Monday, October 12, 2009

Got the Regular Flu Shot Today

Ugh. I got the regular flu shot today, and my body is not enjoying it. I ache all over, have a low-grade fever, and just had a nasty bout of diarrhea (which I doubt has anything to do with the shot, but it certainly adds to the discomfort). Basically, this is what the beginning of a crash feels like.

I know there is some debate about whether people with CFIDS should get the shot, but both my regular PCP (who treats a lot of patients with CFIDS) and my allergist have always recommend it for me...especially because I have asthma.

I now make it a priority to get the flu shot every year because the two years I decided not to get the shot (ages 23 and 24...or was it 22 and 23?), I caught the full blown flu with 101-104 degree fevers to boot. Having the flu with asthma is awful and scary. With the flu shot, I've managed to avoid any major cases of influenza.

I'm hoping that I don't have a big crash as a result of this injection. Sometimes I bounce back to "normal" quite quickly after the flu shot, sometimes I don't. Only time will tell.

Today's Activities: home (1/2 day), work (1/2 day). Today's Most Annoying Symptoms: exhaustion, muscle fatigue, headache, 99.2 low-grade fever, nausea, full body aches, painful injection site, diarrhea, mild itching.

Mood (10 is best): 7
Energy (10 is best): 3
Physical Discomfort (10 is worst): 7

3 comments:

mlmartin said...

Oh, Alyson I really hope this doesn't lead to the crash you think it does! Please keep posting updates to let us know how you are doing. Sending you anti-crash vibes!

endoenvogue said...

I am so sorry you feel bad after it! I am planning on getting it today, and am worried about a worsening of symptoms. In my case even a crash after the shot is better than the flu, which, for me, always takes ages to recover from and more often than not sets the stage for a bacterial infection. It does suck to have to gamble either a big crash or the flu though! I hope that you end up feeling better as opposed to crashing further!

alyson said...

perpetualspiral and p1nkg0dess - Thanks for stopping by! I agree that the crash after the flu shot is much better than actually getting the flu. Good luck with your shot, p1nkg0dess.