Oh, The Pain! The Pain!

[sandycombs]

I went to the doctor Friday with shoulder pain and found out I have a torn rotator cuff. It's going to be fine with anti-inflammatory medication and time, thank goodness. While I was there we got to chatting about vaccinations and I found out a few things I want to share:

Did you know the CDC announced in 2000 that measles had been eliminated in the United States? It's kind of sad to think about when you consider the measles epidemic we're experiencing now. The measles vaccine was first licensed in 1963 and again in 1967. In 1971 it was combined with mumps and rubella and became the MMR vaccine. The original measles vaccine was not particularly effective, so people born between the years 1957 and 1967 should consider getting re-vaccinated, or at least have a titer test performed to see if they are immune.

The doctor also told me pediatricians are seeing unusually high numbers of children with the adult strain of Pertussis. Adults can be sick with pertussis and/or be carriers and not even know. Medical professionals are recommending all adults over the age of 18 get a whooping cough booster to protect any children they may come in contact with.

The last vaccination we discussed was shingles. Any person who had chicken pox as a child has the potential to develop shingles. And it's not a disease you get once and then have immunity from. Shingles can come back again and again. Since I've already suffered shingles once, and have no desire to ever do it again, that vaccination makes all kinds of sense. It's a 2-parter, so you have to go back in two months for the second dose.

Hubby had the day off yesterday, so we went to the pharmacy to get our vaccinations (all three!). I'm not going to sugar coat it, that shingles vaccination stung a bit. And, this morning I can barely raise my arm over my head. Way worse than the torn rotator cuff! But, I feel really good about taking care of myself and the people around me.

So, I'll say one more thing and then get down off my soapbox:

Don't Procrastinate. Vaccinate!

Comments

[ancalime8301]

This is good to know; I haven't gotten the shingles vaccine but it would probably be a good idea.

Also, what sort of symptoms do you have for your torn rotator cuff? I've been having issues with my left shoulder and that malady seems possible but I haven't had time to go to my physical therapy folks to get an official opinion...

[sandycombs]

You don't need to worry about the shingles vaccine yet. I forgot to mention the vaccine is for people over the age of 50. They've raised the age for the pneumonia vaccine, too. I planned on getting that one, too, but it's for those over 65 now. I'm old, but not that old yet! 😂

[ancalime8301]

LOL. It would be just my luck to develop shingles before I'm eligible for the vaccine, haha.