Health and Wellness Chit-Chat: Your Primary Care Topic

[PRgal]

3 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Yes, they came and stayed until I started chemo.

Yes. They knew about the tests, biopsy and when I told them the results, they came and stayed for a few months. I thought I could handle the chemo on my own, and thought my aunt, who lived only 20 minutes away, would be there to drive to and from. But, chemo KICKED my ASS; Aunt suddenly decided her life was too busy (but she had time to help her other friend to and from chemo, radiation and socialize, but whatever), so I called my Mom to ask her to come back until chemo was done. It took a little longer, but she came. 

It's not that expensive to travel from here and there, and price is dependent on the travel season-hikes up during the holidays.

I've only had radiation, so I don't know what chemo is like.  Radiation made me a little bit more tired than normal, but I've heard chemo is a million times worse.  :( 

[shapeshifter]

6 hours ago, PRgal said:

I've only had radiation, so I don't know what chemo is like.  Radiation made me a little bit more tired than normal, but I've heard chemo is a million times worse.  :( 

The good thing about the kind of chemo I had is that it wipes your memory. 
For example, at work I designed new icons for the library computer desktop screens. About a month later I asked the tech guy who made them. 
So I don't really remember that year.

[SoMuchTV]

13 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

The good thing about the kind of chemo I had is that it wipes your memory. 
For example, at work I designed new icons for the library computer desktop screens. About a month later I asked the tech guy who made them. 
So I don't really remember that year.

Oh wow I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic here. I can see the benefit of being able to forget unpleasant stuff that happened. But not at the expense of forgetting all the good or mundane stuff!

[shapeshifter]

46 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

Oh wow I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic here. I can see the benefit of being able to forget unpleasant stuff that happened. But not at the expense of forgetting all the good or mundane stuff!

Maybe a teensy bit sarcastic. But there wasn't much worth remembering that year.

[Gramto6]

Congrats @GHScorpiosRule!! From a 13 year breast cancer survivor! 10 years is a huge marker!! It is amazing to look back and realize just how long ago that all really was! Going through it, it seems it will never end!

My journey was very different from yours so much easier, if it can be "easy"at all. I got my dx, small growth right breast, cancer, and was suggested to have a lumpectomy.  My mom died of breast cancer and though I was negative for the BRCA gene, I decided on a double mastectomy with no recon. I was not going to wait for the other shoe to drop with another dx in the years to come. 

I opted out of recon after joining a Breast Cancer Survivors forum and hearing too many horror stories of botched/problem recons. Since my cancer was small and it was detected so early, given the mastectomies, I didn't have to go through radiation or chemo. So very much easier than many others. I have never regretted what I did one minute. I healed quickly and was followed regularly for two years by my Oncologist and have had no signs of any reoccurrences.

Both my kids came from CA to help me out the first week or so as I healed and then I was back to regular life. The chemo was what took my mom. She had a very weak heart on top of the cancer and it was just too much for her body to handle.

Not trying to steal your thunder, just sharing one survivor to another. And a huge CONGRATULATIONS to you!!  🎉   (((HUGS)))

Edited September 28 by Gramto6

[shapeshifter]

About the free 4 Covid test kits recently made available at covidtests.gov:
Mine arrived with expiration dates for December 2023.
Apparently they are shipping test kits with "extended" expiration dates that will expire in 60 days.
I don't know if that will change at some point.
I'm on hold right now, waiting for a "supervisor." 

[fairffaxx]

Check the specific extension for your brand at this website:

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list

[GHScorpiosRule]

On 9/27/2024 at 11:15 PM, Gramto6 said:

I opted out of recon after joining a Breast Cancer Survivors forum and hearing too many horror stories of botched/problem recons. Since my cancer was small and it was detected so early, given the mastectomies

Unfortunately for me, the location of the lump ruled out a lumpectomy. And because of its location and it being particularly aggressive, I also underwent chemo as a “just in case/make sure to get all the cancer” route. Also tested negative for the BRCA gene, but my Nana had breast cancer (mastectomies over a 10 year period, no chemo) and she’s still with us. It skipped my mom and sister, so after realizing implant was a no go, had my surgeon lop off the left breast to prevent cancer to try and come in the other way. Had reconstructive surgery a month after the second mastectomy. It was more invasive and a 14 hour surgery. My parents came and stayed with me for three months. I had those drains in FOUR places. My insurance allowed me to have nurses come in daily to change the dressing and undrain. No extra out of pocket expenses.

