I got a flu shot on Monday. Had no side effects at all from it, other than my arm being tender for a couple of days. I know that getting the shot can cause some "flu-like" symptoms and being achy and sore could definitely fall into that category. If you aren't improved by Monday, it might be worth it to check in with your doc, but it sounds pretty normal to me.

great info, i was going to enquire if i should have a flu shot, i never had them before, apart form the swine flu last yr, they diod me and my son an husband. so post pe, the shot is good idea, or would you be having it anyway ?

My PCP insisted on a flu and pneumonia shot after my release from the hospital. The nurse told me that it was very common to have flu-like symptoms from the flu shot, but that it was NOT the flu. I feel feel pretty yuck for a few days after, but was mostly just a big baby about my sore arm.

Hope you feel better soon.

I didn't get the flu shot, I never do, but I do know others who are in PE recovery who've received them and been fine. I think achiness and general mild flu symptoms can be common even in not PE people who get them. If it gets worse, inquire with your doctor, some people do have bad reactions to flu shots, otherwise it'll probably go away in a few days. Hope you feel better soon.

I still have the PEs and have for almost 10 months now - had my flu shot last week and didn't notice any side effects if that's any comfort. My Dr insisted I have it since a common cold becomes something much worse for me since I got the PEs.

My PE was diagnosed last year when I went in for a flu shot for the 1st time. I didn't want to get the flu since my "asthma" had gotten so uncontrolled. Since I went straight to the hospital and was on pain meds it was hard to say what side effects I had from the shot. I got a flu shot for this season, a couple of weeks ago. I got a large knot at the site of the injection and couldn't lift my arm for a couple of days. It took a week for the soreness in the arm to go away. I think it was just my bodies reaction to the shot and didn't have anything to do with me being on coumadin.

I never had a flu shot before or after my PE.
From what I gather, though, mild flu symptoms are to be expected.

If symptoms persist, of course, call your doctor.

Hi! When I was on Warfarin, my primary care doc wanted me to get both flu shots. So I did. It was funny, I went to a Walgreens and that was when they were still limiting it to the very young, very old, or ill. I looked like none of those. But all I had to do was show them my medicalert bracelet and they let me walk right in.

Now there's always a (very small) chance that you could have a reaction to a flu shot, but the odds and/or severity don't rise just becase you might be on Warfarin/Coumadin. In my opinion, the illness is worse than the prevention.

My reaction (or lack thereof) is different each time. Some years, it's just a sore arm. Other years, I felt like I got sick for a week. But most of the time, it's a mild combination of sore arm and general achey-painey weakness like you feel a sickness coming on. But that lasts only for a day or three; far shorter than the impact of actually GETTING the flu.

When I was on Warfarin, I had already been through the wringer, what with my shoulder surgery, the PE, hospital stay, Lovenox shots, and the warfarin itself. And I was doing my PT for the shoulder, so I didn't want to get a sickness that would knock me out for a week or two and set my shoulder's healing and rehab behind schedule.

Plus, my logic (shared by my doctor) was that I just didn't need "one more thing" like pneumonia or a throat or sinus infection. And when you get colds, flu, whatever, you'll be at increased odds of getting an infection simply because your body's defenses were lowered.

There's also an increased risk of side effects of added medicines, like joint damage that can sometimes occur with certain antibiotics.

Again, it was that "one more thing" chain of events that I wanted to avoid (if I could).

If you're wondering whether or not to get a flu shot, talk to your doctor. Make sure you understand the risks (everything has risk). But I say yes, it's probably a good idea, especially if you're already tired of seeing so many doctors. :)