having the flu, etc.?
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Oct 5, 2016 14:19:32 GMT -5
I got a flu shot last year for the first time. I consider myself low risk, but since DH was having shoulder surgery last fall, I didn't want to chance getting sick. I might get one again this year.
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Post by wallycat on Oct 5, 2016 14:44:04 GMT -5
Flu shots are annual because the flu virus mutates. Pneumonia shot is once (sometimes twice) in a lifetime..NEVER annual. At least that's the way it used to be. Shingles shots should be given after age 60. Currently there is no booster vaccine for shingles and the vaccine wears off at some point. Since most (always exceptions) people get shingles as they get older, the older you are when you get the shot, the better. "They" say 55 is now approved, but most places still suggest 60. Pneumonia shots 60 and older unless you have a pre-existing condition.
I've been hit or miss with the flu shot. When I worked at a hospital, it was mandatory. Same for the doc I worked for in a clinic setting. Now I try to get it when I have my gyn visit, which I try to plan for the late fall.
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applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Oct 5, 2016 15:08:56 GMT -5
In the last few years I usually have gotten the flu shot and really no reason why some years I didn't. I really should do it, if for no other reason I take public transportation -- and so many germs, sniffling, sneezing all around. Not counting people that go to work but aren't feeling well. I will be getting the flu shot this year.
I had shingles in my mid 20's --- a pretty mild case but still painful (had to stay out of work for a week or more?). Does anyone know if you get get shingles more than once? For those that can get the shingles shot, I'd suggest talking to your doc. Shingles, especially when you get older, can be really bad. And some have probs for a long time.
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Oct 5, 2016 16:05:50 GMT -5
I get a flu shot every year. DH and I both worked in health care so plenty of exposure to sick people. Got the pneumonia shots. I think there are 2. I had shingles in my early 20's. it was a pretty unpleasant 2 weeks. older people especially can get very sick with shingles, sometimes the pain never goes away. the shingles shot is recommended even if you had shingles previously like I did. so yes, to your question applecrisp. pretty sure I got a DTP( diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) also as immunity wanes with age, and whooping cough was popping up everywhere.
Can't remember the last time I had the flu, so anything that increases chances of avoiding is worth the inconvenience. When I was young I had flu frequently, and would lose 10 lbs. that was the ONLY benefit.
I had a slightly sore arm after several of the shots. mine have all been 100% covered and with pharmacies doing most of the injections, you don't have to even go to a clinic, you can schedule it into routine shopping trip. I've used Costco and rite aid. a slightly sore arm for a couple days beats the flu by a mile.
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Post by wallycat on Oct 5, 2016 19:43:49 GMT -5
Yes, you can get shingles more than once. Unfortunately.
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Post by beth on Oct 5, 2016 20:04:39 GMT -5
I have gotten a flu shot every year but one for many years. I started when the kids were younger because mom can't be down for a week or two. Later, I made extra sure I got one as my parents declined because I needed to be available to help them and later because I need to make sure I didn't pick up anything from the kids at the school and take it to the folks in the senior communities. I still do because I noticed the year the avian flu was a big concern that the folks who regularly got flu shots seemed to not get sick at all. Practically everyone I knew who didn't get flu shots got really sick and those who had gotten the flu shot for the first time got sick too, but maybe a lighter case. This year, DH and I got the flu shots at Target (now a CVS pharmacy) with no copay and got $5 GIFT CARD.
My doc says not yet on both shingles and pneumonia. My dad and my cousins both got shingles and I really want to avoid it.
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Gail
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Post by Gail on Oct 5, 2016 20:12:01 GMT -5
I don't know. Maybe I'm a ticking time bomb. It seems to me that no matter what I do, I get the flu at least once a year. I've had flu shots and still got the flu-- so I sort of talked myself out of injections. Did get the pneumonia vaccine and the shingles thingie. Even though I only had 24 spots when I had chicken pox (and was about 34 at the time), I watched my dad go through a pretty miserable siege of shingles after which I decided that was something I did not care to experience.
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Post by beth on Oct 5, 2016 21:42:48 GMT -5
I think the most effective way to get a flu shot is to get it each year so that you build serial immunity to the morphing viruses. Your immune system then has a broader base to attack one that might be a little different, as they usually are since they are based on last year's activity.
