Anyone Else Feel Like Crap After Flu Shots

[JCMach1]

For the first 24hrs. or so anyway. I almost always do. I have even had fever a few times. This year's shot left me with cramping muscles and joints, especially in the stomach region.

It can seriously stop any time!

[JonLP24]

1. First time I took one I became really sick after

I was sleeping inside a very large building with rows of bunk beds with probably over 100 people in Taqaddum, Iraq. I must've caught something from somebody because I was very ill for atleast a few days.

Since then I never get sick after a flu shot though an pneumonia shot hurts like hell for a few days.

[Avalux]

2. You feel that way because your immune system is mounting a response to the vaccine.

Sometimes this response makes you feel crappy because you're making antibodies that will protect you. This is a short term reaction and much better than being sidelined with the flu for weeks.

[Laffy Kat]

3. Take a dose of ibuprofen half an hour before your vaccine.

And continue taking regular doses for the first 48 hours. That should help. I always get achy and that's what I do. It's still a hundred percent better than getting the flu.

[trof]

4. Nope. Feel just fine.

[SMC22307]

6. Same here. And can barely feel where I got the shot yesterday afternoon. (n/t)

[womanofthehills]

5. From CDC

Last edited Thu Sep 15, 2016, 11:32 PM - Edit history (1)

What are the side effects that could occur?

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever (low grade)
Aches

The intradermal flu shot may cause other additional mild side effects including:

Toughness and itching where the shot was given

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm

[spiderpig]

7. Depends on the tech administering the shot

I once had one who opted for the dartboard technique. My shoulder was screaming for over a day.

As far as a general sick feeling - nope.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. some years I hardly notice I had one. Other years feel punk for a day or so

and tired. very tired.

Guess it depends on the strains involved and whether or not I have had a variant of it in the three times I have had the actual flu

[Union Label]

9. Yes

I had one two days ago and my nose is running like a damn river, had a very sore throat yesterday not so much today.

[DebJ]

10. With my last flu & pneumonia shots, my shoulders looked like they had oranges stuffed under my skin.

I have a hyper-active immune system, so I guess that is why. Could barely lift my arms for about three days.
Obviously that was a bit painful.

My husband got the Swine Flu in November 2009, though, was in bed for two weeks and could barely function for 2 more.
I had had the Hong Kong Flu in 1968, and apparently that DID help me, I was able to struggle through out of bed for 6 terrible days (but only because I could stay home/not employed). I thought I was going to die when I got the flu in 2003 (and that was in June!).

I'd never skip a flu shot, no matter how bad it made me feel. I'm now terrified of it.


On edit, my doctor gave me a huge grin when my arms swelled like that. She said "Great! Look at all those antibodies!"