Has anyone had more pain in joints since having covid vaccine?

[Ms-D]

Hi all

Hope you are well as can be.

Since having my vaccine in February I am going through the worse flare up and in tears most days due to pain. Sent pictures to my rheumy team and got appointment on 25th March.

Anyone else going through this?

[Boxerlady]

Sorry to hear that but no, I haven't had any joint problems since having the vaccine.

I think that you were unlucky enough to have had Covid? I've heard that those who have had Covid have also had more reactions to the vaccine so maybe that could be an explanation?

Hope that your team are able to help and that things improve meantime.

[Ms-D in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you replying. Yes I think it is worse as I had severe Covid in January. I hope the steroids kick in and its also Idacio day today so yey!!

[Boxerlady in reply to Ms-D]

I've spoken to various people without RA and the general pattern seems to be that those who have had Covid had more reaction to the first vaccination and those who hadn't had Covid had more reaction to the second one; something to do with their immune systems already being "primed" and reacting more strongly? 🤔 So maybe I'll have a stronger reaction to the next one but it doesn't make me hesitant about having it. Hopefully it means that you'll be fine after the next one. 😉

Hope that the steroids and Idacio kick in quickly 💐

[Ms-D in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you for that information. Makes sense to me now. Well hopefully it eases and I can get some relief. Have a lovely weekend x

[Pulfs in reply to Boxerlady]

I haven’t had Covid x

[Ms-D in reply to Pulfs]

So I guess it applies to anyone with or without Covid history

[Lolabridge]

Hello Ms-D.

Yes I had a slight flare and assumed it’s my immune system working to make me some antibodies. Do you think that could be what’s happening to you too?

I have asked for my next infusion soon but have been told I have to wait and just increase my steroids ☹️

[Ms-D in reply to Lolabridge]

Hi hun, its not nice being on steroids so I can understand you want the infusion soon. I will speak to my rheumy team later today and get some information from them. Thank you for replying.

[Downtime]

Yes, I’ve got awful low back and hip pain which is really restricting me at the moment. May be a coincidence but it came on a week or so after the vaccine. I had a reaction immediately after the jab but that was shivers and body aching which went quickly. This is different and I don’t feel well either. Really fed up with it 😕

[Ms-D in reply to Downtime]

Thats the same as me. I had shivers and a cold but that was normal I was told but the pain and inflammation has got worse since despite being on steroids. I thought it was just me.

[Shelley1701]

I've had a lot of joint pain. Came on almost a week after vaccine. Mostly shoulders and knees which are always bad when I get a flare up. Not sure if its vaccine or coincidence. Had no immediate reactions or side affects after my shot so who knows. See when I get my 2nd dose in May.

[Ms-D in reply to Shelley1701]

Hope all goes well with your 2nd dose. When is yours? Mine in on 25th April but not so sure at the moment if I want it.

[Shelley1701 in reply to Ms-D]

My 2nd dose is May 2nd. I'd recommend you have it but it's down to personal choice. Have a chat with a Dr or Nurse if you're unsure. It could be a coincidence that flare came on after vaccination. I've had vaccination for flu and pneumonia and been ok. Try not to be put off. Better to be protected in the long run.

[Ms-D in reply to Shelley1701]

I understand but if I feel like this I don't know if its worth it seeing as so many variants out there that are evading the vaccines. Hopefully my consultant can shed more light on this for me. Thank you for replying x

[Sunnyspells]

Yes. Mine didn't start till about 2 weeks after the vaccine. Since I have been on Methotrexate, about 5 years, I haven't really had any flares until now. My knees are really giving me some grief!

[Ms-D in reply to Sunnyspells]

I hope you get some relief soon. Are you on Methotrexate? Being in so much pain is making me so down that I dont want to talk to anyone let alone do anything. I am remote teaching and all my colleagues are asking if I am okay as its clearly visible I am in agony.

[Sunnyspells in reply to Ms-D]

I did stop my MTX for a couple of weeks when I had the vaccine, as I had heard it gives a better level of immunity, but I often go two or three weeks without it with no bad effects. I do feel sorry for you having to work through it. Hope you feel better soon.

[Ms-D in reply to Sunnyspells]

I am feeling better talking to you all. Just can't wait to see consultant. How are you doing?

[Moomin8]

Hi, it always seems wrong to 'like' posts where someone says how much pain they're in...

