I hope you are all ok (or as they say ‘as well as can be expected with Lupus’).
Last year I asked on here if it was safe to have the flu jab and most said yes and I agreed. However I’ve had this year’s jab and I feel awful, can’t keep any food in me, can’t sleep and my whole body is on fire, I can hardly make it from the bedroom to the bathroom! I asked the pharmacist whether the jab was a live one or not and she assured me it wasn’t, so I went ahead and had it, I must mention that I’ve never had a reaction before so just old age creeping up I guess 😂
Has anyone else had any reaction?
Jacqui
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Hi Jacqui! My rheumatologist actually said no more vaccines for me. For some, the antibodies you make against what’s in the vaccine have been speculated to possibly cause cross reactions with your body. Some people without lupus also have mild flu like symptoms after the vaccine - muscle aches, tired.
It seems most of my major events predating my actual diagnosis did happen after vaccines, particularly flu. These were required when I was a healthcare provider. TDaP also made me feel pretty lousy. Live vaccines like zoster, MMR, polio are probably not a great idea if your lupus causes immune dysfunction. I seemed to tolerate pneumonia vaccine without issue.
In short, I think people with lupus do have a tendency to react to vaccines moreso than the general public. In my case, I think it definitely caused flares - pericarditis in one instance. I would talk to your rheumatologist about it. Weigh the risks and benefits.
Oh dear that doesn't sound good at all. I hope you're feeling much better now?
Just want to report that I had this year's flu jab (I'm 50 yrs) on Sept 16. No problem from the jab as far as I could tell. It's possible I had a little disease flare a week or so after, but can't tell if that was from the jab or would have happened anyway. I've been told infection risk is the greater evil, so to get the non-live flu jab.
It was a violent reaction to a shingles vaccine that led eventually to discovering I had Lupus/ Sjogren’s- I avoid the flu jab. I don’t understand why you would put something into a body that has an autoimmune system working against it. Also there are so many flu strains around even the inventor said it was hit and miss now as to what’s going to hit. There’s an awful lot of money in promoting and selling these things. See your Doc ASAP
I’ve had the flu jab and I’m over 65. I got more reaction than in the last few years but just tiredness and headache and my arm itched a little. Nothing at all like yours and I think you need to talk to your GP today, immediately.
I always have flu jabs for two reasons. One is that the year I missed it I was ill all winter with respiratory problems and flu like symptoms. Two is that if I react even a little to the small amount of dead vaccine then what on earth would I be like if I caught the flu.
I agree with the other replies, should your symptoms continue ring for medical advice. I had my flu jab (always have it each year) about 3 weeks ago. I have had on and off severe headaches since. I have never had a reaction previously. Obviously, it could be something else but it has been since then.
Thanks for replying, normally i just get a sore arm for a day or so and then it’s ok. The pharmacist asked my age, so I assume she gave me the correct one, so you could be right and I just had a reaction to one of the components.
I feel a little better today and have eaten a little today but nothing yesterday.
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