Flu shot and Diabetes

Posted by Retired Teacher @retiredteacher, Oct 8, 2019

This reminder was in my Mayo newsletter this morning, so I thought I would be sure everyone has seen it. My husband and I got our high-powered flu shots the first week in September. We get them every year because it's good defense against illness for everybody and especially for those of us with diabetes and heart disease. Some people say the shot gives you the flu; that's not true. The shot may not be fun, but it's better than getting the flu. So, if you are a diabetic, get the shot and not the flu!

Mayo Clinic:
Influenza (flu)
High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to the flu and its complications. So have you gotten your annual flu shot yet?
Carol

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@retiredteacher Hello Carol,
This is a great reminder! Yes, I got my high-powered flu shot two days ago. My arm still hurts but I know I've protected myself somewhat from the more serious flu.

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my wife of 65years is in reall in good health. she has apls and she has migraine headaches for over 40--50 years.they gave her the new aimovgig . a yeaer ago. one epi in oct one in noiv and one in December.it didn't help mher. it gave her a motion dis ordre. her whole body twists and turns like a person is drownding as she thrashes around for 10 or 20 minutes at a time maybe 5 6 7 times a day..what can we do/ weve been to yalethe,hartford health care and no one has done anything for her. she is the easiest person to get along with. she tries to lead a normal life ido everything I can do for her. she is a wonderf person. I live her like the same day I met her 67 years ago

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I am diabetic taking insulin. Yes, I have gotten my shot along with my wife who is a cancer survivor. We are both 78 years old. Thank you

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I tried to figure the best place to post this and could not find another area mentioning flu shots, nor an appropriate group to post under so I am posting here.

I got my flu shot this week at Walgreens. When the pharmacist was giving it to me she told me that she had three high-dose shots left and there were three people waiting! I was lucky. I got in just ahead of them. My husband has not had his so I asked her when she would have more in. She told me, hopefully by the end of October but there’s a shortage this year so maybe they won’t get any more. She said if he can’t get the high-dose that they really have not proved that it is more effective than the regular one, so just get that.

Then I had to go to CVS to pick up my immunosuppressants - they get delivered there from the CVS specialty pharmacy in Boston. I asked that pharmacist if they had any left and he said they ran out last week! He too was unsure if they would get more.

So, if you can’t get the high-dose more than likely the regular one will be fine.
JK

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@contentandwell

I tried to figure the best place to post this and could not find another area mentioning flu shots, nor an appropriate group to post under so I am posting here.

I got my flu shot this week at Walgreens. When the pharmacist was giving it to me she told me that she had three high-dose shots left and there were three people waiting! I was lucky. I got in just ahead of them. My husband has not had his so I asked her when she would have more in. She told me, hopefully by the end of October but there’s a shortage this year so maybe they won’t get any more. She said if he can’t get the high-dose that they really have not proved that it is more effective than the regular one, so just get that.

Then I had to go to CVS to pick up my immunosuppressants - they get delivered there from the CVS specialty pharmacy in Boston. I asked that pharmacist if they had any left and he said they ran out last week! He too was unsure if they would get more.

So, if you can’t get the high-dose more than likely the regular one will be fine.
JK

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@contentandwell I think this is a perfect place to tell about the shortage of shots since I titled this post Flu Shots and Diabetes. It doesn't have to be just about Diabetes, but anything, as the newsletter said. It reminds people and adds another dimension---not just for diabetics. So, knowing that you discovered a shortage is a good addition for anyone who has a health compromise or even for healthy people. The news last night reported that the CDC expects a larger number of cases that are more severe this year. We all need to get the shot unless there is a reason not to. I'm glad you got yours and hope your hubby can get his. The lower dose is better than nothing, but maybe the pharmacies will get the senior shot in.
Carol

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@evansjim

I am diabetic taking insulin. Yes, I have gotten my shot along with my wife who is a cancer survivor. We are both 78 years old. Thank you

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@evansjim Good for you both for getting your flu shot. I am a Type 2 diabetic so whether 1 or 2, we need to do what we can to keep from having the flu. My husband has heart disease so the flu shot is a must for him too. I am 75; my husband is 78. We try to take precautions with whatever will help. We also had the pneumonia shot last year too. Hopefully, if we are as proactive as we can be, we will stay well. Congratulations to your wife as a cancer survivor; it's wonderful to hear that from people who have fought the battle and won.

