Vaccine side effects

[ilos]

I had my first dose of the Astrazenaca vaccine and the side effects were really severe. I'm waiting to speak to my GP to decide if it's advisable to have a second one given that the second dose produces worse side effects. All the official information says that side effects are mild but looking online at the less common ones they are pretty bad and I had all of them bar one. It was 18 hours of sheer hell followed by a week of slowly getting better. I have heard of two other people who had a miserable time of it and one was a young nurse. Anyone else who has suffered like this?

[2greys]

I had the AstraZeneca one yesterday at 9:20 am, I did not feel it going in and and still feel fine today other than an ache at the site.

[sassy59]

My husband Pete had no reaction other than feeling a little warm overnight. Good idea to speak to your GP. Xxx

[wheezyof]

Poor you! I've been there with bad reactions to drugs but luckily no reaction from the Astrozenica vaccine, so far. Had it friday.

When you see how ill prescribed drugs can make some people it makes you wonder why so many people take recreational drugs.

I hope you make a full recovery soon xx

[Annie31]

My daughter's friend who has two severe underlying conditions and quite used to feeling very poorly with frequent hospitalizations, thought she was going to die Saturday night! She is 31 years old! She's feeling a little better but she's contemplating not having the second dose now and will be discussing with her consultant whether to have it or not. My daughter, who also has the same underlying condition, can't have it because she's in the middle of IVF treatment - said she's relieved at not having to make that decision given how her friend reacted. It's a strange quirk indeed as to how this reacts with different people.

[ilos in reply to Annie31]

It is really important that these cases are reported to the NHS Yellow ticket scheme.

[Annie31 in reply to ilos]

Done! Her husband is an officer in the Army so right on the ball. Even had him worried and he's seen her at her worst before, she said the fever was awful!

[RoadRunner44]

Yes,you are ot alone in having a bad reaction to the vaccine. So did I. As you say, mostly there are very few side effects for the majority of people. I had diarrhoea, sickness, headache, aches and pains and neuropathy in hands and feet. I was ill for 3 days and it took another two to fully recover. I finally woke up on the 5th day and had no symptoms at all and I am fine now. I was worried at the time but as the side effects were listed on a sheet given to me I just decided to go with it as, unfortunately some people will always experience more side effects than others.There have been others I know who have had similar reaction to the vaccs. but have soon recovered. It being a temporary inconvenience. I have been told when there is a strong reaction like this it demonstrates our immune system is working well.

My GP has asked me to list the side effects I had and the details of my recovery time and will add them to my medical notes.

In the broader picture I think we have to try to beat this Virus in any way possible and if it means some of us will experience some unpleasant side effects of the vaccine then its a small price to pay.

Hopefully you are fully recovered now.

Cheers.

Cx

[ilos in reply to RoadRunner44]

Thanks for writing so fully about your experience. I do wonder if not enough people report their side effects for the medics to fully recognise them. I put in a report to the yellow ticket scheme- the NHS site, but I wonder how many actually do this. If we don't tell them they cannot know. The worst of my symptoms were shooting pains in my head, nausea and awful pains in my stomach and chest, like the worst indigestion ever.

[Poppins23 in reply to RoadRunner44]

Curiously enough I had mine on Saturday and it triggered a bout of neuropathy in my left arm and shoulder. I also had slight flu like symptoms but nothing a couple of doses of paracetamol couldn’t sort. 48 hours on no symptoms other than slight pins and needles in my fingers. The long term gain definitely outweighs the mild discomfort I had but I do know others had more extreme reactions.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Poppins23]

Actually I still have some pins and needles in my hands and arms although I'm sure they will eventually disappear. As most people had minor symptoms I was reluctant to mention my side effects at first. I was concerned it may put some people off having the vaccination which is the only way to beat the Virus and lead us out of this pandemic However, it is probably best not to hide data like this either. The scientists and powers that be need honest feedback from all of us to help them with their continued research.

