Preventing/treating tetanus shot side effects?

[Gina]

My son (14) is due for a tetanus booster before school starts, and I plan for him to get one at his check-up next month. But I know how much trouble a tetanus shot can be, for days or even weeks afterward. And that same day begins the start of our mini-staycation, a big weekend of fun for just he and I. I don't want him to be miserable the whole weekend!!

I figured I'd have him take some ibuprofen shortly before the appt., then keep taking it for 24 hours or so. Any other suggestions as to what I can do? Maybe bring an ice pack in the car, and have him immediately put that on his arm? Any ideas appreciated!! Thanks!


-gina-

 

[The Mystery Machine]

AHA! They changed the serum. It is not as bad. While it is not pain free, it is better.

My dd and I got one recently.

Now I don't know if your son will have a reaction however they did change something. I forget what the nurse said.

 

[LBAK]

My 15 year old daughter got it 2 years ago and other then a tender arm the next day there was no reaction. She had a soccer tournament the day after she got it and carried on fine. We didn't even think to take tylenol.
Plan away for your weekend!

 

[Gina]

AHA! They changed the serum. It is not as bad. While it is not pain free, it is better.

My dd and I got one recently.

Now I don't know if your son will have a reaction however they did change something. I forget what the nurse said.

Really! Was the change across the board? Or do I need to call the office back and make sure they use the new & improved kind? That's really good to hear -- I remember getting a tetanus booster when I was a teen, and I couldn't move my arm for a good week. It was horrible. DS is really good about shots so far -- didn't blink at the meningitis one last year -- but I'd sure hate for this one to be the one that turns him into a needle hysteric like dear Mom.

Thanks for the info!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Really! Was the change across the board? Or do I need to call the office back and make sure they use the new & improved kind? That's really good to hear -- I remember getting a tetanus booster when I was a teen, and I couldn't move my arm for a good week. It was horrible. DS is really good about shots so far -- didn't blink at the meningitis one last year -- but I'd sure hate for this one to be the one that turns him into a needle hysteric like dear Mom.

Thanks for the info!

I have no clue.

All I know is that I mentioned to the nurse about the "sore arm" and she said they changed something so it is better.

Now we did have some soreness but not the awful sore arm you are used to getting.

 

[ghoulishgirl]

I had one about a year ago and couldn't raise my arm for over a week. I even made sure to move that arm after the shot was given to me. I guess I'm sensitive. After that last tetanus shot I actually said never again! I've had a couple over my lifetime and I always have a bad reaction to them.

 

[LuvOrlando]

If he's due for the shot why not just do it as a walk in this week instead of waiting? Most Dr's don't require face to face time for vaccinations, if a kid is due it's in the chart and since the Nurse's administer it anyway it's just a stop in & leave sort of thing. The check-up visit is a totally different thing and that can be done when it's scheduled. I wouldn't chance ruing a vacation over a vaccination, if it was me I'd do it ASAP.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If he's due for the shot why not just do it as a walk in this week instead of waiting? Most Dr's don't require face to face time for vaccinations, if a kid is due it's in the chart and since the Nurse's administer it anyway it's just a stop in & leave sort of thing. The check-up visit is a totally different thing and that can be done when it's scheduled. I wouldn't chance ruing a vacation over a vaccination, if it was me I'd do it ASAP.

That is a good point. I am sure he needs the whole series of vaccinations if he is entering HS.

Plus if he has a reaction, he will be at home.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I just had my Tdap booster last week. Arm was sore at shot location and I couldn't raise my arm above shoulder high for about 3 days.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Motrin one hour prior to visit, ice immediately, followed up with 2nd. dose of Motrin, and MAKE your son use his arm. The more he uses it, the better off he will be.

 

[Gina]

If he's due for the shot why not just do it as a walk in this week instead of waiting? Most Dr's don't require face to face time for vaccinations, if a kid is due it's in the chart and since the Nurse's administer it anyway it's just a stop in & leave sort of thing. The check-up visit is a totally different thing and that can be done when it's scheduled. I wouldn't chance ruing a vacation over a vaccination, if it was me I'd do it ASAP.

That wouldn't work for us for a couple of reasons, unfortunately. First, I'm taking that Friday off for our little staycation, so I'm using the time to get him into the doctor then. Otherwise, doctors and their bankers' hours (except that my bank has way better hours!) generally preclude visits unless we're really sick. Second, the vaccination will be covered 100% as long as it's part of a regular office visit of some sort. So, we're stuck with that day unless I want to pay twice. And I don't. This is the only vaccination he'll need for a way long time.

Motrin one hour prior to visit, ice immediately, followed up with 2nd. dose of Motrin, and MAKE your son use his arm. The more he uses it, the better off he will be.