[GHScorpiosRule]

10 Years Today I underwent the first of many surgeries. But this first was the most important: Lopped off my right breast to remove the cancer that was residing close to the lymph node.

And unfortunately, I can't even have a celebratory drink, because today also kicked off Navaratri, which means no egg, meat, or alcohol for nine days. So the champagnee will have to wait until October 12.

[shapeshifter]

34 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

10 Years Today I underwent the first of many surgeries. But this first was the most important: Lopped off my right breast to remove the cancer that was residing close to the lymph node.

And unfortunately, I can't even have a celebratory drink, because today also kicked off Navaratri, which means no egg, meat, or alcohol for nine days. So the champagnee will have to wait until October 12.

Chocolate?

[GHScorpiosRule]

35 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Chocolate?

 I can't really indulge because...diabetic here, and a small piece wouldn't be enough! Like, I can drink a third bottle of my  Moët Rosé!

[Mindthinkr]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Moët Rosé!

Nice choice 🍾

[Chit Chat]

Quote

 I've been struggling with CPAP for 4 months now. If you want to post about it on the general Health and Wellness thread, I'll see it. Or I/we could start a separate CPAP thread too. Mostly I've been getting info from Reddit (and my health care providers).

Brought this over from another thread.  Above post by shapeshifter.  Hello!  What kind of trouble are you having?  I use a CPAP, and Mr. Chat uses a BIPAP.  He uses the nasal canula and does well with it.  I have the mask type.  If mine isn't really tight against my face, it can move around due to sweating and/or being a side sleeper.  Mr. Chat has had his for about 14 years, and I've used one for 7 yrs.  

There are different types of masks/canulas, so if that's the issue, check with your sleep study clinic to see if they have something that works for you.  When Mr. Chat first started using a CPAP, they gave him Ambien in order to get to sleep so he could get used to it.  That was a short-term thing.   

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I'm here for encouragement and any info I've learned that might help!!

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Chit Chat said:

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I'm here for encouragement and any info I've learned that might help!!

Thanks!

Sorry I don't have a tl;dr (too long; didn't read) summary, but here goes:

The DME (Durable Medical Equipment) suppliers are overwhelmed, undereducated, underpaid, etc., but also (most of 'em) very earnest in wanting to help, which wound up being more of a waste of time, resources, and effort. 
However, I've found a better DME branch not too far away.
Too bad I didn't start there.
Or run out of that first hole-in-the-wall place like I was inclined to do as soon as I walked in the door.

The Sleep doctors are (self-admittedly) also overwhelmed.

So I have 5 masks I've tried since the end of June, finally learning that the horrible (for my nose) nasal pillows can be replaced by nasal cushions for most of these masks. 

I'm also learning (thanks in small part to the doctor, and more to Reddit) about adjusting the settings on the machine so it doesn't wake me up when I turn over. 

But just when I think I have it figured out, it stops working for me.
I mean, it's still "working," but suddenly there will be lots of extra air blowing hard in my face. 
And I've noticed washing the nasal cushion once a week in water with mild, fragrance-free dish soap (as instructed/directed) seems to make them less form-fitting.
I would just replace them more often, but I'm still trying to figure out which mask/harness works best, so I can't order too many cushions at a time because of the way insurance works.

I am so exhausted. If I don't drink caffeine before driving the 30 minutes home from my daughter's house, I fall asleep at the stop lights. 
And caffeine causes me other problems.

