MAC and getting the COVID vaccine

I also had a $25 Kroger test before I had the Labcorps test--after the first shot. It is different. It is not quantitative-- it does not give a number of antibodies, so you cannot tell how strong your response is. Also, the Kroger test I had does not differentiate between antibodies to the spike protein, and the nucleocapsid. If your antibodies are to the latter, it means you've had the virus, but the $25 test won't tell you whether you've had the virus or the vax. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines just create antibodies tot he spike protein. Since the Labcorps tests only the response to the spike protein (get the one with "S" on the end of the name)-- it does not test whether you've had the disease , just whether you've had a reaction to the vax. At least that's how I understand it-- it was vdeveloped by Roche-- google Roche antibody test Dec 2020 and you can read about it

Just when I said that i saw it posted. My mother 94 just received her first covid shot. I wonder my self about getting the shot with our poor ammune response. Thanks Nan

Granny, I think you deserve some credit for harboring excellent intentions. After all, lots of people seem not to even give a rat’s butt about their fitness.
I hatched an aphorism several years ago with which I suspect you’ll resonate: CONSISTENCY TRUMPS INTENSITY.
At age 81 my “routine” has decelerated to “pumping” light dumbbells with my wife 3 x weekly along with a short daily walk which I do faithfully, pressing thermal underwear into service on cold days.
At walk’s end I reward myself and my wife too, though she did nothing to deserve it beyond being wonderful. Coffee for me, tea for her along with a bran muffin I bake for us both.
Notice the “reward” is enjoyed following the fitness activity. B.F. Skinner would be so proud of me. Although I doubt ole Skinner would agree that being generically wonderful
is worthy of reinforcement. He seemed to be an anhedonic sorta guy.
So here’s the formula. Choose something you really enjoy and make it contingent on exercising. Treat yourself like a lab rat; gotta run the maze before you reach the M&M dispenser. Try it and tell us all about it. Don

Granny, I read up on what you wrote and unless I am reading it wrong, the test you mention is a test to rapidly detect the virus in people acutely ill. A nurse told me that there is only a three-day window to test positive for Covid while a person is ill. That surely can not be true...Anyway, when I took the Kroger test, I had NOT yet received the vaccination. The test turned bright red very rapidly, which surprised the Pharmacist, although she admitted it meant "nothing," in terms of the antibody number/strength.
Two weeks before the end of my radiation sessions--last March--my husband (he accompanied me to hospital everyday) and I developed severe lung infections. Mine turned into a horrendous cough that lasted for approximately four months. I ended up breaking three ribs from the violent coughing. After the coughing ended, the mucus then changed in consistency, to a hardened, impossible to cough up substance. Meanwhile, I was prescribed one antibiotic after another (have been on them for almost one year now) which seems to loosen up the mucus somewhat. In August, I was hospitalized with Klebsiella Pneumonia and of course they tested me for Covis which was negative. It was negative because I believe the disease had already been in my system for months. The Oncologist told me there was no way the lung infection was Covid, because in March "it is too early for Covid." Whatever. A few weeks ago I went to STATCARE with once again shortness of breath. This doctor prescribed a new antibiotic "Clindamycin, and put me on Prednisone 20 mg. I have been prescribed Prednisone about four times over the last year, but this dose is higher than any others. For the first time in one year I have slept through the night and have started eating again, after being on a feeding tube the last several months. They put the feeding tube in hoping it would cure my lung problem, believing aspiration was the cause. It did not help the mucus at all. The Prednisone has greatly helped me this time. It is scary that there are only five days worth left, because I fear when they run out everything will go back the way it was again. The doctors will not test me for MAC, because they claim my lungs are clear, although the CT scan says the lungs are "Hyperlucent." Isn't that sometimes an indication of MAC? The bottom line is this: If Prednisone helps the symptoms of MAC, then maybe I still do have MAC. On the other hand, if Prednisone does not have a positive effect on MAC, then I will almost be sure I do NOT have MAC since the medicine is helping greatly. Does that make sense? This is a crazy journey. I sincerely hope everyone feels better, and that a cure is near for all people. The Prednisone dosage is lowering slowly. Unfortunately, it does feel like the mucus is beginning to thicken once again. Thank-you, for listening.

Granny, I read up on what you wrote and unless I am reading it wrong, the test you mention is a test to rapidly detect the virus in people acutely ill. A nurse told me that there is only a three-day window to test positive for Covid while a person is ill. That surely can not be true...Anyway, when I took the Kroger test, I had NOT yet received the vaccination. The test turned bright red very rapidly, which surprised the Pharmacist, although she admitted it meant "nothing," in terms of the antibody number/strength.
Two weeks before the end of my radiation sessions--last March--my husband (he accompanied me to hospital everyday) and I developed severe lung infections. Mine turned into a horrendous cough that lasted for approximately four months. I ended up breaking three ribs from the violent coughing. After the coughing ended, the mucus then changed in consistency, to a hardened, impossible to cough up substance. Meanwhile, I was prescribed one antibiotic after another (have been on them for almost one year now) which seems to loosen up the mucus somewhat. In August, I was hospitalized with Klebsiella Pneumonia and of course they tested me for Covis which was negative. It was negative because I believe the disease had already been in my system for months. The Oncologist told me there was no way the lung infection was Covid, because in March "it is too early for Covid." Whatever. A few weeks ago I went to STATCARE with once again shortness of breath. This doctor prescribed a new antibiotic "Clindamycin, and put me on Prednisone 20 mg. I have been prescribed Prednisone about four times over the last year, but this dose is higher than any others. For the first time in one year I have slept through the night and have started eating again, after being on a feeding tube the last several months. They put the feeding tube in hoping it would cure my lung problem, believing aspiration was the cause. It did not help the mucus at all. The Prednisone has greatly helped me this time. It is scary that there are only five days worth left, because I fear when they run out everything will go back the way it was again. The doctors will not test me for MAC, because they claim my lungs are clear, although the CT scan says the lungs are "Hyperlucent." Isn't that sometimes an indication of MAC? The bottom line is this: If Prednisone helps the symptoms of MAC, then maybe I still do have MAC. On the other hand, if Prednisone does not have a positive effect on MAC, then I will almost be sure I do NOT have MAC since the medicine is helping greatly. Does that make sense? This is a crazy journey. I sincerely hope everyone feels better, and that a cure is near for all people. The Prednisone dosage is lowering slowly. Unfortunately, it does feel like the mucus is beginning to thicken once again. Thank-you, for listening.

Does anyone have concerns about getting vaccines which have efficacy rates in the 60% range, as opposed to the vaccines which have much higher efficacy rates? This has become an issue in the US and Europe and I’m certain will become a concern in Canada as these vaccines are available.
Any comments?

Hi All,

Newbie here. 🙂

I am wondering if there is something I can do to counteract nausea and vomiting from the Moderna 1st and 2nd shots? I just got my first shot today. Mostly just my arm hurts and I feel a little dizzy but it's not horrible. But nausea and vomiting (which everyone gets from time to time) completely freak me out.

Just trying to be prepared, since I am prone to getting side effects like these. Staying calm. LOL!

Lynn