Flu shot and pneumonia shot triggered fibro flare

I'm so sorry, Robin! I've never had a reaction to these. I had my very last pneumonia shot last year and I'm due for my flu shot. Need to call my doctor and set up a time. I get them every year and my arm doesn't even get sore.

Ice should help with those swollen arms. Feel better.

Sherrine

Hello,

I work in healthcare and in fact, give these vaccines to pt's quite often.

i have seen on occasion a reaction like that from the Pneumo vaccine you recieved. The swelling and redness.

some people react poorly to the flu shot as well, worst ive seen is swelling of the joints all over the body and pain. but that is more rare.

these vaccines if you go on the cdc website can cause reactions like this in some people including flu like symptoms, body aches ect.

I can see how this would trigger a flare!

These symptoms usually go way with time but contact your dr. if not.

take care.

 

They are like having intense fibro flare in one area plus throw a hot iron on top of it. And mine was a mild case!

OMG Every year I get what I call my flu shot rash. The area around the shot about as big as a deck of cards gets red and swollen and itches and hurts. I always forget about it til the next year and it comes back up. So this could be related to my fibro? My whole arm hurts when it happens. I just thought I was slightly allergic to it. I never told anyone because I did not want to stop taking the flu shot. I am on immuno supp and getting the flu could be very dangerous.

To each there own, but I'd rather take my chances with the flu. In fact, last year, for the first time in many years, I got the flu, and it SUCKED !

However, "not only" because I am not willing to risk any negative turnarounds in my health, relating to my Fibro, but also, because of > Guillain Barre Syndrome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillain%E2%80%93Barr%C3%A9_syndrome

Super rare, right ? Tell that to my neighbor, who had the flu shot a few years ago, and ended up in complete paralysis, and had to be put on life support for 3 weeks, because of GBS ! Good news is, he did make a complete recovery, but it took him 1 full year, and almost 2 years out of work !

Then, my neighbor right across the street from me {who already knew she had Fibro} got the flu shot, and had the mother of all Fibro Flares. Actually had to be hospitalized while her whole body went crazy. She was actually put on morphine, then got hooked on that for a while, too. She reported that after that situation, her Fibro became much worse, and had basically remained that way {disclaimer; although she is a very nice lady, who I wish I could help, I believe she did eat horribly, and didn't {or maybe just couldn't} exercise whatsoever.

Anyway, here are at least two people ^ who would NEVER get a flu shot again, and I make 3.

Oh hey BTW, true story > My neighbor, who lied in bed on life support for weeks, and took a full year for a complete recovery, actually got a letter from the hospital the next year, which said, "Your scheduled flu shot is coming up, however, based on your past history, you "may want to pass on your flu shot" this year..... Uh... hello... "May want to" ? Really ? Ahhh, come on. Who's afraid of a little paralysis, and possible organ shutdown anyway? Geeez. Bunch of wimps, huh ?

I know the whole odds thing.... Like how a few people have died "because" they were wearing a seatbelt, but how the odds say, in spite of this, your much safer wearing a seatbelt.

It's just that after having had two close neighbors who had horrific health issues, because of the flu shot, its just kind of too close to home, to ignore


To each there own though.

Fish

I'm sorry you had such a reaction. I usually have arm soreness for a couple of days, but that is it. Some years it is worse than others.

I'm actually heading out later today to get mine. With my other health issues, the flu could be deadly for me, so I always get it. I have a really hard time when I catch a cold, so I don't want to imagine what the flu would do to me.

I have found that moving the arm with the shot as much as possible right after I get the shot seems to help it not get as sore deep in the muscle.

HA! I don't blame you one bit, Yvette. You, apparently are one of those rare individuals who are highly allergic to the shot. Don't do that to your body is right. Also, if you were to get another one, you may have an emergency-type reaction. Don't chance it. Just my opinion.

Blessings.

Lindaloo

My rheumy has always recommended a flu shot and pneumonia shot for me because of my autoimmune conditions and because I'm on an immunosuppressant. I always ignored his request thinking I'd be the one to end up with a crazy side effect. Late Spring, I ended up with pneumonia and that wasn't fun, so I decided to take my chances and get both shots. The verdict is out whether I will get the shots next year.

I seem to fit into the category of people who get strange things. Growing up, my Mom always told me to be different...I think I listened too well. :)

Hugs, Robin

Yes, I sometimes get that reaction to flu shots. So I often don't get them, not worth it. Of course, last year, I had a year I didn't get a shot and I got the flu for the first time I can remember as an adult (I am 39). Of course, getting the flu one time as an adult isn't half bad.

I actually sometimes get that reaction when something is going around too (I work in the schools so lots of stuff goes around). In fact, there are years when I flare when everyone else is sick, but don't actually get sick. It's our weird immune systems.

I never knew there was a different formula for pregnant women. I just realized they have a stronger version for the elderly, too.

I had the flu shot last year and my arm was killing me for weeks!
It was horrible. Someone told me peeps with Fibro should NOT get the flu shot so I may pass it up this year..
I just couldn't believe how painfull it was.

I had a nurse last year who gave me a wonderful tip on keeping the shot pain to a minimum.... she told me to totally relax my arm and shoulder down by my side. To just let it be limp and when I get home place a cold compress on it for 15 minutes. Believe it or not it did not hurt any like it had done in the past.
Usually I'm sore for two weeks after.