I am not yet getting more sleep than before I started CPAP therapy, but I don't want to stop because I've been complaining to doctors about a choking sensation when I lay down for about 5-10 years and finally it has been diagnosed.*
Plus, I am now even more hyper-aware of the choking sensation when I am laying in bed with the CPAP off because I ripped it off my face when it was blowing in my eyes or even my stomach!
And if I try laying in bed propped up, most of the time I wind up with a neck ache.
And right now I feel the choking too, and I'm standing up.😵‍💫

Just so you don't think everything is going to hell, I finally found wonderful pillows: amazon.com/gp/product/B0BX2Q4RC2

__________________

* But the choking is also very much like how Dad was affected by Parkinson's, and I do have one of the possible genes for it, but, like Dad, I do not yet exhibit the symptoms that give a definitive diagnosis — for what that's worth, because there's no cure.
 

Edited October 20 by shapeshifter

[annzeepark914]

Has anyone here had this respiratory infection that's making the rounds? I've been sick since 10/10 and I may need to reschedule foot surgery (bone spur 🙄) that is on for this Thursday. I've been tested for covid & had a chest X-ray, both negative, + a week of antibiotics that haven't helped. I see my PCP on Tuesday & I bet she's going to tell me to reschedule surgery (not being able to use a foot requires energy: knee scooter, crutches, etc). 

[shapeshifter]

Did you get tested for RSV?

[Chit Chat]

10 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

But just when I think I have it figured out, it stops working for me.
I mean, it's still "working," but suddenly there will be lots of extra air blowing hard in my face. 

I'm sorry that you're having so much trouble with your CPAP.  I am able to get by with the lowest pressure setting, but even with that, if the mask moves due to sweat or just turning over, it does slide, so there is the occasional adjusting of the mask during the night.  With the pressure setting, always consult your doctor about that.  Some people have to have the higher pressure setting.

I deal with it by thinking about the consequences of not using it, but I understand the frustration.  Again, it's always best to talk to the professionals who deal with sleep apnea and who dispense the machines & masks so that they can help you.  Hang in there!

 

[shapeshifter]

7 hours ago, Chit Chat said:

With the pressure setting, always consult your doctor about that. 

If only. They all (DME, Doctor, Physician’s Assistant, schedulers) make it quite clear that there more patients than they have time for.

Did you ever have anything like this? I sure didn’t:

Quote

How to Know if Your CPAP Pressure Needs Adjusting

When you first start using a new CPAP device, you can expect frequent adjustments to your pressure settings. Your doctor will make these changes based on sleep data from the first weeks that you use the machine, as well as on the degree to which the treatment relieves your symptoms.

You will also have regular check-ins over the phone or in person to make sure there are no obstacles preventing you from using the device consistently and comfortably.

A well-fitting mask makes a great difference in the effectiveness of CPAP therapy. New CPAP users often try a number of different masks before finding the right fit. If you change the type of mask you wear after your initial titration, you may need to have your CPAP pressure settings adjusted.

You may also need readjustment of pressure settings if you continue to experience sleep apnea symptoms despite using your CPAP regularly. Persistent symptoms such as daytime fatigue, snoring, or a high number of respiratory events during the night can be signs that you should speak with your doctor.

To address your concerns, your doctor might reassess the fit of your mask, check for leaks, and adjust the pressure or other device settings. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms again after two to four weeks.

https://sleepdoctor.com/cpap/cpap-machine-pressure/

BTW, @Chit Chat, I think your initial post about CPAP on the other thread was deleted.🙃☹️
I’m sorry if my suggestion to move it to a different thread caused that.
Did you say you were having issues or…?

[Chit Chat]

5 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Did you ever have anything like this? I sure didn’t:

I had that issue when I tried the nasal pillow.  The tech said that some women have that problem when using that that setup.  My pressure is set to the lowest and I use a regular mask.  

 My posts are still there, but even if they did delete them, it's not a big deal!!  🙂

Overall, I do pretty good with my CPAP.  It's the typical issue of the mask sliding during the night, which wakes me up with the air hissing; or the straps digging in on my head!  It's the same stuff other people complain about.  I'm sorry that you can't get anyone to help you.  Maybe there are some polysomnographic techs on Reddit or other forums that could be of help. 

