MS and COVID Booster

[Donna5658]

Just wondering if anyone who is NOT on a disease modifying therapeutic has gotten a COVID booster? If so, did you have any increase in ms symptoms from the booster? Thanks!

[jimeka]

Hi Donna, I am not on a DMT, and I am having my booster on Saturday. I will let you know how I am if it’s not too late for you. I am having Pfizer. 😊

[Donna5658 in reply to jimeka]

Thanks jimeka! I have an appointment for December 7th, so that would be really helpful. It is for Pfizer also. Did you have any ms type reactions to the first two?

[jimeka in reply to Donna5658]

The first was just a sore arm like everyone has, but the second one gave me flu like symptoms. My hubby has told me to be prepared for a couple of rough days with a headache, but I hope not. I will definitely let you know. 👍

[Donna5658 in reply to jimeka]

Hi Jimeka. Just wondering how your booster went? I had mine (Pfizer) on Tuesday and have had about 48 hours of feeling crummy. I think things are beginning to improve as I am getting some energy back.

[jimeka in reply to Donna5658]

Glad it’s over until the next one. Like you I felt off it for about a week. The worst with me was the pain in the hips and thighs, apparently a very common symptom with Pfizer. At least you should be up and running for Christmas 🎄

[Donna5658 in reply to jimeka]

I also had joint pain and significant achiness. Seems like more generalized pain than with either the first or second. Mostly over now.

[BigMar7]

I have been off DMTs for five years and didn’t have any reaction with the Pfizer 3 shots. I had a sore arm with the first shot.

[Donna5658]

Thank you. That is great to hear. Glad you did so well with them. Right after my first and second shots I had some increase in neuropathy, some eye issues (light sensitivity) and extra systolic heart beats that went on for a couple of days. Most symptoms have resolved, but some linger. This makes me a bit cautious about the booster, but I’m sure COVID would be worse.

[Kenu in reply to Donna5658]

I had about the same effects from all three shots. Fatigue, dizziness, aches, sore arm, flu like symptoms. Lasted 3-4 days, kind of a pain but lot better than Covid 👍🏼. Good Luck 🙏👍🏼😉

[Donna5658 in reply to Kenu]

Thanks Kenu! Sounds like you had the usual and expected side effects, which are a pain but which get over with. You must be really relieved to have the booster behind you!

[BlanketTime1 in reply to Donna5658]

Kenu right? i'm allergic to eggs, but after letting the pharmacist know i told him to shoot me up. my egg reaction sucks (pun intended), but it's nowhere near as bad as covid.

[Jtara]

Hello, I ended up with Optic Neuritis after my second shot. It was my introduction to all of this. Still waiting on a diagnosis. Still plan to get booster because COVID would be worse.

[Donna5658 in reply to Jtara]

Thanks Jtara. So sorry to hear about your optic neuritis. Did you lose vision? When you say that it was your introduction to all this, do you mean to ms? Hope you get some resolution of your neuritis soon.

[Jtara in reply to Donna5658]

I had a cloud over my vision in the left eye. Was admitted for testing and IV steroids. Didn’t know there were any other options. I was just scared. My vision has returned for the most part but yes, it brought on all of the testing and follow-up for MS. So glad to have this community here💜

[Donna5658 in reply to Jtara]

Thanks for clarifying. I had optic neuritis with my very first exacerbation of ms. I lost vision in my left eye, but after several months of fluctuating bluriness, my vision pretty much returned to normal. That was 40 years ago and my vision has been fine ever since.(Except now I have cataracts At the time of the exacerbation I also felt extreme heat and numbness down my whole left side. I assumed I was having a stroke even though I was only 32 years old. This was followed by four months of utter exhaustion. My ms has never been as bad as it was during that initial attack. I hope you will have a mild course and that your vision stays normal.

[ahrogers in reply to Jtara]

I read an article about treating optic neuritis with a sodium channel blocker. I bet kdali knows more about it. I would ask about treatment to limit lasting vision problems.

[kdali in reply to ahrogers]

I’ve never been offered it, and I believe it needs to be given early to be effective.

[ahrogers in reply to kdali]

Thanks for replying, I couldn't remember the details

[kdali in reply to ahrogers]

Phenytoin. I would have taken it!

[Amore55]

I have had a booster, and am not on dmt’s. The booster was the easiest shot for me. No increase in ms symptoms with any of them. Good luck!

[Donna5658 in reply to Amore55]

That is great! Thanks for letting me know. Which vaccine did you have?

[Donna5658 in reply to Amore55]

That is great! Thanks for letting me know. Which vaccine did you have?

[Amore55 in reply to Donna5658]

Moderna.

[goatgal]

To reassure you: 81 years old, never on a DMT, RRMS since 2010, mild reaction to 2 doses and 1 booster of Moderna.

[Donna5658 in reply to goatgal]

Thanks for your reply! I will be getting my third Pfizer, so the dose will be the same as the first two. I’m glad your reaction was mild. What a relief to have it done!

[goatgal]

BTW, booster is a smaller dose than the 1st two...and if you get a mild reaction that probably means your immune system recognizes the spike protein in the vaccine and is going to work. Unpleasant, but probably, all in all, a good thing.

[Panda52]

Hi Donna

Not on a DMT and had booster. Had no noticeable change.

Good Luck

[Donna5658 in reply to Panda52]

Thank you! Glad to hear you had a positive experience.