Meningitis shot...

[STG]

I thought I had all my shots taken care of...but today someone from my grad school told me I didn't get my meningitis shot. So I called my doctor and scheduled an appointment for Tuesday at 2:30. I'm really scared and I hate shots... how long does it hurt for? I remember I took a shot when I was 12 (I don't remember which shot) but it hurt for like a week after and I couldn't move my arm. I hope this one won't be so bad. My doctor also told me I was missing a booster shot but I told her I'll take it another time.

[CLEP101]

I thought I had all my shots taken care of...but today someone from my grad school told me I didn't get my meningitis shot. So I called my doctor and scheduled an appointment for Tuesday at 2:30. I'm really scared and I hate shots... how long does it hurt for? I remember I took a shot when I was 12 (I don't remember which shot) but it hurt for like a week after and I couldn't move my arm. I hope this one won't be so bad. My doctor also told me I was missing a booster shot but I told her I'll take it another time.

Meningitis, Nice!! I don't remember getting that one, although I know I have. I usually get 3 or 4 at a time. The one that I know hurts is the Anthrax shot. If you don't massage the injection site for a bit, it will form into a knot or a lump and it will hurt like hell. That's what happened to me anyways.

[STG]

Meningitis, Nice!! I don't remember getting that one, although I know I have. I usually get 3 or 4 at a time. The one that I know hurts is the Anthrax shot. If you don't massage the injection site for a bit, it will form into a knot or a lump and it will hurt like hell. That's what happened to me anyways.

The last time I got a shot was 6 years ago... :puke:
I don't know what an Anthrax shot is but I don't think I took it.

[PonyGirl93]

The one that I remember killing was tetanus. You usually get it before you go into middle school, so that would be about the right age. I got it during the county fair and was trying to ride my horse with an arm-ache that I could never have imagined possible :puke:

[Lindagerr]

I have not had the menningitis shot, but I learned when my kids were little if the shot might hurt or cause problems afterward give them Tylenol or Ibuprophen at the same time as the shot and it minimizes problems. You can also take them for a day or 2 afterward if the area hurts. If you haven't had a shot since you were 6 I am surprised you don't need more boosters. If you are afraid of shots try some relaxation techniques before you go and whenever you think about the shot. My DD has developed a full blown phobia of needles because of an experince that was handled badly when she was 11. She needs to be sedated to even give blood samples.

[STG]

I have not had the menningitis shot, but I learned when my kids were little if the shot might hurt or cause problems afterward give them Tylenol or Ibuprophen at the same time as the shot and it minimizes problems. You can also take them for a day or 2 afterward if the area hurts. If you haven't had a shot since you were 6 I am surprised you don't need more boosters. If you are afraid of shots try some relaxation techniques before you go and whenever you think about the shot. My DD has developed a full blown phobia of needles because of an experince that was handled badly when she was 11. She needs to be sedated to even give blood samples.

Thanks for the Tyenol advice...I hope it doesn't hurt
The last time I got a shot was 6 years ago...not when I was 6

[Storyteller]

It's best to adjust to the fact that needles are a fact of modern medical care. Try to relax, don't let the technician know you're afraid and don't look at the spot where they are injecting it.
I don't like shots, but the older you get, the more accepting you have to become. My experience of having 11 attempts at placing an IV in a period of less than one hour is proof you can survive anything.
Needless to say, my fear of needles evaporated with that experience.
Life does go on, the swelling goes down, the pain goes away and you are protected from meningitis. The alternative - getting the disease - stinks big!

[MomOfMany]

My two oldest just got it yesterday.
It stung for about 10 minutes.
The son who listened to me and massaged and flexed his arm repeatedly doesn't have any bum or muscle tenderness.
The son who didn't listen to me said his arm is very very tight and sore this morning, but it's already raising up.

[P00057870]

The pain is related to the product being injected, how it is distributed (beneath the skin, into the muscle, into a vein or artery, etc.), as well as the skill of the person who injects it. Others have given you good suggestions, especially about taking a Tylenol - but do that before you walk in, so it has a little time to start getting into your system even before they inject you.

If it is an intramuscular (IM) injection, ask the nurse ahead of time, and ask if they should massage it. Sometimes this helps to move it through the muscle fibers rather than have it sit where it was injected. It will eventually move through but I was told that was part of why some injections are sore and others don't seem to be much more than the initial prick soreness). Sometimes the nurses are busy and don't want to take the time but if you bring it up they will realize you know a little and will take the time. It does not take that long, only a few seconds.

The other suggestions about relaxing and not watching also are very good.

Sometimes an area of injection will get a little red and hot to touch (I've had that with some of the older flu shots), and when that happens you can rub a little ice on the surface just to take the heat down a little. It is just your very health immune system response kicking in but can still be uncomfortable.

Just chalk this up to another step in the process toward moving forward in pursuing your future.

[clep3705]

There is more than one meningitis shot. I had the one called Menactra. Do not take any other immunization at the same time. In fact, you shouldn't take any other immunization within two weeks of Menactra, not before, not after.

I took Menactra at the same time as a flu immunization. I was bedridden for four days, totally fatigued. Once I realized how badly I felt, I went to the manufacturer's site and read that Menactra should only be taken by itself. Wish that had been explained to me beforehand!

You shouldn't fear getting Menactra - just take it in accordance with the recommendations. I don't remember any soreness from the Menactra shot.

The anthrax immunization is for military personnel and it is not available to the public.

I highly recommend to everyone to get the hepatitis A immunization series. Hepatitis A is unlikely to kill you, but it is somewhat easy to catch (bad sanitation, infected restaurant employee handling food, etc.) and it is so easy to prevent. I also recommend hepatitis B shots, but most people get those nowadays. Hepatitis B is difficult to catch, but often fatal. If it doesn't kill you outright, you are likely to die of liver cancer later.