 

[shapeshifter]

26 minutes ago, Chit Chat said:

Overall, I do pretty good with my CPAP.  It's the typical issue of the mask sliding during the night, which wakes me up with the air hissing; or the straps digging in on my head! 

At this point, this👆 is mostly my problem too.
Does it happen every night? 
 

[Chit Chat]

2 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Does it happen every night? 

Yes, it does!  I'm used to it though.  There are cushion accessories for the CPAP straps, but I haven't tried those.  I'm concerned those will be too bulky.  You can find those on Amazon.  I wipe out the moisture under the mask during the night and go back to sleep!   

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Chit Chat said:

and go back to sleep! 

If I just need to make a minor adjustment (like they say in all the instructions), I too can go back to sleep. 
But if — like last night — I keep trying to fix the leak without disconnecting the mask, turning on lights, etc., then finally do try disconnecting the mask, going to the bathroom, getting a drink, and starting all over, only to have wind still whistling around my head and nose from several openings from the AirFit P30i (with the hose connector on top of my head).…
well, then, I'm not likely to be going back to sleep for another 4-8 hours.

And this happens at least half the time — probably more like ⅔ or ¾. 

Tomorrow is my weekly equipment washing day.
I am also going to switch to a different mask (F&P Solo, with the hose connector in front of the nose) that I was using with moderate success with those horrible, deceptively-named nasal "pillows."
I will be replacing them with a nasal cushion, which the PA recommended to me at my visit after 3 months and countless wasted efforts with the DME folks. 

There do not seem to be any people in that DME office with noses like mine, even though it is ethnically diverse WRT skin colors. Like the whole emoji rainbow. But all with cute little symmetrical noses. And probably without any nostril hair like me and my mom. I feel like Pinocchio in Legoland. Pinocchio with a throat that closes when I lay down.

[supposebly]

20 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

But if — like last night — I keep trying to fix the leak without disconnecting the mask, turning on lights, etc., then finally do try disconnecting the mask, going to the bathroom, getting a drink, and starting all over, only to have wind still whistling around my head and nose from several openings from the AirFit P30i (with the hose connector on top of my head).…
well, then, I'm not likely to be going back to sleep for another 4-8 hours.

That sounds to me like the whole point of the machine, to give you uninterrupted sleep, is not happening. 

[shapeshifter]

3 hours ago, supposebly said:

That sounds to me like the whole point of the machine, to give you uninterrupted sleep, is not happening. 

That's a big part of it.
But it's also preventing me from not breathing while asleep. 
So, if I have it on for 4 hours per night, that's half better than not having it. 
(The sleep study revealed I stop breathing 18 times per hour, which is considered "moderate" sleep apnea, which can affect my heart etc.)

Of course, if it makes me even more tired than before, and I have a fatal car accident due to falling asleep at the wheel, that's worse. 

The PA at the sleep center said I'd need to stop driving if this continues.

Edited October 22 by shapeshifter

[supposebly]

I don't know how bad your OSA is but I saw this in my recommendations today, (I don't know why) and found it quite interesting. It talks about the research that looked at the efficiency and efficacy of them. It also talks about an alternative that might be useful if you can't wear the machine. Keep in mind, they're not saying they don't work, but because many people are having trouble wearing them, they're not as useful as if one actually wears them every night. 

 

[Gramto6]

On 10/20/2024 at 9:21 AM, shapeshifter said:

Just so you don't think everything is going to hell, I finally found wonderful pillows: amazon.com/gp/product/B0BX2Q4RC2

Thanks for this link!! I have been on a long lived quest to find a pillow that I can sleep comfortably on. Right now I am using one of those curved/horse shoe shaped pillow that is the best so far but not helping my neck much. The ones you linked to seem to be a good try as they are really adjustable. They are on my Shopping List now!

[shapeshifter]

16 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

Thanks for this link!! I have been on a long lived quest to find a pillow that I can sleep comfortably on. Right now I am using one of those curved/horse shoe shaped pillow that is the best so far but not helping my neck much. The ones you linked to seem to be a good try as they are really adjustable. They are on my Shopping List now!

If you get them, report back here whether or not you love them too (or not).

