Vaccine

Gemma09

Hi everyone,

I work for NHS and have been working from homensince March shielding. I am due to have the vaccine this evening. Just wondered whether anyone else has had it who is on Imraldi?

Thanks Gemma

Ellen

Hi @Gemma09

Welcome to the online Community it's lovely to meet you.

You are about to have the COVID-19 Vaccine this evening and are taking Imraldi.

Hopefully someone will be along to tell you their experience soon but in the mean time there is plenty of information about the vaccine here:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/covid-19-updates/vaccines-for-covid-19-your-questions-answered/

Very best of luck and please do let us know how you get on people will be very, very interested

Ellen.

frogmorton

I've not had it yet nor am I on Imraldi

I am very interested to see how you got/get on though @Gemma09

🤞

silverfoxxxx

I’ve not heard anything yet, I had a rough reaction to imraldi and had to swop out to an alternative so I’m hoping a similar carrier isn’t used in the vaccine.

Kazza52

Does anyone know whether the vaccine will interact with Methotrexate. I take six tablets every Friday and folic acid tablets the days I don't. I would like to have the vaccine but I am worried about the side effects.

Karen 🐶

Gemma09

Well I had the my first dose and I had no reaction what so ever. I spent 2 days feeling a bit groggy but nothing different to any other jab really.

I gave myself a mild panic attack after id had it and was sitting in the observation area. Thinking oh my god what if I have a reaction, but I was fine.

Jensecy

I had my first vaccine on 23rd December and just had a sore arm for two days, I am on Sulfasalazine.

frogmorton

Looking good so far folks. Well done I am waiting to be called

Kazza52

Hi everyone,

Well done to all those who have had the vaccine so far. I am waiting to be called to have mine but as soon as I hear I won't hesitate to get it done. The more of us that have the vaccine the sooner this horrid life threatening virus will be a thing of the past and some form of normality will return to us all.

Stay safe everyone.

Karen 🐶

Mike1

Friends of mine who are 82 and 92, whom I refer to as my surrogate parents, have turned down having the vaccine! I tried to talk them around but ......!

stickywicket

Thanks to Gemma09 and Jensecy. At least we now know that something is happening somewhere so presumably, when our turn comes round, we can all have it. Very useful and heartening info.

L3ytongirl

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/675278#Comment_675278

Hi - I had my first Pfizer vaccine on Sunday. Like you I’m on methotrexate- 8 tablets every Friday. I was told to continue as normal. My arm hurt a bit, and been a bit tired but no worse than flu jab!

Ellen

Hi @L3ytongirl

Please excuse the interruption @Kazza52 , but I just want to welcome L3ytongirl to the Online Community and thank her for already supporting someone.

If you feel comfortable do please tell us a little more about yourself and join in wherever you want to L3ytongirl.

Best wishes

Ellen

L3ytongirl

Thanks! I was diagnosed in late 2018 with Psoriatic Arthritis. I was prescribed methotrexate and while it does have side effects it has had a positive impact. I am not taking any painkillers. I’m sure my experience will be similar to many of you. I didn’t even know PSA was a thing until I got it. My psoriasis doesn’t look like the common image. I though the scalp psoriasis was dandruff. All the symptoms seemed unconnected.

My aunt had RA so there may be a genetic factor. I’m sure stress hasn’t helped! I cut alcohol out completely when I started the methotrexate and I think that has had a very positive impact on stress and anxiety. I’ve never been good with dairy and soy so I keep those to a minimum. I follow a pescatarian diet. Bread and Coffee my vice!

I don’t exercise enough. Compounded by shielding. I’ve signed up for the exercise videos. Plan to start in February- January is always to gloomy!

most importantly I try and stay positive!

Ellen

We have quite a few members who have Psoriatic Arthritis @L3ytongirl it is more common than people realise I agree.

Here's a link to a recent thread:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/675673#Comment_675673

It sounds as though (excluding the exercise!) you are very sensible cutting out alcohol for instance.

It's good to hear that Methotrexate (MTX) is really helping you. People new to it very often fear the side effects so your story will reassure many.

I'll leave you now to join in wherever you like.

Best wishes

Ellen

Bluepoint

I have Palindromic RA and take MTX 5 tablets each week. Advice from Hospital RA specialist nurse (who is very good) is to refrain from taking MTX for 2 weeks following vaccination when I get offered it. This apparently also applies to the flu vaccine although nobody ever mentioned this before. Apparently improves the efficacy of the vaccine, however, GP surgery seemed unaware of it. Has anyone else received this advice?

No idea when I'll be offered the vaccine as the rollout in my area seems very slow.

Ellen

Hello @Bluepoint Welcome to our Online Community.

Your RA specialist nurse has advised you to not take your Methotrexate for 2 weeks after you get your COVID vaccination and are wondering if anyone else has had this advice too.

Here is some information about vaccines https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/vaccinations/ while you wait for someone to come along with their own experience.

This is part of this thread, but I'm picking it out for you https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/676022/#Comment_676022 as it's relevant to your query.

Best wishes

Ellen

scotleag

Hi @Bluepoint

That's interesting. I've been receiving flu jab for over 25 years & been mon Methotrexate (20mg weekly) for past four years. Never heard that about stopping for a couple of weeks before. When I get Covid vaccination invite I'll be sure to ask about this. Thanks

BettyMac

Had my 6/12 review by phone with the rheumatology pharmacist today. A very useful appointment!

I’m booked for covid vaccine on Saturday (yaay!) so was glad to be able to run my queries past her.

I’m on Benepali and methotrexate. The Pharmacist said it doesn’t matter which vaccine they have as either will be ok.

I asked if it would be worth stopping my DMARDs for a week or so to allow my immune system a chance to respond to the vaccine - I’m due a dose of Benepali tomorrow - and she said the usual advice is not to stop but IF I’m well controlled at the moment, I could make the decision for myself. Anyone with active disease should not stop their DMARDs.

My RA is behaving just now so I am happy to suspend the meds for a week or so. Anyone else considering doing the same should run it past their rheumatology department first.

frogmorton

Good luck for tomorrow @BettyMac

Great news for you 🙂

Hope your RA behaves while you let the vaccine do it's thing!

BettyMac

I hope so too, Toni!

Fingers crossed - while they’re still behaving 😄