Reaction to flu vaccine : Hi everyone. A quick... - NRAS

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Reaction to flu vaccine

Chris_O profile image
69 Replies

Hi everyone.

A quick question regarding the flu vaccine injection. Has anybody had any adverse reactions to this years flu vaccine. I’ve just had it and it’s knocked me flat.

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Chris_O profile image
Chris_O
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69 Replies
medway-lady profile image
medway-lady

Yes, yesterday and just a sore arm. I had both last year too no problem. But it’s knocked my husband out. He’s spent day on sofa with paracetamol.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply tomedway-lady

Hi. Sorry to hear that, I hope he’s ok

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply toChris_O

I know that he is suffering as he cancelled golf tomorrow! Now that is serious…… I hope he’s better by Wednesday as we’ve planned a day out. lol

Amnesiac3637 profile image
Amnesiac3637

No, luckily for me, no reaction at all and never have had. Sorry you’ve been clobbered and hope in a couple of days you’ll be fine.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O

Thanks. I’m just spending all day on the sofa with painkillers.

Fluffontoast profile image
Fluffontoast

Oh flip, I have mine next Saturday, will need to write-off Sunday just in case. Thanks for the warning! Hope you're feeling better soon!

artyone profile image
artyone in reply toFluffontoast

If u are getting the over 65. Jab take care it's much stronger.

hazelcats profile image
hazelcats in reply toFluffontoast

Mine is on Fri Fluff. First one.... Am just out of a flare so have fingers crossed..

MadBunny profile image
MadBunny

Yes. I had the jab on Friday. I've got a large , swollen red area on my arm. I spent much of yesterday in bed as I was aching all over , shivering, lack of appetite and felt exhausted. It's the first time I've had a reaction like this and I've had flu jabs for as long as I can remember. I'm feeling much better today.

I hope you get over it quickly.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toMadBunny

Hi. Thank you for the kind thoughts, I hope you’re feeling better soon. I spent all morning in bed with painkillers, and then onto the sofa. Just glad it’s Sunday as we have a lot of appointments next week.

MadBunny profile image
MadBunny in reply toChris_O

Thank you. Wishing you well.

artyone profile image
artyone in reply toMadBunny

Hi did u have the over 65 jab. I've had flu jab 20 years fine. Had the over 65 one. Never again in bed for 2 weeks.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toartyone

I’ve had the flu vaccine before and not had a reaction like this. I assume it was the over 65 vaccine. Wont be having it again. 😿

MadBunny profile image
MadBunny in reply toartyone

Hi Artyone.

I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell for so long

I don't know if I had it - no one told me, but as I'm 67 I guess so. I didn't know there was a different one.I hope you're feeling much better now .

Chickens44 profile image
Chickens44 in reply toartyone

What were your symptoms? I had both vaccines a week ago yesterday and suffering with weakness, fatigue, shaky. Lost my appetite. All of these I could put down to B12 deficiency reversing out syndrome, as I’m on B12 injection protocol. But feeling worse since my vaccines. I had the over 65s flu one this year for the first time and wondered if it was the cause. Never had any problems after jabs before.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toChickens44

Hi. When I had my flu jab ( I assume it was the over 65 one ) I felt ok the day after then started with body aches and pains all over, chills, headache, no appetite. I was in bed most of the day, but up afterwards as I am a carer for my wife. Now ( eight days after ) I am feeling ok, but got sniffles. Hope your feeling better.

BoneyC profile image
BoneyC

I had both Covid & Flu jabs on Saturday. The first time I've had both together and nothing other than sore arm.

Zip1 profile image
Zip1 in reply toBoneyC

Same here

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959

not this year but previously, I was in bed for 10 days, so won’t have it now ! X

artyone profile image
artyone in reply toFlorida1959

Was it the over 65 jab. Made me ill. 2 weeks in bed.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toartyone

Well I am 65! Won’t have it again!

