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.
OMG,I don’t know of anyone that’s had a reaction like that,that’s scary!
Your swine allergy coupled with said hypochondria and writing talent is awesome. Sorry for the scare and grateful I was able to enjoy the story. Interesting though. Our H1N1 is the nasal kind and completely unavailable to most all people. Hard to understand that with no understanding of your reaction or ability to predict they sent you home. REally?? No advice or suggestion for relief???Glad you are ok..
Uhhhhh. reason 1 why I am not getting the shot. Did I mention I am a paranoid FREAK1?
That would have scared the beejeezes out of me, too! Yikes!
I hope you are better today!
Yikes! That’s scary, girl… was wondering where you are and am glad to hear you are OK and your kids are too 😮
I agree about the Epipen, you should have gotten one just in case.
Cheers to our health system… :-/
Um, I just had an anxiety attack reading this!! I tend Overreact to symptoms as well. One little symptom can turn me into a frenzy!! Glad you are feeling better, but that IS SCARY!!
Oh no…thats horrible, I really hope you feel better. I’ll think of you tonight in my prayers!
I have never recieved the flu shot before and for some reason I refuse to get the H1N1 shot. I am a huge germ freak, but I cant get myself to get the shot. I had a flu a couple weeks ago, they said it can be swine but they really do not know because symptons are exact to that of a normal flu.
Are you feeling any better? I hope so!
I hope you feel better girl! I decided against the shots personally. I never get any type of flu shot. The flu came around our neighborhood pretty strong and I was the only one in the house NOT affected. My BFF took her kids to get the mist version and her daughter got sick the next day. I think I’m gonna take my chances… cross your fingers for me!
That’s scary. Thankfully it wasn’t the kids who had the reaction! Glad you are OK! Too scary! No one in my family is getting the shot (we already made that decision early on).