Reactions after 1st Pfizer vaccine while taking t... - PMRGCAuk

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Reactions after 1st Pfizer vaccine while taking tocilizumab for GCA

Frenchduck profile image
5 Replies

This is just to let others in a similar situation know that I had my first Pfizer vaccine 11 days ago (a week past Friday). My tocilizumab injection was due the next day but was put off for another 3 days. I had no reaction whatsoever to the vaccine for the 4 days that followed. All I had was a small black bruise on my arm which was barely sore. I thought I had got off scot free but at the same time was worried in case it hadn't worked!

The day after my tocilizumab jab I suddenly felt dizzy in the evening about 2130. This was 5 days after the vaccine. My husband had to help me to the bathroom then into bed and I had the "sick dish" at my side as the nausea was so bad. It was a very unpleasant feeling but I lay still and after several hours it passed and I went to sleep. For the next 3 days I was more tired than usual and just took it easy. This brings me to Sunday when I woke up with a sore throat. It was mild and was gone by the afternoon. Yesterday and today I felt back to normal. I had another TLZ an hour ago so it remains to be seen if I am going to be fine from now on.

I'm hoping that the dizziness, nausea, tiredness and sore throat were due to the vaccine. From past experience of vaccines it usual takes several days for my body to show a response. I wonder if anyone else has a similar story to tell?

In France they are sticking with the 3 week gap between the two doses so my next one will be 24 March.

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Frenchduck
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5 Replies
Chrisellie profile image
Chrisellie

Very interesting.Look after yourself.

christine2715 profile image
christine2715

I am on Tocilizumab and I have had the vaccine with no problems at all. I think you can get the sort of thing you describe as a reaction to the vaccine. I took the Oxford jab. Hope you are now better.

Frenchduck profile image
Frenchduck

Okay, I'll watch this space. Thank you.

Frenchduck profile image
Frenchduck

Is that your own decision or doctor's advice? My doctor won't let me go from weekly to every two weeks. She says, after weekly I have to do 3 per month for 3 months before going to 2 per month. At her rate I will be on the injections until at least the end of the year.

Frenchduck profile image
Frenchduck

Thanks, I understand now.

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