Cheers

Cx

[ilos in reply to RoadRunner44]

I had one side effect that is not mentioned in the literature- my lower right arm was really cold and I couldn't get it warm.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to ilos]

How long was it before your arm came back to normal?

[ilos in reply to RoadRunner44]

All my extreme symptoms lasted about 18 hours from onset, which was 10 hours after the injection. Once I managed to sleep I slowly started to improve but I'm still not great 10 days later. People say that it's worth being ill for a while for the sake of the protection and I suppose it is but those 18 hours were so horrific....

[RoadRunner44 in reply to ilos]

Oh don't I know! Perhaps if they decide to give us the Pfizer as the second jab it may not cause such a reaction. I read somewhere they were considering doing this.

[ilos in reply to RoadRunner44]

I think that there is some evidence to suggest that mixing vaccines may offer more protection. (This from experience of other vaccines). The GP I spoke to also said that this may be necessary anyway depending on the supply situation and in order to keep up with the schedule. ie. They have to inject people with whatever turns up on the day and that isn't known in advance.

[Kristicats in reply to RoadRunner44]

Which one did you have?

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Kristicats]

Astra Zenica.

[madonbrew]

I felt pretty poorly...I had a temperature 🤒 and no energy at all for 3 days, slept 3 days nearly straight out. Muscle weakness and generally feeling really unwell.

I’ve not been feeling well for some time before and didn’t know if it was a continuation of not feeling well or the vaccine. After 3 days I felt better but if it had continued I would have definitely felt like I needed more medical care.

[ilos in reply to madonbrew]

Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Did you report your experience to your GP?

[madonbrew in reply to ilos]

I reported them via the yellow card.

[CDPO16 in reply to madonbrew]

I tried several times to report my side effects on the yellow card system and could not get it to work.

[ilos in reply to CDPO16]

I'd urge you to get your doctor's surgery to do it for you. Mine did.

[CDPO16 in reply to ilos]

My surgery would not do the same but I'm not overly concerned as the side effects I had were all listed on the information sheet I was given. I do think, however, that it's worth people reporting the more unusual side effects so that a comprehensive list can be formulated over time.

[cofdrop-UK]

Yes I had a reaction to AZ. Felt nauseous straight after which faded. Next day temp 37.8 (but felt as I do when temp is higher), nauseous, fatigued, no appetite, runs-just very unwell. Had it on Thurs and by Monday I felt like my normal.

I didn’t report it as all these things are on the side effects which you can expect, although I will have to speak to gp in any event as I didn’t get a card with the batch no on it.

Interesting your comment on effects being worse with 2nd jab. I have not heard this, although when I had a much worse reaction to the pneumonia jab I was advised never to have it again.

Still feel a few days feeling rough is a better option than having covid.

Love cx

[peege in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Same here Cof and same sentiments. I'd not mind going through that in order to get vaccination. Had AZ 5pm on 3rd. Fever 38° for 48 hours, all flu-like symptoms lifted about 53 hours post jab, good to know my body wax working overtime making antibodies. Our friend down south took longer. Mind you I had similar reactions after my very first flu jab & also the pneumonia jab. Hope you get that card & batch no xxx P

[corriena]

Yes i had mine on friday felt awful spent two days in bed and today on the sofa watching the snow still feel tired and achie 🤒 but it will pass

[Kristicats]

Yes I suffered !

around 6 hours after the Astra Jab ( don’t usually with. The flue jab etc )

I became VERY cold and shakey , could not stop my teeth chattering . Sever rib pain and had a temperature of 38.7 for 24 hours . Absolutely fine since🤷‍♀️

It’s been said that a reaction shows the vaccine is working and your body is too.

I took it as a good sign .

[Hollyjt in reply to Kristicats]

Had the very same reaction as you. Slept for 3days fine after. Holly

[Pippy36]

I had the Pfizer vaccine 8 days ago and apart from arm aching a little following day had no other problems until this weekend - over a week later! Woke up with my arm feeling very itchy and hot, enough to keep me from going back to sleep. Following day it was still hot, itching and quite pink. It was so diffilcult not to scratch! This lasted all day and was like it when I went to bed. So pleased to say it was much better when I woke up today. Still a bit pink but only slightly hot and itchy.

