Flu jab

[rwyncaruvegas37]

I used to be so afraid of needles that I wouldn't even step near a hospital, but that's changed since I've been injecting insulin. I'm going to my GP today to get my flu jab, but I still don't like those big ones at the GP, and, yeah I might seem like a baby, but they really are scary! What the point of this thread is to ask if anybody else there still has an intense fear of needles? And have you had your flu jab? I was watching 'The One Show' yesterday and they said if a person with diabetes didn't take the jab, they would 50-70% die, so I guess I just have to not think about it and head down there to get it over with

[mell1682]

I've been injecting insulin since 1987 and I'm TERRIFIED, petrified, of needles...I don't get it but I am. When I had to have my amniocentesis with my first daughter I had to have a curtain blocking my view of it and I wasn't okay with it...I had such a panic attack that i had to go to labor and delivery. I know exactly how crazy it sounds that I deal with needles on a daily basis, several times a day, but I'm still scared of them nonetheless. I don't do flu shots, needle fear. I haven't and probably won't get a tattoo...you guessed it, fear of needles. Don't know why or where this fear came from but it's amusing to others but not to me!

[HuskerMychal]

My fear of needles is so bad I have passed out quite a few times at my blood tests. Funny thing is I have tattoos and want 2 more. my insulin dont effect me much when "shooting up" but the finger stick does. I have had the flu shot, got dizzy and need to get my tetanus shot. My fear of needles is one reason I will most likely never pump, would FREAK me out. I admire all you pumpers so much :congrats:

[LancetChick]

I was watching 'The One Show' yesterday and they said if a person with diabetes didn't take the jab, they would 50-70% die, so I guess I just have to not think about it and head down there to get it over with

HA HA HA HA HA!! The misinformation being spread about diabetes is laughable. Not getting a flu shot will just make you more likely to get the flu, which is an inconvenience rather than a death knell. It's trickier to maintain good blood sugar control when you're sick, but we're well out of the Medieval Ages.

If you're not in good control of your diabetes, or if you get every bug that comes down the lane, then it might be worth it to bite the bullet and get the shot. I've had one flu shot in my life, but diabetes for over 20 years, and here I am! :D

[rwyncaruvegas37]

After having the pneumonia jab (I got two, brave me!) my arm hurt for ages, and suddenly stopped on the 27th or 28th, so that was basically 5 days of horrorr I went through, but I never have to have that jab again! Woo hehe but I have to go annually to the GP to get a diabetes jab, which doesn't hurt that much

[fgummett]

I'm not petrified of needles but I certainly don't look forward to them... if I go for a blood test or shot, I generally look the other way and think happy thoughts (lie back and think of England!). I also routinely take a couple of Acetaminophen after a shot.

As for how deadly the flu virus can be, even in our modern age of antibiotics (which don't work on viruses)... did you know that more people died in the 1918 flu epidemic than during WWI, and they predict it is only a matter of time before similar happens again... especially considering how small the World has become in terms of rapid travel between countries.

I don't think it is hype or misinformation to advise those with potentially compromised immune systems (such as us with D) to get the shot :)

[art]

I don't get the Flu Jab. Haven't in a lot of years.
Every time I did in the past had a negative reaction.
So I'm 50% to 70% likely to die??
Who come up with this ****??

Art

[fgummett]

Actually Art, I have some bad news for you... ALL OF YOU are 100% likely to die :evil:

I really don't know why they have to resort to scare tactics to get folks to take a flu shot... I prefer to use reason, but I am still convinced that - on balance - it is a good idea to get the annual flu shot... a personal choice, of course, but remember that it can also affect the health of those around you.

[art]

Read my sig.
I have no intention of dying

EVER

Art

[Ohana]

Art, you sound just like my dad who also has type 2!!! and his name is ALSO Art, although he goes by his middle name.

I would think you might be him... but he doesn't live in Sarasota Sort of :).

:)

[art]

my kind of guy

:)

Art

[Holly]

I don't like needles. I'm an RN and have been on the giving end (the easy end) of them more times that I'd want to admit. However, I did get the flu vaccine this year and have had it for years. It really is a very small needle that is used for this vaccine. Not like getting inj of antibiotics. Really much better than dealing with flu symptoms for a week or so.

[RedRD]

Actually Art, I have some bad news for you... ALL OF YOU are 100% likely to die :evil:

I really don't know why they have to resort to scare tactics to get folks to take a flu shot... I prefer to use reason, but I am still convinced that - on balance - it is a good idea to get the annual flu shot... a personal choice, of course, but remember that it can also affect the health of those around you.


You're a hoot.

And I agree w/you - personal choice, but what harm is there in getting one? Might make you feel crappy for a day or two, but definitely better than the alternative (potential). Been there, done that - hospitalized w/flu & pneumonia on Christmas Eve for 10 days 9 years ago. I thought I was dying (and I was, wasn't I Frank?lol). That Christmas sucked.

[Jules49]

I just don't watch. Never watch my blood being drawn. Will have the dye test done on my eyes next week and they have a hard time getting a vein in my hand.