Flu Jab and numbness

[April52]

Hi everyone. I had my flu jab about three weeks ago and about 48hrs after started to get a numb leg a bit like sciatica but without the pain. I had some tingling too. It hasn't got any worse but it's not gone away so am phoning docs tomorrow. Just wondered if anyone else had had a similar reaction to this year's flu jab? Or any experience of what it might be? Thank you!

It sounds like peripheral neuropathy, which can have a number of causes. It's very unlikely to be related to your flu jab.

Where was the jab? Arm/bum? If it was your bum it is possible to prang the sciatic nerve (would probably have been very painful at the time tho). Pattern of numbness would suggest whether or not that is likely. Might be worth chatting to your GP.

Flu vaccination can be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome - numbness and pins and needles are initial symptoms and this can progress to weakness and pain. It affects limbs and can occasionally be severe. It is a rare complication of flu vaccination but does occur and should be considered with persistent symptoms. It does usually resolve, but because it may progress before it does, it needs to be watched.

You should mention the possibility of this diagnosis to your GP when you see them as it is not always thought of.

Thanks everyone. My jab was in my arm and I've had the jab before with no problems hence having a chat with the docs tomorrow. I'll mention Guillain-Barré syndrome - thanks for the pointer on it.

To put this risk in perspective, the NHS says that the swine flu vaccination program in 2009 produced fewer than two cases of GB syndrome per million doses of vaccine used.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/causes/