Flu vaccination?

[Scout]

Has anyone had any issues with getting the flu vaccination?

I ask only because, when I was at the specialist for my POTS, they asked me if I had the flu shot prior to my initial onset / symptoms. They said they are seeing a potential correlation, and have had some patients either relapse badly after the flu shot, or have symptoms for the first time directly after it. 

I want to make it clear that I am personally pro-vaccination (for those who can get vaccinations, as I know some can't), but I also found it very odd and interesting that two leading specialists at a very renowned hospital, brought it up to me. They also mentioned how Guillain-Barre can occasionally be caused by the vaccination, and how that then can cause a domino effect which can lead to POTS. 

We're coming into flu season where I live, and I am just researching whether to have the shot or not — weighing it all up. I've never had one before. I really will not be able to cope if my POTS and fatigue gets any worse. 

Any feedback very welcome. 

Thank you!

 

[Shepard1]

This is the first I have heard that some medical teams are seeing a pattern emerging.  

I am also pro-vaccination, however stopped having the flu vac back in about 2007  after becoming very ill about 3 months post vaccination.    On my third year of flu vaccination I noticed a correlation with time frames of illness post flu vac.  I don't seem to have a problems with other vaccinations, as a couple of years ago had the whooping cough vaccination with no adverse effects.   So decided to stop yearly flu vax, I felt that my immune system got stressed, leaving me vulnerable to picking up a infection.  

 Since then I have not had any similar illness (pneumonia etc) I have not needed to take antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection for at least 10 years now.

I guess if you have had the flu vax in the past with no issues then that is a bonus.

[Pistol]

I had a flu shot about 8 years back and had a POTS flare immediately after it - I do attribute it to the shot. I haven't had one since. 

[MomtoGiuliana]

I get the flu shot nearly every year--for about 15 years.  I have never noticed a correlation with POTS symptoms.

That said I do wonder if some vaccination might have triggered POTS for me.  I lived in Africa and prior to going and while there had a variety of vaccinations.  It was during that time that I began to notice POTS symptoms (did not know what was going on until severe symptoms occurred 10 yrs later).

I had very severe POTS reaction following B12 shots last year.  My dr was stumped and felt it was a vasovagal reaction simply to having a shot.  Seems really strange to me bc I have had so many other kinds of shots in my life with no reaction like that.

I do think that a variety of triggers can bring on POTS, and it is certainly not well understood.

[Hippopotsamus]

@Shepard1 Interesting that you say it was 3 months till your symptoms hit. It was also about 3 months between my flu shot and my first “dysautonomia type episode”. Went to ER for POTS attack with the HR up and down/hot then chills/teeth chattering stuff. Never had it before that, they thought I was just dehydrated (yup!) and IV fluids resolved it. I am pro-vaccination too, but I think some people are predisposed to dysautonomia then something triggers it. Growing up I had episodes of lightheadedness after standing and in the shower but that was it. 

[JaneEyre9]

Yes, several hours after my flu shot in 2011, I got tingling in the arm of the shot, along with my face and leg of the same side. With that, came a severe flare of my chronic fatigue symptoms which felt like my initial onset of mono - severe sore throat, swollen tonsils, body aches, unrelenting fatigue, and sinus symptoms. This lingered for months, and when I am under stress, I still get the tingling on one side even 7.5 years later. My advice is avoid thimerosal if you do get the shot.

[GLH18]

Does anyone experience Epstein-Barr virus flares?

I am starting to notice a trend every flu season, where my symptoms flare up more. I blamed it on other things but I’m now seeing why it typically always happens in the fall/winter season, when I receive the flu shot.

There was a great article that touched on this, but of course now I can’t find it.

So to answer, yes, the flu shot has some after effects for me. Considering not getting it this year, but not sure if that will be shooting myself in the foot. True conundrum.

[Pistol]

@GLH18 - 

6 hours ago, GLH18 said:

I am starting to notice a trend every flu season, where my symptoms flare up more. I blamed it on other things but I’m now seeing why it typically always happens in the fall/winter season, when I receive the flu shot.

I too get worse every fall - but I do not take the flu shot. I get a flare every October - I always attributed that to the change in weather and barometric pressure. Maybe you are experiencing the same? 

[p8d]

I get the flu shot every year but it has to be a “dead” vaccine not live.  My neurologist told me this and I believe that the flu would be worse for me and make me flare intolerably.  My onset was sudden post-viral, not vaccine related.  I credit the vaccine with me having a very, very mild case of the flu a couple of years ago.  All my able bodied friends that forgo the shot we’re really ill.  I flared for several weeks but not too badly.

[Heartbroken]

I had a flu shot about 16 years a go and had a POTS flare up immediately after it - I stayed in bed for 6 days. I haven't had one since. 

[outofadream]

I've gotten the shot for years without it seeming to have any effect on my POTS symptoms.
The one possible exception was last fall. In retrospect, I think I was coming down sick with a sinus infection/cold the day I got the shot, and didn't realize because I didn't have much in the way of symptoms yet. The night after getting the shot, I spiked up a 101 fever with body aches and generally feeling terrible. I assume my immune system kind of went into overdrive between reacting to the shot and fighting off an illness, and hence the strong reaction. I felt a lot better by the next day (except for the regular cold/sinus infection symptoms, which ran their course about a week later).
The only reason I mention this is because I did notice a worsening in my POTS symptoms around that same time. It's very possible the POTS symptoms were already getting worse (and were completely unrelated to the shot), or it could be that because my immune system was really revved up, that set something off. I have noticed that while minor illnesses and shots don't usually seem to cause me any issues, if I'm sick for an extended period of time or with something more serious, I've sometimes had some weird and erratic symptoms awhile after that.

[Guest KiminOrlando]

I got sick with POTS before ever getting the flu vaccine. Since getting POTS and autoimmune diseases I have started flu vaccines for 15 years. No problems.

[bombsh3ll]

I've never had any problems with vaccines & my POTS onset had no relationship to any. 

I have however had the flu during POTS, it was the year the UK vaccine didn't cover all strains and had a high failure rate, and it was awful. 

You need to consider the impact of having the actual flu when you have dysautonomia. 

B xxx