Poll of the Day > Fucking hell, flu shots hurt like a bitch.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Like a sucker punch to the immune system, amiright?

No, it really shouldn't hurt at all. Only time I had one hurt was when the nurse put it in my collarbone. Yes, she was an idiot. No, that's not where it goes at all

CTLM posted...

No, it really shouldn't hurt at all. Only time I had one hurt was when the nurse put it in my collarbone. Yes, she was an idiot. No, that's not where it goes at all

Got mine about an inch or down my bicep from my shoulder. Same result last time.

Where did you go?

I went once to a pharmacy (Rite Aid I think? Don't recall) and it hurt like hell, and then within 24 hours I had incredible stiffness in my shoulder and neck on the side I got the shot and then the worst headache I've ever experienced in my life. Had to call out of work, it just completely debilitated me for another day or so.

Learned my lesson, I only go to my doctor now and it usually barely even feels like a prick and never bothers me afterward.

Shouldn't hurt that much. The only one I've had that hurt significantly was the H1N1 vaccine, and it hurting as much as it did just confirmed that I had in fact had H1N1 before getting the shot.
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It hurts when the nurse fucks up, it should be a minor prick.
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I wouldnt know because I dont get them and I never get sick.
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You shouldn't even really feel it.

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The trick is to keep moving your arm or take an aspirin after you get a flu shot
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ive found the pain you feel is almost entirely based on the skill of the doctor or nurse administrating it.

a skilled one can do it without you feeling practically anything.
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the last time i got the flu shot

i got the fucking flu.
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the one time it especially hurt was because the "nurse" literally stabbed it into my shoulder (like over-handed stab, like psycho or something)
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Only time I had a flu shot was when I was working at a nursing home and it was required. I'd never gotten one before, and not since (I prefer to know whether or not my immune system is in good enough working order to protect me on its own). I watched, expecting the care and precision that I'd come to know from things like blood drawings. The nurse positioned the needle above my shoulder and.... my eyes go wide as she practically throws it into my muscle, not unlike one throwing a dart at a board, and I just fucking lose it. I'm throwing fits of laughter as it was so crude, casual, and careless (at least it looked it), so completely opposite of anything at all that I expected. It didn't hurt at all, but I was still randomly cracking up throughout most of the day.
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Metalsonic66 posted...

You shouldn't even really feel it.

this

are you needle-phobic TC? Being afraid of the shot might ramp up your adrenaline and make it seem more painful
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streamofthesky posted...

Where did you go?

I went once to a pharmacy (Rite Aid I think? Don't recall) and it hurt like hell, and then within 24 hours I had incredible stiffness in my shoulder and neck on the side I got the shot and then the worst headache I've ever experienced in my life. Had to call out of work, it just completely debilitated me for another day or so.

Learned my lesson, I only go to my doctor now and it usually barely even feels like a prick and never bothers me afterward.

Flu shot clinic at hospital.

adjl posted...

Shouldn't hurt that much. The only one I've had that hurt significantly was the H1N1 vaccine, and it hurting as much as it did just confirmed that I had in fact had H1N1 before getting the shot.

Kyuubi4269 posted...

It hurts when the nurse fucks up, it should be a minor prick.

Metalsonic66 posted...

You shouldn't even really feel it.

Well, shit guys, guess I'm just the abnormality?

Mead posted...

Metalsonic66 posted...

You shouldn't even really feel it.

this

are you needle-phobic TC? Being afraid of the shot might ramp up your adrenaline and make it seem more painful

I guess? I don't like the feeling of needles.

WastelandCowboy posted...

adjl posted...

Shouldn't hurt that much. The only one I've had that hurt significantly was the H1N1 vaccine, and it hurting as much as it did just confirmed that I had in fact had H1N1 before getting the shot.

Kyuubi4269 posted...

It hurts when the nurse fucks up, it should be a minor prick.

Metalsonic66 posted...

You shouldn't even really feel it.

Well, shit guys, guess I'm just the abnormality?

