RA

[Whitegate]

After four years of remission I've had my first flare-up which has reduced mobility bg 50%. It came on within a few hours of my 2021 'flu jab. Have any other forum members been similarly affected, please?

[Lolabridge]

I had a flare recently. I don’t know whether it was my flu jab or my Pfizer jab, which was my 3rd Covid jab. But I’m ok now.However I think some RA sufferers have had flares and even that their RA drugs seem to have stopped working.

Do let you Rheumatology doctor or nurse know about your flare. I hope you get back to your ‘normal’ soon.

[Whitegate in reply to Lolabridge]

Thanks LolaR&R prescribed.

[Mmrr]

I suspect that my toficitinib is not working effectively since receiving my 3rd primary and flu vaccine together.

[Pooch22]

Hi there I’ve had the same, ended up having a steroid injection which I really didn’t want to have, mine kicked off after flu jab and 3rd dose which was Pfizer, my first 2 were AZ , not sure the injection is going to do what is needed as swelling is coming back after 5 days.

[Sheila_G]

I was in a flare when I had my jab so I couldn't tell you. Sorry.

[Chockyuk]

I had my flu jab only yesterday, so couldn’t tell you on that one, but my RA has been awful since my two AZ jabs, so much so, I’m considering carefully whether or not to have my Pfizer? I can’t believe it was just coincidence, as my RA was very well controlled on 10mg of Mthx for 3 years. Now I’m on 20mg and I’ve had two steroid injections in 6 months. 🤷‍♀️

Plus since jabs my ESR has been over 100, despite steroids, hasn’t gone down, so my Consultant is now worried and is sending me for further tests.

[Humphreydonk]

Commiserations. Like you, my RA was pretty good for the last 10 years but last October I had a brutal flare one week after flu vaccine. Now I'm on prednisolone, trying to taper, hydroxychloroquine, MTX weekly injections and a recent DEXA scan showing ostopenia. None of my 3 Covid vaccines have caused problems. I have declined the flu vaccine this year. Yes, obviously anxiety about risks of getting flu, but I'm not willing to face going back to a massive flare, high pred again. As I'm still virtually shielding, very restricted socialising, wearing mask, atleast I'm minimising risk. I think the PEG ingredient in flu vaccines may be the cause.

[Whitegate in reply to Humphreydonk]

Thanks. Did we get a faulty batch,? If not it must be our unusual genes because of the small number of positive replies to my post

[Humphreydonk]

I doubt it. I'm a medical microbiologist. Flu vaccines are generally very safe. I think it's more likely that in a chronic condition like ours any myalgia could be exacerbated.