Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hi guys,
So I took my first 10mg weekly dose of MTC last Friday. All seemed to go ok, although I was a bit worn out on Sunday. On Monday, per my Rheumatologist's instructions, I went and got 2 vaccinations - a Tdap booster and what should have been the PCV 13 pneumococcal vaccine. My doctor's office decided I should get the PPSV23 instead (which I was supposed to get in two months as a booster) because I'm not over 65. I don't think this is a huge deal, but wanted to put the information out there.
Last night after work I felt feverish - was wearing a sweatshirt inside when it was 85 degrees outside - and now I've woken up with a fever of 100.3. Does anyone know if there could be correlation between the MTX and the vaccines? I'm not freaked out but I will be calling the doctor's office in the morning. The thing is, outside of typical fever aches and pains, I don't feel sick.
Should I be concerned?
Thanks,
Mike
Lovely.
Studies show that immunosuppressed people underutilize vaccines.....and probably with good reason. Some of us have found they exacerbate our RA.
http://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/immunizations-and-autoimmune-disease/
Frankly, I don't think anyone, whether on immunusuppressants or not, should subject their bodies to that many vaccines in one day.
About the Tdap: I got it about 15 years ago in the arm. The next day my leg was swollen to about two times its normal size. The internist who gave it to me and the CDC said it wasn't the Tdap. I was on my way to Guillain Barre Syndrome. Now they recognize that some people have this kind of reaction. Took almost two months on Lasix to flush it out of my system.
I also shy away from flu shots. Went into big flare after the injection.
I'll bet your fever is your body's way of saying "TOO MUCH!"
If it's any consolation, the first year is the hardest.
I can get back on the MTX so long as my fever is gone (or below 100). I guess I am ok with that. Lots of ice on the area because it is very hard and very red and sore. The red streaks are not as much of a concern with the CBC looking good. Still, what a royal pain. Another day of missing work because of this. I am learning that now that I have a diagnosis and am being treated, there are lots of things that can set these reactions off. I need to go grab a bubble suit.
At least you haven't lost your sense of humor and that's great!