side effects post vaccine

[NewWave]

I thought it may be of benefit to those about to have their 1st jab about our experiences of side effects after 1st and 2nd shot and to mention what vaccine we had.

I found a similar thread on another forum I follow and found it extremely helpful.

I'll start.

1ST SHOT:

VACCINE:

Pfizer.

SIDE EFFECTS:

I was able to go to work as planned immediately after I had a sore arm all of that day and into the next

the following day slight fatigue.

I'll follow up when I have my 2nd shot as I understand side effects on that can be different.

I am 61 years old.

[mancity68]

My mum and dad both had the AZ. My mum said she felt a tiny bit sick and very tired for a couple of days. My dad had a temperature for a day or so but otherwise was fine. Both in 70s.

[siousxiesue]

I had Pfizer, absolutely no side effects.

[jazzer]

Pf - apart from a slightly sore upper arm for a day or so no other effects.

It was sore because - the vaccine apparently has to be injected into the muscle. I'd say go get your jab.

[muffins78]

Good idea for a thread.

I had Pfizer too, I was very tired within a few hours and it lasted a couple of days.

None of the side effects are negative insofar that everybody will react differently, and it shows that the injection is doing it?s job.

[Pugwash]

Had AZ - no side effects or soreness at all.

[shoshntosh]

Had Pfizer jab today at 8am (4.5 hours ago). Rode my bike home from Guy's and went for a walk in the park this afternoon. So far soo good, haven't noticed any ill effects. Will update if this changes.

[alice]

I too cycled to guys a couple of weeks ago. Astra Zeneca no side effects.

[Guest]

Hello

Very good idea to share info here about side effects.

I am particularly interested in understanding if anybody with a diagnosed autoimmune condition or other non communicable disease (such as diabetes Vasculitis or Lupus) - either on immunosuppressant drugs or not - has already had which vaccine and if you have had any side effect or any interaction with your medications or any other impact on your condition.

This would be extremely useful information because at the moment there is an overall lack of actual data, only some prudent notes are added by specialists to generally optimistic conjectures without evidence. I keep on looking around and they all repeat the same considerations.

Some experts are encouraging the vaccinations because of the very increased risks of severe illness caused by Covid) in presence of a certain other disease: this is the case of diabetes. (There is a very informative pack of data at https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus-vaccines#safe)

Others are slightly less rushing, for instance specifying that the vaccines are considered safe just because they are not "live vaccine" that could very much upset a compromised immune system (this is the position of Chron's Disease website https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/latest-coronavirus-vaccine-for-people-with-crohns-or-colitis#no-vax)

I am just reading on the website of the American Arthritis Foundation (at https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/related-conditions/other-diseases/covid-19-faqs-medication-treatment-and-vaccines):

"Question: Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with autoimmune disease?

A: There is no advisory against vaccinating people with autoimmune diseases, and experts say there is no reason to believe that the current COVID-19 vaccines on the market will be unsafe for these populations. [... Experts] expect that vaccines made with this technology to be safe for immunocompromised patients and those on immunosuppressant drugs.

However, [...] more data is needed understand whether immunosuppressant medications or unchecked disease activity may reduce vaccine effectiveness."

Same info also on the UK site about blood cancer where it is clearly said that there is a distinction between safety and effectiveness (at https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/treatment/).

Diabetes.org.uk have announced a clinical trial to assess exactly the point of the effectiveness if I understood right.

Basically, everybody seems to say that the Covid vaccine should be safe in people with a number of autoimmune conditions BUT also that the vaccine is very likely to be NOT so effective as for the rest of the population - so my conclusion is what's the point of getting it?

If you have an autoimmune disease and you have been advised to manage the condition with self care and careful symptomatic, conservative use of medications, I am afraid that the Russian roulette of going to experiment on your B-cells and see what happens with the vaccine is not the ideal thing to do, even if I understand it is not a live vaccine, unless (possibly) you are going back and forth from the hospital for cancer treatment and you are very often in contact with people at high risk of getting and spreading the virus?

I do not know what to conclude actually, but for the evidence that in my case I sometimes get awful unexpected flare ups of my disease (with suddenly abrupt exposure to risks of kidney failure, sepsi or other horrible systemic effects that puzzle GP and specialists altogether) just because I have taken certain food or medications considered totally innocuous by the rest of the population so... my guts feeling is that procrastination can be a good choice for us with autoimmune diseases.

Thank you so much for sharing info about any side effect different from the already known very minor sore arms or the like. Sorry for the long message.

[muffins78]

I?ve an autoimmune disease and and on immune suppressants. I understand that many things can impact/trigger flares etc, but I didn?t overthink the little that I did read, because any of the drugs I?ve taken to date had many risks attached, and the benefits outweigh the risks, especially if a flare is pretty bad and you have no quality of life at that point. I did see that there was consideration of three injections for people with compromised immune systems, but I cannot remember where I read it unfortunately. From what I understand also, they are testing various drugs used for autoimmune diseases to treat COVID (assuming I didn?t misunderstand).

