Covid Booster - Side Effects?: Hello everyone hope you... - NRAS

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Covid Booster - Side Effects?

TheBoys profile image
20 Replies

Hello everyone hope you’re doing well.

When I had the Spikevaxx; (Moderna) booster in Spring I noticed that I developed a flare afterwards which lasted on and off for about two months. The flare stabilised and I was reasonably well, mobile and happy

I had the Autumn booster three weeks ago and last week started getting a flare. The knee and now the head. Back of the skull into the eyes culminating in dizziness. I even have had two episodes of breathlessness out in the garden. Currently sitting with a knee support on the sofa and cushions behind my head!

I ve an appointment with my GP later but has anyone else had issues with their RA following vaccination or booster?

Tnx

Paul

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TheBoys profile image
TheBoys
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20 Replies
MadBunny profile image
MadBunny

Unfortunately every time . I always get a typical post jab reaction, but since Ive been having them, my RA hasn't seemed as well controlled. Have you been told to pause your meds, befure/ after jabs because that might be a factor.

I've had AZ , Pfizer and Moderna-after the AZ was the worst.

Im wondering if my poor old immune system is confused , with all the jabs, having covid , and pausing meds.

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947

No sorry after all 5 nothing

No ,not an RA flare. Some people do though as reported on here ☹️.

Runrig01 profile image
Runrig01

I have ankylosing spondylitis with peripheral symptoms too. I had a similar reaction after the first AZ. I then had a Pfizer for my 3rd and was fine, and Moderna for 4th & 5th. With the first of the 2 Moderna’s I started with the typical post vaccine symptoms, like headache, nausea and fever. It then went into a full blown flare which lasted 3 weeks. As well as the usual flare symptoms I continued with the headaches and nausea. My situation is complex as I also gave severe adrenal insufficiency and produce no cortisol, and rely solely on steroids. Any stress that eats into my cortisol I’ve taken, results in headaches, nausea, lightheadedness and progresses to loss of consciousness. Unfortunately because steroids also reduce vaccine response I try not to take too much, which probably adds to the issues I have. Strangely I was fine after the 2nd AZ & 2nd Moderna. I have heard a lot of people are getting side effects from this bivalent vaccine. I do still get my vaccines as I’m on 5 meds that cause immunosuppression, as well as inhalers and fused ribs, so I have no chest expansion. I would be lying if I said I’m not slightly anxious. I’m getting my 6th one tomorrow whilst hubby is around at the weekend, in case I struggle again, as it can progress to an adrenal crisis. Hope your flare settles soon 🤗

Briefencounter profile image
Briefencounter

Yes , Ive had reactions , plus worsening of RA symptoms , after all 6 jabs . The moderna jabs have been the worse . Expecially the last moderna bivalent .

Last year , for the first time , I reacted to the 'flu jab , as well . Im due this year's 'flu jab in November .

I'm beginning to wonder if having all these jabs is worsening my already confused immune system . Ive not had covid yet . 🤞

TheBoys profile image
TheBoys in reply toBriefencounter

thanks for that. I was fine with Pfizer but had a bad reaction after SpikeVaxx in Spring but this one is worse. My knee (as ever) plays me up plus right arm. I’ve also had breathlessness and terrible headache plus vision issues with dizziness.

Leics profile image
Leics

I had the pneumonia jab about three weeks ago and I’m just getting back to normal after it. The flu jab always gives me a hard time and I usually can’t get out of bed for about a week after and my arm swells and becomes very hot too. The covid vaccines I’ve had haven’t been too bad in comparison and I was told by rheumy this week that I didn’t need to pause my mtx just have the vaccination on a Friday if possible as I inject on a Tuesday. I’m fairly new to mtx so don’t want to go backwards again. My hubby has had bad reactions to Pfizer and has been told not to have it again due to chest pain and the most awful hives even on his feet and he doesn’t have RA. It’s a lottery it seems.

TheBoys profile image
TheBoys in reply toLeics

it definitely is a lottery, my mum is 80 and never ever had any issue. These two Spikevaxx boosters have floored me with the latest bout of symptoms worse than the spring booster.

Leics profile image
Leics in reply toTheBoys

feel your pain the flu jab does that to me every time. Hope you’re feeling better soon. It seems you’re not the only one who’s having issues and then again some get away with a sore arm and feeling a bit blah for a few hours.

oldtimer2 profile image
oldtimer2

I've not had any flares after vaccinations, but I see from this forum that several people have linked a flare to their vaccination. Of course, just because things happen together, doesn't neccessarily mean they are related.

WillowsMother profile image
WillowsMother

Yes, Ive had increasingly bad flares after every covid vaccination (Ive now had 6) and my medication (JAK inhibitor) has become next to useless since my first jab. I'm due my flu vaccination on Monday, so will be interested to see if that brings on a further worsening of my RA...

TheBoys profile image
TheBoys in reply toWillowsMother

good luck! My flu jabs are always fine and the Pfizer vaccinations caused no issues for me. The spring booster with Spikevaxx caused a bad flare but this has been much worse. Hopefully it will ease over the next weeks.

VeronicaF profile image
VeronicaF

i always feel better for a good while, no flares, not the first 24 hours but then after

DJK99 profile image
DJK99

Yes - spent the whole night in the loo with diahrrea (sp!), and felt like I had been run over for a few days ie all joints flared and v painful, struggling to walk etc.. and insane headache with my tinnitus that is always v bad, even worse! I have much of that all the time anyway but it just made things very much worse for those days. My arm became very read and swollen around the injection site and I couldn't use my arm well for those days. I was more exhausted than usual and felt like had v bad case of flu without the chest infection, nose stuff etc. V painful etc all round, but improved and looking forward to the next one - that was Spikevax, so the double whammy one next time I hope, although my neighbour said he had it and was pretty bad for a few days. Hope that helps, and that you begin to improve asap! D

TheBoys profile image
TheBoys in reply toDJK99

crikey you’ve had it bad. The Spikevaxx has been my apparent issue but we are all different so hoping it will be fine for you.

DJK99 profile image
DJK99 in reply toTheBoys

Yes I had the Spikevax, do you meant the new Spikevax with the extra new covid version on top?

note my diagnosis is Stills Disease which for me manifests as RA. I’m med free apart from pain relief and Ibuprofen and after one long episode of Stills in 1979 have never had another full blown attack. I have chronic joint pain, stiffness and swelling combined with other AI illnesses such as LS and IC as a result all starting in different decades of life. I had an increase in all symptoms for about 10 weeks after the first two AZ jabs, less so with the third Pfizer and the next is due next month. I will continue to have the vaccinations as IMHO getting covid could be a lot worse. I’m a healthy 60 year old (apart from pain), hoping to stay that way. Good luck.

Blackberrywine profile image
Blackberrywine

I didn't get any of the shots due to the risk off flair ups in some people. I'm also highly sensitive to meds. I was chatting to a lady at my last rheumatology appointment who said she'd had same issue. Also the bio med she was on had stopped working.

I did also note that one of the side effects of the jabs was musculoskeletal issues. That kind of put me off. Some people seem absolutely fine though. I guess like eith any med one takes a considered risk.

Hope you feel better soon.

TheBoys profile image
TheBoys in reply toBlackberrywine

many thanks for that. It’s all just down to the person I guess. My mum has RA and is 80 - never any form of issue at all. Ah well!

Blackberrywine profile image
Blackberrywine in reply toTheBoys

Hood your Ma has been Ok.

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