Flu vaccine

[Buckybri]

I was told to have a pneumonia vaccine which I did and it made really ill for a week , but the flu vaccine wasn’t mentioned , do I need that to ? I hope not

[JFlay]

My rheumy's recommended both. I had flu vac last week but I've not been able to get the pneumovax as yet though.

[Buckybri in reply to JFlay]

Did it make u ill

[JFlay in reply to Buckybri]

No, flu vac has been ok for me.

[Buckybri in reply to JFlay]

The pneumovax hit me for 6 . I was in bed most of the week and had to be taken down the docs because my family were worried about an infection

[JFlay in reply to Buckybri]

Oh dear 😟 I'm still going to have it though when I can get it (no stock!) as my mum has had pneumonia twice and she was really ill, would rather not go through that ☹️

[Lee1945 in reply to JFlay]

If the vaccine affected you badly, imagine how much worse it may have been to get the full virus

[Buckybri in reply to Lee1945]

Yea yr right there .

[Hidden]

Yes you need the flu jab as well. The pneumonia one I was bad for 4 days the flu didn’t effect me

[Cal48 in reply to Hidden]

Had flu vac each year .went for this years yesterday .the Doctor said it is not a live vac. I haven’t had any problems with them or the pneumonia one.

[charisma]

Before I had any diagnosis of RA but definitely had bad symptoms pointing to it, I decided to get pneumovax, flu and shingles vaccines. I lived in WV, USA at that time.

The pneumovax did cause me to feel very ill and there was severe pain in the arm that was injected, and surface of thighs was burning hot too. Nasty.

None of the others had any bad effects.

I was very glad I’d braved the pneumovax as the reaction to sulphasalazine within one month of starting it also brought a nasty infection and severe headache. Meningitis and pneumonia avoided, no admission to hospital, just three weeks off meds with lots of blood work.

[Hidden]

I had the pneumonia vaccine a few years ago before starting on Humira. It didn't make me Ill at all but made my arm a little sore at the injection site. I have the flu jab each year and again just a little sore at the injection site.

[Hidden]

I've had two Pneumonia jabs five years apart. The second one put me in hospital. I've never had any problems with the flu jab.

[AgedCrone]

Think about it-it’s better to feel a bit off for a few days after a vaccination then to get pneumonia .....especially if you have dodgy lungs .

Same with the influenza vaccine !

[Lolabridge]

I’m going to have my flu jab next week. No adverse reaction last year so hope none this.

Last year I had the pneumovax jab and was a little tired after it but otherwise ok. I’ve been told I don’t need to have that again this year.

I’ve only had flu once, years ago, and was bedridden for over a week. I really don’t want to go through that again! 🤞🏻

[Buckybri in reply to Lolabridge]

I was really ill , and that’s not me . It’s mad how something can grab onto u so quick I’m 49 and have never been ill then this got me , was fit and healthy now struggling to walk .it ducks

[Buckybri in reply to Buckybri]

Sucks even lol

[NicolaP]

I had the pneumonia jab four years ago, had cold symptoms for about a fortnight afterwards.

So far not had any issues with the flu jab in 8 years, although haven't had it this year yet.

[Floralqueens]

Yes, you need both!! Better to keep yourself protected.

[Lee1945 in reply to Floralqueens]

It not only protects you but all who come in contact with yu.

[nomoreheels]

It is recommended but it's your choice, just be well informed about why it is recommended for us with RD! I'm surprised you were told to have the pneumonia vaccine but not the flu jab, unless it was when you started a new DMARD (being MTX it's likely) & it wasn't flu season, when the flu vaccine is available. That said I was asked to have the pneumovax before starting leflunomide, the last DMARD I tried but am called for the flu jab annually. Actually, your family, or rather anyone who lives in the same house with you, should also be entitled to the flu jab with you being at increased risk of infection.

I think I'd put your experience of the pneumovax behind you, if that’s why you say you hope you don't need to have the flu jab, it isn't common to have such a reaction. It's a one-off vaccine unlike flu which is an annual one. Flu can cause real problems with us, can lead to pneumonia & although you're protected against that each year this season hospital beds fill up more than any other so if we're protected against the worst types even if we do get any one strain then it won't hit us so hard. Just to be clear it won't stop you getting flu but it won't develop to full blown knock-you-off-your-feet flu, the kind where if someone put £1,000 at the bottom of your bed you'd not be able to get up to claim it flu. Bad flu can leave scarring on your lungs, I’m not scare mongering but letting you know as someone who's had lung problems many years ago, it's bloomin painful & given that RD itself can affect them you'd do all you can to keep them healthy & scar-free.

If you're unsure do talk to your Rheumy Nurse about it. We can only give our experiences, which as you know can vary (!) it's professional advice you need really.

[Nuttyshirlz]

I had pneumonia jab 3 years ago it’s a five year jab and get flu jab every year. Had no problems but this year I did was ill few days but rather have it with have it too help than not. 🙂

[Chance_chance]

I had pneumonia one last year was ill for at least 3 weeks but the flu jab was fine and I shall be having it in a couple of weeks rhumy recommend both but luckily you don't need pneumonia every year.

[Mmrr]

I had the flu jab last week. My arm was a little stiff for a day or two afterwards.

The flu vaccine is not alive vaccine, so should cause few problems.

[Wyaatch]

I was wondering—I got the flu jab a week ago but ever since have been feeling like I’m coming down with a cold, tired like flu-like tired—had started lefludimide 7-8 weeks ago —and another guess—is lowering my immune system making it harder to fight off colds, viruses? Anyone?