Flu jab

[Pickle33]

Hi I am having my flu jab as this has been recommended by my rheumatologist as I am on hydrochloroquine. Has anyone had any bad reactions? Joint flare ups, feeling ill etc. I have read that it can make your joints really painful for a few days so naturally a little bit nervous

[grannyjogger]

I had my flu jab two weeks ago with no problems at all other than a tender muscle for a couple of days round the injection site. I didn't have the jab last year as my surgery had run out of supplies and I was so anxious that I might go down with flu - I have poor lung function and I dread going down with flu. I have had the flu jab for 3 of the past 4 years with not too many problems. Good luck and I hope you have a good result.

[Mainshah]

Had my flu jab 3 days ago I'm fine no pain no joint pain Eather

Feel good as new lol

[Asarahjohnson]

No problems with the flu jab. Had pneumovax 2 years ago and had awful discoid rash down arm afterwards but it's a live vaccine so more likely to cause problems.

[misty14]

Hi Pickle

I can flare after my flu jab but have been told by my Rheumy and GP that flu would be even worse!. They've also said that the good side is that it shows your immune system is working properly by reacting and not suppressed too much which can be bad. As I'm reducing steroids I usually don't around my flu jab time to help lessen the effects. I'm having mine in a couple of weeks so fingers crossed for us both. Hope I've helpedX

[bevjane74]

I had mine yesterday and I feel fine though I'm aching all the time I'm not feeling any worse I've not had the flu for the last three years while having the flu jabs which is always an advantage

Best wishes

Beverley

[Pickle33]

Thank you everyone, you have put my mind at ease 😃 x

[Debra60]

Have flu jab every year along with pneumonia jab, no issues at all! ☺

Worth having, I have Lupus SLE so its better than catching either.

[EOLHPC]

Hope you'll let us know how you do with the flu jab, pickle. I had mine 2 weeks ago & am so far ok

In my experience, I feel a bit sore & sometimes a bit flu-y. Meanwhile I keep a sharp eye out for any sign of actual infection of any kind, anywhere in my bod...and make sure I see my GP right away if I seem to have got something taking off

🍀🌻

[spaghettie]

I am same med no problems so don't worry in fact going this morning for mine

[MandaM]

Have my flu jab yearly as I'm a front line worker in NHS, also being heavily immune suppressed, with SLE, renal transplant, asthma, etc, etc it's the best thing to do to protect myself. I've not experienced any problems in the many years I've had the jab. If you are unlucky enough to have a reaction of sorts it's better than flu getting ahold of you so go ahead and get it done is say!

[anotherbee]

On same meds as you, my rheumy just said to make sure they don't use a live vacinne. Only side effects I've ever had is a sore arm

[Kjmarsh]

Had Lupus for 15 years, had flu jabs (+ pneumonia jabs alt years) and never had any advers reaction. Site may itch for couple days, but that's all. To have flu would be worse than any minor reaction.

[Pickle33]

Thanks everyone, had it done this afternoon. Arm a bit achy but that's normal so not worried about that. Had to pay for the jab though as the Boots pharmacist said on his list hydrochloriquine is not a immune suppressant?? I thought it was. On arthritis uk its listed as dmard. Have you all had to pay? Doesn't bother me paying just a bit confused

[Chris21 in reply to Pickle33]

I too have been confused by this, however I get my jab via the GP so don't pay. Last year I wasn't called by the surgery so I asked why at reception, she said I wasn't on the list and why did I think I need it. I said take your pick and reeled of my diagnosises and medication she replied ooh you should be! And promptly put me in for a jab and made sure I was on the list!

Being encouraged to go to the pharmasist is a fairly new thing, I wonder if that's why its not reached their list.

Next year ask at your surgery, at least your jabbed for this year 😉

[milkwoman]

To reduce the soreness in your arm, massage the injection site area once every hour the first day to work the vaccine out of the muscle. If you do this right from the start, your arm shouldn't be sore at all. If you start massaging later, it will reduce the length of time your arm is sore.

This also works for the pneumonia vaccines (prevnar 13 and pneumoccal 23) as those are notorious for resulting in very sore muscles for days. If you massage, soreness is substantially reduced.

[Tubamags]

I had a severe allergic reaction (anaphilaxis) to a flu injection a few years ago and spent ages in hospital so it is marked in large letters on my notes not to be given the injection. I have had flu in the past and it wasn't nearly as bad as the reaction I had to the vaccine. I am allergic (anaphilaxis again) to eggs among other foodstuffs and I believe there is an egg free vaccine but my GP pleads ignorance of this! Another misguided attempt to save the NHS money!!

[Pickle33]

Hi, I thought I would let you know how I got on. Had the flu jab last Saturday. No side affects, but on Wednesday everything went wrong. I started seizing up, joints were so painful I struggled to walk and type. When I got home from work I was shivering. I have been off work now for 2 days. Luckily I have an understanding boss and would rather go through this for a few days rather than get the flu, but still frustrating. Hope you are all ok and have a good wkend xxx