bad reactions with vaccines?
After taking the second Covid (Phizer) vaccine, I experienced 103.7 temp, body aches, headaches, chills, chest pain, sinus pressure. Again, I assumed this was normal, and although I had never had such a high fever, I was thankful I was vaccinated and never got Covid.
Last week, I received my pneumonia vaccine and a tetanus shot. Two days later, I had a fever of 103.6, chills, body aches, headache, and I was lethargic. I spent 48 hours in bed with a constant fever.
I took two Covid tests (regular and rapid), both negative!
Both my rheumatologist and PCP have never heard of anyone reacting to vaccines? They think the high fever and other symptoms are unrelated to Psoriatic Arthritis or the vaccines.
I was tested for Lupus a few months ago for other symptoms, but it was negative. I'm on Taltz for my PsA.
It seems suspicious that I've never had such a high fever until the Covid vaccine, and now, after two more vaccines, I have another one. The flu shot has never given me a reaction, but I really don't know if I want to get one this year!?!
Has anyone ever had bad reactions to vaccines OR weird high fevers?
Hi @ddavis. I can understand why you are nervous about taking other vaccines! That must have been a bit frightening. I know two people who had high fevers after getting the Covid vaccine, but they did not have autoimmune diseases and it lasted for only a day. It's strange that you reacted that way to two different vaccines though. I hope you get some responses from the community and that you never have this kind of reaction again. Thinking of you! - Lori (Team Member)
Thank you! Feels good to just be heard. I haven't ever felt this way from my doctor before. I was kinda shocked when I hung up the phone. I don't go in to see him until December. I don't know what to do about a flu shot?
I've read that sunburns or anything like that can cause a flare, so why wouldn't a vaccine cause a high fever and all that goes with it?
Hi @ddavis, I am glad you have some time to think about the flu shot. It is strange how you had such a bad reaction to all of these recent vaccines. I know your doctor thinks they are unrelated to PsA and the vaccines, but I would definitely share you concerns with your doctor as the winter months come closer. There a many different reasons why someone would get a flare including sunburns and vaccines. I am glad you have reached out to our community with your concerns and I hope you hear back from our members with their experiences. Jill, Team Member
Thanks for reading and responding. Can flares involve a fever? The body aches could have been a flare, but also from the fever. It's all too weird!
, I can imagine that if you reacted this badly to the Covid vaccine, you would have been much worse off if you had actually gotten Covid. I wonder if the passing of time might make a difference, if maybe the two vaccines were too close together and that triggered another reaction. - Lori (Team Member) I thought about that and I won't get two again together.
I'm wondering if my flare is related to the vaccine. I was in remission for more than 15 years until I got my 2 Pfizer vaccines. I haven't done the booster because of this.
I've thought of that quite a bit. For now, I’m not getting a booster, but I won't say forever. Thank you. I hope you are able to decide whichever way is right for you, booster or not.
I’ve had psoriasis since my teens and I’m 41 now. I got my first ever PsA flare exactly one month after my second/last dose of Moderna. That first flare was in September 2021. It’s sort of like the 2nd vaccine woke up a monster in my system! It was extreme—and scary as I was clueless—compared to the little flares I’ve gotten since. It was hard to figure out and deduce that PsA is indeed what I have. I don’t know if it’s helpful to toss in my two cents to help the gathering of more facts, but there you go….(nervous laugh).
