H1N1
Did my research.
Felt confident in my decision.
For us, the right choice was to get that vaccine as soon as we were eligible and could get our arms on that liquid gold. A hot commodity around these parts.
Took my two girls a week ago for their H1N1 vaccine. They did great. A couple of tears, followed by sore arms for a few days. Now hopefully they are protected from the virus that is putting so many people in the ICU.
So now it was my turn.
Went the clinic once it was open to the General Public.
Stood in line with 300 other people for 20 minutes for the privilege of being protected. Courtesy of our Canadian Health System.
Took it in the arm.
Waited 15 minutes and was on my way.
Got home.
Something wasn’t ……..right.
My tongue was…itchy? My lips were buzzing? My palette was burning?
I was panicking.
Called the Health Unit.
“You may be having an anaphylactic reaction. If you are having trouble breathing call 911. If not get to a Doctor.”
$*@#ing great!!
Now I am panicking. I am home alone and I am scared. Did I also mention I may also be a bit of a hypochondriac.
My tongue looks swollen to me. Doesn’t it look like my throat is swelling up. Is it getting harder to swallow.
How about I just get behind the wheel of my giant SUV and drive to the Doctor’s office. Brilliant idea.
The good news. When you tell the receptionist at the Docs office that you think you are having a scary reaction to the H1N1 shot you just received…you get right in.
Let’s shorten this up now.
Doc checked me.
mmm More concerned about my spiking temperature then anything else?
(Duh…perhaps because I am having an anxiety attack now??)
Sit in the waiting room and wait for a re-check……..to see if I’m gonna die.
Send up a little prayer.
Basically, Doc sends me home because he has never seen a reaction like this before and tells me it’s been two hours and doesn’t know what else to do for me. He tells me to watch for symptoms of my throat swelling up. And no, he can’t guarantee the worst is over. NICE. Second opinion please?
Home I drive. Trying to keep it together. Looking at my tongue in the rear view mirror at every stop light. My heart is still racing. I am so pathetic.
Meanwhile the Hubs has talked to 2 other people who have had the EXACT same reactions!!! Why are we not told this?
Symptoms of swelling lips, buzzing tongue, tingling pallet. Not that uncommon? Don’t panic girl.
Slow steady breaths.
Now I just have to get through the next 24-48 hours and this too shall pass.
If I had known this was a possibility would I have had the shot?
I honestly don’t know.
Would you?
Hope none of you have had a scary experience like this one…hope I’m the only one who found out this week that she is allergic to pigs.
I’m sorry I haven’t been around to spread the comment love…got a little post traumatic stress going on here. Thanking God this happened to me and not one of my children.
I hope you’re ok now. That’s scary.
No one in my family has gotten the shot and we have no plans to.
Oh that is terrible. i’ll pray it’s over for you soon.
Secretia
That would have freaked me out, too. Glad your kids did not have the same reaction to the vaccine.
We are getting the shot as soon as it’s available here.
WOW. You poor thing. I have not heard of this, but one of our friends did get very sick from the vaccine..she got a bad case of the flu.
Glad you are ok…take care, suz
I live with an allergy reactive dude we keep Claritin and Reactin in our cars and home and he’ll easily take 2-4 of them when he gets that fat lip feeling. Also if your so inclined ask your Family Dr to get you a referal to a allergist so that you can tell what exactly you are allergic too before the next shot or whatever comes in contact with you. Second or if you get the chance 3rd reactions are always worse.
OH GREAT. My kids are getting the shot next week and now I will thinking about YOU before, during and after…
I was actually thinking of skipping it because I’m a lazy person by nature and I hate going to the doctor’s office. But then I think if I skip it my kids are totally going to die….
I know, I’m silly. And lazy.
Holy Crap… that’s all I can think of to say right now. Holy Crap.
I have never heard of anyone getting that kind of reaction. You poor thing. Sounds like you were terrified, and rightly so… I would have been the same way. And, panic attack is probably an understatement ( from one hypochondriac to another… LOL)
Soo glad you are okay. Did the doc at least give you some valium, or something to calm you down?? I would be a total wreck. You poor thing. Sending ((hugs)) your way.
I was actually diagnosed with a confirmed case of the virus, been sick for a month with pnuemonia – sounds like I was much better off actually getting the stupid thing!!! ~ LOL
Again, glad you’re okay!!
couldn’t pay me to take it.
That is scary. I don’t know of anyone that’s had a reaction like that. Hopefully it’ll pass very soon!
My wife’s 11 year old daughter just got the shot yesterday, and so far, so good. We have no interest in getting it.
My daughter already had the flu this season (could have been H1N1 but doc told us to stay home unless we could Not control the fever)so we feel pretty safe about not getting hers.
My son had a bad reaction to the seasonal flu shot last year and ran a 103 fever for 4 days.
We are just staying really watchful on this one. Feel better soon!
That would have scared the crap right out of me and yes, thank God it didn’t happen to one of the children instead.
I still plan to get the shot once it’s available to the general public, at least if I have a reaction, hubby is a doc!
Well for the sake of making you feel better, it could be worse. š You could have ended up like that poor girl from Washington that got the shot and now can’t WALK because of her nuerological reaction. Hope you feel better soon!
OK now will probably freak out for you (at least pray) until you post again so we know all is OK!!
Please post soon! You may have to 2 or 3 times during this 48 hour span of time!
Praying protection over you girl!! And your family!!!
I’m surprised he didn’t at least give you an Epipen if there’s a chance it’s an allergic reaction. I’m not very impressed with that doctor.
I’ve talked a a whole lot of people who’ve had the shot and you’re the first I’ve heard about having a reaction. That doesn’t help you, I know…but generally speaking, people seem to be fine.
Hope you feel fine soon.