flu and Covid jabs

[Purplecrow]

so here we are again….time for vaccinations, and the ensuing delimma….

last year I had an afib event after my covid shot. I had no flu shot.

I did not get flu, nor did I get Covid…just the afib and the accompanying tests, drugs, anxiety. I am still taking 4 different medications for the heart issue.

Question, should I try Covid vaccine again?? I have an appt with my GP Friday, will ask her, but I want to hear voices from you trusted friends who may be more knowledgeable about PMR and vaccines.

I had Covid once, in ‘20, and developed pulmonary embolism. Haven’t had flu in 10 years.

Your thoughts, please. 💜🙏🏽

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It's your choice of course, and you do have other medical issues that other don't, but I think most [not all] would say take medical advice and if you're happy with it, then take the vaccines when offered.

Not at the same time though, a couple of weeks apart.

You may not have had flu for a long time, nor Covid... but these virus are always changing so doesn't mean you won't be susceptible this year.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had a severe reaction to the bivalent Covid jab 2 years ago - went from occasional paroxysmal episodes of a couple of hours max to 12 hours most days! When I finally saw the ephysiologist for planning for ablation he wasn't convinced it was the jab but the medication I had been on for 10 years was no longer working. He changed medication and the difference was amazing. I had my Covid jab the next year - no problems at all. I have had the ablation but had a bisphosphonate infusion some weeks later - and IT triggered atrial tachycardia, a differnt arrythmia, equally non-concerning. I will be having my Covid jab in the near future. Still debating the next infusion!!

But I will NOT have 2 together.

[Purplecrow in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, my doc recommended skipping the covid jab for a while, to see how it develops this year, eg., more severe, widespread, etc., consider the covid shot then. But yes to the flu jab which has historically been non event for me. Fingers crossed…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplecrow]

It is certainly widespread - if you don't test properly you don't know how much but the evidence is that it is rife. More severe? Well the only reason it isn't more severe is because people have been vaccinated and keep their vaccinations up-to-date. Even mild Covid can be devastating long term - my friend has cerebellar ataxia which has similar effects to a stroke or severe Parkinsons, she can only shuffle when walking, has great difficulty speaking and is dependent on carers.

[SnazzyD]

I’ve got a similar issue. After all three of my mRNA covid shots I had neurological symptoms and heart arrhythmias for longer with each one. Have had covid a number of times, 3 of them badly so I’m eyeing up the vaccine again but….

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

I have a friend, younger than me, who had Covid and now has cerebellar ataxia ...

[Queenie1901]

Clearly with the change of season the concern is increasing about taking them, but it would be interesting to know the percentage of members who go on to make the decision for and against taking either of them up.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Queenie1901]

it would be interesting to know the percentage of members who go on to make the decision for and against

Why? if you read the replies to any post on the subject, the majority favour accepting them.

At the end of the day, it’s your personal choice…

[Queenie1901 in reply to DorsetLady]

I asked because people seem to be worrying about having them a lot more and it would be enlightening to have a balanced opinion on what they finally decided. All part of a independent debating process.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Queenie1901]

I understand that.. but as I said there are numerous posts on this forum regarding vaccines.... and all have responses for and against.

You can see related on your screen... and if you look at the search option, there will be loads more.

Please also see this from one of the Admin Team -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Bcol in reply to Queenie1901]

I will be having the RSV, Flu and Covid jabs within the next few weeks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bcol]

Two down - one to go… 😊

[Oboes22]

I was diagnosed with PMR just after lockdown and have always had both covid and flu vaccinations at separate times. I had covid 2 years ago and was given anti vitals. yesterday I had BOTH vaccinations and so far am feeling fine. However it’s your decision. Good luck.

[Dinahmite]

I've had all my jabs. Flu and Covid but the joint one left me with a PMR flare. I've elected just to have the flu jab on Monday. I'll ask then about maybe having the covid jab at a later date. All the covid jabs have left me unwell including once with severe persistent vomiting. After the last one I said enough! But I am nervous.

[Claremarie83]

I think it depends on what covid jab you reacted badly to, was it one particular one and if so can you ask for a different one? If you reacted badly to all covid jabs perhaps it's just not right for you. Also I think it depends on your lifestyle - are you likely to see people daily in confined spaces? Do you have children who will kindly share their germs with you on a weekly snotty sneezy basis?

Do you have friends or family who don't believe in covid or the flu? I would get the vaccines if yes to any of those, if no I would probably not bother

I went to get my covid and flu jabs done and was asked about previous afib so I guess the vaccination workers are hot on it which is reassuring. I was advised to have just the covid jab to start as no previous afib issues and because it's not quite flu season, I was told to see how I feel as I'm quite recently diagnosed with pmr so don't know how I'll react. I felt pretty grotty for a few days but that could be because everyone at work is ill and something is just doing the rounds, could be stress at work or just because 🤣🤷‍♀️ I'm currently in a bit of a flare so will wait a week or two longer to get the flu jab.

I share the bus with strangers every day, I have a child who likes to hug when he's ill 🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremarie83]

You can't rely on the concept of reacting to one vaccine and not another! I reacted to Pfizer once, Moderna once but not the next time I got the same jab, I had the bivalent one 2 years ago and it sent my afib into orbit! It was calmed down eventually by changing my medication and I had no problem at all with the jab the following year. Then I had an ablation - but developed atrial tachycardia in response to a bisphosphonate infusion some weeks later. So who knows what will happen this time!

[Bcol]

As I stated earlier I will be having the Flu, Covid and RSV jabs shortly. The interesting part for me is that, for all of them it's the first time, in over four years, when I've not been on Pred. Never had any problem in the past so fingers crossed.