Advice please about booster

Russyb

I'm waiting to see RA specialist, never had any arthritis symptoms before, and since 2nd vaccine felt run down, aching, and generally low. 5 weeks ago for no reason my hand cramped up, excruciating pain lost use of my wrist and all finger movement, xrays etc. at a&e... last week gone again, more painful.. had bloods done and test auto immune system. Results are a flare up of RA probably caused by vaccine, doctor has advised getting booster before seeing specialist as any meds I'm put on' could effect its reliability .

BUT if I have the booster done do I have it in the same arm and risk it being worse.. or other arm and risk having pain in both.

Is there any similar things happened to others?

Brynmor

Hi @Russyb and welcome to the Online Community.

I understand that you have a new diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis possibly being triggered by the coronavirus vaccine and you are now awaiting to have a booster jab.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition. This means that the immune system, which is the body’s natural self-defence system, gets confused and starts to attack your body’s healthy tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis, the main way it does this is with inflammation in your joints.

You can read more about rheumatoid arthritis here on our website:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/

The information available is that if you do not have a booster vaccination, you run a risk of catching COVID-19, especially as the current variation appears to be particularly contagious. Further details are given on the following page and are well worth reading:

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

The choice of which arm you have the booster is definitely your choice and should be decided with the information you get from your doctor.

Do join in across the community and say how you are getting on, you will be most welcome.

All best wishes

Brynmor