Which Covid vaccine with MCAS? Safe to take antihistamines?

[Carrieanne21]

Hello - I just wondered if there is any advice anywhere on which Covid vaccine is likely to be safest overall for MCAS people?

I also wondered if it is safe to take antihistamines before and after the vaccine or whether this might blunt the vaccine's effectiveness in any way.

Thank you for any thoughts.

Best wishes, Carrie-Anne

[dobbo2021]

Hi, I spoke to my immunologist before I had my injection and he advised me to have the AstraZeneca one if I could choose. He also advised me to take an antihistamine 1hr before my appointment x

[Carrieanne21 in reply to dobbo2021]

Thank you - I hope it went well x

[dobbo2021 in reply to Carrieanne21]

I was absolutely fine

[floating_]

As with most things for people with MCAS, it depends. I reacted really poorly to AstraZeneca (full body hives, angioedema, etc.) and had an asthma attack in response to Pfizer (they also believe that Pfizer has triggered off autoimmunity issues that I already have, which has been repeatedly triggering my asthma severely since, although Xolair, long-term Prednisolone and upping Ketotifen seemed to have helped this).

Not sure what will happen for me in terms of getting my third jab, will wait and see I guess?

[Carrieanne21 in reply to floating_]

So sorry to hear that -I also have autoimmune issues in addition to MCAS and am just not sure which type is likely to be lower risk. Good luck with your third jab when it comes. Best wishes

[Agatha_33]

I had the Pfizer, which went really well on both occasions. This was the recommended one for me as excluded from Astro Zeneca due to some of expedients used (Sorbitol 80). I was advised to take anti-histamines daily for 48 hours before. All straight forward except for persuading staff to give me it (letter from specialist was definitely required) and then having to wait additional time in environment where reacted to sterilising/cleaning. Is good if you can do this.

[Carrieanne21 in reply to Agatha_33]

thank you - glad it all went well!

[GrizzlyG]

I think it's just down to personal choice and hope for the best as nobody can agree or say with any certainty? My GP has told me I'll be fine with any yet the specialist at Christie's Hospital said he wouldn't advise me to take any of them.

[Carrieanne21 in reply to GrizzlyG]

So difficult when getting different views isn't it. What did you decide?

[Mastomum]

Hi Carrieanne My GP would not advise on what to do or wether any safe to take.

After research I had Pfizer vaccine. I took my usual cetrizine and ketotifen one hour before and carried Benadryl in case. Was fine.

Just had flu vaccine after gaining confidence from this. Did have some SE, mostly very mild but did have mild cardiac symptoms for 2 days. Really glad had both after months of delaying due to fear of severe reactions.

If you are not taking ketot3 I would recommend, although unable to access because of supply issues at mo x