Should I Get A Pneumonia Shot?

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by K E Gordon, Oct 27, 2016.

  1. K E Gordon

    K E Gordon Veteran Member
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    So, anyway, I have heard in years past, that you this shot is for those 65 and older, but they have been advertising one on TV for 50 and older. I think the chances of me getting pneumonia are slim to none, as I don't even get colds..and I think I am immune to just about everything. However, if it is free I could get it. Flu shots are free for me. I just would rather not bother with the pneumonia shot..it isn't like getting them is pleasant, and in my case..probably not warranted.
     
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  2. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    I wouldn't unless Ive had pneumonia before. I haven't.

    Although I'm usually pro vaccine, I don't get the flu shot either just because I've never really had a bad case of flu since I was a child. Maybe on either time as an adult but really don't remember.

    I wouldn't have gotten the shingles shot either if I hadn't witnessed my ex's agony.
     
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  3. K E Gordon

    K E Gordon Veteran Member
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    Yeah, Shingles is nasty, but they do vaccinate for that usually 65 and older too. However, I think one of my cousins actually had that when she was younger. When I am of age, I will defintely get the Shingles vaccine. Also, I forgot to ask when I was at Kroger a few days ago, but when I got my flu shot at Martins grocery store last year, they gave me some store coupons for getting my shot there. That was a nice perk!
     
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  4. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I got a pneumococcal vaccination this morning. I don't normally agree to vaccinations but she came in with it as if it were a given, and it was early in the morning. The pneumococcal vaccination is the one that is supposed to protect against pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia, which are not things that I have been particularly worrying about. Anyhow, that was at eight o'clock this morning and, eight hours later, my arm is so sore I can barely type. It feels as if someone has been beating me with a baseball bat all day, and it's been getting worse rather than better. I would say that if I don't come down with pneumonia, meningitis or septicemia, then I will know that it has worked but then, I've never had these problems even without the vaccination. Plus, without the vaccination, my arm didn't hurt.
     
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  5. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    I believe that you only need one pneumonia shot, not one every year. If someone is a high risk patient, the doctor may give another one after ten years.
     
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  6. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    Oh, dear......
    That sounds almost exactly like what happened after the VA insisted that Bobby get the pneumonia vaccination a couple of years ago. His arm hurt bad, and within a week, he was horribly sick with pneumonia.
    Of course, then he had to go back to the VA for antibiotics for the pneumonia.
    So, hoping yours doesn't turn out to be anything more than just a really sore arm.
     
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  7. Sheldon Scott

    Sheldon Scott Supreme Member
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    I got the regular pneumonia shot a few years ago and then at my doctors recommendation I got the Prevnar 13 shot last year.
     
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  8. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    Seems a lot of people get the sore arm....

    SIDE EFFECTS: Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, swelling, hard lump), muscle/joint aches, or fever may occur. Ask your doctor whether you should take a fever/pain reducer (e.g., acetaminophen) to help treat these symptoms. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

    Infrequently, temporary symptoms such as fainting/dizziness/lightheadedness, vision changes, numbness/tingling, or seizure-like movements have happened after vaccine injections. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms soon after receiving an injection. Sitting or lying down may relieve symptoms.

    Remember that your health care professional has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

    Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: unusual weakness, tingling/numbness of the hands/feet, easy bleeding/bruising, swollen glands.

    A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

    This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice any other effects not listed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
     
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  9. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I had a miserable night last night. Until about 6:00 this morning, I don't think I was able to sleep for more than a half hour at a time. The arm where I received the injection hurt awfully bad, like someone had been hitting it with a hammer, so whenever I adjusted my position in bed, my arm would hurt and wake me up. Besides the pain to my arm, all of my joints hurt, I had some neck pain, and just a general feeling of malaise. It was an awful night. Then, about 6:00 o'clock, my arm quit hurting. I mean it was hurting bad and then it wasn't hurting hardly at all. So I slept until sometime after noon. Now, I still have the joint pain and the feeling of malaise, which is sort of like what I have felt at other times just before I got sick, like when I got the flu a couple of winters ago, but I'm hoping it goes away. No more vaccinations.
     
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  10. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    After getting a pneumonia shot the last two years, I was told last year that I wouldn't need one any more. So, this year I only got the flu/Senior/Double Dose shot. Same shot I get every year. The last pneumonia shot my wife had was in 2000, so she got both the flu and pneumonia shots this year. She complained about pain for a week after the flu shot, but had very little pain after the pneumonia shot. Since we are both on Medicare, we got ours free at CVS Pharmacy.

    A few years ago, I came down with a bad cold/cough on a New Year's Eve weekend. I was coughing pretty bad, but not bad enough, at the time, to go to the ER. Anyway, I started taking an OTC flu/cold med, sucking on throat lozenges and trying to eat chicken noddle soup. I actually told my wife that I thought I was going to die (coughing that much). She called my Dr. on Monday, early AM, and got me in to see him. He checked me out and sent me for a lung x-ray. Well.........I had a spot of pneumonia on my one lung. He gave me an anti-biotic prescription and that got rid of the spot.

    So, because of what happened to me, we both get the flu shot every year. We know that our immune system isn't "up to par" like it was at a younger age. The flu shot isn't a guarantee that a person won't get the flu, but it sure is nice to know that the vaccine is in the body and it a darn good preventative measure.
     
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  11. Ike Willis

    Ike Willis Supreme Member
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    I got one or two pneumonia shots. They don't work. I still don't have pneumonia.o_O
     
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  12. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    For the record, I feel fine today.
     
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  13. Arlene Richards

    Arlene Richards Veteran Member
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    @K E Gordon The Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is for people age 60 and over.

    and

    flu shot is annual

    and

    "I got the regular pneumonia shot a few years ago and then at my doctors recommendation I got the Prevnar 13 shot last year."

    same here.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 3, 2016
  14. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    Maybe in a few years I'll get the pneumonia shot but all the stories of arm pain and malaise have scared me.

    I usually don't hurt when I get shots, even ones that I'm warned will hurt...don't. But this one sounds extra painful.

    I'll see how I get through this winter, since I'm going to Illinois in December and I'll be surrounded by little spreaders of germs maybe I should have gotten a flu shot...may still do that.
     
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  15. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Having worked in a hospital and clinic environment it was mandatory to get a flu shot being in contact with patients. I haven't had a pneumonia vaccine as an adult that I can recall certainly not during those 18 years.

    Didn't any of you attempt to get some kind of relief - ice or hot pack, pain reliever or something? I couldn't stand the pain of the bursitis I had and I do not wish any more painful, sleepless nights caused by the pneumonia vaccine.

    Oh, also that pnuemo vaccine is encouraged if you have had chicken pox when you were a child to help prevent shingles, right? I don't recall having the chicken pox either. I guess that is an illness that one couldn't forget having.
     
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