On Humira, reaction to Pneumonia shot

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone else that's on injections for arthritis has had a problem after getting a pneumonia shot?   Had a pneumonia shot two weeks ago and for three or four days after had a hot red lump at the site and pain down to my elbow.  It turned all purple and gross looking and then almost looked like a burn, peeling etc and now have a raw spot and still a small hard lump there.   Wondering if I should have it looked at before taking my next Humira shot on Monday.  When I called my doctor about three days after I got the pneumonia shot they said a lot of people had called about reactions and they think it's an allergy to something in the preservative they use.

I know the warnings on Humira say not to use if you have an open wound so don't know if this would qualify as one.  My husband got the pneumonia shot the same day and had no problem at all.  Weird.

Oh - I got the results from my bloodwork, chest xray and stress test.   Chest xray was fine (big relief, but still have off and on breathing problems and coughing).  Passed the stress test and blood work showed that my white cells were elevated a bit.   Is that normal on Humira?   I though white cell count went down not up.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Alicat

 

Both my doctor and the nurses at the Humira phone in number said that I should get both the flu and pneumonia shots because my immune system is compromised.  Maybe you should check with your doctor??

I was just wondering if anyone who is on Enbrel or Humira has had a problem with either the flu or pneumonia shots?

Alicat

I would have it looked at. I have a friend who got the pneumonia vaccine and ended up having cellulitis in her arm from the vaccine! It sounds like what you are describing. If you go in this coming Monday I would just have them look at it then. Keep some moist heat on it over the weekend to get the swelling to circulate better. I dont take Humira but I always feel that since I have been told I have some sort of AI disease I dont want to aggrivate my immune system anymore and send myself into a flare because I might get the flu! I work at the hospital and I always have to explain why I am refusing the vaccinees. Atleast you wont have worry about the pneumonia shot for another 5 years.
As for your WBC's being elevated that normal for them to be elevated in autoimmune and inflammatory disease. I dont know much about Humira but to me it sounds like thats a good thing because your immune system is still working a little to fight infection even though its being suppressed.
take care
melissa

I was encouraged to get both the pneumonia and flu shots while on Cimzia/Humira and 6-mp since they lower your ability to fight infections.  I think the drug information just says not to get any live vaccines while on them.  I didn't have any problems with either of them.