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Ulcerative Colitis flare from flu shot?
I’ve had UC for 3 years and finally reached remission for 13 months on Entyvio infusions. All other treatments had failed (oral and rectal mesalamine, oral and rectal budesonide. Oral prednisone was an effective bridge while transitioning to Entyvio. Remission started shortly after the loading doses. Also started a plant based diet at that time. I was doing great- even annual colonoscopy showed significant mucosal lining healing! Life was good and I was optimistic and hopeful for the first time in a long time (far cry from “fulminant” diagnosis in June 2019. Last Friday I had my annual flu shot and within 24 hours, I’m in a bloody flare after 13 months of remission!!! Nothing else has changed! GI doc has ordered blood and stool labs and I am devastated to be back in this all too familiar hell. I’ve read that there have been cases of people with UC flaring after getting a flu shot. I had never heard that and right now I just need some advice, support, hope.... Anyone ever had this experience??? Thanks!
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Not wanting to take meds for lymphocytic colitis as side effects not worth it. I’ve had this five years noticing my anxiety and nerves has a lot to do with it. Years ago given meds to “calm” my colon but those meds made me foggy. Today no meds; but find 4 to 5 trips to bathroom a day with diarrhea stools is tolerable. No raw veggies so drink V8 for veggie nutrition. Taking Imodium in morning as told by Mayo. Nerves and anxiety so crucial. That’s me.
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I have type A personality….it is part of the colitis.
Taking Lomotil in am and pepto Bismo at night also.
As needed…..
Yes, I too have had painful & other negative reactions to Flu Vaccines. In Fall of 2014 I had a Flu/Pneumonia shot. 1st the injection spot became hot & inflamed. Within 24 hr.s a hard painful lump appeared. I called the Dr., they told me to ice it. As the swelling subsided a tingling sensation went down my arm to my hand & up to my shoulder ... gradually spreading into my torso & within a week or 10 days everything from my left fingers to my left ear & from my sternum to my backbone, down to my waist ached. I was essentially racked with Pain & Paralyzed thru-out that whole quadrant of my body. Couldn't roll over in bed at night without PAIN. Had trouble getting in & out of a car, had to use my right hand to fasten a seatbelt, & the pain was so severe at times it would bring tears to my eyes. Finally I went to my GP (Dr.). She told me to try taking 2 full dose aspirin & see if that would alleviate any of the pain. If Not, go up to 3 pills. AS Soon as the pain begins to Reoccur, take aspirin again. Check back with me if that doesn't help ... when we've made progress knocking down the pain, you'll taper off until the pain is gone. It took 6-8 weeks alternating between aspirin, Aleve, Tylonol, & Excedrin to 'kill the Pain'. Because of the amount of time it took the muscles on the left side of my body had become weak so she sent my to Physical Therapy to rebuild strength & mobility.
Need I say, It's On My Medical Record "NO More Annual Flu Vacinatations."
Not a flu shot that started me having a diagnosis and symptoms of microscopic colitis but rather a topical prescription for Flourouracil to treat skin cancer. After 5 days of use, I started with the frequent watery diarrhea several times a day which I never had before. And it hasn’t stopped. Dr won’t believe it was all started with the Flourouracil but I know it was. Autoimmune issues connected.