Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
SECONDARY PNEUMONIA FROM SEVERE FLU |
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meewee
Valued Member Joined: December 13 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 595 |
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Well I finally convinced my boss to get the pneumonia vacc. She went in and drug her hubbie in also because I told her I would stop nagging her if she did. LOL (she has diabetes BTW) Now to convince my hubbie and father-in law!. I have to find a way around this macho immortal BS! You would think they would have gotten a clue by now Meewee |
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God Bless us all!
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apomales
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 15 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 71 |
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Took my 2 children and myself for pneumonia-23 shot at the City Health Dept. Clinic. Pediatrician wrote a script for my children for the Health Dept. He did not have the PPV-23 and did not want to order. I told Health Dept. I have asthma; since under 65 you have to be high risk. I paid $25 per shot. My husband had the shot through a private physician. My sister and her son had the shot through their local County Health Dept. They live in the same state about 6 hours away. She paid $25 per shot. So another 6 had the shot.
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Trigger
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 77 |
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Albert:
I never would have gotten my shots if it not been for you fine folks. I had been following things but was stupid about it until I meet you guys. Like I said B4, Thanks!! |
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Trigger
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Deej
V.I.P. Member Joined: December 29 2005 Status: Offline Points: 285 |
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albert, doc says i have to wait... i have a sinus infection.. is that right? having to wait ? i have been getting sick all winter already, have had 2 sinus infections, bronchitis & walking pneumonia, so i am qualified for a shot.... hooray ! i think my major prep, putting in a wood stove is causing all my recent illnesses.. any suggestions to help--- i am pretty sure the moisture level is good, can't think of anything else thats different in my way of life- except i just hit 40, and maybe i am just going downhill- ha ha
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dee
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Deej, it almost sounds like you have a black mold problem. Any leaky faucets or water damage? Also, If you can't get the shot right now, maybe try to get some extra antibiotics. Maybe get a second opinion also. I thought that you would be the perfect canidate for a vaccination? |
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apomales got 6 people! Sheesh.... Apomales is a closer LOL. That is defintely the biggest cluster yet. I guess I'm more like Jerry Lewis than Richard Simmons now. Thank God.
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Good job Meewee! Getting your boss to do it might be one of the toughest 3rd party forced vaccinations yet. Good job! Just let us know as soon as you get the last two on board. Take them both down at the same time. hehehehe Edited by Albert |
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Rocky
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 219 |
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I'm getting there! My 'adult' kids finally got tired of my nagging emails.
Here is a hint for Moms (or Dads) re. reluctant adult kids! Find an emergency medical clinic near their school, place of work or residence. Then give that clinic a call to make sure they will give your loved one a 23-type flu shot and the pneumonia vaccine when they go in. Many good reasons (possible white lies) about health problems and/or exposure to many sick kids, etc can be used if needed. However some clinics don't even ask for a reason to give the innoculations to young adults I think the universe will forgive our white lies. We are forced into this situation to try to protect our family against the stupidity of city/county/state/and national government medical practices and practicioners. I think many physicians have been cautioned in some way by the former group because of their great reluctance to help us with medical needs and concerns. I don't necessarily believe in a conspiracy theory, but I do believe in (starting right at the top) inexcuseable stupidity, diversionary tactics, greed, collusion, poor leadership, etc. Now you can give the phone number, innoculation hours and address of an emergency clinic to your very bright but sometimes negligent and preoccupied son/daughter. I realize that many young people are so stressed about financial concerns, school and work that they haven't yet done the research. We have! We can perhaps teach them more self reliance when the test isn't between possible life and death, IMHO. At first, getting turned down by doctors, regular medical clinics and health depts was very discouraging to me. I found no luck looking in the yellow pages under 'walk-in clinics' or 'medical clinics'. The magic word (at least in WA and CA) seemed to be 'emergency care clinic'. Son got a flu shot in such a place for $10 because of low income. He will be getting the pneu. vaccine in a day or 2. Daughter got both at the same time in separate arms, with no ill effects. They did want to make sure she was well (no cold, etc). In the next 2 days hubby and I go in for pneum vaccine boosters, recommended for people over 65 who have had their first vaccine over 5 years ago. Now to keep working on other daughter and son-in-law (both teachers) to get proper precautions for themselves and their 16 and 11 year olds. Don't give up! I certainly realize that none of these precautions are any kind of guarantee, but we don't have many medical resources at our disposal. Of course our fervent hope is that we will never have to rely on these precautions. I would so love to be wrong about all this. I have found the trick for me is to stock up on stuff we could ordinarily eat over time, whether there was or wasn't any kind of emergency/ pandemic. And for most supplies that does work. It hurts to spend more money than we should at this time, but in the months to come we can spend less on food and supplies as we use our stock. I guess if we can afford it, the best thing to do would just keep the stock in place and rotate it, replacing what we eat. Thanks for listening. Rocky |
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Rocky |
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Jennifer
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 06 2006 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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I am new to the site, but after reading about the benefits that the pnue shot may provide, my husband and I both got ours last week. Thanks for the information that may save our lives.
