flu vaccinations

[charlie]

I'm not sure if this has been covered before but couldn't find it on the search. what does everyone do about flu jabs. In England they only give them to the over 60's and those with severe health problems.

I'm wondering about asking if Meg should have one mainly because of the limitations of medications here that she can have if she does get something like flu. Swine flu is hitting the news again as it seems to be on the increase. I started to wonder as Meg had a gastric flu bug over christmas and her temperature kept yo-yoing up to nearly 40degrees, she was very sick for 2 days and off her food. There is one paracetamol medicine that doesn't list any sweetener but there must be some fructose in it as she always has tummy ache for days after other symptoms have gone if she has needed it.

My worry is that if she has really serious flu and she has to have unsuitable medicines to treat it is she not then going to end up with more problems as a result. But then, what is in the vaccinations would that cause problems?

[lukesmom]

Luke- age 6- has had his flu vaccine almost every year with no side effects. We skipped one year due to an egg allergy that has since disappeared. We're in California.

We have also been fortunate that he has swallowed a pill since he was 3, so when he's sick, he doesn't have to do the kids syrups. We have worked closely with a family-style (no big corporation) pharmacist, who helps us cut the pills to correct dosages, when needed. Also for sickness, Smart Water! Has those electrolytes built in there!

[Tammy]

Regina also gets a flu shot every year with no issues in the US.

[jen]

I have to get the flu shot every year, work in health care, and I never had any problems with it.

[colormist]

I have a problem with needles. That's the only reason I don't get the flu shot. Well, that and the fact that I've usually already had the flu by the time the vaccine becomes available.

[charlie]

Well, I went to the doctors today for 2 reasons, one was to ask about the flu jab - stocks are running low so they need to do those on list, if they have any left over they may consider her eligable. Well, lets hope she doesn't get flu while they think about it!!!

The other was to see if they can finally give her some medicine to sleep at night as we are back on the old pattern of her not settling till 10.30 at night then can't get going in the morning. It must be seasonal related but exactly the same happened for last 2 years, great sleeping in the summer and bad in the winter. They did finally agree to try something for it, haven't got it yet so hold my breath as to whether it is sugar free yet - no I'm not at all cynical, honest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ukbill]

I have a friend with an autistic Son, in order for her to get him to bed at night she has to give him melatonin.

I am not sure if it is sugar free however.. apparently it helps regulate a bodies sleep pattern and I think its is made in the body naturally by sunlight on the skin...

Ringing any bells yet?

If it contains sugar try a sun bed or a small sun lamp?

Sorry other attempts have failed (so far)

[charlie]

Yippee, ;D OMG . ITS WORKING.

I asked so long ago about melatonin and wasn't prescribed it. well, now the school are finally jumping up and down about Megs school attendance recording, especially her late turn up (which has been going on for the last 4 years now every winter - but the head has just decided to have a seizures over it So they did a stroppy letter to the consultant and hey presto they have prescribed it. Well this was probably the best weekend to try it as the clocks went forward on saturday night. she first had it last night and was asleep within half an hour and up bright and early by 7.30. Tonight she was asleep by 8pm old time, 9pm new time. Normally it takes her at least an hour if not 2 to wind down.

Over the years I have tried every trick and routine going, supernanny, nanny 911 etc etc, controlled crying, getting cross, threats, bribes. all it needed was a white pill, Bless her to get sugar free they are large pills but she is swallowing them no problem.

The next test will be getting to school on time but I think at least if I can crack how to teach her to unwind in the evening she will wake up with more energy in the mornings. They were threatening to start getting tough with her at school when she was late but I managed to persuade them to leave it a few more weeks as I did feel it was medical not behavoural. And hopefully then they will stop making me feel like a useless incompetent mother.

[ukbill]

"making me feel like a useless incompetent mother"

NEVER! don't let the Basxxxds get you down girl

[charlie]

Thanks Bill, I'll try not to - I seem to have bought shares in kleenex recently!!!!!

So far, so very good. She is still settling well and - unbelievably - she is waking up by 745 am within 5 minutes of me starting to wake her, getting dressed straight away, coming downstairs and eating breakfast. I'm in shock, I'm also suffering caffeine withdrawal as I haven't had time to drink 6 cups of coffee whilst waiting for her to come to.

Best of all she has made it into school on time every day.

Mind you, several meetings later with the school I am still frustrated with them, they seem to think it is because they put their foot down. Yeh Yeh, well, you come and try getting her ready for school without the medication then!!!!!!??

I think her brain has never learnt how to go to sleep, the other day she was still wired at settle down time and was hanging out to carry on playing and in the old days I would have left her to it as she was quite obviously not ready to sleep even though it was nearly 9 pm. However I stuck it out, gave her her pill and she was asleep in half an hour.

The good thing about the school getting stroppy is that the other assessments needed are finally happening though.

she is definately tired by the end of the day with starting earlier. I'd better go in fact there is a stamping, screaming monster upstairs because she has been told she can't watch another episode of saddleclub. Hey ho, maybe I'll just take a big glup of wine first.