Checked with GP today and she said reaction can happen a while after having the jab and I wasn't the only only the only one that it happened to.

[johnderby]

I had AstraZenca 9 days ago and apart from a slightly sore arm, no problems.

[Superzob]

I tend to agree with RoadRunner44 that a bad reaction to the vaccine may be indicative of a good immune response. It might also mean that you have had asymptomatic COVID and you already have antibodies to the vaccine.

Given that the medical profession are now considering withdrawing the second dose from those with previous COVID infection (because they already have antibodies and the vaccine is simply boosting what is already there), there may be a case for arguing that you don't need the second dose as your response is similar - but you would need to discuss that with a medical professional.

[ilos in reply to Superzob]

This is interesting. I thought I was reasonably up to date with Covid news and I haven't come across the idea that no second dose is needed for people who have had the virus already. I spoke to the doctor this morning and she did not mention it. I have been shielding since March 2020 and I live alone so I think it unlikely that I have had it. The doctor's best suggestion was that I try a different vaccine for the second dose.

[Superzob in reply to ilos]

Just to clarify, the issue of not needing a second dose if you've already had the virus is under consideration at the moment, but there has been no final decision on that yet. I agree that it seems unlikely that you would have had the virus, so maybe a different vaccine for the booster might be an option, but that hasn't yet been approved because the trials have not been completed.

[ilos in reply to Superzob]

The GP I spoke to today advised me to go for a different vaccine if I decided to get a second dose. She even said that is what they will be forced to do anyway depending what the supply situation is! They don't say that on the news do they?

[lewicki in reply to ilos]

Had mine yesterday after noon. Slight discomfort at injection location. Was a little tired this morning and took a half hour nap. Wife did it and has pretty much the same. So far no big deal.

[ilos in reply to lewicki]

You are among the 99% of people who have little or no side effects. You are fortunate.

[Wrighty2018]

Wow interesting read . I had Pfizer and immediately felt nauseous but not really bad. I was injected on the left side and my left sinus felt a little blocked then around 4 hours later my left side of my chest felt slightly tight - I decided to steam and take my inhaler which gave me some relief . The following morning my sinus was unblocked but my chest on one side tight so I steamed again and took inhaler then a few hours later I felt fine -TBH it scared me and I started to feel upset that I had the jab... I've had cramps in arms and legs on and off too ( lasted around 9 days). The strange thing was a week later I felt so depressed and wanted to stay in bed (like a 24hour downer) .. the following day I was back to normal ?! Not reported to my Dr as the Reception team make it so hard to book time with the GP. Now feel a little anxious about getting the second dose . 🙃👍👍

[ilos in reply to Wrighty2018]

The side effects of the second dose are ususally worse so, like you, I'm scared too. It might be worth reporting your symptoms via the yellow card scheme which you can do online especially since some of yours are not on the list. If we don't tell them they can't know. My surgery has a nurse clinician who can listen and advise and add these things on to your record without the need to take up a doctor's appointment. Thanks for writing.

[CDPO16 in reply to ilos]

There isn't enough data yet to know whether side effects from the second dose are less or more according to a recent Q&A session with one of the Oxford scientists.

[ninelives]

Had first dose of Oxford vaccine 8 days ago.Still feeling rough -joints burning ,breathing worse than usual ,nausea and diarrhoea combined with the headache from hell.

So pleased am not at work.

Hope to feel back to being a member of the human race soon.

Am grateful to have had the jab ,but unsure whether will be able to have the booster in 12 weeks.

[ilos in reply to ninelives]

Please report your experience through the NHS yellow card scheme. Unless we tell them they can't know. Second dose is usually much worse so try to get your GP's advice. I'm glad that I posted about what I went through. At least I know I'm not the only one affected like this.

