Problems after the COVID vaccine

[SylvieJ]

I want to say, firstly I am not an anti vaccination person. However, I have had my two AstraZeneca vaccines and the first one gave me terrible headaches and my muscles ached like mad. I was reluctant when offered the second, but I weighed everything up and went for the second. I was walking home, and it was about 10 minutes and my finger started itching, and I noticed a vein had swollen up. I get this on occasion with my Raynaud's. Since the second vaccine I have gone from bad to worse with my Raynaud's and Sjogrens flaring. I have talked to my practice nurse, the consultant and they have all been excellent. I am now going to have to take hydroxychloroquin as Im living on pain killers daily now. I am going all round the houses here but has anyone else experienced problems after their vaccines? I have reported this to the yellow card and my practitioners because I feel if I don't then it will not be flagged up - how it can affect auto immune people. I am aware that they are now running trials on the vaccine regards to auto immune patients. A little late, since I feel that for some like me the horse has already bolted.

[Danielleo]

Yes my Raynauds seems worse and I ache and I seem to bruise a lot too, not sure if it’s because of vaccine?

[SylvieJ in reply to Danielleo]

Thank you Danielle for responding, and I am sorry to hear that it may have affected you also.

[Shann07]

Hi, I’ve lupus, raynauds among other overlap conditions. I totally agree the 1st AZ vaccine put my immune response into overdrive. Severe joint pain, weird rashes and extreme fatigue and awful nerve pain all over, I couldnt sleep or function the pain was so bad. This went on for 10 weeks, so I spoke to my Rheummy who done bloods which showed really bad flare of lupus, the last I had this bad was few years ago. I was nervous about taking my 2nd jab but Rheummy strongly advised I take it to be fully protected. So Im now on steroids to control the flare, I started these the day after my 2nd jab and luckily I started to improve very quickly. But I think this is the worst flare Ive ever experienced and I truly believe it was the vaccine triggered it.

[SylvieJ in reply to Shann07]

Hi Shann07, yes that is so similar to what happened to me. Like you I was very nervous about the second one but did it because the thought of getting COVID overweighed my decision and like you I took advice. I just hope in the future if they gather data from auto immune patients they will find a better vaccine for us in the future with lesser side effects. I hope you get over your flair up, and 10 weeks, I am wondering now if I should wait as it's only been almost 4 weeks since my 2nd vaccine. Nobody has offered me any steroids to combat the pain. At least you've given me an insight and I realise that we have had the same reaction because I was trying to be rational and not blame the vaccine. Thank you.

[Midgebite21]

I had the Pfizer vaccine. I had the usual side effects of headache, sore arm and aches/shivers with the first dose. After second vaccine I had more fatigue and my hands were more swollen in the morning so I’m assuming it triggered an inflammation response. It’s now 4 weeks since my second vaccination and I must say I’m feeling better. I do feel it put me into a bit of a flare but I don’t regret having it. I work in healthcare and have lost a few clients to covid this past year. I was quite prepared for the fact that it may upset my system for a few weeks but bolstered myself by thinking if the vaccine can make you feel like this, how on earth would I have reacted to the real virus. Hope you feel better soon.

[SylvieJ in reply to Midgebite21]

Likewise I don't regret having it, and it's helped so much with all the supportive replies. I just hope they do look into our experiences when things calm down and more research can be done. I hope you are all ok now best wishes Sylvie

[Jen3131 in reply to Midgebite21]

I had Pfizer to and experienced a flare - which has never happened before. Extreme unnatural fatigue for a few days followed by several weeks of aching limbs and joint pain. It’s just easing off. I still don’t regret having the jab but it would be interesting to know if there is a connection. The flare did worry me a bit.

[elprof57]

Dear SylvieJ. Thanks for your information. I am a 63 yo male from Italy. My age group will be vaccinated in about a month but for the time being l must admit l am a bit nervous as regards to the side effects for people who have our condition.

[SylvieJ in reply to elprof57]

Please don't let me put you off, I have a friend who is autoimmune and she was on hydroxychloroquine and she had minimal side effects from the vaccine. I hope all goes well for you Anything is better than COVID and be safe

[wednesday]

I have now had both vaccines, the first one I felt rubbish, aches, high temperature, headache, lasted nearly a week. The second one I had last Sunday and was ready for side effects but can honestly say I was fine, just a mild headache but I get them anyway.

[momo17]

Yes, I’ve experienced similar. I asked same question few weeks back n had varied responses. If you want you can check out my previous post with regards to this. Just had second Oxford n was a lot worse immediately after than first one. Hope you feel better soon

[SylvieJ in reply to momo17]

Thanks momo and I do recall your post about the COVID vaccine. I will go back and have a re-read

[Sanmateogirl107]

i understand your in pain try wild lettuce extract from mt rose herbs, ebay i take it for scleroderma, raynaud's, lupus works great. love julie

[SylvieJ in reply to Sanmateogirl107]

Thank you so much I will give it a go

[Gmargs]

These responses are not what I want to hear 🙁 I haven’t had my Covid vac yet and like you concerned about any reactions. Of course I will still get vaccinated but do worry more now reading these comments.

Here in Australia we don’t have a choice of which vaccine we get. I am already on Hydroxychloroquin, have been for years my doses over that time have varied. I hope I don’t need to go back onto Prednisone to calm any vaccine reactions 😬 Also on an immunosuppressant amongst other meds.

Not looking forward to more aches and pain etc.

[Magsterly]

I’m hearing the vaccine affects women far worse than men. As always..... I’m 48 and on the fence honestly. I’m not afraid of Covid. I am however concerned that that this is too much too fast and too much pressure. I have a problem with it.

[Nisrinita40]

I agree, too fast and too much pressure. I got my NHS text for the vaccine and I am hesitant a bit as they offered me only the AZ one in my centre and after so much research it seems this vaccine flares up the autoimmune symptoms much more than the others plus the risk of blood clotting, I know it is rare but I’m not happy to take this rare risk. I will wait to see when the other vaccines became available and decide. I will Just be careful as always to avoid getting Covid. Take care everyone and I hope your flares will settle soon.

[waermebaer]

I had the first dose of Biontech/Pfizer yesterday evening. Other than the arm that hurts a little I am fine today. Hope is stays that way.

Best regards from Germany,

Lars

[angi123]

Hi all, I have SSC, Srojens and Raynards and was not looking forward to the Covid injection as I had a feeling my body would react. I had my first Astra Zennica at the end of March, no real side effects, a bit of a headache, chills and tired. Felt fine for 2/3 days, then my body went in melt down. Severe constant headache, thought my hips were going to dislocate, accompanied by severe pain, shivering, could not get warm. Loss of appetite due to nausea, needed to sleep more, exerted very easily after one simple task. Lethargic and bouts of Arrithmia. Many weeks on I still have some of the symptoms. I am not looking forward to my 2nd injection! But outwaying having Covid itself, I think it will be worth it. Luckily I have a good boss who understands my condition so, if I ring and say I am having a relapse, after the injection, they know why 😁

[SylvieJ in reply to angi123]

Sorry to hear you had reactions also, but I hope it will eventually subside and you will be back to normal. Like you, I weighed up the option on having the second dose, but like you the thought of getting COVID made it easy, there is no way I'd want to go through it. I did yellow card the vaccine though, and on Zoe so that they can get a true picture of how people with auto immune are reacting to the vaccine. Hopefully in time they will find one with less problems for us auto immune people

[angi123 in reply to SylvieJ]

Hi, thankyou for your reply. How do you yellow card after effects?

[SylvieJ in reply to angi123]

coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra... or search MHRA Yellow Card on google play or apple app store that was on the leaflet which was given to me after I had the vaccine.

[PJSammy]

Had 2 AstroZeneca shots - sore arm was my only issue. I have an autoimmune condition and take immunosuppressants.

[LMB1366]

Hi I had the Pfizer vaccine and I am in hospital now with Covid. I don’t think I would still be here now if I had not had the double vaccine. I have scleroderma along with other health issues and the risks of not having the vaccines far more out way the risks of not. She needs the vaccine otherwise Covid could kill her. Linda