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toFlorida1959

I don’t think I will have any more 😿

oldtimer2 profile image
oldtimer2 in reply toChris_O

Just think how ill you would be with a full blown flu infection! It is an illness that passes the £20 note tst (you feel so ill that you're not able to get out of bed to pick up a £20 note that someone has dropped).

artyone profile image
artyone in reply toFlorida1959

Caughte out after 20 years of having no bother. In bed 12 days couldn't understand why.till I did research and discovered it's an adjuvant and 4 times stronger than the under 65s

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toartyone

O m g that’s awful for you xx

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toartyone

I don’t know, but I am definitely over 65, so I assume it was. Wont be having it again 😿

junik53 profile image
junik53 in reply toartyone

Isn’t it the same jab whatever the age ?

artyone profile image
artyone in reply tojunik53

No when u get to 65 it's called an adjuvant. It's 4 times stronger. Made me so poorly

artyone profile image
artyone in reply tojunik53

No after 75 it's an adjuvant it's 4 times stronger. Madee so poorly in bed 12 days. I won't have it again.to much for my immune system

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toFlorida1959

After this jab I won’t be having the vaccine again

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toChris_O

Sounds good to me, get well soon xxx

Runrig01 profile image
Runrig01

Had both covid and flu on Friday. Had a really rough night with pains, night sweats, headache and nausea. My headache and nausea is due to me not producing cortisol and settled after my steroids. Still having achy joints and night sweats.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toRunrig01

Sorry to hear that. Hope you are feeling better soon. My aches are slowly going but I’ve been taking lots of painkillers.

Hairbraid profile image
Hairbraid

I had Covid Thursday flu Saturday yesterday up feeling terrible yesterday didn’t get up till afternoon straight. On sofa today feel same woke up like run over by a bus and my joints burning more my consultant said I might feel worse after COVID but seems worse since flu taking lots paracetamol resting

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toHairbraid

Sorry to hear that. Hope you are feeling better soon

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toHairbraid

Hugs

peejay74 profile image
peejay74

Yes never had a reaction before. Had both Saturday and still got achey joints. Feel wiped out.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply topeejay74

Hope you feel better soon

Hairbraid profile image
Hairbraid in reply toChris_O

🥰👍

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toHairbraid

👍

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply topeejay74

Hugs

Tillie20 profile image
Tillie20

no had both no reaction only a slight itch on both arms hope your husband gets better soon

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toTillie20

Thanks.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady

Husband had both on Friday and no reaction at all - as usual. I can't have mine yet as I'm on antibiotics for a root canal infection but am planning to have them separately and when I've got a few free days. I had my first reaction to the last COVID jab (had them all) so 🤞for this time.

Rusticgarden profile image
Rusticgarden

These vaccines aren't live ,so any reaction is probably you picked up a virus prior to getting vaccine

rmros profile image
rmros in reply toRusticgarden

👎

SteveSi profile image
SteveSi

GP surgeries have a yellow card system to report adverse reactions. Anyone who had a bad reaction should report it to their GP or on the Yellow Card website (link below). The NHS is paying millions to pharma companies for the vaccine and you may help prevent thousands of people from suffering, hospitalisation or worse if you report all serious reactions.

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ (search for FLU VACCINE)

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O in reply toSteveSi

Thanks for the info. My wife had the vaccine at the same time as me and suffered no adverse reactions.

Numptybrain profile image
Numptybrain

I am usually ok but this time aching all over and shivery

Leics profile image
Leics

I have had a bad reaction to every flu jab I’ve ever had. Knocks me for six and I usually can’t do anything for a week except lay in bed. My arm usually doubles to twice the size too. I have an egg allergy so have to make sure it’s the egg free version but then again still the same. With this in mind I’m not having a flu jab ever again. I keep being nagged by immunology and GP but they’re not the ones that suffer and I can put up with a lot but not a massive flare and chills and swollen arm which is red hot etc etc. I hope your symptoms go away soon because I know it’s not fun at all and you have my sympathy.

cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

My son and I had it on Thursday afternoon with our own GP. We were there for an appt for my son and the GP offered it to us to save us coming in on Saturday morning for the flu clinic. Neither of us have had any reaction, not even a sore arm. In fact I think my current flare (I am on nothing but paracetamol) which had been bad all week was much better by Sunday!