Motrin's ibuprofen too, right? I already have generic ibuprofen. Or should I go buy some actual Motrin for some reason? And thanks for the tip about making him move it -- I'll definitely do that!

 

[aprilgail2]

the Nurse's administer it anyway it's just a stop in & leave sort of thing. .

Huh?? I have never had a nurse give my child a shot ever- the Dr's are always the ones that come in to give her whatever shot she needs.
OP- my daughter just had her tetnus shot (they need it going into 6th grade here) and she had absolutely NO discomfort what-so-ever from it last week. I had one in Myrtle Beach on vacation last month (long story that involves a VERY shelly beach which I was NOT aware they had) and it didn't bother me one bit. I had them give it in my non driving arm since I had a 12 hour drive the next day but no pain at all.....no worries he will be fine!

 

[disfan07]

I got my TdaP shot back in february and it really did not hurt that much. Yes I was sore but I went straight from the drs. office to a UCLA campus tour and babysitting that night. I can't imagine it being something that would impact someones weekend. Granted between december and february I got the H1N1, seasonal flu vaccine, pneumococal vaccine, meningococal vaccine, heprin shots (only for a week) and Tdap shot so by the time i got the Tdap nothing hurt anymore.

 

[mhsjax]

Huh?? I have never had a nurse give my child a shot ever- the Dr's are always the ones that come in to give her whatever shot she needs.
OP- my daughter just had her tetnus shot (they need it going into 6th grade here) and she had absolutely NO discomfort what-so-ever from it last week. I had one in Myrtle Beach on vacation last month (long story that involves a VERY shelly beach which I was NOT aware they had) and it didn't bother me one bit. I had them give it in my non driving arm since I had a 12 hour drive the next day but no pain at all.....no worries he will be fine!

I have never in my life ever heard of a Dr giving an injection to a patient. That is strange. Frankly, most Drs are horrible with needles, and they know it, they will tell you you are much better off with a nurse, they get way more practice.

OP, I feel your pain. I haven't had one in too many years to count. I have horrible reactions to them. I swell up I can't move my arm and I run a temp of about 101 for 2 or 3 days. My pediatrician back in the dark ages told my mom I was slightly allergic to them.

 

[golfgal]

Huh?? I have never had a nurse give my child a shot ever- the Dr's are always the ones that come in to give her whatever shot she needs.
OP- my daughter just had her tetnus shot (they need it going into 6th grade here) and she had absolutely NO discomfort what-so-ever from it last week. I had one in Myrtle Beach on vacation last month (long story that involves a VERY shelly beach which I was NOT aware they had) and it didn't bother me one bit. I had them give it in my non driving arm since I had a 12 hour drive the next day but no pain at all.....no worries he will be fine!

The only shot my kids have received administered by a doctor was a cortisone shot my DD got for a wrist issue a couple months ago. The nurses always give the shots around here.

 

[MissyDVC]

I have never in my life ever heard of a Dr giving an injection to a patient. That is strange. Frankly, most Drs are horrible with needles, and they know it, they will tell you you are much better off with a nurse, they get way more practice.

OP, I feel your pain. I haven't had one in too many years to count. I have horrible reactions to them. I swell up I can't move my arm and I run a temp of about 101 for 2 or 3 days. My pediatrician back in the dark ages told my mom I was slightly allergic to them.

Only the Drs. in our practice give the needles/vaccinations. They are all very good at administering them and very caring/gentle. Just FYI

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I have never in my life ever heard of a Dr giving an injection to a patient. That is strange. Frankly, most Drs are horrible with needles, and they know it, they will tell you you are much better off with a nurse, they get way more practice.

OP, I feel your pain. I haven't had one in too many years to count. I have horrible reactions to them. I swell up I can't move my arm and I run a temp of about 101 for 2 or 3 days. My pediatrician back in the dark ages told my mom I was slightly allergic to them.

I had the same type of adverse reaction until I went to a Dr. who administered 1/3 of the vaccine at a time on three consecutive weeks. He said it would work just as well, and I haven't had the bad reaction since!

 

[shortbun]

None of us ever react. My husband lived through tetanus; consider the alternative. Can't you get the shot earlier? We can just go in and get shots if we call ahead.

 

[Wall-E1]

I just had a tetanus shot a few weeks ago (stood up in an attic too fast and a rusty nail went in my head). I went to a walk in. The shot didn't hurt. My arm was a little sore for a few hours after. Not much else.

 

[Tiger926]

Toddler just had it on Thursday. It was hard and tender up until yesterday, and is still a bit red.

Nothing major at all - didn't give him any meds before, nor after. He said it stung a bit, and that was it. He's been showing the red rash off though, as he said it meant he was a brave boy! LOL!

Good luck with the shot, Tiger