Flu jab & PAF: I was diagnosed with PAF... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Flu jab & PAF

Bee-Honest profile image
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I was diagnosed with PAF 16 years ago, but with a cocktail of drugs including Warfarin and arrhythmia drugs have been in rhythm for the past 10 years until I received my first flu injection yesterday and ten hours later I was in AF, which I still am. Told by medical staff it might go back into rhythm but no guarantee. Have read a few of these posts and looks like the flu injection might be the cause, although the medical staff were vague about it.

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Bee-Honest profile image
Bee-Honest
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UScore profile image
UScore

Not heard of that myself, will be interesting to see if anyone else has gone into AF shortly after the flu jab?

I had it on Thursday and I've had barely an ectopic beat between then and today. I was surprised to be offered it, to be honest. I'm not really sure I should be on a vulnerable list, but PAF seems to be a qualifier.

jennydog profile image
jennydog

I had an episode of AF about a week after I had the flu jab and the same thing happened last year. It could be coincidental but no other triggers evident. I had no other side effects beyond sniffles.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Never had any problems with it. Bear in mind that they do often ask you if you are allergic to eggs as the virus is grown in them before being killed. It is not a live virus so shouldn't affect anybody.

souljacs4 profile image
souljacs4

No problems

Von19 profile image
Von19

I have PAF and two years ago after having the flu vaccination that evening I landed up in A&E and spent the night there in fast AF During the following two weeks I had two further episodes which required hospitalisation I asked wether the trigger was the flu jab and was told maybe The following year I never had the vaccination This year the consultant said it was important to Be vaccinated and said to see my GP and ask for a clean flu vaccination and have it in my leg I had no reaction this time not even localised redness .

Have it every year and no problems...

rosyrosie2013 profile image
rosyrosie2013

I never used to have any problems with the flu jab but I have in recent years. Although it is not a live virus I do think there can be an interaction with medication you are on. I take Rivaroxiban and decided to stop taking it before and just after my flu jab. This year I was ok. I have a pacemaker now therefore rarely get AF anyway. My husband has also had a bad reaction to the flu jab for last two years. He takes a lot of medication.

Had AF and the flu jab for 15 years, not had a problem, nor the flu......shouldn't have said that !!! But if something makes you feel ill, maybe that could trigger it for a while?

Gertsen profile image
Gertsen

No problem

caos52 profile image
caos52

I think the flu jab must do something if you are on meds. I have been taking Rivaroxaban since a single AF episode in February 2017 and have Bisoprol as PIP. I also take methotrexate for my RA and within 48 hours of the flu jab woke up with BPPV which is basically rotten Vertigo when you move. 4 weeks later it is improving slowly, so I do believe that was triggered by the flu job, so who knows what else it is randomly affecting. I do wish doctors would say what to expect and then a more considered decision can be made by the patient. I only had it because I am in the compromised immune system group for RA. Getting older sucks (64)

Bee-Honest profile image
Bee-Honest

Quick update, Heart went back into sinus rhythm 5 days after flu injection, but advised that having the flu injection was the correct decision, as flu would also put my heart our of rhythm.

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