The GP did say something interesting. As he came to do me he said, 'Relax your arm. If you don't you will have a sore arm tomorrow.' I have occasionally had people tell me to relax my arm, but never why!

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply tocyberbarn

If you have a steroid injection in the bottom I was told years ago to bend the knee as relaxes the muscle. It works so sounds like same thing.

Angjoplin profile image
Angjoplin

I've not had it yet. But two healthy people in my office have and they've been rather poorly. I think it might be a bad one this year.

junik53 profile image
junik53

I was due to have both jabs today but cancelled as I have been unwell for about 6 weeks now , first 2 weeks had a cold then chest infection, took MTX as usual , then 2 weeks in recovery , than last 2 weeks another cold and bad chest which I think I may have fought off with out antibiotics, but no MTX this time , so thought I would be pushing my luck to have the jabs now , so having them in a couple of weeks time . Usually I don’t have a reaction but I had a reaction once or twice but can’t remember which one as I have had so many jabs in last few years, flu , covid ,shingles, pneumonia, ect . Hopefully will start MTX again this week as don’t want a flare on top of everything else. Hope yours will be ok good luck

house77 profile image
house77 in reply tojunik53

Am sorry to hear you not been well with Influenza. I really wouldn't risk any jabs at all,as your immune system doesn't sound to good at present..Big hugs😘

Green230461 profile image
Green230461

I have mine coming this Saturday……..aaaaaargh🤧

rmros profile image
rmros

Had the covid and flu together on Friday and felt like utter shit for 48 hours but don't know which was the cause - it's usually the covid one. Still really tired.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Hi Chris_O, I had both on Saturday in same arm it was a bit sore and immobile yesterday and theres a red patch there but norm for me . Did have an upset stomach but that could be due to tablets for other health issues or stress.

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O

Hi. As I'm getting on a bit ( 75 ) I have realised that the vaccine given to older people is stronger than normal ( after reading all the replies to my original post ) . You learn something new every day! Don't think I'll be having it again.

Louise0000 profile image
Louise0000

I had the COVID jab on Friday and it floored me for the weekend. Ok now. I'm now dreading my flu jab this Saturday coming

pippin_fort profile image
pippin_fort

I have just had both together so praying all OK.

house77 profile image
house77

Would not actually risk a Flu shot. I Know 2 relatives who had a severe reaction to it.

Both now dead sadly.

Due to Phenmonia

At the end of the day,it's your choice!

I hope you be ok though if you decide to have the shots.

Big hugs😘

Fluffontoast profile image
Fluffontoast

Oh crumbs, it all sounds terrible, I'm wondering whether to cancel mine...

Oh and after reading this forum, I emailed our rheumy helpline about staying off Mtx and they said yes, for 2 weeks. If it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have known to ask!

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toFluffontoast

I know what you mean but it's easy to focus on the posts of those who've haven't had a nice experience but there are just as many who have been fine. I'm definitely going to go ahead once I'm able to; personally my take is that if the vaccination isn't too pleasant, the actual illness would be much worse! I had flu when younger and healthier and it knocked me for six so a few days of feeling off colour (IF it happens) is preferable as far as I'm concerned.

Runrig01 profile image
Runrig01 in reply toFluffontoast

It’s important to point out although, it seems many are struggling, there are a lot more not having issues and getting on with their life, and not contributing on forums. The side effects are also mainly short lived, and still better than a severe bout of flu. I was poorly mainly due to having adrenal insufficiency, and not producing cortisol in response to the stress that vaccines put on the body. I would still have it again.

Taichigirl profile image
Taichigirl

I’ve had only sore arm this time but last year I had flu like symptoms. I didn’t have the covid one at same time as I wanted to know which one gives me a reaction this time!

Chris1940 profile image
Chris1940

I am 83 and had both vaccinations on Saturday other than a sore arm where I had the flu one and feeling slightly off on Sunday I’m OK. Also had vaccinations together last year with no side effects. We are all different but we should always listen to medical advice and base our personal decisions on that and not what other patients experience as we probably will have a different reaction to theirs.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady

Had mine on Thursday - no after effects 😊

Chris_O profile image
Chris_O

👍

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