Flu Shot Reactions?

TvBabe · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 09:46 PM

I hate to bring this up since I know so many of you are having alot of difficulty getting your flu shots......however I'm in Canada (the land of plenty) and just had my flu shot today.

I'm noticing my sugars are climbing tonight, is this normal? (This is my first flu shot since I've become diabetic) Is there anything else I should expect beside's a sore arm?

KLD · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 10:05 PM

I've had a flu shot every year since I've been diabetic (1998), and I've never had that problem but then, as we have to keep reminding ourselves, we're all different. Let's see what others have to say.

Karen

HeatherP · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2004, 11:06 PM

I got my first flu shot last year and I didn't notice any changes in my b/s's.

Linda57 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 12:39 AM

I'm having mine tonight, I'll watch my blood sugars and report back....Linda

Lorna · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 03:30 AM

I had one back in about 1997- and never have again cos the side effects were hellish!- Similar symptoms to that and ill for days. As the reason for vaccinating diabetics is that infection would cause a rise in blood glucose levels, it sort of defetes the purpose to give us a vaccination which is going to have that very effect.

Belinda · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 04:37 AM

I've had the flu shots for years (since 89) and have never had any type of reaction of any sort....

buzzborne · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 04:38 AM

I used to get quite ill after the shot, an that in turn used to make my sugars rise, but that stopped a few years back, and now have no problems.

nantomsuethom · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 10:26 AM

Thomas had his flu shot yesterday afternoon. His bs actually were low all day. Last year they were high (200+) for about 24 hours.

The only reaction he had this time is his arm has swelled A LOT!! His upper arm is almost doubled and is hurting a lot. Ice helped a little.

Shalyndria · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 11:31 AM

I've never had any BG changes because of the flu shot, and in fact if you spoke to a Health Care professional most likely they'd tell you that the innoculation shouldn't affect your blood sugars. But as KLD said, every one is different and there's always exceptions to the standards. You shouldn't experience any other side effects, though.

Quote:

Originally posted by Lorna
As the reason for vaccinating diabetics is that infection would cause a rise in blood glucose levels, it sort of defetes the purpose to give us a vaccination which is going to have that very effect.

Anyone with a chronic condition, particularily one that affects immune functions, is advised to get the flu shot because the flu can be deadly if it becomes progressive. Of course as Diabetics any illness can cause significant BG rise, but that's only a peripheral reason. DKA is, as we all know, caused by elevated BG's but it's also aggravated by dehydration. And of course dehydration comes hand in hand with the flu, especially if it's severe. The virus can also cause pneumonia, which is less common but certainly more dangerous.

I'm off to get mine this afternoon

Shy

TvBabe · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 12:14 PM

Well when I got home I noticed that my sugars had dropped quite a bit so I had a slice of peanut butter toast and they shot up more than usual....later in the evening they stablized.

My arm is sore today

Thanks everyone for the feedback

Batty · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2004, 10:41 PM

=/ am I the only one who doesnt get Flu Shots?

Harold · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-2004, 01:11 AM

Flu vaccines usually contain several to a few different types of flu viruses. Over time viruses mutate and if your body sees too much difference in just one of the viruses and thinks it's something totally new to it your immunity system may over react. You might get a runny nose, post nasal drip leading to a sore or tender throat, or even notice your body temperature rising or falling. Does not mean you have the flu and they should go away in two or three days. During that time, yes you may see a rise or lowering in bg's.

garywh · #13 (**permalink**) 10-14-2004, 10:36 AM

I had mine yesterday and it was non noticeable. I get more pain by injecting a novodisk needle than I did with the needle for the flu shot.

Absolutely no reaction whatsoever.

This mind you is about my tenth one.

Shalyndria · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2004, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harold
Flu vaccines usually contain several to a few different types of flu viruses.

Two strains of Influenza B, and one strain of Influenza A, to be precise. (although it might be the other way around - I can never remember lol, I think I was half asleep in class that day)

Shy