New member vaccine question

We have a new member kjmn who has lots of questions about the vaccine. She is very keen to hear about the experiences of people who have had the vaccine already.

[allanah]

I had it, it was fine, had a bit of a sore arm but good. Very organised and safe area and space in the hall.

[helixhelix]

I’ve had both doses now. I did react to the vaccine, but all fine now.

[springcross]

Hi kjmn. I had the vaccine just over two weeks ago. Initially I did have some side effects but they passed soon enough. x

[Lolabridge]

Hello and welcome. I think we have been impressed by the organisation and administration of our vaccinations and have felt safe to have them, whether in surgeries or larger centres. Some of us have had Pfizer vaccine and others the Astra Zeneca one.

We have had varied experiences and reactions, which seem to depend on how well our RA is controlled and what RA treatment we are having.However, mostly any side effects have been minimal, rather like having flu, and lasting only 24-48 hours. A few have also had a mini and short-lived flare of RA symptoms.

Everyone had been pleased to have it and no one had expressed any regrets.

I’m looking forward to getting my second one!

[Neonkittie17]

Had the Pfizer a week ago. Thought I’d not had a reaction but looking back, my arm was sore and felt bruised surrounding the site for for a few days, but nothing to see. I felt very shivery all night waking up, but it was snowy and cold anyhow! No other major effects to mention other than a rare headache for me but that went after a day. The vaccine doesn’t hurt at all and they are given under strict safety with distancing from other patients and and disinfecting everything before and after you sit down etc. Well planned and spaced in the venue.

[Pippy25]

I had mine on Sunday and apart from a tender arm, a few aches and feeling a bit flushed for 24 hours which you can get having the flu vaccine I am fine, no regrets here.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Pippy25]

Glad to hear you have had yours. Only a mild to moderate reaction from me too. My hubby asked this yesterday to the physio who did his vaccine and they says it doesn’t mean it isn’t working if you don’t have a very noticeable reaction. x

[Soundofmusic52]

I had the vaccine very organised felt at ease no problem never felt nothing and no side effects I was concerned with the meds I am on but I can honestly say it was good good luck every one stay safe 😷

[Vonnie10]

My arm was red and sore no big deal

[Boxerlady]

I had the Pfizer one and had a sore arm and was a little sleepy and shivery but fine after a couple of days.

[KittyJ]

I had the AZ one, sore upper arm and fluey feeling with headache and nausea for a couple of days after but nothing major 😊

[Moomin8]

I had the first Astrazeneca vaccine nearly 2 weeks ago. I had a bit of a bleurgh day the following day. It's an intramuscular vaccine, so it's bound to make one's arm a little sore for a while. Being honest, my arm is not as sore to touch, but I still have a dull ache and lifting my arm it is painful. When I lay on it at night, it is uncomfortable - but not terrible. At first I thought it was my RA because my left shoulder is often sore, so I have taken etoricoxib from about one week in and my shoulder feels better, but my arm is still sore. I am so grateful to have had my vaccine and the whole experience made me feel very safe. The volunteers and medical staff at the centre were so thoughtful and caring plus it was a day out!

[Moomin8 in reply to Moomin8]

I spoke to a friend today- a Dr of Physics, she said that the pain etc is my body showing a good immune response - I'll take that!

[Bootoo]

I had mine 9 days ago, no sore arm no side effects at all, it was extremely organised.

[MuppetBaby]

Pfizer one in January for me. Zero side effects at all, neither did family members. People at work ranged from sore arm to slight fever x

[Exhiker]

I had the Pfizer one last tuesday and apart from a bit of a headache that evening, it was fine.

[MadBunny]

I had the Oxford one. A slight headache and tired the same night and the next day but that was all.

[Pinkypie2018]

I had the Oxford one a week ago. Was fine afterwards and didn't even have a sore arm.

[essexgirl]

I had Pfizer yesterday feel perfectly fine no side effects ... took 2 seconds

[bubblyalex]

Had the Astra Zeneca one two and a half weeks ago. Straight in straight out painless. No bruises no sore arm. Couldn’t sleep the first night and a little hot for a couple of hours the next day... that’s pretty much all.