Carol

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@georgiey1

my wife of 65years is in reall in good health. she has apls and she has migraine headaches for over 40--50 years.they gave her the new aimovgig . a yeaer ago. one epi in oct one in noiv and one in December.it didn't help mher. it gave her a motion dis ordre. her whole body twists and turns like a person is drownding as she thrashes around for 10 or 20 minutes at a time maybe 5 6 7 times a day..what can we do/ weve been to yalethe,hartford health care and no one has done anything for her. she is the easiest person to get along with. she tries to lead a normal life ido everything I can do for her. she is a wonderf person. I live her like the same day I met her 67 years ago

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@georgiey1 I am sorry your wife is having so much trouble. I think if I were you, I would either go back to the doctors who couldn't help her or find another doctor who may know what will help. Did your Primary send you to Yale and Hartford? You are in an excellent area for specialists. If one can't help, maybe he/she would refer you to someone else. Can you make your own appointments or do you have to have a rec from your personal physician? Don't give up; someone knows something and surely can help. Please contact another doctor or maybe a health department or call your insurance company; sometimes they will give suggestions. I hope you can find help and get some peace for your wife.
Carol

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@georgiey1

my wife of 65years is in reall in good health. she has apls and she has migraine headaches for over 40--50 years.they gave her the new aimovgig . a yeaer ago. one epi in oct one in noiv and one in December.it didn't help mher. it gave her a motion dis ordre. her whole body twists and turns like a person is drownding as she thrashes around for 10 or 20 minutes at a time maybe 5 6 7 times a day..what can we do/ weve been to yalethe,hartford health care and no one has done anything for her. she is the easiest person to get along with. she tries to lead a normal life ido everything I can do for her. she is a wonderf person. I live her like the same day I met her 67 years ago

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I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this! Your devotion to your sweetheart is inspiring! (My husband and I met 42 years ago!) It sounds, to me, that your wife may be dealing with tardive dyskinesia. What type of doctors has she seen? Maybe a neurologist could help? I don't know enough about it to be much help. I just know it is exhausting and frustrating! I hope you get the answers that you need! Best wishes, CM Heintz

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@georgiey1

my wife of 65years is in reall in good health. she has apls and she has migraine headaches for over 40--50 years.they gave her the new aimovgig . a yeaer ago. one epi in oct one in noiv and one in December.it didn't help mher. it gave her a motion dis ordre. her whole body twists and turns like a person is drownding as she thrashes around for 10 or 20 minutes at a time maybe 5 6 7 times a day..what can we do/ weve been to yalethe,hartford health care and no one has done anything for her. she is the easiest person to get along with. she tries to lead a normal life ido everything I can do for her. she is a wonderf person. I live her like the same day I met her 67 years ago

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georgiey1, several years ago I had a reaction to two different medications. One a depression med and the other for tremors. My movements were continuous all day long. Kind of a slow wrything movement of my trunk, arms and legs. It began when I woke up and didn't quit until I was asleep. Went to many doctors. Most thought I was faking it to get medications. I went through this for close to two years trying several medications...none worked. I started doing a healthier diet and juicing and had acupuncture beginning with twice a week for a month and then once a week for a couple of months and then once a month for several months. It took almost a year to quiet the movement down. I'm moving slightly every morning for 1/2 hour and when I'm very tired or under lots of stress. Sometimes it just kicks in back to the original movement for a couple of days and then just quits. Otherwise, it's basically controlled. I don't notice it during the day unless it's one of the above situations. It is unnoticeable to others other than myself. I pray that you find a solution soon.

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Just wondering, has a doctor checked you for possible Parkinson's. My husband and his grandmother had tremors and I thought it was from alcoholism but they never mentioned it to the doctors and my husband died at 71 from his cancer basically, and other chronic disease. I read about Parkinson's because I have seen cases in friends and know it is long term but I read that Cleveland Clinic does wondrous things. Doris

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