Covid and flu vaccination ?

[krillemy]

Tomorrow I am due for both a covid and flu vaccination. I received a letter from the health authorities and I was offered both as I have the relevant health issues. This is the first time I fall in this category, even when taking pred. and being in the hospital for 5 days with asthma attack (covid) in beginning of 2020. Anyway - I assume it is the MtX which I started that gives me the privilege.

I have confirmed with my Reumy, that it is a good idea. Any experience with this, having both at the same time?

[piglette]

Have you had any reaction to previous vaccinations? If you feel happy having them I would go ahead. I have reacted very badly to all my Covid ones particularly the Pfizer so I am a bit more tentative!

[krillemy in reply to piglette]

did you get a flare?

[Knip in reply to piglette]

Hi Piglette, I am wondering if your bad reactions were like mine. I had a very bad reaction to my Covid jab a month ago, similar to, but lasting longer than, the reaction I had with my second Shingrix jab earlier in the year. I had it at lunchtime and at 2am I woke suddenly with violent shaking to the extent that I couldn't get my water bottle to my mouth, with extreme pain from the top of my head to my ankles. I couldn't even speak to my hubby, only grunt. The rigors lasted almost four hours, but by 2pm the following day , including the pain. and it left me feeling whacked. Having had the Shingrix reaction, which was exactly the same, I didn't panic, otherwise I would have calld for an ambulance. Apparently this is a very rare reaction and a Yellow Card has been sent off by the Vaccine Centre that I used. I have a lot of allergies and food sensitivities and because this reaction was to two different vaccines I am wondering if it is the liquid used, rather than the vaccines themselves that are the problem. Would I have it again? Absolutely!!

[piglette in reply to Knip]

I had extreme shaking and very cold shivers with the Astra Zeneca vaccine. The Pfizer one left me in bed for two weeks.

[Knip in reply to piglette]

I was very hot with mine, Piglette, but it sounds as if you had a far worse experience with your Pfizer vaccine. I hardly knew that I had been vaccinated when I had my flu jabs or for my first six Covid jabs, apart from a very bad headache and muscle pain for a few days... it's just this last one and, as I said, the second Shingrix, but my symptoms fitted the information given for rarer reactions regarding the latter, which kept me calm. Take care, these things can drag us down. ❣️

[piglette in reply to Knip]

I must admit, the Pfizer one was a killer in my case.

[Knip in reply to piglette]

❣️

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Last year, my GP here in Italy had a fit at the idea of both being administered on the same day and advised at least 10 days between. She does tend to be a bit careful.

[Nanatoo]

I have mine with a two week gap. It’s a personal choice but I don’t want to give my immune system to much to cope with all at once.

[autumnlass in reply to Nanatoo]

I agree with you Nanatoo - I did exactly the same.

[krillemy in reply to Nanatoo]

I am just thinking that after I had major surgery I had no PMR symptoms for months! Maybe it’s worth the experiment to go for both 😅😜

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to krillemy]

Yes but it might not....my GCA has long been in remission [7 years] and I declined having both together.

[SheffieldJane]

I had a bad reaction to the Covid jab this time and felt a bit poorly with the flu jab 10 days later. I was glad to be able to identify which Covid jab had affected me so badly for the first time and would have dreaded feeling worse than I did. I am still on sick day rules Pred and I tire quickly.

[autumnlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

I’m so sorry SJ to hear this … poor you. How long ago did you have the Covid jab? Was it Pfizer? I had mine on the 11 October and still feel tired a lot of the time. I’d put it down to 3 friends who have lost their lives and low light levels recently .. making me naturally rather sad. 😢.

Hope you feel well soon. x

[SheffieldJane in reply to autumnlass]

My Covid jab was on 4/10/23, I could hardly walk after a day or two and I alternate between exhaustion and bad insomnia. It was my first Pfizer. I did a week of sick day rules. I am not sure it was sufficient.

I am sorry that you have lost friends recently, that is hard. Light little candles for them.

I ward off the darkling gloom with candles and fairy lights, the minute dusk begins. It helps me. My dad died at this time of year. The low lying sun dazzles me occasionally, I associate it with him.

[autumnlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

I’m interested that you too alternate between exhaustion and insomnia too. That’s what I have. I had Pfizer too, but am not usually affected by this company. Moderna yes, 🤯

The loss of these friends is hard, but they all had rich and successful careers and good family and were very old, so although sad, I’m happy they’re at peace now.

Go gently Jane. xx

[SheffieldJane in reply to autumnlass]

💖

[PMRrunner]

I have had both flu and COVID vaccinations at the same time for the last 3 times. Have had no real issues other than two sore arms even though I did have more of a reaction after the first two covid vaccinations in 2021.

[Bcol]

Hi, I had both together at the beginning of the month with no real problems. I had an achy and sore Covid arm for a couple of days but that was all.

[Daffodilia]

Sore arms and this year very tired the day after

[Washbrook]

I had both mine last Saturday - which I didn’t really plan on doing - and I have been fine. Not even a sore arm this time.

[Annamay17]

I had both same time last year. Never again for me. One at a time. Flu jab first 10 days inbetween is better for me. Personal choice.

[Sandradsn in reply to Annamay17]

Same here! I had them separately this time.

[CarolF1312 in reply to Sandradsn]

Me too. Felt awful after having both together last year. Had them separately this year ( 2 weeks apart) and fine.

[YogaJM]

Personally I separated mine, as my disease came on just after vaccinations last year and I don't want to over stimulate my immune system. I did suffer the hard sell to have both at once, but am sticking with having a few weeks in between. So far all is well with the first. Good luck !

[Pixix]

Yes, Last week, slightly sore arm from ‘flu, no other symptoms, I was perfectly fine.

[Miacaro45]

I have never given my children nor my animals 2 vaccines at once. I suggest that you space them out. This way if you get a reaction you know which one caused it.

[krillemy in reply to Miacaro45]

That´s really a very good argument!

[Exflex]

I had the ‘Covid’ jab last Thursday and will go to a pharmacy for the flu jab in a couple of weeks time. Not worth the risk of the two together as far as I’m concerned, and being a side-sleeper I don’t want both arms done together. I had Pfizer BA.4-5 which is a bit out of date for the current and growing strain of BA.2.86, but at least the T cells will get a wake-up call.

[Floridafan]

I had a week between my jabs, it worked well. Two weeks after having the Covid vaccine I contracted Covid on a plane journey to USA but wasn’t ill at all, only a very slight cold for 3 days.

My OH had both jabs at the same time in the same arm (the nurse advised this, she said do you want one sore arm or two?) 😂

[Knip in reply to Floridafan]

A friend of mine and her husband both contracted Covid shortly after their Covid jabs this year. They were not as ill with it as they were with when they had it eighteen months ago. I realise, and so do they, that they may have already been harbouring it.

[calibriel]

I am on a v low dose of pred (2mg) and have no PMR symptoms at the mo; I’ve also not had a bad reaction to a vaccine before, so I chanced it and had the two together for the first time a week ago: without issues

[Manchild]

Short answer-No

[krillemy]

Thank you all so much for all your replies! I have cancelled my appointment today and will take them separately to be on the safe side and also to know which one causes side effects if any of them does

[Poshcards]

apart from very sore arm with flu one and feeling off for about 4 days I was fin x