[Bastet]

From the regular Chit Chat thread, continuing the discussion of chickenpox ...

I never had it, which is only true of something like one percent of people who grew up before there was a vaccine.  I've never been vaccinated for it, either -- I didn't really think about it when the vaccine came out, since I was never around children and most adults had already had it (and thus couldn't get it again if their kids did, and then pass it on to me).  And then by the time I thought, "Oh, duh, maybe I should get that just in case," chickenpox was so rare I didn't bother.

Because I never had chickenpox, I can't get shingles.  But I could get chickenpox from someone with an active case of shingles -- if they were at the contagious blister stage and I touched the blister.  Which I would not do.  But, according to the CDC, the virus can also go airborne when an infected person scratches their blisters.

So I believe the recommendation for someone like me - never had chickenpox, never vaccinated for it - is to get the chickenpox vaccine, but no need for the shingles vaccine.  But my chances of being infected are so low, this has obviously never been a big priority for me.

[Anela]

I had chicken pox, the measles, etc. my sister had shingles when she was in her twenties. My parents didn’t take her seriously, at first, because of her age, but she was right.  They took her to a doctor.  I didn’t catch anything, but she stayed in her room a lot. 

Edited October 29 by Anela

[ebk57]

I had chicken pox and mumps as a kid.  I managed to avoid measles, but I do remember getting a vaccine for them when I was in elementary school.  So that probably helped. 

I got the shingles vax as soon as I was able to - I've seen/heard too many awful stories about shingles and I'd like to not ever have them.  The first shot was by far the worst reaction I've had to any vaccines lately, but totally worth it.  The second shot was okay.  

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Bastet said:

So I believe the recommendation for someone like me - never had chickenpox, never vaccinated for it - is to get the chickenpox vaccine, but no need for the shingles vaccine.  But my chances of being infected are so low, this has obviously never been a big priority for me.

Somewhat similarly:
My doctor said at my annual recently that my tests indicated I've never been exposed to Hep B. She said I should get the vaccine because 8 years ago when I had colon cancer, it had spread to my liver (I had 75% of my liver removed). My annual blood tests for that cancer have all been clear.
But I guess I should get around to it.

I've had the most recent Covid vaccine (and have never had it), and the most recent flu vaccine (I get it every year).

I've had the polio vaccine, and Mom said she asked the doctor to give us the smallpox vaccines in our hips/butts so we wouldn't have the arm scar. 

I finally got an updated tetanus vaccine.

The RSV vaccine was awful.

---------------------

 

My niece took her kids to a chickenpox party when they were very young, but it was only about 10 or 12 years ago — long after the chickenpox vaccine was available.
And, on top of that, my niece and both her parents had already experienced having shingles. 
It still makes me mad (at her) to think about it. 
But I never see her in person, so I don't say anything, and it's too late now anyway. 

 

---------------------

 

I'm 71 now, so I had measles, chickenpox, rubella (German measles), and, when I was about 12, Mumps, so I remember that a little more. My bed was against the wall of my sister's bedroom, and she was blasting music on her record player (I think Beatles?). I'm not sure whether or not I was able to ask her to turn it down, or if it hurt too much. And I'm not sure, but I think the boys in my class could have become sterile if they contracted Mumps at that age.

 

---------------------

 

I've never had strep throat even though my sister had it every winter, and at least one of my kids had it every winter.

Edited October 29 by shapeshifter

[Bastet]

42 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I've never had strep throat even though my sister had it every winter, and at least one of my kids had it every winter.

Ugh, strep is brutal -- a regular sore throat kicked up a dozen notches.  I had it several times as a kid*, and the last (I hope!) time around 30 I had bronchitis at the same time.  I have never been so fucking sick in my life, and hope to never repeat that.  It was crazy -- I was at a work event, felt fine upon arrival, by the end of cocktails and appetizers thought I was coming down with something, and wound up leaving after dinner but before dessert because I had already progressed to feeling like shit.  The next morning I called my mom to take me to Urgent Care because I knew I was dreadfully ill with something and didn't even trust myself to drive.  I came home with four prescriptions and took days to feel human again, weeks to get fully back to work, and months to fully recover (the strep was gone with antibiotics, but the bronchitis was viral and lingered on like nothing I'd ever had).

