Pfizer Vaccine Reaction

[MTRJ75]

First Moderna yesterday. It was funny because when the woman who did my shot told me about possible symptoms in the next day or so, I told her I walked in feeling like that. 

Aside from the expected soreness and increased tiredness, my heart rate has been elevated a bit more (10-15 bpm) when lying down, though that seems to be improving today. My oxygen was a bit lower than usual (91-93 lying down). And today, I've been having some issues with my right hand cramping, locking up and some twitching (even though the shot was in the left arm). 

[Jyoti]

17 minutes ago, MTRJ75 said:

Aside from the expected soreness and increased tiredness, my heart rate has been elevated a bit more (10-15 bpm) when lying down, though that seems to be improving today. My oxygen was a bit lower than usual (91-93 lying down).

This was exactly the kind of reaction I had.  At one point, my ox sat was around 88 and I wondered if I should do something.  But it got better.  I am hoping you will as well, @MTRJ75, soon!

[Pistol]

2 hours ago, MTRJ75 said:

First Moderna yesterday. It was funny because when the woman who did my shot told me about possible symptoms in the next day or so, I told her I walked in feeling like that. 

If it wasn't so sad this would be funny - ...

[MTRJ75]

On 4/30/2021 at 7:16 PM, Jyoti said:

This was exactly the kind of reaction I had.  At one point, my ox sat was around 88 and I wondered if I should do something.  But it got better.  I am hoping you will as well, @MTRJ75, soon!

Thanks. It's weird that you had worse symptoms after the 1st shot than the second, but maybe that's better off. 

I think I'm still struggling with some of the after effects. My nervous system lit up with twitching and jerking and burning and pins and needles all night last night too. The heart rate is slowly starting to come back down though. 

[Birdlady]

I got my 2nd shot yesterday and I'm not having any symptoms from it aside from a sore arm (same with my 1st shot). I know everyone is different though, so not saying your experience will be the same as mine. I am honestly surprised. I prepared for the worst. I had extra groceries on hand in case I was too sick to get to the store this week or next. I guess we'll see if anything changes tonight or tomorrow.

Edit: Still no issues the next morning. I haven't even had my normal fatigue.

[MTRJ75]

Moderna #2 yesterday. Today is not fun. Resting heart rate around 95 even w/ beta blocker (so 20-25 bpm above what's been normal) and non-stop skipping even sitting still. Rest of the body feels like I've been in a fight with the Hulk. But there's a storm coming too with winds whipping up outside, so I'm getting whammied on multiple fronts today. 

[Bobannon]

I had my first Pfizer dose just over two weeks ago and really only experienced some fatigue and a very, very sore arm (couldn’t sleep on it or lift it for two days), but it went away and I’m still not even sure if the vaccine caused fatigue or if it was my normal. Going for my second in a week and a half. 
 

I think it’s important to consider the risk of getting COVID vs. the risk of the vaccine in regards to temporary or “long haul” symptoms. Ask your doctor obviously, but mine said that the benefit outweighs the risk of not getting the vaccine.

[MTRJ75]

41 minutes ago, Bobannon said:

I had my first Pfizer dose just over two weeks ago and really only experienced some fatigue and a very, very sore arm (couldn’t sleep on it or lift it for two days), but it went away and I’m still not even sure if the vaccine caused fatigue or if it was my normal. Going for my second in a week and a half. 
 

I think it’s important to consider the risk of getting COVID vs. the risk of the vaccine in regards to temporary or “long haul” symptoms. Ask your doctor obviously, but mine said that the benefit outweighs the risk of not getting the vaccine.

Yes, this is what my doctors and I decided as well. There are no good choices, but it's very likely the lesser of two evils. 

[MTRJ75]

Just found this info that I wished I had previously: 

Quote

... that 71% of those who received the second Moderna dose reported a decrease in recovery, while 65% saw a decrease in heart rate variability and 44% had a 10% or more increase in resting heart rate. For those who received the second Pfizer shot, 60% reported a decreased recovery, 52% saw a dip in HRV, and 27% had an increased resting heart rate. ...  Moderna uses about 4 times the dose than the Pfizer vaccine. “Despite the vaccines working roughly equally well, it seems that the Pfizer one is physiologically the easiest one to receive.”

https://www.whoop.com/thelocker/podcast-121-covid-vaccines-doses-heart-rate-sleep/

[Platypus]

Just as a matter of record, had the pfizer with basically no symptoms. First dose I had a 5 second adrenaline rush, that was it. Nothing with second. I did have changes in HRV and HR but it was mild and brief. Honestly, even a cold has more of an impact for me. And I had the flu in 5 countries before I gave into getting the shot. The final straw was the flu that caused a severe 5 year flare.

 

 

[E pots]

On 5/30/2021 at 7:36 PM, Platypus said:

Just as a matter of record, had the pfizer with basically no symptoms. First dose I had a 5 second adrenaline rush, that was it. Nothing with second. I did have changes in HRV and HR but it was mild and brief. Honestly, even a cold has more of an impact for me. And I had the flu in 5 countries before I gave into getting the shot. The final straw was the flu that caused a severe 5 year flare.

