Pain and stiffness in hand after covid booster

[Fenella34]

I was diagnosed back in 2020. Took a few months but the methotrexate kicked in and I greatly improved. Yet now I am getting pain and stiffness in one hand. I had the covid booster the other week and it made me feel rotten for days after. I do wonder if there is a link. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, after 2 horrible experiences of side effects from the covid booster, I am no longer having anymore. I can't afford to keep getting this sick from them. Not saying the hand pain is related but does seem a bit of a coincidence.

[helenlw7]

So sorry to hear you had a bad reaction to your Covid booster. I’ve decided not to go for the Spring booster even though I’m immunosuppressed. It would be my 9th, yet despite many vaccinations, I’ve had Covid teice! The last vaccination made me so ill, I was in bed for 5 days, headache, fever, very tired. I’m going to take my chance and continue to live carefully.

[Fenella34 in reply to helenlw7]

I have heard so many similar stories. I know my doctor will give me a hard time over refusing them but they don't have to suffer the side effects each time. It just seems strange to me that I have suddenly flared up so soon after having it. 😔

[AgedCrone]

We can only give you our personal experience,/,opinion. I was very poorly after the first two Covid vaccinations….I eventually had No.’s 3/4 & although I had no serious side effects from those two. ..I stopped there.

I’ve spoken to my Rheumatologist and even though I was regarded as CEV being elderly & on Rituximab he supports my choice.

Speak to your rheumy & take his/her advice.

[fangrock]

it’s an opinion that will get you lynched in some quarters, but I too will not have another one, regardless of how knackered my immune system is.

[Blackberrywine]

These jabs have caused some serious issues for many people. Do what is right for you. I've personally not had any as I didn't want to risk a worsening of disease.

[grumpygirl]

I had my booster just before long haul travel. During the trip I did have some hand pain but this passed in a few days. During the trip two of my travelling companions had covid and we were then very careful around each other as I had been quite poorly with Covid about a year ago with it taking over 19 Days to clear my system despite anti virals. At that time it was quite a few months since my last booster. Once back my husband and I tested as he had to go back into work and to my amazement I was positive. I had extremely mild symptoms which I had put down to jet lag - indeed they might have been jet lag! I was positive for only a few days in the end. Needless to say I will be continuing with my boosters.

[Sunshinereturns]

The covid vaccinations are what started my RA and despite this being denied vehemently by my doctor at the time, my consultant now accepts it was ‘a factor’. I went from absolutely fine to having my first vaccine and having immediate symptoms, having my second vaccine and immediate full-blown RA with sky-high blood markers (one positive thing is I was easy to diagnose). There is no question it was that.

I was talked into having the booster twice more and both times I went into a flare lasting around 2 months. I totally spoilt my summer of 2022 by getting it in May and regretted it so bitterly. I will never get another covid vaccine again. Health professionals said at the time it could not have caused RA and now say differently. I fully accept I had to have the correct conditions in my body Uk make it possible for the disease to be switched ‘on’ by the vaccine.

[Kati66 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

That’s interesting as I was reading an article on whether the Covid jabs can cause RA. I think a lot more research needs to be done on this theory though. My diagnosis came at the end of 2022 but I feel it had been rumbling along in the background for a couple of years before that. I’ve had all of the vaccines as the prospect of having Covid really worried me. The last one a few weeks ago made me feel really bad. My mum had her jab at the same time as me and she was poorly too. Don’t think I will have the autumn booster.

[Gen89 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

My peripheral joint problems started after my fourth covid vaccine. I deeply regret having it and I will definitely not be having another one.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

Really very sorry to hear the vaccines triggered your RA. 😑🥲

[Blackberrywine in reply to Sunshinereturns]

Did you report to the yellow card system? You are not the only one to have this happen.

When I read the documents on the various jabs a possible side effect were muscular skeletal issues and autoimmune problems. I decided against taking it. Unfortunately I don't think the many possible side effects were given out to people. Informed choice wasn't really forthcoming.

I Hooe you recover quickly.

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Blackberrywine]

I did report it, thank you for highlighting this as is important we all do.

[Blackberrywine in reply to Sunshinereturns]

Good for you. It's quite a form to get through, but important as you say. 😊

[Sunshinereturns]

It’s very good to hear from others though I am so sorry you find yourself in a similar situation. There needs to be more openness about this issue so people are making an informed (albeit double-edged) choice.

I was told there was NO WAY they could be linked, when it was clearly undeniable to me. Now the story has changed. I understand completely the link was not known at the time but they should have said it was not yet proven or known, not that I was definitely wrong.

I have had covid three times and it hasn’t caused any flares. The vaccine puts me into flares that I can’t get out of. I do appreciate it is different for everyone.

[Manzana1]

Hi Fenella34, just wondering whether you stopped the MTX for 2 weeks when you had the Covid vaccines?

[Fenella34 in reply to Manzana1]

I stopped it for a week

[Manzana1]

OK, I stopped it for 2 weeks and had exactly what you describe. Was doing fine on MTX but noticed more stiffness after the last booster (March this year) especially in one hand.

[Tealblue2]

thank you for this it’s interesting. I’ve had all the boosters and this one may or may not have brought on a bad flare - I was being taken off prednisone to see if the methotrexate was working- so it’s difficult to establish which was the route cause. I know having covid several times has always triggered a flare - except earlier this year when I was in prednisone and breezed through it. I think my original dose of covid in 2020 brought on the RA dramatically and quickly- it was rumbling in the background until then, but it developed very quickly in the year after that first illness.

Hope you feel better soon.