*One time we were slated to go camping for the weekend in my parents' motorhome, and I wanted to suffer at home instead.  My mom agreed, but my dad was of the "She's got meds, what's the difference where we are?" mentality.  My mom told him to pound sand, we were staying home, we did, and about a year later he got strep.  He apologizes to this day.  Being miserable elsewhere, even someplace you like, is worse than being miserable at home.

[Ancaster]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:36 AM, shapeshifter said:

About the free 4 Covid test kits recently made available at covidtests.gov:
Mine arrived with expiration dates for December 2023.
Apparently they are shipping test kits with "extended" expiration dates that will expire in 60 days.
I don't know if that will change at some point.
I'm on hold right now, waiting for a "supervisor." 

I got mine last week with a sticker on the front with something about new extended expiration dates.  I didn't bother exploring further, but yes, it seems it's a thing.

[Ancaster]

After months of blood tests and prodding and poking, I have been officially diagnosed with Long Covid, which I have discovered sentences me to the female torture implement known as shapewear (think Spanx) for the rest of my life.

At least I live alone and am not "romantically involved" with anyone, so no-one else will be subject to either the general hideousness of these undergarments or the sight of me struggling to get them on and off.

I do need to talk to my doctor about just how many hours a day I have to wear them, because I've been reading about the potential for organ damage (!) if you wear them for too long.

Of course, Long Covid is all so new, a lot of the suggested treatment for it is a bit speculative.  After the latest test, it's been ascertained that I'm not getting enough blood to my heart and the shapewear is supposed to push my blood upwards and stop it pooling in my mid section.  I'm hopeful some of the blood will also get as far as my brain and help with the cognitive issues I've been having for the last 18 months!

Now I just have to try and find a way to get my insurance to pay for massage therapy . . . .

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, Ancaster said:

I got mine last week with a sticker on the front with something about new extended expiration dates.  I didn't bother exploring further, but yes, it seems it's a thing.

It's the same as before -- with a surplus of tests getting ready to expire (for real*) in the next several months, the government has released them for free lest they otherwise go to waste.

*Guarantees of efficacy turned out early on in the home testing process to be longer than stated, so tests were later stated by the FDA to have extended expiration dates.  This is now well established, so, yes, check any antigen test you have for an actual expiration date, not what's printed on the box: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list

[Browncoat]

8 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I've never had strep throat even though my sister had it every winter, and at least one of my kids had it every winter.

I've never tested positive for strep throat, though I've had way more than my share of sore throats/tonsillitis.  I do still have my tonsils, as my pediatrician predicted I'd "grow out of" getting tonsillitis all the damn time, and he was right!  After I hit about 14 or 15, I've rarely had a sore throat.

Shingles, on the other hand, I got on my face four years ago at about this time.  I was very stressed, and that's how my body decided to react.  Fortunately, there was no involvement of my eye, but my eyebrow tingles a lot still -- post-herpetic neuropathy, I think is what they call it.  It doesn't hurt, just feels tingly.  I haven't gotten the shingles shots yet because of it, but my doctor has said it won't be a problem.

[Yeah No]

I had the chicken pox when I was 22. I had a relatively mild case for an adult. I was working part time in a department store and exposed to a lot of kids. I didn't pick at the spots and wore gloves at night, but I still have little scars from them. I got every other childhood disease as a kid, though. I don't know how I missed the chicken pox for so long other than I was an only child, but I was around kids all day long all the time so who knows?

I really need to get a shingles shot but I'm still working on getting my other shots. I just had a flu shot last week and am scheduled for a Covid shot tomorrow. Last year it took me a few days to get over the side effects of the shot, although I got it about a month after getting Covid itself, and I was still not completely over that. The shot seemed to set me back by about a week. The doctor told me it wasn't long Covid until a couple of months had passed. Fortunately it passed soon after.

My question for anyone that's had the Moderna shot recently is how did you find the side effects? I know they are usually worse than the Pfizer side effects.

