I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

My doc is insisting that I get a flu shot and I've never had one before so I really didn't want to...

I will NOT get the H1N1 no matter what but should I cave and do the seasonal flu shot???

I don't know what to do!
She told me I could wait until early December but DH and I really didn't want to do this.

Any suggestions/advice/experience in this situation?

TIA

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I got it in September- no big deal at all. You should get it. I have a cold right now and I'm MISERABLE! I can't even imagine having the flu, I would get it if I was you.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I never got one before either but my doctor insisted...I am due in Jan. and dont want to get the flu so I sucked it up and did it. If you do get it, get the thimersol free one.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I was the SAME way!!.. Never got it and so against getting both. I went to the Dr. last week and my dr CONVINCED me to get the reg flu shot. She said I had more chance of getting the flu than having symptoms from the vaccine. So i sucked it up and got it...its been a week and one day and I am fine. My arm only was sore when I rolled on it sleeping.

I WILL NOT NOT NOT get the swine flu shot and there will be NO convincing me into it!

ETA: I think the swine flu vaccine is a government scam, its total BS

Message edited 10/29/2009 9:42:36 AM.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

my OB told me i should get it. i'm not getting it. it's a personal decision, one i've thought long and hard about, and i'm not going to allow anyone to force me to do something i'm not comfortable with.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

i got it but only b/c it was the mercury free one

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I had the flu with my last DS and let me tell you get the shot. It was awful and there is very limited they can do for you.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I got the swine flu and I am getting the regular flu shot as well.... I was sick a few weeks ago with a 101 fever and bronchitis and felt like I was going to die... so I can't imagine getting the flu!!

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

Just get it ...I never ever got the shot in the past ,,but being pregnant i felt like i really should since i refuse the swine flu shot..I was 28 weeks pregnant when i got the shot I HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS my doctor told me the regular flu shot protects you 50% from the swine flu as well so get it ... (i got the mercury free shot btw)

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I know you are really against the swine flu shot, but if I were only going to get one, I would get that one. The flu is bad for pregnant women, but it appears from statistics that for some reason, the swine flu is more dangerous for pregnant women than the seasonal flu. That being said, I would at least get one.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

It is such a personal decision.

For me, I never had one before, even during my 1st pregnancy (doc left it up to me). But, this time I got one (preservative/mercury free). I work in the city, I have an 18 month old DD and this season is supposed to be bad. So I just sucked it up and got it. I know it does not guarantee anything, but if it can help a little bit, it is worth it to me.

I had no side effects at all, except a sore arm for a day. Good luck

ETA: I will also get the H1N1 if it becomes available, the shot, not the mist.

Message edited 10/29/2009 10:37:22 AM.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

thanks ladies...still not sure what i'm gonna do...we have a month to decide so i'm sure we will figure it out!

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I chose other on the poll. I never got a flu shot before, but decided to get one due to my OB's urging. I just made sure to seek out one that was preservative free.

I'm glad I got it.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I want it but I can't find a preservative-free one anywhere!

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I have been debating getting the shot (either one or both). My BFF is a doctor with a 4 year old and is 7 months pregnant. She is getting BOTH flu shots and is having her DH, her DS, her mother (DS's caretaker) all get both shots. Children and pregnant women are being affected so much worse this season.

That said, despite the CDC's recommendation, my own BFF's rec, my doctor's rec, I was torn. I am just entering my 2nd trimester and have been having a hard time with my breathing already. I get sick very easily NORMALLY, I can't imagine now that I'm pregnant and my immune system is lower... If I were to get the flu, I'm afraid it would be very bad for me. This is my own situation, everyone is different.

In the end, I decided that although there can be side effects to any vaccine, the fact that I'm commuting on the subway every single day (and the flu is passed not only by touching something, but also through the air so any cough or sneeze can theoretically get me sick) and that my DH works with HUNDREDS of people and could bring something home, etc., I decided to get the regular flu shot.

I just went this morning to get it.

As for the H1N1 shot, it's not yet available at my doctor's office and I'm not sure if I will get it or not. But for the regular flu shot, it has been recommended for years for all pregnant women to get it and if you do get the flu while pregnant, it could be very very dangerous. I didn't want to take that chance.

In your case, I would think about it, do some research, and then decide. If in the end you still do not feel comfortable getting it, you should not feel forced to. But please do your research to really weigh the pros and cons.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I just got it for the first time myself. From what I've read (I'm not a health care worker so I'm not an expert), both the flu shot AND Tamiflu are both category C drugs, meaning that studies haven't done on pregnant women so they don't know how they affect the mother or the fetus.

So I figured since both are unknown, I can either
1. take the shot and not get sick
OR
2. don't get the shot and then potentially get sick, get a high fever (which is known to cause problems for the mother and fetus), be miserable, miss work, etc.

I also factored in that DH now works in the city and has been traveling, and I'm taking classes so we both are around a lot of people, which increases both of our chances.

It's really up to you and your level of risk of getting the flu and having complications (asthma, etc.). If you're not comfortable with it, then don't get one.

I've also read that most of the deaths and hospitalizations were for women who didn't get treatment until more than 2 days after getting sick. My doctor's info said if I get sick, take Tylenol to control the fever and call them and they'll just call in a script to start treatment right away. As long as you seek out treatment immediately I think your chances of a severe outcome are significantly decreased.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

the OBGYN was trying to get me to get it last night saying especially bc im a teacher but two doctors told me absolutely 100% do NOT get it (or the flu shot) they said as long as im healthy and im having a healthy pregnancy theres no need for it.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

Message edited 10/29/2009 12:33:32 PM.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

I got the seasonal flu shot last Friday.

I am going to my DS pediatrician this afternoon to get the H1N1 shot.

Just my personal choice. I hope whatever decision you come to you are comfortable with.

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

It's a personal decision. However, IMO - based on convos with my doctors that I trust, the risk of the flu for pregnant women are much worse than the risk of the vaccine. As my OB said, every year, there are pregnant women in ICU with the flu. It wasn't worth that risk to me. Good luck

Re: I know we are all SICK of talking about Flu Shots BUT...w/ poll

It's a personal choice and I wasn't going to get either, esp since I've never had one and I have some weird food allergies (including a very mild chicken allergy - weird, but true). One of my OBs said don't worry about it - no reason to start now and you may have a bad reaction; the other said well, it's probably a good idea and the immunity gets passed on to the baby. The latter was what really made me reconsider and I let my PCP be the tiebreaker. She was in favor and I got it on Tuesday - no bad reaction to speak of so thankfully my allergy wasn't a problem and I feel good about it because I'm not BF'ing and DD is arriving in January - smack dab in the middle of flu season - I do want to protect her as much as I can and this is one way to do that. Also, I already don't feel so great - I can't imagine getting really sick right now and frankly, I don't want to start using vacation days to stay home if I get sick because I'd rather carry them over to next year for my leave. Also, I do ride the subway every day so I feel more exposed than before I switched jobs. So in the end, I decided it was right for me and I'm probably going to get the swine flu one too, if it ever becomes available.