 

 

Did you come out of flare?  

How bad was it 

[Platypus]

Hi, yes I did come out of it but not for years bc I was not yet diagnosed. Everyone tried to blame it on my anxiety. And later  on my weight, bc I had to stop exercising. It began one night out of the blue after a series of viral infections. I woke up bone dry and did not sweat the whole duration. I started having sudden episodes of tachycardia, only resting or sleeping. And presyncope. I've been having panic attacks since I was little... I hate them and they suck but I know what is and isn't one for me.  Everything that should be stable wasnt... temp, BP, HR. 

I had my gallbladder out in an emergency surgery,  and weirdly I woke up sweating! And my heart calmed down. But only lasted a few weeks. Later on a new Dr explained that they often use pyridostigmine aka mestinon to reverse anesthesia.

Anyway I found a specialist and was diagnosed and started on mestinon. With that, calf compression sleeves, hydration and electrolytes I'm mostly stable again, able to function decently well as far as that goes. It is a balancing act, trying to be gentle with myself but not get too deconditioned.

The flare consumed my life, I barely got out of bed, and both sleep and waking hours were interrupted by the random attacks, which were really scary. 

 

[E pots]

4 minutes ago, Platypus said:

Hi, yes I did come out of it but not for years bc I was not yet diagnosed. Everyone tried to blame it on my anxiety. And later  on my weight, bc I had to stop exercising. It began one night out of the blue after a series of viral infections. I woke up bone dry and did not sweat the whole duration. I started having sudden episodes of tachycardia, only resting or sleeping. And presyncope. I've been having panic attacks since I was little... I hate them and they suck but I know what is and isn't one for me.  Everything that should be stable wasnt... temp, BP, HR. 

I had my gallbladder out in an emergency surgery,  and weirdly I woke up sweating! And my heart calmed down. But only lasted a few weeks. Later on a new Dr explained that they often use pyridostigmine aka mestinon to reverse anesthesia.

Anyway I found a specialist and was diagnosed and started on mestinon. With that, calf compression sleeves, hydration and electrolytes I'm mostly stable again, able to function decently well as far as that goes. It is a balancing act, trying to be gentle with myself but not get too deconditioned.

The flare consumed my life, I barely got out of bed, and both sleep and waking hours were interrupted by the random attacks, which were really scary. 

 

Do you notice the mestinon helps alot?  I take it but not sure.

[Platypus]

For me it is the only thing that made a difference. Dose matters a lot tho... too much and I'm all off kilter, sweating buckets, can't breathe. Too little, doesn't work. I have to take it 4x a day, and the dosing is funky bc I need diff amounts at diff times. 45mg 30mg 30mg 45mg

 

[CDNPortGrl]

Here’s my crazy situation. While I’ve had up and down health for just over a year, it was always migraine related and muscle fatigue. It looks like it was due to cervical neck damage...fast forward, in Canada I had the AstraZenneca vaccine in late April. 24 hours later I had a severe reaction. I fell to the floor getting out of bed and was ill all day. 48 hours later I felt ‘normal’ again. A few days after that I went on a bike ride and by May 6, I developed full blown POTS that has left me housebound since (I go out for appointments). I don’t know if it’s the world’s worst coincidence, if my body’s immune system attacked itself, like people with COVID experience and in doing so, it damaged how my system regulates the heart, etc. Or if the bike ride further damaged a spinal issue and consequently POTS occurred. Regardless, I’m terrified to get the second shot as well.

[Pistol]

@CDNPortGrl - I am sorry to hear that you had such a bad reaction to the vaccine - but I am not surprised! POTS commonly gets triggered by a viral infection, due to the immune system's attempt to fight the virus. In the Dysautonomia International's 2020 DI conference Dr Blair Grubb talked about how they have found a link between auto-inflammation and POTS. Autoinflammation is different from auto-immune problems: auto-immune is caused by the immune system that produces antibodies. Autoinflammation is caused by the innate immune system - T-cells, cytokines etc ( which are the cells that initiate the immune response and also remember how to fight a virus ). While in some cases the onset of POTS is gradual, many of us remember the exact instance when the symptoms started - for example your bike ride. Whether it is the ride worsening a potential CSF leak or the activity triggered a flare - you might never find out what it was. 

9 minutes ago, CDNPortGrl said:

Regardless, I’m terrified to get the second shot as well.

I totally understand! I was told that the first shot just PREPARES the immune system for the virus, but the second shot actually triggers the response - that is why many people have a more severe reaction to the second shot. However - I would discuss it with your doctor before deciding not to have the second shot, since a COVID infection could be worse than the second shot. Your doc might be able to determine with you if the risk of a reaction to the second dose is less than the risk of getting COVID. -- Another thought: since you already have such a bad flare - would the second shot make a difference in symptoms? This is just a thought. 

[CDNPortGrl]

That's interesting Pistol. So it certainly doesn't rule out the possibility of the vaccine creating a reaction. I'm currently looking into the CSF leak theory but the earliest evaluation appointment is in October..yay Canadian health care 😏.