No, the person who gave it to you probably just fucked up.
Seems to be the consensus...flu shot only hurts when the person administering it doesn't know what they're doing.
You'd hope a clinic at a hospital would be a safe option, but even there I guess some people might not know how to give a flu shot correctly.

i don't even remember the last time i had a flu shot. definitely more than 15 years
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Well, the pain is gone now so idk.

Be glad you've never received the peanut butter shot.
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Shadowbird_RH posted...

I'd never gotten one before, and not since (I prefer to know whether or not my immune system is in good enough working order to protect me on its own).

Vaccines work with your immune system, not instead of it. If it were an antibiotic, that philosophy might have some merit, but vaccines only work if your immune system is already functioning well enough to make use of the antibodies they prompt it to produce. You also aren't going to produce those antibodies without being exposed to the illness in question. It's not a matter of your immune system being strong enough, it's a matter of whether or not you're in good enough general health to avoid developing symptoms before your immune system creates the necessary antibodies (during which time you can very easily be contagious, so flu shots help to protect those around you that are less capable of fighting off the flu on their own).
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I never get flu shots because I don't trust vaccines.
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adjl posted...

Shadowbird_RH posted...

I'd never gotten one before, and not since (I prefer to know whether or not my immune system is in good enough working order to protect me on its own).

Vaccines work with your immune system, not instead of it. If it were an antibiotic, that philosophy might have some merit, but vaccines only work if your immune system is already functioning well enough to make use of the antibodies they prompt it to produce. You also aren't going to produce those antibodies without being exposed to the illness in question. It's not a matter of your immune system being strong enough, it's a matter of whether or not you're in good enough general health to avoid developing symptoms before your immune system creates the necessary antibodies (during which time you can very easily be contagious, so flu shots help to protect those around you that are less capable of fighting off the flu on their own).

Bah, semantics. You really felt it was worth writing all that for the what little difference can be inferred between healthy immune system and general health, and -- HOLD THE PHONE!! DOUBLE-SPACES?! YOU'RE FUCKING ANAL AS FUCK AREN'T YOU!?! AHAHAHA! Guess that explains your need to highlight such a minor and inconsequential detail. You really oughta loosen up. -- Anyway, the merit to my phisolophy which you failed to find is that if I do get sick, which is almost never the case, then I know I need to take better care of myself.
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I never got the Flu shot and never got the Flu.

Shit, I hardly ever even get colds. But if I do, I start with the vitamin C, water, and chicken soup immediately. So it never progresses into anything too crazy.
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Shadowbird_RH posted...

adjl posted...

Shadowbird_RH posted...

I'd never gotten one before, and not since (I prefer to know whether or not my immune system is in good enough working order to protect me on its own).

Vaccines work with your immune system, not instead of it. If it were an antibiotic, that philosophy might have some merit, but vaccines only work if your immune system is already functioning well enough to make use of the antibodies they prompt it to produce. You also aren't going to produce those antibodies without being exposed to the illness in question. It's not a matter of your immune system being strong enough, it's a matter of whether or not you're in good enough general health to avoid developing symptoms before your immune system creates the necessary antibodies (during which time you can very easily be contagious, so flu shots help to protect those around you that are less capable of fighting off the flu on their own).

Bah, semantics. You really felt it was worth writing all that for the what little difference can be inferred between healthy immune system and general health, and -- HOLD THE PHONE!! DOUBLE-SPACES?! YOU'RE FUCKING ANAL AS FUCK AREN'T YOU!?! AHAHAHA! Guess that explains your need to highlight such a minor and inconsequential detail. You really oughta loosen up. -- Anyway, the merit to my phisolophy which you failed to find is that if I do get sick, which is almost never the case, then I know I need to take better care of myself.

It's a common misconception to see people say that they don't want to get vaccinated because they don't want to weaken their immune system by relying on outside treatments instead of toughing it out, which is the complete opposite of how vaccines works (they strengthen the immune system, rather than taking its place) and is generally not a mentality that has any basis in science or medicine. I wasn't sure if that's what you were getting at or not, so I thought it important to correct the misconception, just in case.
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Shadowbird_RH posted...

adjl posted...

Shadowbird_RH posted...

I'd never gotten one before, and not since (I prefer to know whether or not my immune system is in good enough working order to protect me on its own).

