I'm not sure if the flu shot can cause a flare. I am not doing as well as I had been about a month ago. My rheumy and I decided to reduce my MTX about 6 weeks ago because I was doing so well. Bad call. I went 2 steps back, made my first emergency call to the rheumy, and got a nice shot in the butt! I went back up on the MTX. I got my flu shot a week later and I have not been doing well ever since. I'm not sure whether or not it has to do with the flu shot or that the shot quit working before the MTX kicked back in. Could it be the flu shot?Hi, thanks for this new topic. I'm going to take my flu shot before the remicade in 2 weeks, as my doc's 'nurse' said the flu shot would work better when the rem was at its lowest. I'm worried about the flu shot in general and wonder what the results of taking it is. Have others had flares after taking it? That's the last thing I need right now, just starting to feel like my meds are working. Lynda < =text/>_popupControl();
I have never had a flare after a flu shot. Can someone flare after getting a flu shot? It might be possible because a flu shot requires your immune system to do it’s job and since we already have over active immune systems introducing the vaccine into your system may cause your immune system to work a bit harder. However, I would rather deal with a flare up than deal with the flu. It is so dangerous for us to get the flu.
I agree with GS,
You are being shot with a germ your immune system is programmed to attack and so the i/s goes into higher gear and thus sends out more of the critters that cause us pain in our joints. I believe that all my flares are caused by my body being sick. Gosh, when i ripped some cartlidge in my knee, all my joints flared as my i/s kicked into high gear.
LEV
I had a flu shot this past Thursday and it felt like the shot immediately hit every joint in my body with pain. It finally settled down this morning but I must say that it sure beats getting the flu.I had my first flu shot this year with no ill affects . I had no problems. Starting to flare weeks before shot and I don't think shot had any affect on flare. Seems that you would be flaring from the decrease in MXT. LindyHubby and I were supposed to get flu shots yesterday at work, but today was my first Rituxan infusion and I didn't want any chance of screwing that up. I asked the nurse and she said the shot wouldn't make any difference to the infusion (although that doesn't mean it doesn't make any difference to the RA!) and that they encourage everyone to get one.I get a flu shot every year and this year was no exception. I had my annual flu shot last Monday and it was fine. I didn't even experience all the typical soreness in my upper arm.
I did reduce my MTX about 6 wks ago and did have a mini-flare about 10 days later. Never considered that it could have been due to the reduction in dosage. I went from 20 mg to 15 mg.
We should all get our flu shots faithfully. It is better than getting the sickness.
Molly Bee
Hi, My husband had a flu shot last week and he's had a 'stuffy', feeling ever since. He doesn't have RA. I wonder if it is the shot. Not bad or anything, just conjestion and such. Lynda [QUOTE=Lynda M]Hi, My husband had a flu shot last week and he's had a 'stuffy', feeling ever since. He doesn't have RA. I wonder if it is the shot. Not bad or anything, just conjestion and such. Lynda[/QUOTE]