I'll definitely have the second Astra shot to avoid COVID but I can't say I won't be jumping out of my skin about it. In Canada they're giving other vaccines as the second shot which I don't agree with, so hopefully I get the same one again. I would assume that mixing shots will cause a worse reaction.

[Special K]

Hi - First time posting, but wanted to thank everyone for their posts. 

I am newly diagnosed with a mild form of POTS, and my doctors suspect it was triggered by the Pfizer vaccine.  Symptoms of tachycardia, lightheadedness, and exercise intolerance started abruptly four weeks after my second dose.  In retrospect, I *might* have had some occasional symptoms in previous years (slow HR recovery after extremely strenuous exercise, lightheadedness after large meals, increasing intolerance of alcohol) but nothing dramatic or notable.

I did a full cardiac and pulmonary workup (which was all normal) and the tilt table test which showed dysautonomia tendencies.  My PCP says that every week now, she is seeing previously healthy people with these symptoms and she thinks anecdotally it is the vaccine, and similar to what people are experiencing with Long COVID.

I have gotten about 50% better with massive lifestyle modifications (which you all are familiar with), am rebuilding my exercise tolerance and following some of the Long COVID protocols, like breathing exercises, which seems to be helping.

Just wanted to weigh in with my vaccine experience.  I have asked my doctor about taking or avoiding boosters, and she said, "let's discuss in the fall."

[Pistol]

@Special K - thank you for posting your experience. Very interesting! You mention the treatment you use to control the symptoms but you do not mention increase in salt and fluid intake and compression - are you doing this? This is recommended for POTS patients except for those suffering from hypertension. Has your doc discussed this with you? 

[Special K]

@PistolYes, what I call "lifestyle modifications" includes what you mention:  a huge amount of water, salt, compression stockings, smaller meals, reducing carbs, no caffeine (or decaf), no alcohol, mostly seated exercises (I have a rowing machine, thankfully), and a few other things I can't remember now!  Also avoiding overuse of my asthma medication.  Doing all of these things has made a big difference!

 

[CDNPortGrl]

On 6/8/2021 at 2:53 PM, Special K said:

Hi - First time posting, but wanted to thank everyone for their posts. 

I am newly diagnosed with a mild form of POTS, and my doctors suspect it was triggered by the Pfizer vaccine.  Symptoms of tachycardia, lightheadedness, and exercise intolerance started abruptly four weeks after my second dose.  In retrospect, I *might* have had some occasional symptoms in previous years (slow HR recovery after extremely strenuous exercise, lightheadedness after large meals, increasing intolerance of alcohol) but nothing dramatic or notable.

I did a full cardiac and pulmonary workup (which was all normal) and the tilt table test which showed dysautonomia tendencies.  My PCP says that every week now, she is seeing previously healthy people with these symptoms and she thinks anecdotally it is the vaccine, and similar to what people are experiencing with Long COVID.

I have gotten about 50% better with massive lifestyle modifications (which you all are familiar with), am rebuilding my exercise tolerance and following some of the Long COVID protocols, like breathing exercises, which seems to be helping.

Just wanted to weigh in with my vaccine experience.  I have asked my doctor about taking or avoiding boosters, and she said, "let's discuss in the fall."

Oh wow, this gave me goosebumps to read. It sort of proves my suspicion. Interestingly, you likely had a different shot then I did so I may have gotten POTS no matter what vaccine I took. It’s wonderful that you’ve seen some improvement. I hope it continues for you! I’ve got a rather serious case so I hope to get to a more mild version. 

[Chrissa]

I came on here looking for others who found themselves with lasting worse POTS symptoms after having covid and saw this thread talking about the vaccine. I’ve had both shots and had flares with both although the first lasted longer than the second dose (expected by my immunologist since I had covid) but the second was more severe for much shorter period. However, knowing what I know about the virus and what it did to me I wouldn’t hesitate to get the vaccine for myself. I also have MCAS. It’s definitely a personal decision to discuss with healthcare providers. 

[CallieAndToby]

So I will be the lone wolf here but I got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine this morning and it's only ONE SHOT. No double doses. It's not readily available here and my mom drove me on the other side of town to get it and they were running out. The pharmacist told me she has heard about bad reactions to moderna and the least about J&J, she told me that she personally got moderna and she said, "I felt like garbage after each moderna shot and had to leave work." I felt pretty bad quickly but I was sitting up for awhile, I got very exhausted in the car, but after coming home and resting and sleeping a bit I'm okay. I did stand up and I feel achy all over particularly soreness in my stomach muscles. Edit: It's the evening and I feel awful and fatigued and sick. Update: I didn't sleep much last night even though I was relaxed and took my meds. I'm very weak and in pain all over but especially where I started having pain in high school in my legs and shin area and behind shins. 

[CallieAndToby]

Last update for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I'm just tired at this point and I didn't get much sleep last night because of my bladder hurting. I'm on my third day and my muscles don't ache any more. Sometimes I feel nauseous but the pharmacist said things would get better with time. She said the worst part was at 18 hours past getting the shot and that was accurate. At 10 days I am considered fully vaccinated. 

[CJ65]

@CallieAndToby22 I’m so glad you are feeling better (at least from the vaccine standpoint)!