Hi everyone - I was just wondering if anyone else suffers really badly after having the flu vaccine. I know it’s not a live vaccine and therefore should only have mild side effects of any. But I stopped having it because it made me feel so unwell afterwards. With everything going on this year I decided to have it again - and again I feel awful. I was thinking this is result of activating my immune system and causing my MS to flare.
Anyone else had the same problem? 
Hi, no I am always fine with the flu jab.
Boudsx
Hi Woodzy, this is my first day on this website never done this before so bare with me. Like yourself I’m having a bad reaction to the flu vaccine I had it 2 weeks ago for the first time due to covid. What are your symptoms? After the vaccine I had pins and in my left foot which has now spread to both legs, arms, fingers and under carriage and face. It feels cold and a stinging pin prick sensation with the pins and needles. My ms nurse said it could be a post vaccine reaction. Hoping it settles soon. How are you today?
Hi Woodzy I did reply earlier to your post re’ flu vaccine but it’s my first day on here and I’m all over the place not sure if you received it? thanks Capel Hendre69
Same as Bouds, have flu jab every year since 2018, up to and including 2020, no issues at all.
Hi Woodzy, I’ve had it twice now, other than tenderness for a few weeks at the site of the injection,no side effects. I always take a couple paracetamol after the jab though.
I’ve been jabbed for about 6 years, only had one year when my arm felt really battered for two days. Other than that never had any problems.
I’ve had it for five years now without even a sore arm!
I’m glad you’ve all mostly been ok but could anyone shed a light on why I’ve got pins and needles since my flu jab? please I’m worried. thank you. Capel
Hi Woodzy, welcome to the Forums, you’ve done fine so don’t worry about posts, where they go etc.
So many aged 60 plus have the flu jab regularly, with no effects whatsoever, but, as with all meds, there can be side effects.
Some have a very sore arm for a few days, I usually have a huge red lump appear if a GP gives me a flu jab, but not so bad if a gentle nurse does it.
I’m not sure, but the description of your reaction sounds very much like an MS symptom, and may be a coincidence that the rash, itching etc, just happened close to the time of your first flu jab.
In your. circumstances, I’d be tempted to call your MS nurse or Neuro Consultant.
I doubt these reactions are to do with the normal flu jab, but what you describe really is a symptom.
It’s a minefield to get out heads around it all, which is why this forum is so good! We let off steam, rant & race but no-one judges us, ever.
Good luck Woodzy, please keep posting, jump in on other threads where & when you like. There’s always support, and help from someone. One day, you’ll help or advise someone too!
Take care of YOU first, keep posting.
Chrissie x
Good morning all I’m afraid it’s me again I was diagnosed in 2001 I had pins and needles, bladder issues and facial pins and needles which eventually settled leaving the tips of my fingers with constant pins and. Recently I’ve had a surge of uti’s and I’m waiting to see the urologist. 2 weeks ago I received my first flu vaccine I had finished a course of antibiotics the week before for an uti and the nurse said it should be fine to have the vaccine. About 3 hours later I started getting pins and needles in my left leg which spread to my right then my arms, face and under carriage, I’m experiencing stinging pin pricks heat, some pain etc I rang my ms nurse she said to get another uti test I’m waiting for the results. I’m trying not to stress my ms nurse said it could be a post vaccine reaction??? I am worried and hoping it will eventually settle. Is there anyone out there that maybe can give me some advice or who have similar experiences or anything I would be so grateful. Thank you. Capel Hendre 69
I’ve had jab 6 years now and never had a reaction, just sore arm, but this year 3 days after jab my sinuses flared up. I didn’t have an infection but had to take antibiotics as a precaution, along with steroid nasal spray, 6 weeks of horrible pain and then it went away, GP was unsure if it caused by flu jab but was baffled there was no infection, said probably MS playing up but wouldn’t rule out flu jab.
thank you Lulu001 I can’t stop stressing over it
I have had flu jag past few years, was fine. More nervous about covid vaccine, I work in a care home so apparently we are getting it soon, obviously want it, as i did catch covid back in April and I was a bit poorly but really nervous incase it doesnt agree with me or has bad side affects.
I work in a secondary school I feel the same as you about this new vaccine I really am not sure about it’s safety speak to your neurolagist.
Hi Capel, my earlier response was to Woodsy who began this thread.
I’ve realised the same or very similar applies to you too Capel.
The worry & stresses you’re going through isn’t helping but most of us get in a state over different reactions.
MS nurses & MS staff don’t fully explain other issues outside of MS. Likewise, GPS & Pharmacists don’t understand M.S and its various symptoms.
It seems from answers so far are that Most flu jabs have little or no serious side effects. It’s so easy for any medical person to hurriedly answer "side effect of flu jab or to say it falls under your MS umbrella.r
i truly believe the itching, the rash etc you’re describing is nothing to do with the flu jab. You are describing the same thing I had, 4 or 5 times. My feet began to feel hot, itch like crazy & very red. It spread to my shins & calves too. Pharmacist have me anti histamine & said I must have been bitten by an insect. If that happened close to a flu jab, I bet it’d be considered a reaction.
It all really depends on how you feel in yourself. Is the rash, redness & itching a big problem right now? If so, maybe phone your GP and insist that someone helps you today.
Good luck, let us know how you go on and carry on posting. Take care & stay safe.
Chrissie
I had it years ago and it made me really ill, I’d rather have had the flu. I have it the benefit of the doubt and had it a year later. This time it gave me a migraine from hell that lasted three days. Never again!