Covid and flu vaccine 💪🏼

[Moomin8]

Hi Peeps 🙂

I had my 6th Covid (Spikevax) vaccination Saturday 1st October, along with my flu vaccine at my local surgery. I was lucky enough to have them done by my own GP! Consequently, I could ask her, directly, about whether to administer my Methotrexate vaccine (due on on the following Wednesday) and Tocilizumab vaccine (due that day - Saturday). She said that I should leave the Tocilizumab that day and if I didn’t feel unwell the following Wednesday, I could inject my Methotrexate. I should carry on as normal after that.

I had a shocking headache that first day, which eased by the Sunday. Both arms ached for a few days; the Covid vaccine arm more so. My shoulder (Covid arm) was really sore in my joint for a couple more days, being the most sore Thursday (yesterday). I took paracetamol for the first couple of days and then Thursday and Friday morning. I have not had any time off work (a very busy teaching week) so I suppose all has been ok 🥳

I'm drinking my first gin and tonic this Friday evening - cheers 🥂 Here's to a restful weekend! 😊

[cathie]

I had my 6 th covid + flu yesterday. Achey arms and V shivery a few hours afterwards but I wrapped up and took paracetamol. The nurse told me that a response shows it’s effective on me which is good.

[Jackie1947 in reply to cathie]

I was told that if you get no side effects its just the immune system not being a diva😀 Reaction or not makes no difference to the effectiveness.

[AgedCrone in reply to Jackie1947]

All the time I was on MTX I never stopped taking it when I had the  Influenza vaccination.I must have had 30 flu jabs…never had as much as a sore arm….same this year. Pre covid I had self diagnosed flu once …..kept thinking must see the doctor ….but after ten days it got better…..so I never bothered! I think we all react differently.

[Jackie1947]

Thats why I spread out flu (next week) and covid booster this week. I wanted to inject my Benipali which was day after covid jab but not overload my body. Pleased again to say no covid jab reaction

[Thingybob]

I have been told to miss my mtx for at least a week by my rheumy based on the british rheumatology Society advice ? Now Im confused . I cartied on as normal last time .. . ?

[Moomin8 in reply to Thingybob]

I think that you are correct in what you say. I know that missing my injections sets me iff in a flare, so I think that's why I was advised the way in which I was.

For all of my previous Covid vaccines, I have left it 2 weeks.

[KathleenMary in reply to Thingybob]

I was told by the rheumatology nurse to miss two weeks of methotrexate after my covid vaccination. This is based on recent research in the BMJ

The evidence is that this improves the efficacy of the vaccination

[Leics]

I was told to have my mtx as normal on a Tuesday night and get the covid vaccine on a Friday if possible. I did ask if I was to pause mtx but rheumy says that mtx is in your system anyway so just have vaccine a few days after. My RA isn’t controlled yet so maybe that’s why I don’t have to pause but immunology gave me a pneumonia jab to see if I respond this time as the last one I failed miserably. The only meds according to them that could skew results is prednisone so they weren’t bothered about mtx either. So who knows ??

[KaysDad]

Yes I had similar - the upper left arm above the covid injection site was initially sore, as with a bruise, but now the whole muscle is aching, just like RA. Also, it has just twigged that my right shoulder and upper arm ache started roughtly after my previous covid vaccination in that arm, and still does. Come to think of it, my whole RA experience started ~ 20 years ago after I had Hepatitus C vaccinations. I suppose that vaccinations should stimulate the immune system to react so I am beginning to wonder if they are connected - not that this would ever stop me from being fully vaccinated. I must discuss wth my rheumy nurse some time.

[lindyloo2018]

thanks, enjoy your G&T, although I don't think you need to stop a G&T for vaccinations

xx

[KathleenMary in reply to lindyloo2018]

I thought we were advised to stop alcohol with methotrexate

[lindyloo2018 in reply to KathleenMary]

my rheumy said a little was ok, don't go on a binge, don't drink more than the 14 units per week and less if possible.

[Moomin8 in reply to lindyloo2018]

Same.

[KathleenMary in reply to lindyloo2018]

Thank,ill try asking again

[Moomin8 in reply to KathleenMary]

I have a rare couple, that's ok for me - I have had a conversation with my rheumatologist. Thanks for being thoughtful though 😊

[Moomin8]

😅

[KathleenMary in reply to Moomin8]

thanks enjoy your drink.

[Runrig01]

I’ve always previously taken my MTX and Benepali after my vaccines. I’ve tested antibodies, as I’m also on several steroids, and have had a moderate response. 3 out of my 5 covid jabs I’ve gone into a flare afterwards. However British Society of Rheumatology is advising jolting for 2 weeks after vaccine now. So I’ve decided to follow that advice, as I seem to dkk look are anyway whether I take it or not.I’m also currently on antibiotics for a sinus infection, so am holding off on both MTX and Benepali for that reason. I had the new Pfizer bivalent yesterday, and other than an achy arm feel fine, which is the best I’ve felt out of the 6th I’ve had. I’ve attached a photo shot of the current guidance.

MTX

[Moomin8 in reply to Runrig01]

Excellent 🙂Thank you!

This is exactly what I have done previously, but even stopping my Tocilizumab tge Saturday I had my vaccines, I was already feeling as if I was heading towards a flare after a couple of days. We are all different, which is what makes us special 😊

[Sallysuk]

I had my flu jab 21 Sept (6th covid not due yet) & felt so unwell ie very sore arm (red ,swollen itchy for days) headache/shivers/very tired such that I spent day asleep which is not my norm. Never had any effect from any jabs before so taken by surprise and a bit worried about forthcoming covid jab especially as I still have an itchy dry lump where I was injected for flu. I might add there was no 'sharp prick'warning this time just a painful jab by vaccinator.

/

[Moomin8 in reply to Sallysuk]

😲😭