Careful about vaccinations....

[Fancy59]

You think i'd learn that people voice opinions about taking vaccinations, but they are people without MS. I heard over and over again that it was safe to take both your flu vaccination and your Covid-19 current updated vaccination on the same day. Well, for me, that wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do. I took them Monday about 12:30 or 1 o'clock and by Tuesday about 1:00, I simply melted. I became weak and couldn't even help to get up. I had Spasticity kick in like I haven't had it in years. I even all but collapsed twice. Getting home and getting out of the car was a nightmare, but we finally manage to do it. My help leaves around 230 to 3. I had to call my sons to make sure they came in early to check in on me beecause I was simply doing that bad. All the nasty symptoms lasted about 3 days. I didn't do anything the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday wasn't much better. Thursday was a little better but not much. On Friday I started feeling quite a bit better but was afraid to do too much. So beware of getting both vaccinations on the same day. You might be okay but then you might get sick like I did. If I had it to do over again. I would space them out a couple of weeks. So my body could absorb and get used to the first vaccine before I dumped the second vaccine on top of it. Fancy59.

[DM0329]

So sorry Fancy59 to hear of your struggles. I hope you're feeling better soon, too.

I have been leery of getting them both together too. And I've been "lazy" and haven't gotten the Covid-19 1A booster yet, as it's so unlike me too. But I know how much I suffered in the past for at least 48 hours from prior the Covid-19 vaccines. I took Advil every six hours to try to help with the side effects. They really knock me down too.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It's so important that PwMS get more responsible information. I guess we as PwMS have to always have that caveat.

For example, I am 56 yo and due to get the Shingrix vaccines too (I'll plan for some time in the Spring 2024). I posted to get feedback here too about any side effects or symptoms that I should be aware of before getting it. So, I really appreciate your sharing your experience.

Our MSAA Community is always so informative and helpful, too. Thanks so much for sharing your advice. And, sorry that you had to suffer so badly. Be well. 😇🙏🙂🤞

[Peruzzot in reply to DM0329]

I got the shingle vaccine last year or the year before that...can't remember exactly. All I got from that was a soar arm for a couple days. Covid boosters kick my butt every time. So I've been avoiding getting both covid and flu vaccines. They both have a tendency to knock me out for a week. Getting them both on the same day...NO F'N WAY. If I have to get them, I'll do them a month apart.

[NorasMom]

I've heard this same story from so many people who don't have MS. I'm glad you're starting to feel better.

[hairbrain4]

I don't ever take vaccines. I haven't had the flu for over 20 years. I did get Covid but only because I was careless & didn't sanitize my hands after attending a church function. My motto is wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands & repeat all day if you are around the public. Be aware of your surroundings... Is that person sneezing, or coughing? Don't get very close to them if they are. Keep your distance when shopping in big box stores or malls. Its really does work.

[falalalala in reply to hairbrain4]

I agree.

[hairbrain4 in reply to falalalala]

🤗

[Cag51 in reply to hairbrain4]

The epidemic shot causes a cytokine storm so I haven’t taken it. I believe your hygiene tips have helped me avoid getting COVID. No flu shot ever and never get the flu. Stay safe and well everyone.

[hairbrain4 in reply to Cag51]

Glad you are taking precautions.

[CatsandCars]

That sounds truly frightening. I'm so sorry that you had such a terrible experience. I hope you'll feel better soon.

[bxrmom]

Fancy59 I am so very sorry that you had such a severe reaction to having both vaccines at the same time. When I went to get my covid vaccine, Walmart tried to push me to get the flu shot at the same time....told them no way. I was so very tired for the next day and half afterwards which is usually what has happened after those vaccines. The next week I had my physical with my family dr and received my flu shot then. When I told her about Walmart, she said never do more than one at a time because you never know which one you are having a reaction to. The only ones that should get multiples at a time are when babies are getting their shots.

[mrsmike9]

I got my flu shot alone as the Covid booster wasn't out yet. The flu shot didn't bother me. Now the Covid booster kicked my butt, as it always does. Each one of those knocks me out longer and longer. By next fall when it comes up again, I'll be down for at least 5 days.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hope your feeling better now? 🤗🤗 No shots yet... l am procrastinating, but l have to get booster maybe this week? IDK 🤣😂🤣 Not so sure about the flu shot tho😐 🤗💕🌠

[Mollyabigail]

Are you better now, Fancy? Gosh, that must have been a heck of a week for you! I hope you are fully recovered now. My pharmacist advised me to get them separately. I wanted to get them at once and be finished. She said to give my body time to recover from one, then get the other one. So I got the Covid booster first. Other than sweating like a race horse for 3 days, I did ok.

[MrStripey]

Yeah, when I had both together two years ago, I felt crappy for a couple of days. So I haven't done that again. The latest research is that it's better to space out all vaccinations by at least a week to get the best immune response. Also that it's best to keep getting the Covid vaccine in the arm you had it in before. Works for me! This year, the Covid vaccine, which I had last week, made me feel flu-y for about 24 hours. Last year, nothing. So it just depends.

[AquaZumbaFan]

I am so sorry you had that awful reaction… I have had enough of a reaction with just simply the Covid vaccination, so I definitely separate them. Sending you big hugs!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

I always ask my neurologist the best time to get the flu vaccine. She always recommends to get it 6 weeks before or 6 weeks after getting my Ocrevus infusion. I will be receiving my infusion this Friday. Probably will get it in mid December. I am still hesitant on getting any COVID boosters because being on Ocrevus, the antibodies don’t get produced in my system as I would like. I tested positive for COVID earlier this month and I hope that the antibodies are strong enough to survive my infusion.

[IFwczs]

High risk of strokes when you take COVID and flu vaccines at the same time.

[Angler_Eric]

Fancy59 , I'm sorry to hear you had such strong reactions.

With my upcoming surgery, and lack of a spleen, my health care team and I thought it prudent that I get vaccinated. A couple of months ago I had the pneumonia vaccine, and just over a week ago I had the flu, COVID, and shingles vaccine. All on the same day. I was definitely tired a couple of days afterwards. But, dang, Shringrix arm sucks. About a week later and it's starting to feel normal.

I'm regards to timing: while trying to wait for that sweet spot in-between Ocrevus infusions is ideal, my neurologist simply encourages me to get them as my time, and my health allows. As well as the availability of the vaccinations themselves.

I was diagnosed long enough ago there were no treatments for MS. You did what you could to manage the symptoms. This often meant taking medication. Along the way you start learning how to manage the side effects of the drugs. You start picking and choosing which symptoms, and side effects you could live with. It's no different today.

I will take my vaccinations and live with the side effects. As I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I contacted pneumonia (a complication in my sister's very recent passing), or shingles (which I've had twice. Both times caught very early). I've had the flu and COVID - I don't want them.

Each of us needs to make the decision. It's great for us to discuss, but ultimately it is up to the individual.

Good health to all!