Flu jab reaction and M.E

[Pebble21uk]

I had M.E 17 years ago. It was very bad for the first couple of years but I've considered myself to be 'well' for at least 10-12 years now. I get more tired than ever I used to and have always needed afternoon naps quite frequently. I also only work part time, but I lead a pretty normal life.

I've always had flu jabs as I have asthma and a history of pneumonia. I've had them for years and never had any reaction. I had this years on Saturday. I felt okay the rest of Saturday, a little off on Sunday and Monday (and the site has been red and quite painful this time)but from Tuesday I've been feeling significantly worse. I know I could have picked up something and it not be related, but there does seem to be a correlation.

My symptoms are also very typical of a flu jab reaction - headaches, heavy limbs, feeling hot and sweaty and generally unwell and exhausted (even with afternoon naps which ususally really help, I've still felt like I'm wading through treacle)

Can anyone tell me if they've experienced this - symptoms getting worse rather than better after a couple of days? And does anyone know if this is a particularly symptomatic jab this year? I just feel rubbish and want to know how long I can expect it to go on for!

I have ME so I understand how rubbish it is!

The flu jab isn't a live vaccine so you've probably picked up a virus from somewhere else. Or it could be your ME flaring up. Hope you feel better soon.

What’s the injection site looking like? Have you got a temp?

Thanks so much for your responses.

I felt SO bloody rubbish last night, but thank God have picked up considerably today! It's been a work day today, so I was dreading it, but have coped okay. I hate that wondering if it's going to be a relapse!

The injection site was red and swollen for at least 3 days but has now gone down. I read that the vaccine wasn't live, but it's just seemed like too much of a coincidence.
Thanks again

I don't believe in coincidences with the flu jab as I've heard so many. It's hard to believe that every time its another virus just waiting to come on the day after the jab! Still it seems to be a minor reaction and if it saves from having the full blown flu then it's OK.

I don't have M.E, but I felt rotten after my jab this year. Wasn't too bad the day of it, but for the next three-four days I didn't feel well at all. Like you say, could have been another viral infection, but I don't think it was my body's reaction to the jab

I have a similar reaction most years. I've read somewhere that, if you are already fighting off a virus, and then have a flu jab, your body can't handle fighting both the virus and the response to the jab (which is how the jab works). The original virus gets temporarily worse.

No idea if that's right, but it seems logical. I'm always ill this time of year - asthma, plus cold temperatures, damp air, pollution, colds... I felt mildly unwell the week before my flu jab, and I've now been pretty ill ever since (6 weeks).

I have ME, I don't have the flu jab because whenever I had one before I have spent all winter with recurring chest infections. I haven't had the jab for the last 3 years & not one chest infection.

The flu jab can cause a virus like reaction. Nottt from the flu, the vaccine isn’t live but consider what you body is doing. It’s reacting to fight off a perceived infection. That’s how you get the immunity. So your body is working a bit harder than usual. For some people, that can cause virus like symptoms - tiredness, under the weather, minor temp etc. It can’t give you chest infections. Literally impossible. Some years, I feel rubbish after the jab. Some years fine. I always just assume my immune system is a bit down on the years I feel bad.

But having had flu last year, feeling a bit unwell for a few days or even having a chest infection is VERY preferable to actual flu. I was so flipping poorly, it took me weeks to get over. And I have no health issues bar asthma. I imagine it’d completely floor you with ME!

I had one yesterday so nervously waiting now to see what happens! Just a sore arm, and last year I was fine. I've had flu and sore to get the jab every year as it was so debilitating and for so long.

I think you're both probably right Cuddlysnowleopard and Bol87, perhaps I was fighting something else off (I work in a school so no surprises there!) and yes, my immune system would be working harder anyway. It was very strange though - how rubbish I felt for 2 or 3 days and then I got up on Thursday morning and felt absoluetly fine and back to normal - like a huge fog had cleared!
It won't put me off having one next year - the thought of real flu with asthma and ME will get me along for the jab as usual.
Thanks for all the responses.