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Glad to hear it Jennifer! Welcome aboard! Rocky, good post! |
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Am I to understand that over 100 people have received the Pneumonia Vaccine?
Edited by Admin |
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Flubird
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 02 2006 Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Merck also makes this vaccine apparently http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/p/pneumovax_23 /pneumovax_pi.pdf the site says it contains phenol as preservative, not mercury apparently. Edited by Flubird |
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Any new additions lately?
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Flubird
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 02 2006 Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Albert, just this note, after getting a pneumonia shot a few days later someone I know seemed to lose a bad morning cough they picked up after a cold a few months ago, but the cough never went away. I thought this interesting and I'll report back whether the cough is cured in a week or so. It makes me wonder if the pneumo shot can affect other symptomatic pulmonary conditions. Edited by Flubird |
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That's strange flubird. However, I have heard of stranger things happening. Your friend must be happy to have finally gotten rid of that caugh none the less.
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Everybody should really read this entire thread from start to finish if you are new here. There is a way to substantially increase your chances of surviving the pandemic - If you read this entire thread.
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Enumclaw,WA
Adviser Group Joined: January 31 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 67 |
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Went to ask the doctor for a Pneumonia shot and she said I wasn't old enough to need one. I do believe the medical profession is sitting out on cloud 9. I guess I will have to go get it somewhere else and lie about the reason I need it. Who would of thought.
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RB
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jackson
Adviser Group Joined: January 26 2006 Status: Offline Points: 411 |
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When I went to my doctor, I was told the EXACT same thing. Of course,
my doctor also thinks that there is no reason to worry about bird flu
at this point.
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enumclaw, don't give up! Get it done as soon as possible. You guys need to stop asking so many questions to your doctor about getting the vax and about buying Tamiflu. It seems everytime people ask their doctor a question, they end up running out of the office with their tail between their legs - and they are getting no pneumonia shot and no Tamiflu lol. Just go to your/a doctor and pay for a pneumonia shot. How tough can that be? If you tell them it's for the BF, they will laugh at you. We need to stop asking the doctors so many questions and stay focused . Just go in there and buy the pneumonia shot - and then that's it. It's that easy with Tamiflu as well. |
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jackson
Adviser Group Joined: January 26 2006 Status: Offline Points: 411 |
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I just can't seem to understand WHY doctors want to discourage people
from getting VACCINES. From what I learned, most vaccines are
relatively safe for most people. If you have never had reaction to a
vaccine before, I don't see the problem of giving a vaccine to someone
who really want one---whether you believe it to be of any value of
not.
I am going to go back to my doctor next week and get this vaccine and more Tamiflu (so I'll have 150 mg doses). |
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Enumclaw,WA
Adviser Group Joined: January 31 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 67 |
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We didn't tell them it was for the bird flu. They just said we weren't old enough yet to need it. Period.
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RB
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Tell them you want to buy it anyway.
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I have reservations about the efficacy of Tamiflu in
light of recent findings. But for those who are unsuccesful in getting Tamiflu and want to sleep better at night, get some N-95 surgical masks. Only two North American factories make them and they are running flat out. Get 'em while you can. If you get Tamiflu, get enough for up to three influenza waves. My 2-cents. Edited by Rick |
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Rick, are you going to basically wear the mask 24/7 or what LOL. Although, that might not be a bad idea.