[ninelives in reply to ilos]

Will do.Stay safe and well

[benimev]

I had my first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine on 21/1/21. The first week l was incredibly ill and l couldn't eat or drink. I lost so much weight. The second week l improved however, two months later, l still have some reaction symptoms. Doctors have taken blood twice and urine samples, but nothing shows up. So why do l feel like l'm coming down with flu or a virus everyday! It usually starts mid afternoon and l cant get warm. My temperature drops to 35c usually in the evening.and that's my day over with. I have to rest for the remainder of the day. If l dont, l'm twice as bad the next day, which prevents me from working. All this has been Yellow Card reported.I'm now facing x rays and a further hospital visit to establish what's wrong with me. This all started 10 hours after being vaccinated. Prior to this, l was fit and healthy. So you can guess where they can shove their second vaccine dose!

[ilos in reply to benimev]

I have heard of quite a few people now who had a torrid time of it with the first dose of the Oxford vaccine, yet all the governments and the medics say is that, "It's generally well tolerated." Except for those of us where it isn't!

[Ramy22]

I had a horrid reaction to the first jab .... it won’t stop me having the second. W

[CDPO16 in reply to Ramy22]

Me too. Better than how we might be if we caught covid.

[Ramy22 in reply to CDPO16]

Absolutely! Hope you’re OK!

[CDPO16 in reply to Ramy22]

Was unwell for about 2 weeks, now 3 weeks post vaccine and back to my usual rubbishy feeling! Hope you are doing ok too.

[Metal-legs]

Was just wondering Ilos if you have had your second covid vaccine?I was hospitalised after my first Astrazeneca, now under alot of pressure from consultants to have a second before the winter. Its a dilemma?

[ilos in reply to Metal-legs]

It is a dilemma and no, I didn't have the second vaccination. Even the prospect of having the Pfizer vaccine instead doesn't appeal. I have a friend who is 82 and she had the Astra for her first two with no problem. She has just had the Pfizer as a booster and been very ill indeed. What is difficult is the lack of information (or even acknowledgement) from the authorities about bad side effects. It makes you feel so alone with the problem. I suppose I'm hoping that the scientists will come up with either a medicine to treat the disease or a vaccine that is gentler in its effects. Best wishes.

[Metal-legs in reply to ilos]

Thank you so much for your reply, I too feel so alone with this. The pfizer booster sounds even more potent than the second pfizer.Yes there is a complete lack of info and acknowledgement from the doctors, I have two consultants now pressurising me to have another vaccine as I have rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis which makes me highly vulnerable but I just wish they would be more understanding and offer me a much smaller dose as it caused a massive immune response. There doesn't see to be any in between, you either take it or you don't. Hope you keep safe and protected.

[ilos in reply to Metal-legs]

I had to smile (gallows humour) that you are lucky enough to have two consultants looking after you. Since moving from London to a remote part of Cornwall the only attention I get for my severe emphysema is an occasional review with a pulmonary nurse -not even a spirometry test, or a telephone coversation with a GP if I'm lucky enough to get a place in the 20 place queue between 8am and the list being full at 8.20am. You can't pre book an appointment. I miss the pulmonary rehab that used to happen once a year and then the trainer led gym sessions set up by the local health authority, then the concessionary disabled gym membership. This all helped my Fibromyalgia and osteo arthritis too.

What I had meant to say to you before getting on my soapbox was that quite simply doctors don't know. I've had 2 GPs advise me (over the phone) that I shouldn't have a second dose of the Astra Zenaca and that I have to decide for myself about anything else.

Above anything it may come down to personal circumstances. I have no family so no reason to have people visit indoors. The two most pleasurable social activities I do are horse riding and community gardening so outdoors and socially distant.. There are plenty of nice places to go out for a meal outside in order to see friends. I miss the other ladies in my rag rugging group but that's about it. Your situation may be quite different.

Don't let them do it to you.

Very best wishes