In July - my wife had the first set of Rituximab 6-monthly infusions for her RA and was just starting to feel the benefit. Had to wait 12 weeks before having the flu vaccination and a further week before having the Covid (Pfizer) vaccination yesterday.
This morning she cannot get her head off the pillow without feeling totally disorientated and unbalanced. She is also feeling nauseous.
Has anyone else suffered the same reaction and, if so, how long did it last?
Call her rheumy nurse…..it could just be the Covid vaccination, I have been on Rtx for 8 years now and I always have the flu vaccination, but I don’t have the Covid vsccinations any more because they made me ill right from the start.
Yes it’s a rotten vaccination. I was fine but my husband really poorly. And he doesn’t have RA.
Had my covid jab on Thursday and today Sunday I feel okay but my symptoms weren't as bad as that. I don't get on well with Moderna but there was no choice. Flu in a couple of weeks time. Last year I had both together but never again.
I’m on rituximab and have several covid/ flu vaccinations and no ill effects. Sorry about your wife’s c
I have similar issues with the covid jab, I also get shingles. I definitely felt very sick after my first few jabs. My husband (healthy, 30s, good diet) gets gout after the jabs. Probably its better than getting covid though. I had long covid in 2020 which was terrible!
I am not on Rtx but had my COVID jab last week. I had no reaction except a sore arm for a few days, it wasn't even inflamed. I suggest you contact GP and rheumatology for advice. If it is a bad reaction it should be recorded and hopefully you will get done advice how to deal with it too. 🤞
When you said this, 'This morning she cannot get her head off the pillow without feeling totally disorientated and unbalanced. She is also feeling nauseous." I immediately thought of my adult son who has had a few bouts of vestibular neuritis.
Remember Hickam's Dictum: Patients can have as many diseases as they damn well please!
It could be the vaccination, but it could be something else too.
Whilst some people have had a bad reaction to the Covid jab it’s not common. Most people on Rituximab don’t get a reaction at all (other than a slightly sore arm at the injection site) and don’t make antibodies from having the jab.
Being on Rituximab makes one very much more susceptible to all infections but especially Covid, as your wife should have been told. Did she wear a mask when she was given her vaccinations at the surgery/vaccination centre. If not she could have picked up an infection there - Covid and Rhinovirus are very common at the moment but not flu yet.
Hopefully your wife will feel better soon. But do contact the Rheumatology team and GP to let them know. She will probably be eligible for antiviral treatment if it is Covid so she should test for a few days.
If nothing else, autoimmune diseases teach us that everyone is different. Call your practitioner and relay the information. Personally, we've had no issues with any of our seven COVID-19 vaccinations.
Benign Positional Vertigo? You might like to consider reading about it as it does present in the way you have described. If you think your wife may indeed have this, then also read about the Epley Manoeuvre, although it’s always better to consult your medics. I do hope it clears soon.
Please…….Never ever try to perform, the Epley manoeuvre yourself after reading about it.
It takes a specialist to know which way the head has to turn……& you could make things 10 times worse.
ALSO SEE AGED CRONE’S REPLY ABOVE
Many thanks for all your kind and informative replies.
Yesterday was a write off. Had sought advice through 111 and a clinician did agree that it was most probably down to the Covid vaccination and to call back if the symptoms worsened.
Fortunately today, the symptoms have mainly subsided and the GP phoned as directed by 111 to check and advised to take it easy for a few days.
Glad to hear your wife is feeling better.
May I ask was it the Moderna vaccine. As I’m thinking of paying private for the Pfizer , of which I has no problems with Pfizer
Mine was Pfizer but that’s north Glos…..it may be different in your area……best to phone and ask.
I had an adverse reaction to rituximab but it was a very swollen throat, head and upper lip. This sounds more like it might be related to the covid jabs. Definitely contact the hospital.
Covid vaccination & on antibiotics & steroids. 
Pneumonia Vaccination 
Third Covid Vaccination not uploaded on NHS Covid Pass 
