Flu jab? Flare

[Shelby37]

Hello everyone,

I had my flu jab on Saturday. Sunday morning I woke up in terrible pain. The backs of my hands have swollen, preventing me from moving my fingers or flexing my wrists. I took my methotrexate injection yesterday and today I have a little more movement, but the back of my hand is still very hot. Has anyone had a similar experience or any advice? Tia

[oldtimer]

There are statistics collected about reactions to any immunisations that you can look up.

It's likely to be coincidence, or we would see lots of people having this problem and most people have their flu jab without a flare.

[Shelby37 in reply to oldtimer]

I have never had a problem before. I just wondered if a vaccine that stimulates my immune response could be a trigger for a flare. Both hands is really doing me in as I am so limited with what I can do. However, logically it must be a coincidence or as you say we would all be in the same boat. Thanks

[AgedCrone in reply to Shelby37]

I’d speak to your rheumy nurse and see what she has to say, she may have heard from other people having a similar experience but TBH I don’t think there’s anything you can do ....it just has to wear off.

I had my jab on 14 September and had no side-effects at all .

Hope your hands calm down soon....use it as an excuse to do nothing except watch TV from the sofa!

[wishbone in reply to Shelby37]

You maybe onto something there! Not a flare, but two days after last winter's flu jab with the new immune boosting adjuvant, my formerly mild tinnitus went crazy and I nearly ended going crazy because of it! Except for a sore arm, I've never experienced any issues with the previous flu vaccinations I've had. I'm concerned that having a vaccine that boosts the immune system could be problematic, and I emphasise 'could be', for some people with a compromised immune system.

[Artroc56 in reply to wishbone]

Wishbone the adjuvant version in the UK is reserved for the elderly (over 70) so won't have been given to anyone younger.

[wishbone in reply to Artroc56]

I believe the adjuvant version is given to the over 65s, which is what I had last year. I'm 68.

[Deniseelk]

Just two thoughts.... I presume it was the type of flu jab appropriate for those of us with a compromised immune system ( not live)? I say this in layman’s terms and I am sure someone else here with some medical knowledge could explain it better

And

I have weekly Benepali injections and it was suggested to me by the clinical nurse that I leave a few days between my Benepali and the flu jab. My understanding was to ensure that I would get the full effect of the Benepali. Perhaps my understanding is incorrect and maybe having the two so close together can be too draining on our already compromised immune system and therefore trigger a flare?

I would say even though my RA is far better controlled with Benepali I still get flares ( less often but have been more severe and last longer) often I cannot be sure what has triggered it ( possibly an underlying virus that is not severe enough for me to be put to bed)?

Look after yourself, listen to your body but speak to your RA team if you feel the flare is taking hold as they could help with short term steroids, etc.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Shelby. Firstly, I'm pleased you've had your flu jab. It's normal to think the flu vaccine could cause a flare particularly as it happened so soon after. I know there have been studies to see if this is the case & the consensus is it seems not. It is possible to have a fever reaction though, albeit mild, that's not a flare though is it? You say your hands were swollen & you know what an RD flare is like after all. I'd be more inclined to think it's coincidental, particularly as it's not your first flu jab, you've not reacted like this before & it was a localised response. I always have the flu jab, never missed one & been fine, maybe an achy arm for a couple of days but nothing more.

If you're concerned there is a connection or other joints start being affected then I'd contact your Rheumy nurse, see what she thinks. It does seem as though it's on the wane though so hopefully there'll be no need.

[Shelby37]

Thanks everyone. I did pop in and see Rheumy nurse. She felt it was coincidence. So not a direct side effect, but it could have been enough to trip me into this flare. Undoubtedly a dose of flu would cause me more issues. Unfortunately I cannot take steroids as I have terrible reaction to them so I will just have to wait it out. Thanks all it helps not to feel alone x

[farm123]

I had my flu jab yesterday morning and everywhere ached yesterday afternoon and did not feel right, mainly better today but still tired - so for me I think my body did react to it but everyone is different.

[Paulajolo]

I had a flu jab 4 years ago and within 2 weeks started with RA. I am convinced the Flu jab was the trigger. I will never habe another one. The leaflet that you can pick up in the chemist mentions you may have an allergic reaction if you have drug allergies. As I was healthy and had never taken any drugs I didn't know it could do this to me. Docs don't really believe me but have accepted why I don't have the Flu jab.