Flu and pneumonia vaccines
Hi im a 42 year old female who was diagnosed 6 months ago. I am currently on steroids until i get my appointment through the nhs with the rheumatologist ( had to pay to go privately to get diagnosed after my regular doctor kept telling me there was nothing wrong) i am booked to have the pneumonia and flu vaccine next week and just wondered if anyone has had these and if they experienced any side effects? Thanks in advance
I have had them both here and there over the last thirty plus years of rheumatoid arthritis that I’ve lived with. I usually get them when my doc insists, when the year is especially bad. I didn’t really have any side effects of either, including the COVID and shingles virus also. Of course, one person’s experience doesn’t translate over to someone else, especially with RA, but for my own personal experience I tolerated it well. Keep on keepin’ on, DPM
, I believed that the first covid booster I received in 2021 did a real bad number for my RA. I was diagnosed with RA 18 years ago, I knew how the take care of myself when flare ups would start but after that booster shot, about 5 weeks after the shot, my whole system whent completely out of control and its been that way since. I am now on biologic auto injection and prednisone pills to try to reduce the number of flare ups and keep my RA in check. Still having flare ups though🙁 .I just took another covid booster shot because the option of not taking it is even worst. Damn if you do and damn if you don’t
Hi,
!
I am glad you were able to get a diagnosis and some steroids for the time being. I am sorry you had to pay out of pocket just to get that diagnosis, though!
As Daniel pointed out, some people react to vaccinations and some do not. It really depends on the individual. Which, I know, is not a very helpful answer for you. *Most* rheumatologists here in the USA would recommend getting your vaccinations, just to be safe. There are circumstances where a rheumatologist may suggest delaying or forgoing vaccines, but that's more on a case by case basis and due to other factors (family history, the type of medications you are on, recovering from a major illness, etc).
I hope you experience no side effects from the vaccines (I always get a sore arm, but that's no big deal) and that you have some peace of mind knowing you're protected going into cold and flu season!
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
Hi
. I can tell you that my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), has also had both the flu and pneumonia vaccines with no issues. In fact, just a couple of weeks ago she had the new flu and Covid shots and had no problems. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) I’ve had my Covid, Senior flu, and RSV vaccines. Sore arm for a day but nothing else.
