A Shot in the Dark

When, I wondered, does coincidence cease being coincidence. If, after getting a flu shot,  you come down with a seemingly unrelated ailment, is it just a coincidence? What if the next time you get a flu shot, you’re stricken with another illness? Another coincidence? 

I was forced to give the question serious consideration.  

A few years ago, on the morning following my vaccination, I woke up feeling a bit achy, which I attributed to the common occurrence of getting some mild flu symptoms after being inoculated with the vaccine. The next morning, however, it was an altogether different, and much sadder, story. I felt so weak, I literally needed my wife’s help just to get out of bed. Feeling that this extreme condition was no common reaction to a flu shot, I called my internist’s office and made an appointment for, after much pleading, as soon as they could squeeze me in. 

Sharp diagnostician that he is, from my symptoms the doctor immediately suspected polymyalgia and sent me to a rheumatologist to confirm his diagnosis. The rheumatologist examined me, administered a blood test, and ascertained that I indeed did have polymyalgia, which, simply stated, is a rare, inflammatory condition that causes pain in the large muscle groups. The rheumatologist put me on steroids and told me my discomfort would gradually improve (which, fortunately, it did), but that the condition would probably last for about a year (which, unfortunately, it did).

Naturally, the next year, since I still had polymyalgia, I didn’t get a flu shot. However, the following year,  wanting to protect my aging body from what the media tells us kills more than 30,000 Americans a year, I went ahead and got vaccinated.

Two days later, I began to experience an unusual itching sensation along my back.  The following morning, the itch was accompanied by a burning pain. I called my internist’s office, explained the situation, and once again pleaded to be squeezed in as quickly as possible.  Which, bless their souls, they did. To make a long story short, I had shingles – and to anyone who has had the misfortune of experiencing this unusually painful condition, the mere mention of the word provokes a facial grimace.  

Two flu shots immediately followed by two fairly serious conditions. Do I risk a third next year? Out of five medical professionals I consulted – including the Centers for Disease Control – two said there was no connection, two said don’t get another flu shot, and one source said they’re not sure. 

So what does one do? I’m not certain. However, this unfortunate experience did make me certain of this: whenever you have a medical doubt, rather than move ahead with something that’s questionable on the basis of one opinion, it’s far better to weigh several perspectives and make your own informed decision as to how to proceed.  Because, in the final analysis, it’s your body. And no one cares more about it than you.