Coved and the vaccine

[Splinters50]

I’m worried to have the vaccine, that it will muck up my immune system all the more and declined in having the vaccine, that I will build an amenity myself, we are lucky to live life on a Scottish island, my partner is having his jab tomorrow.

[Boxerlady]

I had mine last week and was very happy to do so. I'm not sure why you think that it could be bad for your immune system? 🤔Very envious that you live on a Scottish island 😍

[Lolabridge]

I've had my first jab now and I'm so glad I did as I've been shielding since March 10th and am looking forward to getting out of the house soon! I will also want to visit family and friends at home and abroad in the future when it becomes possible.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Lolabridge]

Glad you’ve been 😍 I’m going Wednesday morning. Could have gone Friday but wanted to finish off some abx. My practice only started 70+/CEV/level 4 patients last midweek. Been in too a long time shielding since end of February and although we know it’s not an immediate solution to everything, the vaccines are a mega leap forward and the more of us can have them the better for us all. x

[allanah]

Hi lots of people are of course anxious. But all the studies show that the vaccines are safe for us , rheumatoid society say they are safe. Look on nras.org.uk, there a really good webcam on there discussing vaccines. For me covid can kill , so the vaccines are essential and they dont make us ill. Good luck with it all. Hope the weather on the island isnt bad today xx

[helixhelix]

In one sense your immune system is already mucked up because you have RA! But I do understand that you are worried it will be affected and become worse, so am not making fun of you.

The vaccine stimulates our immune system to produce antibodies. Every time we have a cold, a tiny infection, a cough, or cut ourselves we produce different antibodies. Or eat something toxic, or breathe in something.

The covid virus is no different, it’s in the same group as a normal cold. So the antibodies we need to produce against it are pretty much like any others. It’s just we have none as this virus has never existed before. So what the vaccine is trying to do is pretty normal.

And yes some of the vaccines are using a new technology, so we don’t know everything about them and it’ still quite early. But all the signs are good.

The only other way you will build up immunity is to catch covid yourself.....not recommended!

Herd immunity means that enough people have already caught covid so that it doesn’t spread as easily. But if you haven’t had it or been vaccinated you will still be vulnerable.

[Splinters50]

I hear you all and thank you for your comments, we can’t pick which vaccine we want, covid has taken an unprecedented physical and psychological toll on us all, I still feel that we could still encounter risks, we don’t yet know enough. It’s sunny here in Scotland cold but no snow...

[bpeal1 in reply to Splinters50]

Please watch the video link on this page nras.org.uk/resource/freque... and look at this page nras.org.uk/2021/01/20/upda...

Please also phone your rheumatology department to discuss it.

[AgedCrone]

If we could build immunity ourselves....do you honestly think our Government would be spending £millions on buying vaccines.....& spending even more on research to protect us.All of us here have compromised immune systems...& we need the protection a vaccine offers.

Please go to your doctor & ask to have the reason explained why you should be vaccinated.

Your partner sounds a jolly sensible chap.

[pippin_fort]

I hear what you say and am jealous that you live on a Scottish island. However, I had COVID last March and am still suffering from terrible consequences. I have severe asthma as well as RA. I have endured pneumonia, multiple chest infections, a pulmonary embolism, pleurisy, headaches/migraines, pain and swelling in my joints, rashes and other skin issues, pain in every organ of my body, tinnitus, gastrointestinal issues and a whole plethora of weird symptoms. I have now been diagnosed with Long COVID. I still have terrible neurological problems with damage having been done to my lungs and brain, My brain is covered in white dots which are the likely source of my neurological problems. I am still being investigated. I still have terrible headaches/ migraines, pain and swelling in my joints, which my Rheumy says it post viral rather than arthritis related, brain fog, blurry vision, chest pains, a fast heart rate, post exertions malaise, pain in my lymph nodes etc etc etc. I had the Oxford vaccine on Saturday and have reacted to it with a temperature, flu like symptoms and an exacerbation of the headaches. Do I regret taking it- No. I could not go through what I have endured over the last year again. I just don’t think I would survive it. I urge you to take the vaccine. I would not wish what I am suffering from on anyone. This virus is viscous and adaptable according to who it infects. I don’t understand why your father had it but you didn’t. No amount of fruit and veg and good living will fight off the nightmare that is Covid-19. Please reconsider.

[allanah in reply to pippin_fort]

Oh pippin that sounds so horrific. I'm so sorry you have been through this . You must have been so worried. We think my husband had a moderate type of covid testing before it was all announced in February . He too has now from being a fit paragliding, mountain climbing man , got breathless cough and now is going to see cardiologist. I really hope they can diagnose him so he can get help. Get well soon. X

[pippin_fort in reply to allanah]

Thank you. I pray that they find solutions for all of us suffering the after effects of Long COVID soon. Half the problem in my mind is that only life and death are reported at the moment. People don’t realise that there is an existence in between which is just terrible to live with. It has been mentioned in the media but not enough. Those of us with underlying autoimmune issues do seem more likely to develop along COVID if we live through the virus. That is why I am adamant that the vaccine is the way forward. I wish your husband well.

[allanah in reply to pippin_fort]

I think as fears about nhs being overwhelmed and covid numbers drip there will be more reporting and hopefully more help for those with after effects of this terrible pandemic xx

[jagilber]

I contact the Rheumatology dept as I was concerned about when to have the vaccination, especially being the same day as I take my methotrexate, my nurse suggested not taking RA drugs for the week. However, I am fortunate to only be on a low dosage. I had my vaccine Friday, only had a sore arm for 24hrs, otherwise all fine. Thanks to the brilliant NHS who were so well planned.

[Legley]

Hi Splinters50Please dont worry l had my jab yes l felt achy but it seems l was in a flare just b4 jab so my doctor saying not caused by injection.

Take care x

[MagsLough]

My son who is an A&E Consultant had covid last April, a positive test not just assumed to be the virus . He recovered quickly and volunteered for the platelet donation programme where blood platelets were taken from recovered SNHS staff to give to patients in intensive care.

On his 3rd visit to donation centre he was found to have zero antibodies in his system, so after only around 3 months or so he had zero immunity.

So I’m afraid in our limited experience you don’t gain immunity long term even if you have had the virus.

Might be worth finding out a bit more about this as part of your decision making.

Stay safe whatever you decide.

[Splinters50 in reply to MagsLough]

Firstly sorry for the delay, fogg brain. I really appreciate your comments.. x