There are a wide variety of immunizations that people get. Some when they are young. Some every season. Whether it's the flu shot, polio vaccine or tuberculosis innoculation, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I don't buy it.
Years ago, my mother received a flu shot, had an allergic reaction and became paralyzed from the waist down. Though she can walk like a toddler now, the long-term effects more than outweighed any flu symptoms she could have incurred.
Ever since that day, I've been a little skeptical of vaccinations. I would have rather had the flu thandeal with life-long complications. That's like prescription drug commercials: Have a chronic 'going' problem? Take our little blue pill. Side effects might be skin rash, nausea, irritable bowels...spontaneous combustion. But, as long as you don't pee yourself in public, all is right with the world.
Last week I had a TB shot. I waited the 72 hours to get my test results. They came back negative (obviously, or I would probably be taking a little pill that gave me the runs, preventing me from writing this blog). A couple days after my negative results, my arm started feeling heavy and there was a small, red ring where I was administered the shot. It looked like I had ringworm.
On Monday, I told my husband I didn't feel well (he's heard that so many times, I'm surprised I even solicited a reaction from him). He told me to get a good night's rest and I'd probably feel better in the morning.
I got up in the middle of the night - as I typically do (one would think I have a 'going' problem) - and couldn't feel my legs. I could barely make it to the toilet. Every muscle ached, my feet felt numb. But, I didn't want to wake my husband, so I went back to bed thinking it would go away.
When we got up the next morning, I stumbled downstairs to feed the dogs. I could barely stumble back up. I went to lay back down and barely remember anything after that.
I could hear my husband try to wake me up. I couldn't respond. Opening my mouth took too much effort. I couldn't walk. I couldn't stand. I couldn't even put my shoes on. That's when we knew we had to go to the Emergency Room.
I called work and slurred that I wouldn't be in and then I zoned out in the car. When we reached the hospital, my husband carried my sore, achey body through the doors. As we passed by two employees - engrossed in their own conversation - nobody rushed to help us. They kept on chatting away. It is so NOT like it is on television, where a handsome George Clooney comes rushing to the patient's aid.
After 12 hours of IVs, MRIs, multiple blood draws and no food - I was ready to go. Though the doctors wanted to admit me for more tests, I had had enough. I could finally stumble my way out. If I could walk...I was walking out the door.
What was the culprit? Stress. Stress from the TB shot, not TB. Stress from work. Stress from my everyday life. And what does stress do to your body boys and girls? Wipes out your Vitamin B level. Whereas the normal level for a woman my age is more than 200...mine was at about 30.
So, now I'm taking vitamin B complex ultra, super-strength gel caps to boost my energy level. I hope they don't give me the runs...because then I'd have more reason to stress and teh cycle would continue!
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