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BarbaraL
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Post by BarbaraL on Oct 7, 2016 11:36:53 GMT -5
I get the flu shot every year, my company offers it for free. I'm under 60, and my doctors have not yet suggested the shingles or pneumonia vaccines for me.
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gilgamesh37
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Post by gilgamesh37 on Oct 7, 2016 13:36:01 GMT -5
I get the flu shot every year. I work in healthcare and it's strongly recommended for us (though not a strict requirement--you do have to formally decline if you're not getting it though) but I used to get one every year anyway--I'm a firm believer in them.
Wallycat, interesting about the Shingles vaccine. My insurance (which is a BC/BS plan, so very mainstream) will approve it as soon as you turn 50, and my doc wanted me to get it as soon as I was eligible, even though I know the CDC still says 60. My BIL had shingles when he was a kid and lost all the teeth on one side of his mouth, top and bottom; I've known several adults who have had severe cases and been in excruciating pain, took months to recover.
Haven't had the pneumonia vaccine yet; will need to talk to my doc about whether/when she suggests it for me.
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cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on Oct 7, 2016 13:58:33 GMT -5
I had shingles about 4 years ago. Fortunately it was caught early and there are meds you can take as long as you start within 72 hr of the spots. Mine we on my back and got to be as large as 2" I think. My Dr. said that I should have the vaccine at 60 as well.
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Oct 7, 2016 15:46:42 GMT -5
Don't know if any anti vaxxers will read this... but shingles as you are reading, can cause awful and painful problems. if you are vaccinated against chicken pox as a child, you also prevent getting shingles as it is connected to the dormant chicken pox virus. I got my flu shot yesterday.
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charley
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Post by charley on Oct 7, 2016 18:13:30 GMT -5
I'm 63. I had chicken pox as a child. (Thank you mom for writing that in my baby book!) Since 2014 I've been on an immune-suppressing drug, so I had to get the shingles & pneumonia vaccines. Started getting the flu shot in my late 50s.
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emptynestmom
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Post by emptynestmom on Oct 10, 2016 13:13:38 GMT -5
I've gotten the flu shot this year already and every year since the early 70s (was military), by the time I got out getting it was habit...now I work in a hospital and it is required...the only year I remember not getting a flu shot I didn't get the flu, but I got a cold that wouldn't let go...I much prefer the shot to being sick. I got the pneumonia and shingle shot within days of turning 60...I had a neighbor a couple of houses down who had it on her back and it was awful and another neighbor at the other end of the street who got shingles on his head and he almost lost the sight in one eye because of it...I wasn't taking any chances! My granddaughter didn't get the flu shot a couple of years ago and ended up in the hospital with influenza and pneumonia...she was very, very sick...and it's hard to see a 5 year old that sick!!
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Post by karenw on Oct 10, 2016 18:44:53 GMT -5
Right after my daughter was born (17 years ago now!!), our whole family got the flu. My 2 boys who were 2 and 3 y.o., DH, and I. Fortunately, my daughter (3 months old at the time) was spared the worst of it. She just had some mild congestion with no fever, but the rest of us had to die before we got better. And I was breastfeeding her exclusively. I did not eat much at all as I recall but forced myself to drink as much sprite, apple juice etc... to keep up my milk supply and fortunately we all weathered the storm. But after that experience, I have gotten the flu shot every year. I was going to get the shingles shot last year, but insurance did not cover it and it was about 200 dollars as I recall so I passed at the time.
Karen
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Beachside
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Post by Beachside on Oct 24, 2016 12:07:20 GMT -5
I got my flu shot last week...I usually get it in November but will be on a cruise then and decided it was wiser to get the shot before spending a week close to a few thousand people on my floating city. I have been getting it for a few years now, since I turned 65 or 66. I got a pneumonia shot a few months ago. However I have been slow to decide about the shingles shot--and knowing a few people who have long term pain, I should not hesitate. But reading this thread has given me a shot in the arm <had to say that > and I think I'll get it after the cruise. I believe it is not covered by Medicare, and costs a couple of hundred dollars...but that wasn't keeping me from getting it--I know I should, just have been dragging my feet.
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