 

[ebk57]

1 hour ago, Yeah No said:

My question for anyone that's had the Moderna shot recently is how did you find the side effects? I know they are usually worse than the Pfizer side effects.

I had the latest Moderna shot about a month ago.  I was over this one faster than any of the previous shots, which after the initial 2 shots that were Pfizer, have all been Moderna.  This time was mostly a sore arm and a bit of fatigue the next day, but that was it.

[shapeshifter]

3 hours ago, Yeah No said:

My question for anyone that's had the Moderna shot recently is how did you find the side effects?

Similar to @ebk57, my recent Moderna shot seemed a bit milder than the previous ones. Mine have all been Moderna, and none of the reactions have been very bad. Mostly a little tired, but I'm almost always tired these days.
The amount of soreness of the arm seems to relate to how good the person giving the shot was at doing it. I've had to give myself series shots on 2 occasions, which I think taught me a lot, since I was directly affected. 
My first Covid shot, the person administering it had not been properly trained. She didn't pinch the skin at all, and jammed the needle into my skinny arm until I got a clunk sensation of it hitting the bone. My arm was extremely sore. 
This last one was perfect. Not very sore.

 

3 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I really need to get a shingles shot but I'm still working on getting my other shots.

Do you want us to nag you about it? 😉

[SoMuchTV]

13 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I'm 71 now, so I had measles, chickenpox, rubella (German measles), and, when I was about 12, Mumps, so I remember that a little more. My bed was against the wall of my sister's bedroom, and she was blasting music on her record player (I think Beatles?). I'm not sure whether or not I was able to ask her to turn it down, or if it hurt too much.

I had measles when I was about 7, and I remember that there was some kind of concern that exposure to too much light could cause permanent eye damage.  (Never fact-checked that one.)  We had a TV in one of those big console cabinets, so I got to listen to TV with the cabinet doors closed, in a room with all the curtains drawn.

Regarding Covid test expiration dates - I remember reading or hearing somewhere that if the "control" line shows up when you use it, the test was still good.  Anyone else remember hearing that?

[Yeah No]

Thanks to both of you, @shapeshifter and @ebk57! I have been on the fence about postponing my Covid shot because I have a lot going on right now and didn't want to be feeling like crap for that long. My last Covid shot was a year ago after I had Covid and my side effects were the worst yet, but I think that's because I wasn't completely over Covid yet despite getting that shot over a month afterward. So I think I'll get the shot tomorrow and maybe do my civic duty and vote before the vaccine side effects kick in. I've had varying reactions to the different boosters but usually pretty similar to what other people report. So I'll go and just deal with it.

6 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Do you want us to nag you about it? 😉

Yes, please do! 😉

[Ancaster]

5 hours ago, Yeah No said:

 

My question for anyone that's had the Moderna shot recently is how did you find the side effects? I know they are usually worse than the Pfizer side effects.

 

I think judging from the above comments and hearing from friends and family, the reactions are not predictable because they can vary wildly in the same person and across multiple people and with both Moderna and Pfizer.  Personally, I would go with the one that had previously had the mildest reaction.

I'm lucky in that my only reactions have been a sore arm and some fatigue (though I'm not sure if that was related to the shot).  And as @shapeshiftersaid, the amount of soreness of the arm seems to relate to how good the person giving the shot was at doing it; this is borne out by the amount of soreness after any injection.  I've had shots for stuff that is pretty innocuous where I haven't been able to sleep on the arm the shot was given in.

I think if you can prepare your body as much as possible by taking in lots of (healthy) fluids, eating sensibly and healthily, and being well rested, that can go a long way.  Of course if you already do these things and have still had a crappy reaction, feel free to flip me the virtual bird. 😆

[Absolom]

20 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

The RSV vaccine was awful.

How so?  I was considering getting it this year.  I had presumed RSV with the grandkids two years ago.

[kristen111]

On 10/28/2024 at 7:52 PM, fairffaxx said:

My sisters & I also caught measles & chicken pox, but couldn't catch mumps no matter how hard my mom tried to expose us.  She had it as a teenager & said it was so bad at that age, she really wanted us to get through it early.  So she dragged us all over the neighborhood to sit by the bedsides of various suffering children, but none of us ever caught it -- I'm still waiting at almost 80......

