Joint flare ups after Pfizer covid booster

[Gen89]

Hi everyone, just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced joint inflammation flare ups after their covid booster. I had Pfizer last week and developed very bad upper neck pain, pain in wrists, elbows, upper back area. I had the Pfizer booster last December and didn’t have any joint problems after it. I’ve reacted badly to all my covid vaccines but not had joint problems before. Also interested in what your doctors are saying about how much taking NSAIDs affects us developing immunity after the vaccine. Does anyone know if there have been any tests carried out to check that it’s worth having the vaccine if taking naproxen. I’ve had ankylosing spondylitis since my early twenties.

[MadBunny]

Yes I've had it with all my boosters. To be honest, my RA has been unsettled throughout the last 18 months. I have been in remission for several years, and was beginning to wonder if some of it is because I stopped meds for 2 weeks after each jab, so they're not doing their job as efficiently any more.

[Gen89 in reply to MadBunny]

I stopped my naproxen before and after all my previous covid injections but haven’t managed to this time. Just hoping this inflammation settles down soon. Hope things improve for you soon.

[MadBunny in reply to Gen89]

And you too x

[Gen89]

Thanks

[Sheila_G]

I stopped mxt for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after covid jab this time. I started with a flare just about on the day I restarted mxt. I have been in remission for years and only get slight flares which last a couple of days but this one has developed into a major one. It started in wrists, then elbow, then shoulder and 2 days ago my lower back went. I felt a 'ping' and it has been excruciating. I am just using ibuprofen gel and lots of heat but I won't leave off meds for 4 weeks again. My rheumy thinks I am more at risk from covid with active disease so it seems kind of counter productive. We live and learn....or do we?

[Gen89 in reply to Sheila_G]

it’s really hard to know what to do for the best. I hope you feel better soon.

[Sheila_G in reply to Gen89]

It certainly is. Thank you.

[Sunshinereturns]

The vaccine triggered the start of my RA and each one has caused a horrible flare that i can’t get rid of…ruined my whole summer.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

You say the vaccine triggered RA?

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Jackie1947]

yes, and my consultant accepts that too. After first vaccine I had stiff sore fingers for a week. After second, full flown RA. If you google it the vaccine is linked to autoimmune diseases, the doctors refused to say so at first but over time it’s become evident.

[Gen89 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

my flu vaccine two years ago caused me to develop peripheral neuropathy so I’m not able to have that one again.

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Gen89]

oh my goodness! I find it hard that they insist no link then lots of scientific research later…oh actually yes we have found some! I am NOT anti vaccine and appreciate long covid can present horrendous problems. But denial of risk is also unhelpful.

[Gen89 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

In general I’m pro vaccination and have had all my other covid injections. The first three temporarily made my peripheral neuropathy worse for a week but then it reduced again. I was very nervous about having the covid injections after my flu vacc problems but felt the risk was worth it as covid was so bad at the time. But this joint inflammation worries me as I don’t want my joints to become more damaged and you start to wonder which is the greater risk covid or vaccine reaction. Like most people my husband has had no problem with his vaccines.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

I take information from professionals not Mr Google! However since I've been on Etanacept I haven't had any flare ups including jabs.

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Jackie1947]

That is lucky and I’m glad for you. But if you had a vaccine then immediately got symptoms of RA I am sure you would google too.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

Tbh if I had a reaction to the vaccine I'd probably would have no idea I had RA as wouldn't know the symptoms.

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Jackie1947]

Exactly, it was a summer of worrying and googling (last summer)

[smilelines in reply to Sunshinereturns]

You are the second person that has said vaccination triggered RA. So sorry.

[Jackie1947]

Can't say I've had any flare ups of my RA after 5 injections lucky me no side effects either. Re Naproxen I was taken off that a few years back due to having RA which gives us a higher risk of heart attack / stroke and higher again on Naproxen and similar. It's only meant to be short term.

[Gen89 in reply to Jackie1947]

I have been taking it on and off but mainly on for thirty years.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Gen89]

Wow and they allow this. Ummm

[Hidden]

note my diagnosis is Stills Disease which for me manifests as RA and I’m medication free apart from pain relief.

Vaccinations 1 and 2 we’re AZ and resulted in a flare of symptoms that lasted about a month maybe 6 weeks. Vaccination3 was Pfizer with no noticeable affects, 4 is unknown but due next week (not CEV).

[Gen89 in reply to Hidden]

good luck with your next vaccination

[Hidden in reply to Gen89]

thank you

[Happy5]

Yes deffo got a slight flare up, but didn't manifest till I had my flu vaccine the week after.

Problem is can't not have these preventative vaccines. Fortunately I've got f2f appt today so I'll ask for steroid injection.

[Gen89 in reply to Happy5]

Hope all goes well

[Durrell]

yes totally agree & sympathize, I’ve had 3 in total & each one causing a Hugh flare. The Rheumy said his door was constant with patients with AD & ones referred who didnt after their vaccines. Personally I’m not having any more but that’s just me …

[Gen89 in reply to Durrell]

I’m rather thinking the same for next year.

[Durrell in reply to Gen89]

I think it’s a personal choice & weighing up the outcomes & for me it’s just not been good.. I’m trying so hard to get my RA under control, I just don’t want more set backs.. it is difficult as I get the lecture from my gp & RA nurses, but I’m sticking firm to my decision..

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Durrell]

I feel the same.

[Durrell in reply to Sunshinereturns]

I sometimes feel very lost in all this but I’m just going on my body’s response!

[Gen89 in reply to Durrell]

it’s very hard to know the best thing to do when we have other health problems to take into account.

[Durrell in reply to Gen89]

absolutely🙏🏻

[oldtimer2]

Looking at the ways in which immunity works, I can't see any reason to stop an anti-inflammatory drug such as naproxen. It will reduce the amount of inflammatory chemicals but not as far as I can see, the immune process.

The immune process being that of the T cells being programmed by the macrophages which have ingested the virus particles, the T cell giving that information to the B cells and then the B cells changing into Plasma cells which produce the antibodies. But I'm not an expert, just interested in the way the immune system works.

[Gen89 in reply to oldtimer2]

thanks for the info. It makes me feel better to think the vaccine is having some effect even though I’m taking the naproxen.

[Grumpyoldmare]

After my Pfizer (3rd full dose) last year I have had awful flares. Rheumy gave me steroids to settle it but flare returned as soon as they wore off. I had been in remission before that. Also the Pfizer jab caused me to have shingles which was awful! Apparently it is a know side effect of the mRNA vaccines. Another friend has had shingles 3 times since her Pfizer jab. Not having my booster because of these issues, can't risk my RA deteriorating any more.

[Gen89]

I had my Pfizer last year and it made me unwell but didn’t cause me joint problems so I was really disappointed when this happened this year.

[Green230461]

since my jab last week I have had swelling and pain in my hands.

[Gen89 in reply to Green230461]

I hope things improve for you soon

[Green230461 in reply to Gen89]

Thank you 🌺

[DenMum]

Hi Gen89You've set me thinking. I had a Pfizer booster about a month ago without stopping any RA meds (I am on a biologic) and have since had some joint issues unlike my 'normal' RA.

I have been thinking it might be signs of an infection somewhere but blood test and xray are normal. I shall raise it when I have my review in two weeks time.

Good luck. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Gen89 in reply to DenMum]

thank you

[smilelines]

Yes, and interestingly I had my blood work done the next day and my CPR was sky high when it is always normal. Plus, I don't think my medicine has worked as well since.

[Gen89]

I hope things are back to normal for you soon