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When I got my shot, (I am a Diabetic,) I was told it wouldn't help prevent the BF Viral Pneumonia. But that the Flu shot itself kept us healther than not having it. So I got both. However my husband was only able to get the Flu shot. They wouldn't give him the Pneumonia shot |
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jackson
Adviser Group Joined: January 26 2006 Status: Offline Points: 411 |
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The pneumonia vaccine will NOT prevent viral pneumonia caused by the
bird flu, but it CAN help to prevent a secondary bacterial pneumonia
that is often a complication of influenza.
It seems to be a relatively safe vaccine, so I can't understand why doctors are so reluctant to administer it. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?? |
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went to a place I heard had them for 11.00, they didn't provide the shot. I have an appointment with my primary care physician on Feb. 20th, the soonest I could get in. I'm pretty sure my insurance will cover it. To date my mom, aunt and sister all have their shots. I'll probably be one of the last...hopefully it won't be here by then. After reading today's news I have a feeling we are getting close, if not already there. What in the heck is going on in Iraq??? 143 possible cases? It must have gone H2H...
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birdie
Valued Member Joined: February 08 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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I wanted to get my third child immunized at her regular checkup.
I called ahead to make sure that they were ok with this. But
during the exam they implied that I would have to speak with the doctor
( they were examined by a nurse that can write prescriptions).
The nurse was a bit cold but I thought she was busy. In the end
the doctor refused to give her the pneumonia shot. He accused me
of wanting to harm my children by requesting unnecessary medical
treatment. I was angry that they waited until the exam to do this
since I had 2 children present. I told him about a NY times
article my mom sent saying everyone should get this vaccine. And
I explained my concerns over the bird flu. Of course he treated
me like a quack. Ugh.
I was so upset but really felt that I could not discuss this properly with the children present. It turns out that my other children had only had the PCV vaccine and I realized that I wanted them to get the PPV vaccine as well. They only had had 1 shot of the PCV and not a full course due to limited availability. After looking into this further I realized that my third reason for wanting them to get the PPV shot was probably my best chance. My husband has had Hodgkin's Disease and had his spleen removed. I called the local health department and a nurse said that I could get the children shots for free if I showed up at the local assisted living home. So today my 3 children have had their vaccines. What a relief! I do feel a little guilty for bypassing the pediatricians office and for using my husband's illness to also benefit my children. But I dont think there would have been any other way. My husband got his second shot this December and I lucked out and got it at a flu clinic at the local pharmacy. |
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sweets
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 08 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 239 |
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Well I called and should be able to get mine on Monday. I am waiting to hear if the children can get theirs! I told them we would be going to HK so we had to have them. I'll fight for it that's for sure
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I'm not a ribbering Jidiot!
www.exaltedshrimp.com |
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woffman
Valued Member Joined: January 04 2006 Status: Offline Points: 31 |
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got mine today. Cost me my 25 dollar co pay. Guess for once my HMO is paying off.
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ALL ABOARD !! |
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sweets
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 08 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 239 |
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My children are 9 and 10 years old. They are too young for a pneumonia shot. They are past booster stage. They are allergic to eggs. My hope is someday there will be a synthetic bf vaccine, but it will not be soon enough I fear. So I will get my shot Monday it's all I can do |
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I'm not a ribbering Jidiot!
