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Rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral neurological problems

Posted by blight1969 @blight1969, May 8, 2021

I am only on tramadol and gabapentin for my conditions i dont know if it would be safe for me to receive the covid shots i need answers on what one would be safe i also have severe bone destruction going on and was told i have a autoimmune disease i also have osteoarthritis, and possible more types working on al this i haveperipheral neuropathy, upper extremities and cubital neuropathy and possibly more types im learning also a heart defect which i had a previous heart attack, high blood pressure also high cholesterol levels i just really need answers if it would be safe for me to receive these shots right now

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 8, 2021

@blight1969 it sounds like you have a lot going on health-wise. What autoimmune disease do you have? I’m guessing it’s the neuropathy. I, too, have an autoimmune disease and I’m on lots of medications. No studies have been done on the vaccine and every disease. My doctors were in agreement that I needed to have the vaccine. What have your doctors advised you to do?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 8, 2021

Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of people living with a wide variety of conditions, who share our journeys and try to help one another along the way. We share our experiences, and talk about treatments or therapies that have worked or not for us. We are not medical professionals, so we don't give medical advice, but maybe can share the questions to pursue help from your own providers.

There have been many discussions on Connect about whether those with peripheral neuropathy, autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions should receive the Covid vaccine.
Here is the most current guidance directly from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/underlying-conditions.html and Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine#:~:text=Mayo%20Clinic%20experts%20agree%3A%20You,guidance%20from%20public%20health%20officials

Some people have reported reactions to the shot, most are considered evidence that the immune system is responding as it should to the vaccine. Some reactions seem to linger for a time - I had an inflammatory reaction, it lasted for a few weeks. But given my underlying health conditions I am at high risk of severe illness if I contract the virus - and I wanted to get back into the community, and be with people, so I figure the discomfort was worthwhile.

Prevailing medical advice is to get vaccinated unless your doctors specifically tell you not to do it. With underlying conditions, you are much more susceptible to sever Covid infection, which can lead to long-lasting aftereffects. Something else to consider is that the vaccines seem to provide a pretty good level of protection against the current variants, which are making people with underlying conditions, even young people, very sick.

In your place, I would ask my doctors what they recommend and follow their advice.

Sue

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