COVID vaccine

[syqian]

Did anyone take COVID vaccine? I’m concerns about the side effects that I might have due to my health conditions. I have been coughing a lot (sometimes continual for 30 minutes) after radiology treatment. I also have lung clots and Low platelets. If you did, which one (Modera or Pfizer) did you take? Do I have option to pick which one or it will be whichever available?

[etpd2226]

Hi thereYes, I’ve taken the Pfizer vaccine a month ago. I was diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC on 6/16/20. The only side effect was some tiredness and a little nausea. But, it’s difficult to know if that was from the vaccine or my immunotherapy Keytruda treatments. I took it because I have more to lose by getting covid then from the possible side effects of the vaccine. My oncologist wanted me to wait for studies to come back for cancer patients but my primary md disagreed as did I.

Everyone is different and must make their own decisions. I wish you the best of luck and pray your cough ceases soon. 😊❤️

[Ncpoet]

I had the Pfizer vaccine and had zero side effects after both shots. I am a survivor of stage 4 lung cancer. I currently have A-fib, Sjogren’s Syndrome,Fibromyalgia and other health concerns. I hope you do as well as I did if you decide to take vaccine.

[Roxie500]

I got the Johnson and Johnson one. I had stage one lung cancer and had a lobectomy in Oct 2020. No chemo or radiation. The shot gave me a horrible headache and fever for a day. But all good now.

[JeanE41]

If you are currently receiving radiation therapy, it would be wise to consult your doctor. He or she would be best qualified to answer your concerns. I had the Pfizer vaccine, both doses. The decision was easy for me because the potential benefits outweighed the risks. I had a lobectomy in 2015 for adenocarcinoma and radiation therapy for a recurrence in June 2020. Though my lung tissue is still healing from the radiation, the risk of further lung damage from Covid was too great. After the first shot I had flu like symptoms for a day, but after the second shot those symptoms lasted three days and the fatigue a little longer. I now am back to my pre vaccine state. Each of us will react differently to the vaccine. The reactions in my building went from mild fatigue to high fever with chills and body aches.

Your best bet is to decide with your doctor, who knows your medical condition best.

Good luck. Stay safe and stay well. Jean

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

I had the Pfizer vaccine. We don’t get to pick which one we get. I only had a sore arm both times and Tylenol eased the ache. Do not take Tylenol, aspirin, etc before the shot.

So far the older you are the fewer side effects. It’s held true in my family. My nieces who work in hospitals both had flulike symptoms for a day or two. Those of us over 60& 70 had nothing but the sore arm.

Do ask your radiologist is you have a question. Call their office today. The nurse will get back to you. Do get your vaccine as soon as you can either way.

[Jenniferroseolson]

I had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. I had no side effects except a sore arm and a little tired after the second dose. My husband had a headache and more tired than I was even though I am the one with stage 4 lung cancer. My anxiety is so much better controlled after being vaccinated. Good luck to you

[syqian]

Thank you everyone for your feedbacks. Sorry for the late reply since I had an emergency and was hospitalized for couple days. I have PE that resulted from tumors, so I used blood thinner for anticoagulation, which caused bleeding. I've consulted an oncologist and hematologist, who suggested I should treat tumors to shrink the clots in the lung. He has ordered an DNA test for me. The test is provided by a company called Guardant Health Inc. It costs $5K for a cash pay patient. I wondered if there was any organization that could provide financial assistant to a foreigner? It is not safe for me to travel, but having cancer treatments in the US would be very expensive without insurance here..