www.exaltedshrimp.com |
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Rainla
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 09 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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I was able to get one for my toddler. I did not tell them that it was for BF. I decided that I would tell them the truth and that was that a grandparent was terminally ill and that he would be in and out of hospitals, nursing homes, etc. and that I was worried that he would catch it. I called the doctor's office, the receptionist checked with the nurse and I was told to come on down. I am positive that if I had mentioned BF they would not have given it to him. He did feel yucky for a couple of days but was mostly just tired and grumpy. He also slept a lot. I will be calling my doctor next week and will try the same approach. If he refuses then I will keep trying other doctors. |
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marcus67000
Valued Member Joined: February 11 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Hi from a french one :-)
Concerning all the people who have such difficulties to get their pneumo shot, just remember one thing : if your government works as mine (and many others), know that there are certain categories of people who get prior access to vacines .... which means the others can die without a care !!! It's all question of priority :-( And nowadays, with the bird flu's threat, most of us are no priority !! That's all. Salut a tous :-) |
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sweets
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 08 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 239 |
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I just got mine barely! I went to the clinic to get it and after an hour I was told they wouldn't give it to me afterall! I lost it! On the way home I stopped at the pharmacy and got it for 40.00!!!!! Thank goodness! |
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I'm not a ribbering Jidiot!
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Just ran across this article concerning Antibiotics and H5N1, enjoy: Antibiotics in pandemic fluWill be essential for treating, but not preventing, bacterial pneumonia
With the continuing spread of avian H5N1 influenza a possible pandemic of human influenza becomes more likely. If a pandemic started soon no effective vaccine would be available and there would probably be a shortage of antiviral drugs. There is no evidence (yet) of the effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors in case of avian and pandemic influenza viruses,1 and mortality among patients infected with H5N1 bird flu remains high, despite the use of neuraminidase inhibitors.2 Resistance to antiviral drugs, which may even develop during treatment, might further limit the efficacy of these drugs.3 Given that secondary bacterial infection is an important and often fatal complication of influenza, antibiotics will also have a critical role in the event of a human pandemic. In 1918-19, when antibiotics were not available, pandemic flu caused 20 million to 100 million deaths worldwide, with an estimated case fatality rate of between 2% |
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northern_mamma
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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My family of five showed up at the public health clinic (Alaska) for flu and pneumoccocal shots. My doctor agreed we were making a prudent decision and said we'd need to have it done at the health center. They initially refused to provide the pneumo vaccine to any of us (kids are 13, 14, 17; we are 46 and 55). I did my best, but the nurse clearly thought I was nuts. I finally convinced him to give it to hubby and me (I had looked at the bulleted list of conditions from the CDC which would justify the vaccine in non-elderly adults and said to the nurse "we're both alcoholics." I had already told the kids we may resort to this. When I explained that the vaccination could provide protection from secondary bacterial infection from "a flu" the nurse just shook his head and said that simply wasn't true. I assumed any talk of BF would have been considered BS and equally nonproductive.
The nurse left the room a couple of times to consult with the clinic director--they really didn't know what to do with us, as I continued to insist that my kids get vaccinated. He returned with some printed material about their policies and why they would not. I had even told them that two of my children had asthma and one was heading to college so we wanted to avoid meningitis. Still, they wouldn't budge--said "there's just no reason to give a shot if it's not necessary." I said, "Well, I guess necessary is in the eye of the beholder." (My son said to me at one point when the nurse was out of the room, "Hey, mom, be careful, I really don't want someone sticking me with a needle if he's ticked off at me" lol.) The nurse did agree to follow up with a call to see if they'd allow him to provide my kids the shot in the event I could bring in doctor's orders, but I get the feeling they will not comply. It's something, isn't it? As if *we're* the ones who are uninformed and acting irrationally. It was the same at a local bird flu talk three days ago--it received no press and I got a sense that many in the room hadn't a clue about the gravity of this situation. I found myself practically screaming inside my head. I'll figure out something re: the kids' vaccinations. Thank you, everyone who has provided research here. I plan on faxing much of it over to the folks at the clinic tomorrow. (Oh, good news was the flu shots were free and the pneumo vaccine my husband and I received was only $14 each!) Northern Mamma
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Vitamin D