OMG, I had the mumps in kindergarten.  My Mother ties a folded up diaper around my neck and head to hold my neck up.  It was so painful and I lost one month of school.  The shingles were the next horror.  Six weeks of torture.

[PRgal]

I'm getting my flu shot on Friday and then Covid next week.  Kiddo will get his Covid update this weekend.  

In other health-related news, my primary care doctor wants me to do a 24 hour urine test - yep, I have to pee into a bucket for a day - because my creatine levels are off.  She doesn't think there's anything WRONG with kidney function, but just wants to make sure.  She thinks it's low muscle mass post surgery (they took parts of muscle to rebuild the skin from the area they took out.  I still can't do the overhead presses I used to be able to do.  Anything below the waist is fine.

[Absolom]

I've had to do the 24 hour catch multiple times for a different reason. I keep it in a pan or old cooler filled with ice water when I have to do it.  You use one of those toilet "bonnets" and pour it into a jug or at least that's what they've always given me.

Edited October 31 by Absolom

[shapeshifter]

On 10/29/2024 at 9:15 PM, Absolom said:

How so?  I was considering getting it this year.  I had presumed RSV with the grandkids two years ago.

Then maybe you don't need it? Check with your doctor.
When I got the RSV vaccine a year ago they were still saying I would need a booster in 2 years, but now (thank goodness!) they're saying I won't need another??

Anyhoo, I've never had bad reactions to vaccines until the RSV. I could barely get out of bed for 2 days because my legs hurt so much. 

A couple of months later my grandson had RSV and I think I did too. I was sicker than I'd been in many years.
I figure maybe it would have been worse if I hadn't been vaccinated.🤷🏻‍♀️

Now I see my 2 little grandkids about once a week, and always flush my nose with salt water when I get home. If they have runny noses or seem sick, I do 2 rounds of flushing, or 16 oz. total.
I haven't been sick since I started doing that except when I skipped it once. 
My doctor back in Illinois when the pandemic started said she was doing the salt water nasal flush every day after taking care of sick Covid patients and had managed to avoid it. She was a great doctor in other ways too.

[Absolom]

24 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Then maybe you don't need it? Check with your doctor.
When I got the RSV vaccine a year ago they were still saying I would need a booster in 2 years, but now (thank goodness!) they're saying I won't need another??

Anyhoo, I've never had bad reactions to vaccines until the RSV. I could barely get out of bed for 2 days because my legs hurt so much. 

Hm, I'll ask.  Two years or so ago I was told I could wait two years to get the vaccine so perhaps the vaccine or RSV confers some longer lasting immunity than they thought.  I'll check.  Granddaughter was barely sick while grandson and I were sick in bed for several days.  Your reaction sounds like my back with the first COVID vax.  I woke up in the night and could not move.  

My PCP recommends the nasal rinse and one particular mouthwash to also use as a gargle.  I think that is part of why the COVID I did have was so mild (3 days and I only coughed for a couple of hours).  

Edited October 31 by Absolom

[Yeah No]

Well, thanks for the encouragement everyone, I got my Covid shot and the side effects have been minimal compared to previous Moderna shots. Yay! I've been tired but nowhere near the kind of tired I was for some of them. I complimented the woman who gave me the shot because she also gave me my flu shot last week and I've had very minimal arm swelling and pain - and I've had some doozies in the past. She was very flattered.

I also went to early vote and that was easy-peasy and only about a mile and a half from my house. There was a steady stream of people but no lines and easy parking too. This was CT's first year allowing early voting and I'm sold on it now.

[shapeshifter]

On 10/31/2024 at 12:25 AM, Yeah No said:

Well, thanks for the encouragement everyone, I got my Covid shot and the side effects have been minimal compared to previous Moderna shots. Yay!

Great! So in about 2 weeks we will start nagging you to get the Shingles vaccine.😆

Edited November 3 by shapeshifter
voting discussion doesn't belong in this thread