pneumovax caused flare up i think

Dazztee

been on methotrexate for 7 weeks finaly got over the side effects it cause while gettin in ur system, ie tiredness feeling ill low etcc etc etc, then i decided to have my pneumovax on tuesday while i was havin my fortnightly bloodtests, iv had no flares for 6 weeks then wednsday morning my shoulder were i had the vacs i8s aching then tendons swell in that arm now my hand etc, ive even got a red rash ive never seen before on that shoulder but not on the injection site, wish id never bothered with it now , anyone else had this with RA

dreamdaisy

I've not had that particular vaccination, Dazztee, and if you were flare-free then that would indicate that the meth was doing something. I must admit that I would consult with my rheumatologist before having a vaccination of any sort: I know I am OK with the influenza one but I have no idea about any others. It could be a reaction to the vaccine or it could just be a flare - they can still occure despite the medication. If things don't ease or clear soon perhaps a trip to your GP could be in order. I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

This is the usual pneumonia vaccine they give to all us oldies, is it, Dazztee? If so, I had it last year when I reached the required age, with no reaction at all. That doesn't mean to say it didn't cause your own problems but, as I understand it, it's particularly recommended for those of us on DMARDS. I agree with DD. Monitor it and, if it doesn't improve or gets worse, let the doc check it out.

tillytop

Like the flu jab, the pneumonia vaccine is one of those apparently recommended for those of us who are immunosuppressed. I only discovered that a couple of years ago and had the pneumovax with no probs.

But my experience is that vaccines can cause my RA to flare - for the past two years I have seized from head to toe - and I mean literally unable to move at all - within 24 hours of my flu jab and have been "saved" on both occasions only by liberal doses of pred. I never had this problem until the swine flu vaccine was added to the normal seasonal one so obviously there is something about the new vaccine that upsets my RA big-time.

Given that the idea of vaccinations is to get your immune system to ramp up to fight, it makes sense to me that it's not necessarily going to help an already over-busy immune system.

Like the others have said though I would keep an eye on things and if you are unsure, follow up with the doc.

Tillyxxx

barbara12

Hi And welcome to the forum
Sorry I wont be much help. I had the jab and just had the sore arm for a couple of days, but I have OA...hopefully it will clear up very soon x

Dazztee

its nearly cleared itself now, it literally only affected my left shoulder and hand wrist, which is the arm i was jabbed in, i had flu jab in december an week later i had the worse cold ive had for years, im in 2 minds wether to bother with anymore vaccinations from now on, i ve spoken to countless people who all claim flu jab made them ill with colds and flu

stickywicket

To have the flu jab or not to have the flu jab is a question that comes up almost as regularly as the flu jab. I've had a couple of apparent bad reactions and also some non-events. I think maybe if there's some unsuspected cold being harboroured at the time then it can all go pear-shaped but those of us with the auto-immune varieties of arthritis are probably wisest to have it.

Anyway, I'm glad you're feeling better now.

toriateacake

I had exactly the same thing. i had the jab like 4 days before xmas.... big mistake. i was throwing up constantly and had a high fever, i couldnt move my arm and only now has it stopped giving me a rash every time i have a blood test. it was the worst. my 4 yr old had to go to my mums everyday and i went to bed xmas eve praying to feel better the next day.

Dont let it put you off though, i spend summer last year going from one cold to the next, barely stepping outside. Since i had the flu jab i have only been ill after having the pneumovax.

Good luck