February 24, 2006 "The story starts about a decade ago, when research revealed that the immune system of fruit flies produces a protein that attacks bacteria and fungi, explained study author Dr. Robert L. Modlin, chief of dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "In 1999, it became clear that there were equivalents in humans, a family of proteins," Modlin said. "Each recognizes a defined biochemical from a bacterium or virus." Studies showed that in mice, the defense involved production of nitric oxide to fight infection. However, that was not found to happen in human cells, Modlin said. Four years of work led to the finding that the human defense mechanism involves vitamin D, he said. White blood cells are stimulated to convert ordinary vitamin D -- which is produced, in large part, by exposure to sunlight -- into an active form that is used to make a protein that kills the tuberculosis bacteria. "Our other main finding was that African-Americans, who are known to be more susceptible to tuberculosis, have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood," Modlin said. Melanin, the pigment that darkens skin, absorbs the ultraviolet rays of sunlight, reducing vitamin D production in blacks, he explained. Cells grown in blood serum from black individuals produced 63 percent less of the bacteria-fighting protein than those grown in blood serum from white people. Adding vitamin D to the cultures increased production of the protein, Modlin said. One question raised by the discovery is whether giving vitamin D to humans can do the same thing, he said, adding, "Were hoping this paper will raise interest in that." (excerpt) http:// www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=531184 * I take 2000 I.U. daily. May come in handy for secondary infections. |
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Hope
Valued Member Joined: February 01 2006 Status: Offline Points: 49 |
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Northern Mamma, I am hoping beyond hope that my appointment goes differently. It was easy enough to schedule at the Health Department. As you may remember, my regular doctor would not give it to my family so I learned on this forum to go to a health clinic. Today, I called and made the appointments (okay, so far so good). Now, I have to get past the receptionist and convince the doctor with the story I'm going to present that we are bringing my mother in law home from the hospital who has had pneumonia and gets it every year. I will tell him that if we don't get the shots, I refuse to take this old lady into my home. And I'll ask my husband (her son) to get upset with me right then and there. Gawd! What we have to do. I never thought of using the drinking issue! ha, ha, ha. But I have been drinking more than usual since this whole thing started! Okay, wish me luck! |
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Hope
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Hope
Valued Member Joined: February 01 2006 Status: Offline Points: 49 |
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Oh, by the way - the cost is $25 each for the vaccine. |
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Hope
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northern_mamma
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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Just a quick question: did anyone who got the flu shot have significant pain two days out? My husband and kids were not affected this way, but I can hardly sleep because my upper arm hurts so much and today (Saturday) is worse than yesterday. We had shots on Thursday. Didn't bother me the first day. From what I've read this isn't really typical. I'm not being a baby...I can't lift my arm to shoulder level without significant pain and it's starting to feel like it's throbbing. I'm not really worried, I'm sure it'll pass, but I'm just wondering if anyone else had this same side effect and what it might indicate. (This was my first flu shot ever. And I'm not allergic to eggs or egg products.) Thanks. NM |
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Hope
Valued Member Joined: February 01 2006 Status: Offline Points: 49 |
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Albert, I get it finally! I read this whole thread over again tonight. I've been so worried about my upcoming appointments at the public health clinic next week. I had planned to go there as you may have read because my regular doctor refused to give the family our vaccines. So I thought I read on this forum to go to a public health clinic. BUT, I see you are saying, go to a walk in clinic. GREAT! I loved hearing what you posted about no questions either. Just give them the money and they'll gadly give us the vaccine! |
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Hope
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AuntBones
Adviser Group Joined: December 09 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 274 |
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Mamma same thing happens to me. I get shots in the lower hip now, no sore arm or shoulder. I was told years ago (by my doctor at the time) this happens to people with thin arms.
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birdie
Valued Member Joined: February 08 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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I did call some of the health clinic type places but could not get any
shots there without a doctors order. Even if I would pay up front
they would not do it. So I dont think this method works
everywhere. The health department option worked for us.
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Rocky
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 219 |
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Well, it was supposed to work
Hubby and I got a pneumonia vaccine (2nd one for both of us) about 6 weeks ago. Hubby has been quite ill with pn. pneumonia for about 7 days. A swab test showed it was indeed the most common form of pneumonia and one that is definitely covered with the Pneumo 23. Any ideas why this could have happened? I also had an upper respiratory infection, but mine turned into acute bronchitis. It has been fun around here? Really brings home once again that if you can be this sick with a "garden variety" upper respiratory infection, what one could expect with BF, with or without complications. Makes my blood run cold. Thanks for listening. Rocky |
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