COVID vaccine

[Hodc]

Writing on behalf of a friend, to see if anyone has had similar. Her husband (in his 80sdoesnt) is due to get his vaccines . He has RA. Every time he gets the COVID vaccine he is terrible for 25-36 hours afterwards. Totally disorientated, confused, doesn't know where he is etc etc. She doesn't know what to do about latest vaccine. Dr couldn't really advise, because, in our area, vaccines all done in a centre.

Last time, she told the nurse about his terrible reaction, and nurse said he'd be fine, jabbed him, but he was possibly even worse that time.

Has anyone experienced similar?

[AgedCrone]

Has your friend asked her husband’s rheumatologist’s advice? That doctor might have more knowledge of similar experiences than a GP….who on the whole don’t have much to do with Covid at all.

These vaccinations can have neurological side effects - as I found out with the first two jabs….but I was fine with jabs 3&4…. with my Rheumatologist’s approval, I am not having this autumn booster.

I hope your friend finds some answers.

[Lee_Scoresby]

It’s extremely annoying when a practitioner, whose expertise is in administering a jab as quickly as possible before moving on to the next patient, simply writes off your worries (based on your real experience) and says “you’ll be fine “.

I had mine yesterday but was first questioned very closely on my previous history and concerns before she would proceed.

[oldtimer2]

That's odd and very worrying for your friend. I would want to discuss this with the rheumatologist, or a thoughtful GP, or an elderly care physician. I wonder if he is, in fact, teetering on the edge of dementia and this tips him over for a while?

[katieoxo60]

I have read all the replies and think the dismissal by the nurse was not good. It must be difficult for your friend. Just a suggestion when her husband is ill after the virus injection maybe she should contact his GP or 111 when its happening and try getting a house visit. Or request a different injection due to side effects that way they might realise she is concerned for her husbands wellbeing and not just anxious over side effects.

[Leics]

My husband who doesn’t have RA has had pretty serious side affects with all the covid jabs he’s had with Pfizer he had problems with chest pain (thought he was having a heart attack) he’s very fit and hasn’t had any heart issues. The 2nd jab he had the most awful hives even on the soles of his feet and most weird was a swollen testicul. He was then told to have Moderna and he had awful side affects with that too and also managed to get pneumonia and pleurisy from god knows where which took almost a year to clear. So now at the age of 60 he has decided not to have another. I think the nurse should have taken your friends issues very seriously and reported them. It’s very hard to weigh up the pros and cons and everyone should seek advice and decide for themselves. I’ve decided not to have another as they make me pretty poorly too and having had covid it wasn’t as bad for me as the side affects but I guess I was lucky ??

[AgedCrone in reply to Leics]

Me too….I had mild Covid last winter…I’m still dealing with side effects from AZ vaxes 1&2…so when I saw my rheumy last week & asked if I should have this Auttumn booster …he said don’t bother. So just having a Flu jab this time.

If I’m unlucky & get the virus again ….so be it.

[Leics in reply to AgedCrone]

Yeah as I’m about to start rinvoq and I’m not currently on any meds I don’t want to add to the issues I currently have. I’ve been waiting for four months and still have another 5-6 weeks to wait 🙄. Have to say the flu jab is even worse for me so won’t have that either. I’m perhaps playing Russian roulette but I know my body pretty well and am suffering enough as it is.

[AgedCrone in reply to Leics]

Hope it all goes well for you…I think it’s time to move on & as long as my doctor doesn’t change his mind..I will just have the Flu jab next month. I sometimes get a post viral rash after the Flu vaccination, but it doesn’t hurt or itch…. It just looks nasty and it fades quite quickly so I’m willing to take the chance with that.

[Hodc in reply to Leics]

Interesting to hear you had hives. I get the most terrible rash with the vaccines, and when I had covid ( 3 times, can you believe it). So much so, I am not going to get the booster until I've spoken to dermatology, who have cancelled my appointment 3 times in the last year!

[Leics in reply to Hodc]

That’s not helpful for you to make an informed decision about whether or not to have a booster. In my case immunology have said I should have it because my immune system is so depressed and has been for almost 10 years. But I’ve had two pneumovax vaccinations and failed both miserably so I’m thinking that the covid vaccine won’t make any immune response either and they don’t deny that may be the case. Hope you get some answers.

[AgedCrone in reply to Hodc]

There is such a thing as a Post Viral Rash after the Flu vaccination. It doesn’t hurt or itch…it just looks awful. I had a biopsy on my rash & that is what it proved to be. My GP had diagnosed heat rash…..but as it was winter & I had not been overheated I saw a dermatologist privately.

Now I get a “shadow rash” with the same “Christmas Tree” 🎄shape rash on my back after both the Flu & Covid vaccinations.