I'm so, so sorry to hear how much pain you're in - that's not good 😞 I still have a lot of pain in the shoulder/arm where I had my vaccination 4 weeks ago! I can't sleep on it; it aches all day and all night - my sister has the same thing and she doesn't have RA 🤔

I hope you have a successful appointment on 25th - it's just horrible being in such pain as you are. Sending a virtual hug 🤗x

[Ms-D in reply to Moomin8]

Your hug has cheered me u so much. Thank you sweetheart. This sucks but you know me I am smiling away lol

[Brushwork]

So sorry you are having more pain. I am the opposite, barely any pain since the vaccine.

[Ms-D in reply to Brushwork]

I am glad to hear that you are okay. I hate seeing anyone in pain.

[janmary]

I’ve had a major flare up which started 2 -3weeks after 2st vac - but don’t know if it’s connected. My MX injection dose was reduced to 10mg due to me having some ? Side effects , so it could be that, or this very changeable weather? Who knows...

[Ms-D in reply to janmary]

I am sorry to hear you are in pain. I hope this eases for all as I hate being so useless and in pain. Have a lovely weekend.

[Gilliancheche]

I have had a flare up which started on 10th Feb, 5 days after vaccination. It is still continuing worst pain I have had in quite a while and has affected many of my joints one after another. My pain meds have been increased but still not working. Probably better than catching covid but miserable.

[Ms-D in reply to Gilliancheche]

I had severe covid and it was horrible but if this is a side effect I am not a happy bunny. I am sorry you are in pain too. I hope they find some relief for you. Thinking of you all x

[Hidden]

I have AS, not RA. I had my jab at 11:30am and 12 hours later I had all the flu, swollen glands and shakes side effects but also the AS flared. I had very painful SI joints that lasted a few days and I am well controlled with biologics, in fact I am supposed to be in drug induced remission. I've seen in AS forums that others have reported they also flared. I have not had covid and nor have my parents and we all had brutal side effects from the Oxford, it's just luck of the draw. I reported the AS flare on the yellow card scheme as I believe there is little to no evidence of what the vaccine does to those on biologics.

[Ms-D in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I did the yellow card yesterday. Hoping to speak to rheumy team soon to get more info. The new variant is rife in North West London so I am scared of it.

[Hidden in reply to Ms-D]

Yes, it's rife in Brentwood so I hear and my kids go to school in Chelmsford with loads of children who live in Brentwood...

[Ms-D in reply to Hidden]

Its scary as reading the infection rates are low but the r number is rising slightly. Too many people think they're invisible. My daughter starts year 9 next week and I don't see how they can social distance. She has over 1000 kids in her school.

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Some people have reported some similar but tends to only last a few days. In some way it shows that the body's immune system has been stimulated by the vaccine to develop anti-bodies which is good, unfortunately with an immune mediated condition like RA it also can mean your immune system starts up the RA inflammation too. Hopefully it should settle. EULAR, (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) has started collect data from clinicians on their patients who have had vaccinations so please urge your rheumatologist to contribute your experience to the research as this will over time give us real world evidence on how people living with rheumatic diseases are responding to the various vaccines and hopefully identify which may be preferable for different conditions etc. here's the link to share with your consultant if they are unaware of the research being carried out. eular.org/eular_covid19_dat...

[Ms-D in reply to Clare-NRAS]

Thank you so much for this information. I really appreciate it.

[Pulfs]

Yes me. I did a post earlier this morning saying how I felt . Hopefully it’s just a coincidence x

[Ms-D in reply to Pulfs]

Sorry I did not see your post. I hope you are not suffering too much pain. Are you taking anything for the pain?

[Pulfs]

Co-codamol and paracetamol , also on 15mg of methotrexate injection weekly x

[Ms-D in reply to Pulfs]

I am taking co-codamol and steroids as of yesterday. Taking Idacio once a fortnight.

[Hidden]

This is interesting as I have been wondering if this is related to having the vaccine?!Yes me too it’s kicked off something with back & knees which I didn’t have any issues with before. I generally feel unwell too. I have contacted my nurse as it doesn’t seem to be easing. Has anyone else fed back to drs etc?

[Ms-D in reply to Hidden]

I'm waiting for call back from my team but I had a good message from Claire from nras on my thread. Have a read it might help. Hope you get some relief. After two days on steroids I am more alert but swelling is slowly going down.

[Hidden]

Thanks you too & I've just read Claire’s response which helpful & interesting that it’s being monitored. I must say I am reluctant to have the 2nd jab now. Luckily I’m working from home & shielding but not sure I could actually go to work with how rubbish I am feeling now.