Vaccines work with your immune system, not instead of it. If it were an antibiotic, that philosophy might have some merit, but vaccines only work if your immune system is already functioning well enough to make use of the antibodies they prompt it to produce. You also aren't going to produce those antibodies without being exposed to the illness in question. It's not a matter of your immune system being strong enough, it's a matter of whether or not you're in good enough general health to avoid developing symptoms before your immune system creates the necessary antibodies (during which time you can very easily be contagious, so flu shots help to protect those around you that are less capable of fighting off the flu on their own).

Bah, semantics. You really felt it was worth writing all that for the what little difference can be inferred between healthy immune system and general health, and -- HOLD THE PHONE!! DOUBLE-SPACES?! YOU'RE FUCKING ANAL AS FUCK AREN'T YOU!?! AHAHAHA! Guess that explains your need to highlight such a minor and inconsequential detail. You really oughta loosen up. -- Anyway, the merit to my phisolophy which you failed to find is that if I do get sick, which is almost never the case, then I know I need to take better care of myself.

Please teach us more about your phisolophies, Sensei.
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zebatov posted...

I wouldnt know because I dont get them and I never get sick.

Same.

BUMPED2002 posted...

I never get flu shots because I don't trust vaccines.

This.

adjl posted...

It's a common misconception to see people say that they don't want to get vaccinated because they don't want to weaken their immune system by relying on outside treatments instead of toughing it out, which is the complete opposite of how vaccines works (they strengthen the immune system, rather than taking its place) and is generally not a mentality that has any basis in science or medicine. I wasn't sure if that's what you were getting at or not, so I thought it important to correct the misconception, just in case.

No, that's not how I see it, though I do appreciate the intent to educate. My understanding of vaccines is that, neither weakening it nor strengthening the immune system, they basically just show it what to watch out for, like updating a computer's anti-virus watch list. I'm just the sort of jerk who refuses help unless I really need it, like a sort of pride/arrogance thing.

Sarcasthma posted...

Please teach us more about your phisolophies, Sensei.

I only said it that way because of how that word was used in what I was replying to.
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So #1 I've only had the flu once when I was a kid. So it's been over 20 years since I last had the flu.

#2 I always get sick when I get the flu shot. Not flu sick, but annoying cold sick. I never chose to get it but after a few years I forget and get talked into it.

#3 where they inject it in my upper arm will slightly ache and be painful to touch or move for 2-3 days. Kinda feels like a bruise but it doesn't give a visible indication.

DDirtyDastard posted...

BUMPED2002 posted...

I never get flu shots because I don't trust vaccines.

This.

do you also believe the earth is flat?
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Clearly a topic made by someone who's never passed a kidney stone.
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Smiffwilm posted...

Clearly a topic made by someone who's never passed a kidney stone.

Correctumundo.

It really makes of wonder what they actually injected you with.
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Shadowbird_RH posted...

My understanding of vaccines is that, neither weakening it nor strengthening the immune system, they basically just show it what to watch out for, like updating a computer's anti-virus watch list.

Pretty much, though you can call that strengthening because it gives your immune system the ability to ward off the disease without having to actually be subjected to it.

Shadowbird_RH posted...

I'm just the sort of jerk who refuses help unless I really need it, like a sort of pride/arrogance thing.

As far as vaccines go, you should probably be wary of that. Even if it doesn't end up hurting you, you can end up carrying the virus and infecting other people who may not be able to fight it off (not necessarily in the immune sense, but general physical well-being). The conventional wisdom for flu shots is that healthy young adults generally don't need one (H1N1 excepted, because that strain in particular would provoke an immune system overreaction that was most dangerous for fully immunocompetent people), which is true if you only look at yourself, but from a public health perspective, it can still be worthwhile.

SunWuKung420 posted...

It really makes of wonder what they actually injected you with.

Not really. Most things cause a certain degree of irritation/inflammation if you inject them into your muscle, and especially so if the one doing the injection doesn't know how to avoid nerves. The vaccine also prompts an immune response, so it's completely within expectation that you'd get an inflammatory reaction at the injection site.
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Just look away when they put the needle in.
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