RA Flare Following Covid Vaccine... Anyone Else?

By BlueGemma

1 min read

I was diagnosed about 30 years ago.

Consistent rheumatoid arthritis pain

The only time I’m not in pain is when I’m on prednisone for my asthma.

I always forget what it feels like for other people who do not live with constant, chronic pain.

I always forget what “normal” feels like which makes me really sad.

RA flare after covid vaccine?

I got my vaccine and my pain and exhaustion are 1000 times worse. I’m barely functioning.

I’m teaching remotely and I can’t manage to do that either, let alone take care of myself or the household.

My husband doesn’t understand. As a side note, I’ve never taken any RA meds because the side effects scare me.

Anyone else out there completely unable to function following their covid vaccine???

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RA_ManMember
Hi Gemma, I too feel worse after my vaccines (three in total). Beforehand I was getting more and more active with fitness regimes etc. but now I’m almost crippled every morning or after sitting for long periods. Getting in and out chairs is becoming a joke. I too cannot help but think it was the vaccines … too much of a coincidence. No conspiracy theories but too obvious tbh. People do find it hard to sympathise sometimes as they just cannot imagine RA sufferers different, almost daily, symptoms. Keep believing and stay as active as possible to ensure mobility, no matter how little. Regards, Sandy
Erin RushCommunity Admin
<inline-mention username="redharley" user-id="3198273"/>, I am sorry you had such a strong reaction to the covid vaccine! I do hope you fully recover from your flare. Thanks for sharing your experience with <inline-mention username="BlueGemma" user-id="4163898"/> ! Best, Erin, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a> Team Member.
redharleyMember
BlueGemma I also had a severe reaction to the Covid shots. My RA medication stopped working and I was in severe pain. I went from mild 24 Vetra to 95. My rheumatologist put me back on prednisone and started me on new RA meds. So far my scores have come down to 48. I did also go an get the booster. I know that to some doesn’t make sense but better safe than sorry. Prayers you get some medical help with your RA.
cpasmereMember
<inline-mention username="Deira" user-id="4175494"/> I am very sorry you are going through this flare-up. When I had my 3rd vaccine, booster, I went into a bad flare-up also. I do have them but this felt different but I really can't say how. It lasted a good 2 weeks the subsided. One thing I should say is you should get a rollator/walker. It would be easier for you to get around with instead of crutches. Blessings and Prayers Casmere
DeiraMember
<inline-mention username="RHall" user-id="3226625"/> Thank you Reggie - I've only had one physio session so far, so it's early days but I've been struggling on crutches since February and assorted bits of me are just packing up with the strain of it all. I was struck by the similarity of symptoms that are suffered by those with "long Covid" to a typical arthritic flare up and given that the purpose of vaccination is to get you to make protective T-cells, is it just a coincidence that I have a complaint where my T-cells attack my own joints? It would be good (IMO) if some serious study and data collection was made into this. The Lancet has reported one definite case of a RA flare up being caused by Covid vaccination - so BlueGemma and I are not the only ones.