[bunnycaramel]

I had it no side effects at all

[Potatos]

Pfizer, slightly sore arm.

[Wobbies]

Astra Zeneca. Fine apart from one day feeling as if I had a cold coming.

[Noodles43]

I had the Pfizer one a couple of weeks ago, sore arm and felt a bit wiped out for a few days but nothing terrible 😊

[HappykindaGal]

I had Pfizer one on Tuesday. Very well organised and no side effects at all.

[bpeal1]

I had the Phizer one just over a month a go. Just had a slightly sore arm for a couple of days. I’ve been volunteering at our local hospital clinic. Most of the time it all runs very smoothly. Occasionally (usually if we’ve had several queries arrive at once) it does slow down and then people have a bit of a wait.

[BoneyC]

I had Pfizer on 4th Feb. Very similar to having a flu jab. No side effects.

[Gladders]

I had mine two weeks ago only side effects were a slight headache for a couple of days afterwards, it was so well organised and felt safe enough - I'm sure underneath everyone's face mask there was a hint of a smile of relief to be getting it I certainly felt it's giving us all hope

[julie1908]

Hi i had the Pfizer jab nearly 4 weeks ago and had no side effects at all. The whole procedure from arriving to leaving was excellent.

[Ferret18]

Hi Kjmn I’ve had my first dose - Pfizer one. It stung when I had it and I had a sore arm for 2 days but nothing untoward since. Take care

[Patty37 in reply to Ferret18]

I had the AstraZeneca 10 days ago and was the one in a hundred who had a more severe reaction. My reaction started 5 hours after the vaccination. I had convulsions lasting a few minutes, then I vomited. I went to bed feeling very shaky, had lower back pain, and felt that my stomach had been kicked from the inside. The next few days i had no appetite and severe fatigue and slept or sat around all day. I still feel more tired than usual and have come out in 3 cold sores. I have reported my reaction online via the Yellow Card reporting site. My background is i am 73, take methotrexate, and had mild Covid-19 in April last year. I am also allergic to bee stings and some skin products and carry an epipen. I will take advise before the second jab which is due May 1st. I’ve been reluctant to write this as I don’t want to put folk off having the vaccine. Would I have the first jab again? Definitely. I’d rather have a week of side effects than a month on a ventilator.

[Ferret18 in reply to Patty37]

Oh gosh, you’ve been through the mill with it. But you still have a positive outlook, which is lovely to hear. Take care

[Hidden in reply to Patty37]

Thank you for your honesty and for your reasoning about if you would have it again.

[GinnyE]

Had the Oxford. Felt shivering, nausea and headache but went in less than a day. All well organised at vaccination centre. Quite moving really. x

[Joanneforbes]

🙋🏼‍♀️ I had the Pfizer one was extremely worried as I have allergies but my doctor and staff reassured me that I was going to be ok 👍🏻. I was just had a bruise lump at injection sight very sore arm for about 3 days . Day after felt little odd fatigue but get that so not sure if connection just took regular paracetamol all good ! X good luck it felt quite liberating after .... hopefully an end to sheilding on the horizon!

[Hidden]

Had the Pfizer vaccine almost 3 weeks ago and just had the typical sore arm for a few days like I do with the flu jab x

[Fruitandnutcase]

I (72) had the Pfizer vaccine three weeks ago tomorrow. Absolutely no problems. Didn’t even feel it.

I’m a total injection phobic and wasn’t keen to have the vaccine - mainly because isolating / shielding doesn’t bother me. I have never even had the flu vaccine - but I thought about it and to be honest I had the covid vaccination for the greater good and for the NHS. I’ve had no after effects.

The organisation was superb from well organised free parking through to giving us a timer for when we were in the waiting area afterwards. Absolutely faultless.

Husband (73) went after me - same doctor injecting and same batch of vaccine - and he was tired afterwards and had flu like symptoms the next day and has been all over itchy since then but other than that he’s ok.

