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Flu and Pneumonia shots

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Posted 10/20/2016 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone else gotten their flu and pneumonia shots this year?

I had both and my arm felt like someone hit me with a bat for a week.

Hope everyone is well. I am still having rough days but Im hanging in there.
Posted 10/21/2016 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
The flu shot didn't affect me for the first time this year. I usually get a hot swollen arm and pain for 2 weeks.

I had the pneumonia shot several years ago and my arm felt like it was broken.

Try cold ice packs on it.
Posted 10/21/2016 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
Gee whiz! I haven't had my flu shot yet but I plan to soon. The injection site usually just feels like it's bruised(touch wood). I've never had the Pneumonia vaccine BUT I guess I will this year.
Hopefully your rough days will be far away and much fewer Don. Feel better everyone!
Posted 10/21/2016 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I used my heating pad on it and that really helped to sooth the pain a bit. It made my shoulder flare up also but it passed with the shot pain.

I used to ignore my Doc when it came to these shots but after that last flare up and all the infections I have had these last few years I made a decision that I would follow directions and try to live in grace if that makes any sense to anyone.

I have always been really rebellious and hard headed so its a whole new world for me lol.
Posted 10/22/2016 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
I got flu shot, but then my granddaughter gave me strep throat. Now I have an abscess on my tonsil that I will probably need to get drained because two rounds of antibiotics hasn't touched it. It's always something, huh? I'm glad to hear that you are doing okay. I think of you often and wish there was a med that could get you back on track. Are you back at work? How is your stomach issues?
Beth
Posted 10/23/2016 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Beth,

Oh boy I hope that you feel better soon. Draining an abscess on a tonsil does not sound like fun :(
I really Love kids but they always seem to be carrying some nasty crud around with them. lol

No work is definitely out of the question. I have been off since May and am going through the disability process now with SS and my private insurance. My Rheumy and my GP both recommended it and I finally caved in on it when Carol told me it was time. What a depressing thing to deal with especially when you are sick. But, it is a necessity at this point so I am trudging through it and trying to keep my chin up.

I was diagnosed with Barretts esophagus recently as well as Sojourns. They have me taking some meds for the stomach but they don't seem like they do much and I swear that the MTX and Actemra both irritate it as well when I take them. I am using Restasis eye drops and that does seem to help with the sojourns at least better than just regular eye drops.

All in all I am doing well and just taking it a day at a time. I wish that I had more energy. The fatigue and lack of stamina really wipes me out.

Take care, -Don
Posted 7/11/2017 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I was elgible for the pneumonia shot for the first time last year. I guess because of my fibromyalgia. And my arm where I got the shot really started hurting. Thankfully it passed.
Posted 7/19/2017 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Don, sorry about the vaccinations causing you some pain. They can make me flare too and I dread it every year but I get the flu vaccine b/c I am in my 60's and have asthma.

I also have RA and Sjogrens. The Sjogrens can cause a dry mouth, dry nose, lack of saliva, GERD and dry skin. Just so you know-smile) I find that drinking lots of water, chewing gum, using saline nasal spray, restasis and nexium help. It can also cause joint pain and fatigue. Ugh! It's not fair to have RA and Sjogrens. I wish I had a remedy for the fatigue. It's a daily struggle for me. Nice, fair weather seems to help but when do we get that??

I hope you get approved for disability soon. These are both tough diseases.
Posted 7/19/2017 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Don, its good to hear from you. You are my favorite member,always kind and quick to help with answers to all. I usually wait till Sept./Oct. for shots. I didnt know you started mtx. I remember talking to you because I was worried about starting Enbrel and you stated that your experience was all good with the Enbrel. I did start it and its been 2 months but I dont see any relief just a icky feeling a few days after. Are you still taking the resistant starch? I started about the same time you did maybe alittle later. I geuss it takes a long time to start helping if it will. I have Sjogrens to and they put me on Plaquenil but I dont know if that really helped at all. Good to hear that your still hanging in there as we all are trying to do ourselfs. i finally decided to go on disability to but work partime and make my own hours which is perfect for me
Posted 7/24/2017 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
This is an old thread Don started last October, and it was resurrected with a comment from new member GROESSLER, (welcome to you btw!) But I agree that Don is a really, really wonderful guy and it would be good to hear how he's doing.
Beth
Posted 8/9/2017 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Well shucks, you guys are sure sweet. smile

I was just thinking today after my Rheumy appt that it has been way too long since I checked in with you all. I think it was the mention of the flu shot this visit. smile

I have to apologize for being so self absorbed. I haven't been up to much besides doing some camping with the family, going to some church things and trying to keep my head above water. The meds are still so so but the pain and fatigue have gotten better with the summer we have had up here.
The girls have been doing all the heavy lifting but they are pretty tough cookies.

Constantpain, just give the meds time. For me Enbrel kicked in quickly but my current med Actemra took about 4-5 months before I started noticing a difference. I started taking the MTX to help it and it has a little bit but like you I feel sick for about 2 days after taking it. My Doctor wants me to start on Retuxin infusions soon and I am willing to give it a try. I don't know a lot about it but if it can help keep things under control better it would sure be nice. I hope that you start feeling better, and that the sick feeling and fatigue begin to subside soon.

I am taking the RS but in way smaller doses than in the beginning. I had major stomach issues from it compounding my already bad gut from RA. RA can affect other organs besides joints and I have my share of that too over the years. Now it seems that the inflammation also has affected the opening to my stomach too.

I notice with Sojourns that it corresponds with my RA. When I am not feeling great my dry eyes and mouth get a lot worse. I take Restasis as well and also some pills for the dry mouth and that does really seem to help for the most part. The worst with the Sojourns is the burning in my eyes, sometimes it seems like I have to use eye drops all day long.

Beth, I want you to know that you are and will remain in my families prayers. I know that this is a tough time for you and I hope that you know how much we all wish we could help sooth your pain.

Take care and God bless, -Don
Posted 8/12/2017 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have not had a pneumonia shot yet but I think I need one. I get a flu shot every year around October or November. Sometimes it makes me flare a bit. The first one I had made my arm hurt for weeks!
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