Wednesday, 21 October 2009

• flu vaccines. . .

  I had my seasonal flu vaccine this year already, as I mentioned in a previous post.  I haven't yet had the H1N1 vaccine because it's not here yet, and when it is here I guess I'm second in line behind the kids.  I'm okay with that, I get the reasoning, I'm just hoping to get it before I have to get on a plane in November because it never fails that when I fly I catch something.  I have an already compromised immune system that has little exposure to other people, so when I am exposed to other people in small spaces like planes I inevitably get sick. 

  I have been thinking about my regular flu vaccine and the reaction I had.  Granted, I had just started Cipro for a mild UTI at the same time.  I'm just not really sure what made me so sick - the Cipro, the UTI or the flu vaccine.  I had quite a few UTIs as a child, and a few as an adult so I'm guessing I've taken Cipro before although I'm not 100% certain.  The UTI was very mild, especially in comparison to some I've had in the past.  I had some pelvic discomfort, cloudy urine and one day of intermittent very lightly blood-tinged urine.  I've had much, much worse episodes.  I only went to the doctor for the UTI to be certain to clear it up.  Now, I've already described my symptoms in a previous post (fever, extreme chills, weakness, fatigue).  It could have been the UTI suddenly getting extremely worse, or a reaction to the flu vaccine or the Cipro.  I'm just worried now as to whether or not I can have the H1N1 vaccine or any other flu vaccines if it was a reaction to the flu vaccine.  I've heard that if  you've had a reaction to flu vaccine you shouldn't have the flu vaccine again.  Does that mean no H1N1 vaccine for me?  I don't like the thought of not being able to receive the flu vaccine any longer as with my compromised immune system if I get the flu it will mean a hospital stay.  I don't like being in the hospital (who does?).  I can't sleep when I'm in the hospital - at all.  Last time I was watching reruns of Little House On The Prairie at 4:00 a.m.  That really sucks, lol.  I'm also terrible at getting myself to the hospital in a timely manner because I hate it so much and have such a high tolerance for pain.  By the time I finally admit I need to go it's usually an ambulance ride and when the EMTs put in the IV they do it in a different spot than at the hospital - and if I move my arm at all it sets off the stupid alarm.  Last time they weren't able to switch it out and that stupid alarm went off constantly.  Not to mention waiting that long increases my risk of slipping into a coma or actually dying from the flu. 

  I'm just rambling 'cause I'm bored but can't concentrate on much right now.  I know I need to talk to my doctor about all this, but I'm holding off until the H1N1 vaccine is available to me - I can't afford all these co-pays so I'll have to wait a bit longer for the answers. 

  Anyway, I'm a little depressed right now - a combination of the weather lately (rain, rain, rain) and the fact that November 9 is the sentencing date for the woman who killed my brother and I have to get my victim impact statement written soon.  I've gone over it in my head many, many times, but I haven't been able to bring myself to sit down and write out the victim impact statement.  I will be glad when this is all over and done with, it's been an emotional drain. 

  On a positive note, I've really gotten control over my OCD.  Oh, I still have it, but I've stopped writing so many lists, and some days I don't write any.  My cleaning habits have changed drastically.  My place is still completely organized, but I've stopped "high dusting" every damn week and I'm skipping things here and there and doing things less frequently.  I wasn't even consciously trying to change my OCD, I just got tired of spending so much time cleaning, lol. 

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