[Cutes]

Hi kjmn, I had the 'Oxford'/Astra Zeneca one on 28 January at midday. I did have some side effects which started about 8 hours after the jab, around 8 pm. I suddenly felt achy, like I remember feeling when i had bad flue about 30 years ago, but not nearly as bad as that. Then felt alternately hot and then shivery. I took my temperature and it was certainly higher than normal at 38. I then had quite a feverish night, but felt a lot better by morning and my temp was nearly back to normal. I just felt rather 'wiped out/zonked' the next day, but my appetite was fine. I didn't get a headache or a sore arm, although I did notice my jabbed arm felt a bit heavy, when i drove the car a couple of days later. The following day, i.e. 2 days later, I felt absolutely fine; if anything rather more energetic than usual! My main tip would be to drink loads of water, starting as soon as you get back home after receiving the jab, as I think that might be what prevented me from getting the headache that many others seem to have experienced.

The vaccine was definitely worth having for peace of mind and the actual process of having the jab was all very efficient and quick - didn't have to queue at all, or wait around afterwards. I have skipped my fortnightly Imraldi Anti TNF injection, just because it felt like the right thing to do for me, but will be taking my next one this weekend. I am not on methotrexate at the moment, but I think I would have done the same with that. Just to note too, I was also concerned that my surgery might not have me down as being at risk because they don't prescribe the Imraldi and was just about to contact them or Rheumatology, when i received their text inviting me to book a jab. Oh me of little faith!!🙂

[rawillbebeaten]

I don't really have anything new to say. Only to add to the No issues, great organisation tally. So glad I've had the 1st one. My Dad is 85, we share the house - he's had both Pfizer doses with no ill effects so we are a well protected household and very lucky

Good Luck with yours

Michele x

[Mpell41]

I’ve had the Pfizer one this morning, my arm is a little bit sore but ok so far.

[Denise64]

Hi Had mine 13 days ago and very grateful to have had it.

But typical of me, I wasnt too well after it, felt sick, headache, aching , RA flair up. Lasted a good week , but still small price to pay to be a safer.

I didn't want to put this on here either but , just wanted others to know that even if you do have reactions it does pass.

Just felt out of sorts too.

My history is RA and on Benapali.

But I'm prepared for next one.

When ever that may be

Xxxx

[Silverknee]

Had the Astra Zeneca. First day was fine. Then 2nd day and 3rd day was like bad flu plus sore stomach.Then a bit tired and fine. I had COVID last March. So I put reaction down to that. Like everyone else I was extremely pleased to have vaccination. Found having COVID a very scary experience.can’t wait to have my 2nd vaccine and any boosters!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Silverknee]

Well done ⭐️ and sorry to hear you had the virus but glad you’ve had your vaccine and the side effects have passed.

[MJSlide1958]

Grateful if I could please ask a question?

[MJSlide1958]

Grateful if I can ask a question please?

[kjmn]

I have ra for many years but I'm not on immunosuppressive drugs so I would like to know: can anybody respond and share experience, after vaccination who is just like me: not on any suppressive drugs? I will look forward to hear from you

[KittyJ in reply to kjmn]

kjmn you might get more responses if you start a new post 😊

[Leics in reply to kjmn]

I’m a little late to the conversation but I’m not currently on immunosuppressive treatment either although I do have hypogammaglobulaemia so my immune system is in my boots haha. I had the Pfizer vaccine 3 weeks ago and although I had a sore arm which I wasn’t able to raise for two days afterwards I was absolutely fine. My RA isn’t well controlled but I had the vaccination because I feel that in my case the death sentence has been reduced significantly and I would encourage anyone to have the vaccination I have allergies too but it didn’t bother me one bit. I’m 56 by the way if that helps.

[trenarren]

Had the Pfizer 2 weeks ago, had a slightly sore arm for 2 days, but that's all. I am now waiting for the 2nd jab with much anticipation as I then will have to wait another 6 weeks for my much needed Rituximab Infusion!! Fingers are crossed!!

[Evaflo10s]

I had the Oxford one on the 2nd February. No problems , no reactions .

[Florida100]

Had the vaccine one week ago and absolutely fine apart from a sore arm for 24 hours and extreme tiredness for 6 days after. Hope this helps!