Covid vaccine and sciatica

[Buddly]

Hello all,

My first time posting here so hope I’ve done it right. I had my first astra Zeneca vaccination yesterday and immediately had a headache and last night a slight fever, but today nothing. But my sciatica pain yesterday evening and all night has been worse that ever, literally climbing the walls. I took paracetamol as advised for the slight fever so was worried about taking anything else for the pain. I’ve tried to find out on internet but there’s not much except one site which mentioned inflammation which makes sense. Does anyone know about the vaccination causing problems with sciatica or have experience of it. Also read that the second dose can give more side effects so not looking forward to that as yesterday was unbearable. Would it be ok to have some ibubrofen after taking paracetamol (4hrs.ago)

Thanks.

[Lynne-H]

Yes I think you`d be fine with that. According to the NHS Website you can take paracetomol and ibuprofen either together or spaced apart.

Hope you soon feel better.

[Bevvy]

No problem with taking alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen. Ibuprofen will calm down any inflammation. You should contact your gp to advise of symptoms. I have never heard of this reaction and I too have chronic sciatica. New/unusual reactions gp needs to report.As an aside most people (myself included) are not finding 2nd injection gives increase of side effects. I had far fewer issues and didn’t even need pain killers unlike 1st jab.

[Hidden]

Please contact your GP immediately as you don’t want to risk it. I have heard of existing pain being aggravated by Pfizer vaccine but not AstraZeneca.

[Poniente]

Thanks for your replies. Good news about the 2nd jab being ok👍

[Poniente]

Ooops, wrote in the wrong place, replied to myself 🙄

[cyberbarn]

As others have said taking ibuprofen and paracetamol together is fine, in fact the sum of the two can be better than either of them on their own.

Everyone's immune system is different. It is the body system that varies the most across people, so you can't really go by how it works for others. My son and I both have a condition that causes pain, and we both had the OAZ vaccine at the same time. He had a reaction, I had nothing, not even a sore arm.

With paracetamol, it works better if you start taking it the day before, and keep taking it for the recommended dose, four times in 24 hours. Paracetamol has a cumulative effect. So if you aren't already taking it that way, do so for the next vaccine just in case you get a reaction. Start taking paracetamol a couple days before hand and a few days after, and that may well help with any increased pain.

[Trenholm]

Nurse told me worst side effects are with the first jab of AstraZeneca but worst ones with first Pfizer. You can take Ibuprofen alongside paracetamol.

[rabbits65]

Just read your post about your sciatica being worse after the Astra Zeneca vaccine . So too has my sciatica been worse since my 2nd vac , I didn’t realise the connection till I read your post . Not sure we can do very much about it. I’m hoping it gets better.

[AILSAJ26]

Hi,after the first two astrazeneka covid jabs I had a reaction. Each time it was a form of parathesis that passed quite quickly however after the 3rd jab I gradually developed a terrible bout of sciatica,the worst pain I have ever endured. It took 6 months of my life away.,Luckily I was able to sleep at night in preparation for the day ahead. I had never suffered from sciatica before and once I recovered ,with a few physio sessions,I have not had a recurrence,thank goodness., That was 12 months ago. Nothing would entice me to have furthers jabs,.