Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

is anyone else ill after their flu jab

29 replies

Magicmayhem · 25/11/2012 22:21

I always used to have a flu jab, but it always coincided with me getting a bout of mild flu a short time afterwards... ie sore throat, ache muscles, generally feeling ill, and ill enough to be off work... it happened several times and I decided against having it again..
My mum had the flu jab last week, and is experiencing the same symptoms, this happened to her last year as well.
I just wondered if this was a common side effect with other people too? as I was told that it can't give you flu as its not a live vaccine...

so If you've had the same symptoms, please share them with me

OP posts:
digerd · 25/11/2012 22:37

Always had a bruised arm for a few days, but this year my arm is aching as think nurse jabbed a nerve. But not had flu symptoms. Had mine 2 months ago.

Reenypip · 28/11/2012 21:31

Hiya,
I normally have a flu jab and don't get any problems.
But this year I've had it and was ill for 2 days after.

Digerd, if safe hit a nerve you would know about it, your arm would automatically reflex and shoot up in the air and a possible scream from yourself lol....
I can nearly fall asleep from jabs, bloods or getting a line in me. But when they hit a nerve, oh my! I knew about it and so did the doctor!

Reenypip · 28/11/2012 21:31

*she

LIZS · 28/11/2012 21:33

I just had my first one today so guess will feel ill effects tomorrow having survived the immediate period (was told about anaphylaxis just as she was injecting it !) My mum had hers in October and was fine.

Original poster
Magicmayhem · 28/11/2012 21:57

thanks for sharing with me, I wonder why some people react and some don't...
Liz, fingers crossed you don't react...

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 28/11/2012 22:01

At this time of year there's so many coughs and colds around it could well be coincidence that you feel unwell around the same time as having the jab.

I've only ever suffered with a very sore arm after having it. This year it was particularly bad, but still better than getting 'flu!

BikeRunSki · 28/11/2012 22:04

I always get a mini bout of flu for 2 days, 2 days after a flu jab.
Although last year I had a C section under GA too. Then another operation. Then my body went haywire and I was really quite poorly.

Imnotaslimjim · 28/11/2012 22:18

Apparently you can't develop 'flu from having the jab, but if you already have any 'flu or cold virus in you (even if your not symptomatic) then you start to fight it, hence making you poorly

Madsometimes · 29/11/2012 15:05

No, I just get a sore arm. I think you can get a mild fever and general malaise after the flu jab, but it's certainly not flu.

digerd · 29/11/2012 17:31

Reeny
Thanks for the advice.
I have been having these jabs for a few years and never had this happen.
I have very little muscle in my arms, and where I was jabbed there is nothing but bone and tendons, which are still tender when I touch the area. It has got worse as my lower arm from elbow down has taken the strain when I lift, pull. Above and below elbow is now hard and painful, and am using backshoulder muscles too to compensate for the almost lame upper arm muscles . The pain runs like a nerve pain down to my wrist now, and jab point twinges like a nerve too.
Will go to my physio, to see if he has any ideas what it is as can't do much housework < smile> or gardening < sad face>, as tried and some things are agony.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 29/11/2012 21:42

digerd. You'll have to ask them to inject your gluteal muscles next year!

digerd · 30/11/2012 17:29

Iwish
Which are they, don't think I have any. But my lower forearm is now overburdened. My upper arm muscles seem to have given up the ghost

Got an appt with physio on Monday, and he didn't seem surprised that it happened after the flu jab this year.

Being on my lap top with my elbow bent is making it worse too!

LIZS · 30/11/2012 17:42

Bit snuffly and arm sore - worse today than yesterday Hmm

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 30/11/2012 19:25

digerd - your bum!

MamaMary · 30/11/2012 19:33

Yes it gave me the flu and my midwife told me it gave her the flu as well

Not sure why she told me as it put me off getting it even more. I'm supposed to as I'm pg but really don't want to get sick again. I've been run down for weeks anyway.

missnappyknickers · 01/12/2012 08:29

Had mine early october,didn't have a sore arm this time but for about a week after I felt heavy eyed,headachy and really tired,dh felt the same after his..related to the flu jab I think

digerd · 01/12/2012 10:44

Iwish
I feared that was it, but muscles not as firm as they were there either, and have to sit on a cushion anyway. The only good muscle I have is in the calf !!!

I remember those bum injections when I was much younger and had a very firm pert bum < grumpy old woman face>, and they really hurt!!

Startail · 01/12/2012 20:53

DD (14) refuses to have hers.
Makes her feel grotty and arm hurt, so she can't get to sleep.

Kelly246 · 23/11/2016 01:31

I just had mine this year for the first time. My symptoms are having sneezes and dry nose. Never had problems of having flue when it's winter time. I get hay fever when it's summer time. I don't think I'll have it again I don't like how I feel now.

Heatherjayne1972 · 27/11/2016 11:47

A friend of mine had the flu jab a few years ago and developed ME shortly after. Initially all the doctors said there's no connection but then after many different consultant appointments ( for other things) it's now been decided that the flu jab probably did contribute to immune overload hence her getting m.e

allegretto · 27/11/2016 11:53

Yes! I posted about this on another thread and was told it wasn't related. I fainted when I had it done and then felt terrible the next day and missed work - the whole point of having it done was not to miss work.

444hen · 06/10/2019 17:13

I suffer from asthma and despite not having a "flare up" since last December, I have suffered a bad one a week ago following my flu jab. I started with a bad sore throat, cold & cough which resulted in severe breathlessness and having to take my "rescue" meds of steroids & antibiotics. This happened to me after last year's flu jab ad well. Coincidence???

Oldmum55 · 06/10/2019 18:19

What a change to hear about flu jabs reactions! All I ever read is people with no problems at all hardly a sore arm! I don't think they want you to know about this otherwise not many people would have it done!

Lorretta69 · 17/10/2019 08:40

I was persuaded to have the flu jab two days a go. I’ve had it before several years ago and every time I had what I thought was a dose of flu. Worse than a cold but not as devastating as flu. I was persuaded and made to feel guilty for declining it as if I did get flu I might spread it to more vulnerable people. I have diabetes and angina but am very fit considering so don’t feel vulnerable to it myself. Anyway I was vaccinated at 4.30pm and by bedtime was feeling tired. During the night I woke several time to pee and had a raging thirst. I ached too especially round my neck. The following day I was wiped out and ended up going to bed at 4pm. I stayed there until the following morning, today and am still aching although I feel a bit better. I won’t be going to work. Hopefully I’ll be better tomorrow. As for next year, no I won’t be having it again thanks. It’s cost me two days and I’m self employed.

worriedaboutmygirl · 17/10/2019 11:32

@Lorretta69 Do you self monitor your glucose levels? The body's immune response to the vaccine can temporarily raise glucose levels in people with diabetes (certainly in type one). I think you have to think that if you are having that response to the vaccine, what would your response to the actual flu be?

Swipe left for the next trending thread