Any side effects from flu jab?

[Wombat3]

I'm new here. Diagnosed with afib 5 months ago. Still freaking out about it. I recently had a flu jab and have had lots of headaches, palpitations and dizziness. Has anyone else had this happen? I'm on a Eliquis and blood pressure meds. I'm sensitive to beta blockers, so cardiologist doesn't want me on anything else. She told me just to lose weight and watch my diet. She says less medication is better. I seemed to be going fairly well until this flu jab.

[CDreamer]

Hi Wombat and welcome. How recently did you have the flu jab?

I reacted to the flu jab the first time I had it with an egg on my arm for about 6 weeks and felt rubbish for about 10 days so I think that some people do react. I think if things don’t settle down within a few weeks then you could think about seeing your doctor.

Your immune system reacts in the same way to the vaccine as it would do for an infection and you experience symptoms of the infection. Infections always start my heart off but the vaccines don’t so it may just be co-incidence.

Do you track your HR & BP? If your heart is in AF then that can cause the symptoms you describe but it really helps your doctors help you if you can track this information and with all the modern technology around such as BP machine, Oximeters, Pulse Apps and Kardia let alone all the watches - this is pretty easy to do.

It does take time to adjust to life with AF and I’m afraid anxiety comes with AF both physiologically and psychologically. There are many things that you can do to help yourself and certainly Lifestyle changes will help. By Lifestyle we mean - avoiding triggers which maybe food but are also most certainly stress so worry makes things worse. One of the ways you can make such a difference and help you feel more confident is to learn as much as you can about AF, learn strategies to manage your stress (worry), ensure to get good quality, 7-8 hours sleep, moderate exercise - at least 15-30 mins of walking daily and to maintain a BMI of 27 (some say 25).

More than anything, Lifestyle changes will help prevent AF progressing.

Hope some of that helps - oh and we have all been where you are now so really do get just how scary a diagnosis is. I was diagnosed in 2007 and one of the most difficult things is to accept that you may have to make some adjustments in order to maintain a good quality of life.

Best wishes

[Wombat3 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's really helped quell my anxiety. It's been really hard facing af when you live by yourself. I'm 69 and trying to get on top of it The problem is, when you look healthy people seem to think you are just paranoid. I am tracking bp and pulse. I have managed to lose 34 lb in weight and I'm walking 5 kilometres every day. Healthy diet. God bless you and your family.

[CDreamer in reply to Wombat3]

Well done! Great start. It is SO hard facing things alone but please know that many here consider ourselves family to all other AF’ers and speaking personally many have pulled me out of some dark stuff! You are amongst friends and family.

[BobD Volunteer]

You obviously reacted to something in the flu jab as some people do. In such circumstances remember that any inflamation in the body can trigger AF. If it continues for long I suggest that you contact your GP .

[doodle68]

Hi Wombat I have been having the flu vaccination for many years (as does my brother who also has AF). The only reaction I have occasionally had to the vaccination is a sore arm and I have found that massaging the arm and applying an ice pack seem to prevent the sore arm lasting for more that a few hours.

[Ginajetta]

After first moderna flu shot had palpitations and elevated heart rate for ten days. I know a few friends that experienced sumilar reaction. Had second shot and it happened again along with other symptoms including fever. I’m 74 and I have cardiac arrhythmia at times. Not sure if helpful.

[Wombat3 in reply to Ginajetta]

Thank you. It helps to know others had the same experience and that it's not just me being paranoid.

[Ginajetta]

Had 2nd flu jab last week. I had similar elevation with second jab.