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Nov 6Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

I’ve gotten my flu and Covid. This month I turn 65 and plan to get Shingles and RSV. I sometimes have a slight reaction to the flu shot but nothing major. I always take an antihistamine and Tylenol before my shot. Seems to keep reactions at bae!

Can’t email for soup recipes!

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Great plan Jenny. Smart to fend off any known reactions before they happen.

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I have gotten all of my vaccinations & had no issue with them until the Covid one came out. After receiving the second Covid vaccination I lost 100% of hearing in my right ear & developed a severe case of vertigo. I have heard of many cases like mine over the past few years. My hearing loss, unfortunately, is permanent. I continue to get the Flu vaccine every year and, thankfully, have no issue with it.

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That's horrible Robin. I looked it up at the reported incidence of hearing loss after COVID vaccine ranges from 0.6 to 28 cases per 100,000 people per year, or about 0.03%. Rare, but that doesn't mean much if it happens to you.

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It has been life changing for sure. Thankfully my doctor suggested that I see a neurologist to make sure I didn’t have a mini stroke. After many tests, MRI & MRA they found I had a brain aneurysm as well. I had a stent put in a few weeks later. The neurosurgeon said the hearing loss & vertigo saved my life. I count my blessings every day.

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Amazing story. And I love how you leaned into this by being grateful. Robin, you are amazing.

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Nov 2Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

I have taken the flu shot and will take Covid booster.

It is a risk for me to get vaccinations. Unfortunately, about 7 years ago I had a big reaction to the flu shot….fever, chills, hives, breathing , etc. My allergist says my reaction is serum sickness.

But, I value being protected against viruses for many reasons. So, I am under a drs watch and space a month in between injections.whenever I have a vaccination.

One big reason I promote vaccinations is because of a previous virus that damaged my heart….so I try to protect myself from any virus. I’m glad you have written this article❤️

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Oh Cathy how awful that must have been! And how smart of you to have found a workaround. Most people don't know about viral cardiomyopathy, which can be a devastating result of having one of these viruses.

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Nov 2Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

The Covid immunization caused severe inflammation in just about every part of my body. This happened immediately after receiving the second shot. My best friend lost hearing immediately after. Katie didn't have any problems with her hearing just prior to this vaccination, and this occurred immediately after. Her ENT told her he was seeing many people that had the same thing happen after the second shot. My aunt had been receiving flu shots for years with no adverse results, until the last one when she immediately lost the ability to do much of anything and I became her caretaker for two years until she started to somewhat recover. Immunizations can be very good at prevention but one must also be aware of the problems they can cause.

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This is true, Mary. All health interventions come with risks and benefits.

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Nov 1Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

Thanks so much, Annie - great post!

I’m dealing with the start of Raynaud’s (which happens to me every Fall/Winter, ugh) so I’ll be happy to receive some new warming soup recipes! 😊

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Thanks for continuing to educate us Annie! I'm looking forward to your soup recipes, yum!!

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Nov 1Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

Got all of ‘em done! At the moment suffering the side effect “COVID arm” lol

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I've been aware of the link between vaccines & brain health for a long time. It may be more associated with better health compliance for those who stay up-to-date on all their vaccines, rather than anything else, but, I personally see zero downside in getting my annual flu shot, all the available COVID boosters, shingles, RSV, & pneumonia vaccines. Before flu shots were made available to those under age 65, I had 2 cases of the flu--so once I was required to get an annual flu vax back in 1983, I've never missed one. The flu is AWFUL! It was required since I worked in a large hospital. Thanks for all your great brain health info!!

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