I had a Pfizer covid jab on Thursday. Too young really but my GP pushed me through due to the fact that i am on steroids. Currently on 9mg and was planning to drop to 8.5mg today.
I have generally been ok with very mild discomfort in both my upper arms only, albeit most of the day, plus stiffness in my hands first thing.
However from Saturday onwards my upper left arm (where i had the jab) has been worse than useless. Cannot raise my arm in certain directions at all. Cant put on on a shirt or coat without all sorts of contortions and pain. Right arm as per normal. In other regards feel fine.
I am kind of thinking this is a post jab reaction only as opposed to a flare. Then again i don't really know what a flare feels like. So not sure whether to stick or twist on increasing steroids or waiting to see if it goes away ?
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NickWarwick
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If it’s just the jab arm, I’d point to the vaccine, especially as it is such a common reaction. I know quite a few people in the village who have had the vaccine and day 2-3 seemed to be the time side effects really kicked in, they all had the Pfizer. My father-in -law and neighbour were the same; thought they’d ‘got away with it’ and a couple of days later, bang. None of them have PMR. If you feel ok in other respects I’d hold on the Pred if it was me.
The inability to raise your arm sounds a bit suspicious and flare-like to me. I wouldn’t be reducing and if it spreads I might consider going up by 5 mgs for a week or so and then straight back down to your original dose. This can nip a flare in the bud quite effectively.
I'd be inclined to speak to your doctor because if it is this I imagine you need speedy management and the person who did the jab needs some retraining ...
My vaccinated arm felt very similar to the way you describe yours. It took a week to feel completely normal. I think the fact it is only in one arm negates the possibility of a flare, as a flare would be bilateral.
I have had the same problem , Astro zenca jab 4 weeks ago, took pain relief and didn’t work, took extra pred and it has helped but thought better call GP and as soon as I said to receptionist that looks like jab causing problem, she said hold the line, came a couple of minutes later and said physiotherapist will ring me Wednesday to discuss in detail, so will let you know what the outcome is.
Although I've not experienced the same myself after covid jab I do know quite a few people who have.....people who are healthy with no underlying conditions. The post jab leaflet I was given also states quite clearly that stiffness and some immobility is possible with some people for a few days after the jab. The injection is intra muscular and will therefore cause 'irritation' and varying degrees of reaction in different individuals.
I think i will sit tight for a few more days and see what happens. Seems a wee bit better this morning.
My sense is that my upper arms are my Achilles heel ironically, so that's were i have most of my problems. I guess the jab in that immediate area has been the issue.
I had very similar symptoms with my arm, I couldn’t understand why the injection site had caused so much pain and discomfort. My husband was fine , and I’m not one to dwell on pain .
It went after several days . I think it’s probably due our biceps muscles being sensitive to inflammation from PMR.
A few days later I developed a rash on my face and swollen sublingual glands.
I’ve filled in the details on the yellow card side effects report online.
I’m thankful to have had the first dose but it seems to have started a flare .
Mind you, lots of unavoidable stress going on , so could be that .
I was sure the PMR had gone , but unfortunately not .
I had a telephone consult today with physiotherapist regarding my arm over COVID jab, not been able to lift it above head high or lay on it at night, he said there a a number of people same problem, he said when they inject the vaccine the muscle in the arm reacts to it and goes into spasm, so he said heat is best to release the spasm and massage. So hot water bottle as hot as you can tolerate twice a day. Then in between get a small amount of oil either baby or cooking and gently massage the area downwards towards elbow. He said it could take up to 3weeks for spasm to release. Hope this helps. It’s worth a try, if it doesn’t work then I have to contact him again.
Reassuringly my left upper arm seems to have perked up quite a lot, but days 2-4 after the jab were grim.
Not sure if they can inject the second dose (whenever that is) in a different place. I will definitely suggest it as my upper arms are the only real problem area I have at the moment.
Physio said just tell them you have had a problem and there is no reason we can’t have second jab even if we have in other arm, I think the jab must have been slightly off where it should go in muscle, but we still here so a bit of discomfort if for a few weeks I can suffer that as long as it goes in due course. Stay safe
The main problem that causes it is placing the injection too high on the deltoid muscle. Apparently it is easier to get it right if both the patients and the vaccinator are seated ...
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