[Mimim]

I have Autoimmune conditions including Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus. I am also taking immunosuppressant medication.

I was turned away for the Pfizer vaccine due to some drug allergies. I then arranged to have the AZ vaccine.

It has been 2.5 weeks since I had my first vaccine.

Initially I suffered with fatigue, fever, headaches and dizziness - this went on for 3-4 days. Kind of felt like an arthritic flare up.

Last week I came down with a bad cold with fatigue, this surprised me as I am shielding and rarely go outside.

I have discussed all these symptoms with my medical team and they have concluded that these symptoms are most likely as a result of the vaccine.

I have no regrets with having the vaccine and I will be more prepared in case I have a reaction when I have my second vaccine in April.

I also know of people with no underlying health conditions that have had some side effects to the vaccine.

[Penguin68]

The side effects reported by others (mine were relatively mild and short lived - but consistent with these reports) suggest that the vaccine is kicking the body into its defence mechanisms (as is wanted) - it would seem that the harder the body is already working to cope with illness the more marked this might be. Many vaccines do have side effects - some at least as excessive as those reported for both the Pfizer and the AZ shots. Some (malaria) more so.

Follow the advice of your GPs/ specialists - if they believe it is safe for you to take the vaccine, do so.

[Ronnijade]

My mum had hers done today (Oxford) and hasnt had any side effects five hours on, aside from a bit of a sore arm.

[Ann]

I'm a frontline worker in the NHS ( Kings) and have been fortunate to have received my second dose of Pfizer on Friday. First dose slightly sore arm, second dose slightly more sore arm but nothing else at all.

[Huggers]

I had Astra yesterday morning. Bit shivery and achy in evening. Temperature over night and v congested and blocked up today.

[Nigello]

I had a slightly (on a scale of 0-10, a 1.5) tender arm where the needle went in and a bit of dizziness for a couple of hours and tiredness after Pfizer, but I think being at home and not able to do normal things means we have more time to pay attention to such mild side effects.

[Dr De Soto]

Had the Pfizer a week ago. Slightly sore arm for a day, and during the night after the jab I got slight fluey/feverish symptoms, woke up at 3am feeling clammy. Next morning I was fine.

[George Orwell]

It seems that those who suffer from Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heartbeats) are likely to have an attack of the heart wobbles around 24 hours after a jab (both Pfizer and Astra/Zeneca). The relevant patient forums are abuzz with accounts. If you are someone, or you know someone who suffers from AF, it is better to be forewarned.

[Sue]

I also have an autoimmune condition and am on immunosuppressant medication.

I was lucky and had no side effects at all from my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. It seems to vary very greatly from person to person, I have no idea why.

I was quite ill the day after my flu jab, though.

[Peckhamnearbe]

4 family members are in the health field and have been vaccinated with one dose - all Pfizer. All had hardly anything of note in the way of a reaction but the nephew who was on-call the same evening after his late afternoon jab was different. He suffered shivers, headache, joint pains and really we don't know how he got through the evening. He sounded so poorly we wanted to pick him up after shift as he didn't sound like he should be driving home. He did get home safely and after 12 hours in bed and some tlc, made a full recovery.

[tasha1]

I had covid over Christmas and although I remained at home, I was pretty unwell with it. I had the Pfizer vaccine 5 weeks later and I did had quite a reaction. I had a fever, chills, joint pain and headache and had to take to my bed. It felt like the first few days of Covid again. However, this only lasted for 24 hours and I'm sure I had such a reaction due to having had Covid so recently.

[Penguin68]

I'm sure I had such a reaction due to having had Covid so recently.

For the same reason second vaccines can have more marked side effects than first vaccines, apparently. So don't be surprised if you feel worse after the second than you did after the first. That's expected and normal.

[Sue]

Penguin68 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm sure I had such a reaction due to having had

> Covid so recently.

>

> For the same reason second vaccines can have more

> marked side effects than first vaccines,

> apparently. So don't be surprised if you feel

> worse after the second than you did after the

> first. That's expected and normal.

Something to look forward to, to then 😂

[OatLatte]

spoiledtalent Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hello

>

> Very good idea to share info here about side

> effects.

>

> I am particularly interested in understanding if

> anybody with a diagnosed autoimmune condition or

> other non communicable disease (such as diabetes

> Vasculitis or Lupus) - either on immunosuppressant

> drugs or not - has already had which vaccine and

> if you have had any side effect or any interaction

> with your medications or any other impact on your

> condition.

>

> This would be extremely useful information because

> at the moment there is an overall lack of actual

> data, only some prudent notes are added by

> specialists to generally optimistic conjectures

> without evidence. I keep on looking around and

> they all repeat the same considerations.

