I just got vaccinated for chicken pox. Ask me anything!

[MallRat]

Needles are a huge phobia of mine. I'm feeling mighty proud of myself right now.

:bounce:

-MR

[amazona]

1. good for you

I had chicken pox and it is not pleasant. You done good.

Why now? Is there an outbreak in your area or are you traveling?

[MallRat]

2. Nope. I just never had chicken pox as a kid.

My son was vaccinated a year ago, but we just learned that a friend of his was not going to be vaccinated (parents' decision).

I should have done this a long time ago, but with my little guy about to start preschool, my risks of exposure are about to go way up. It was finally time to bite the bullet, get the vaccination, and protect myself.

If that weren't enough, a 30-something man in our town died of chicken pox a few months ago (granted, he was severely immunocompromised due to some other meds he was taking).

That was all I needed to hear.

Aggravating note: my insurer won't cover the vaccine, because it qualifies as well-patient care. I suppose they'd much rather pay the tens of thousands of dollars for my hospitalization, if I had ever actually contracted chicken pox. :grr:

The penny-wise/pound-foolishness of the health insurance industry never ceases to amaze me. Why do they insist on giving the shaft to preventative care?

-MR

[histohoney]

3. Ohh much guilt

I should get one too (Never had Chicken Pox, and I work in the health care field, just lucky and stupid.) My bosses practice would pay for it, I am just not fond of needles either (Though I've "stuck" thousands).
No more excuses, you've spurred me on, I'll get one.
Your my hero today.

[MallRat]

4. I hope you have better luck getting the vaccine than I did.

:hi:

My doctor's office gave me a huge runaround on this. First, they said that they had to purchase the vaccine in 10-dose quantities, so I'd have to go onto a waiting list until the office had enough patients to vaccinate... they never had enough.

Then they gave me a prescription for a single dose, which they claimed I could have filled at the local Walgreen's. The pharmacist looked at me like I had two heads. "I can't fill this! This is a vaccine! Your doctor has to order this!"

The office said that maybe I should go to a travel clinic to have it done- but only one carried it, and I would have to be referred by a doctor affiliated with a different hospital (which means switching doctors, a new appointment, an unnecessary physical which won't be covered by insurance, blah blah blah).

Meanwhile, I'm begging my son's pediatrician to hook me up with some Varivax from her own supply! :-) She was as baffled as I was about it was so difficult to get this vaccine!

Finally, I let my wife, the attorney, do the talking. She picked up the phone and absolutely lit into the head nurse at the office.

Two weeks later, I finally got my vaccine.

It's good to have a lawyer in the house. ;-)

-MR

[histohoney]

5. Lawyers

are good, but a willing Doctor is better. I just asked one of my Docs here, and he hooked me up with his wife (She's a GP) I get one tomorrow.
Hey did you have side effects?
Dr Mrs. as we call her here at the Lab, ran down the list with me, eeks, I know they have to tell you but please!
The one good side effect, I probable wont get as many fever blisters. (Stress brings them out on me).

[MallRat]

6. So far, at the 4 hour mark...

...just some arm soreness.

They said a fever is possible- this is a live virus vaccine.

Also, they told me that I shouldn't get pregnant. Seeing as I'm not a woman, this advice should be easy to follow. :-)

-MR

[histohoney]

7. Better story

if you did get pregnant!
They told me the same thing but since I've had a hysterectomy, I am not sweating it much.
Well thanks for the info and the inspiration, I got here at 4:00 am and now I'm off for home.
Thanks:hi: