Covid jab

[Uglow]

Any advice on how to prepare for COVID jab regarding steroid dose I’m on 11mg and what side effects to expect. Please no get it done advice I’m trying to make an informed decision and would like to know what to expect and how to manage drugs.

[Kendrew]

Hi there Uglow. I will tell you what my own experience has been but everyone's experience will be different as we're all individuals on different combinations of meds and with different circumstances influencing our condition.

I have had both jabs (AstraZeneca) and had no adverse side effects at all. I was on 9mg of pred and didn't alter my dose. I was then offered an antibody test through a survey I'm involved in and this showed significant measurable levels of antibodies.....although as we now know, this does not mean guaranteed immunity.

Although I've probably been lucky, there are definitely some people on this forum who've had a few challenges as a result of the covid vaccination but I think it's fair to say that most of us would agree that the benefits of being vaccinated, far outweigh any of the concerns.

[Uglow in reply to Kendrew]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You need the dose of pred you need to keep your symptoms under control - no heroics trying to reduce the pred dose as that could allow a flare - and that would put you at greater riskiof you were to contract the virus. That is still a possibility even with having had both shots and even after the full 3 weeks after the second jab. Getting the jabs, both of them, and then continuing with the precautions of distancing and masks is the best possible protection you can have.

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[SheffieldJane]

Everybody is unique. I was on about your dose when I had my first Astra Zenica jab and a bit less 12 weeks later. I felt a bit seedy but nothing to write home about. My adult son was worse with the Pfizer one ? I left my Pred dose alone.

[Bcol]

Good morning Uglow, I know my reactions are not the same as everyone and it does appear to be a very person specific thing. I was on 11mg when I had my first OAZ jab and had no bad reaction at all, not even a sore arm and a similar experience when I had the second dose. Just bear in mind that even after both jabs you still need to carry on taking the usual precautions. Having both jabs is still your best bet for staying safer. Good luck and hope you have a good experience.

[diana1998]

I had no reaction but took 2 paracetamol in case of a tender arm

[scrambledegg]

I am on 10mg prednisolone a day. Had both jabs (Pfizer) and no reaction apart from a tender arm for a few days. I didn’t even consider altering the dose.

[Coffeebeans]

Keep your meds as normal as everyone else has said.

I felt unwell for 24 hours after the first one with headache, nausea and a fever so perhaps keep a clear diary. It was perfectly well managed by taking paracetamol and sleeping. Second one, just a bit headachy.

Other than that, no prep needed. Rest, keep hydrated and all that..

I'm glad you're going for it 🙂

[Mazxstitch]

I got a phone call at 16.15 one day "can you come to the surgery by 17.45?". Yes, Pfizer vaccination, 12 weeks later got the second. Slightly sore vaccination site was only effect.

[Alebeau]

I am on 11 mg pred, had both pfeiser jabs with no side effects save a slightly sore arm for one night. Did not adjust pred.

Good luck

[Pollyanna16]

Hi I am on 3.5mg pred & had 2 Astra vaccines 12 weeks apart. 1st one had monumental headache in the night, shivering & achey. Felt pretty rough for a couple of days. Took some additional pred I think just 2mg on. 2nd one took paracetamol before vaccine & before bed as was advised. No real side effects, though felt a bit spaced out. Even managed a few holes of golf the next day! Everyone seems to have a different experience. My husband felt fine after the 1st & ran a temperature after the 2nd. All the best & o for it x

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I had the Pfizer jabs and had no side effects, not even a sore arm. I didn't change my pred dose for the duration.

[Uglow in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Thanks

[Mary63]

I had two Pfizer jabs. First one I felt unwell, sleeping a lot, achey, and very sore arm for a week. Second one I felt unwell, temp, headache, tired for 24 hours, slightly sore arm, then absolutely fine. I didn’t adjust my pred dose at all.

[Uglow in reply to Mary63]

Thanks