>

> Some experts are encouraging the vaccinations

> because of the very increased risks of severe

> illness caused by Covid) in presence of a certain

> other disease: this is the case of diabetes.

> (There is a very informative pack of data at

> https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavi

> rus-vaccines#safe)

>

> Others are slightly less rushing, for instance

> specifying that the vaccines are considered safe

> just because they are not "live vaccine" that

> could very much upset a compromised immune system

> (this is the position of Chron's Disease website

> https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/latest-co

> ronavirus-vaccine-for-people-with-crohns-or-coliti

> s#no-vax)

>

> I am just reading on the website of the American

> Arthritis Foundation (at

> https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-ar

> thritis/related-conditions/other-diseases/covid-19

> -faqs-medication-treatment-and-vaccines):

>

> "Question: Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people

> with autoimmune disease?

>

> A: There is no advisory against vaccinating people

> with autoimmune diseases, and experts say there is

> no reason to believe that the current COVID-19

> vaccines on the market will be unsafe for these

> populations. [... Experts] expect that vaccines

> made with this technology to be safe for

> immunocompromised patients and those on

> immunosuppressant drugs.

> However, [...] more data is needed understand

> whether immunosuppressant medications or unchecked

> disease activity may reduce vaccine

> effectiveness."

>

> Same info also on the UK site about blood cancer

> where it is clearly said that there is a

> distinction between safety and effectiveness (at

> https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronav

> irus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/treatment

> /).

>

> Diabetes.org.uk have announced a clinical trial to

> assess exactly the point of the effectiveness if I

> understood right.

>

> Basically, everybody seems to say that the Covid

> vaccine should be safe in people with a number of

> autoimmune conditions BUT also that the vaccine is

> very likely to be NOT so effective as for the rest

> of the population - so my conclusion is what's the

> point of getting it?

>

> If you have an autoimmune disease and you have

> been advised to manage the condition with self

> care and careful symptomatic, conservative use of

> medications, I am afraid that the Russian roulette

> of going to experiment on your B-cells and see

> what happens with the vaccine is not the ideal

> thing to do, even if I understand it is not a live

> vaccine, unless (possibly) you are going back and

> forth from the hospital for cancer treatment and

> you are very often in contact with people at high

> risk of getting and spreading the virus?

>

> I do not know what to conclude actually, but for

> the evidence that in my case I sometimes get awful

> unexpected flare ups of my disease (with suddenly

> abrupt exposure to risks of kidney failure, sepsi

> or other horrible systemic effects that puzzle GP

> and specialists altogether) just because I have

> taken certain food or medications considered

> totally innocuous by the rest of the population

> so... my guts feeling is that procrastination can

> be a good choice for us with autoimmune diseases.

>

> Thank you so much for sharing info about any side

> effect different from the already known very minor

> sore arms or the like. Sorry for the long message.

There have only been 906 Deaths and 3126 Severe reactions in USA from the Vaccine up till 12th Feb so it is fairly safe.

You can check what conditions and medications the deceased were on here:

https://www.medalerts.org/vaersdb/findfield.php?EVENTS=on&PAGENO=12&PERPAGE=10&ESORT=NONE&REVERSESORT=&VAX=(COVID19)&VAXTYPES=(COVID-19)&L_THREAT=No&DIED=Yes

CDC say one third of deaths occur within 48 Hours of vaccine

https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/latest-data-cdc-vaers/

Strange they don't mention this on BBC.

[Guest]

I think it is a very good idea to post information here about side effects.

My thoughts and feelings are with those who have lost relatives and friends to Covid and I believe we should all do our best to stop the spread of the deadly virus asap. Getting the vaccine is the right choice if this does not put you at further risks of unnecessary complications of your condition.

In terms of priorities or public policies, I believe clinicians, paramedics, those who have huge numbers of contacts (teachers, bus drivers, security officers for instance), elderly in care homes and individuals with Down syndrome or other severe cognitive impairment should not only have priority in vaccination programmes but also be reminded it is a duty for them to be vaccinated, if there isn't any other major reason why in their specific circumstances it would be much better not to (or not to for the time being) for their health condition.

I think it would be valuable (for clinicians, researchers, immunologists, and patients too) to have a public database on side effects at national level, with anonymised data made public.

But in the meantime it is also very useful to collect unstructured data at local level as with this amazing forum.

If you have a diagnosed autoimmune disease or other non communicable disease it would be very useful to know because all the vaccine have not been tested so far on people with autoimmune diseases. It is very likely that the effectiveness of the vaccine for people with compromised immune systems is much lower than for the rest of the population. It is also very likely that the reactions of the compromised immune system to the vaccine are immensely unpredictable and even two people of the same age and the same diagnosis can get very different types of reactions, from no reaction at all to sudden death.