COVID vaccines and neuropathy
I am 85 with small fiber neuropathy that is getting worse. My neurologist thought it would be a good idea for me to wait with the covid vaccine and not be first in line to see how it affected other people with neuropathy. Probably because it is a new technology. Has anyone had a problem with neuropathy after receiving the vaccine? If so, which vaccine?
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Yes. Definitely with radiculopathy. Severe negative reaction with 1st Moderna shot, continuous ice cold feet and up to waist, sudden extreme pain and hightened numbness, started 3 to 4 days after vaccine. Experienced strange feeling of nerve agitation, strong burning/tingling sensation, approx.15 minutes after vaccine shot. Confusing, no literature for any such side effects.
I am in Canada in a smaller northern Ontario community and we have not been offered the vaccine yet.
Lets face it, it's a monumental task to obtain, distribute and inoculate millions of people and in large countries such as ours (Northern America) with many having to travel many miles to locations to receive the vaccine.
Residents are obviously anxious to get the vaccine (well most of them) but with a history of many illnesses including neuropathy and now internal tremors, cancer survivor, glaucoma, ocular migraines, other eye issues, anxiety, hypothyroidism, late state radiation damage to pelvis etc..... I am very scared getting any of the 3 types of vaccines - will make matters worse or even give me an added illness to deal with.
My spouse who recently had open heart surgery, diabetes and other issues has no worries about it.
What I have noticed is that some news outlets are mentioning that there is proof of side effects with the covid vaccines but of course do not want to frighten people from having them.... personally it is important for me to find out the "what ifs" and then decide whether or not to chance it, bearing in mind I would not only be doing this for myself, but so that I do not get and spread to others... its a problem in itself.
When I came to Canada to live in 1962 it was compulsory to have a smallpox jab entering, and for quite a few years after, after visiting family in UK, still had to have the smallpox jab before returning... as did my two children after they were born and went with me. We have NOTHING to show how many needles we got, what meds were in them and dates as now no longer live in same place/s and not same doctors. I often wonder if some of my and my now adult children's exposure so often and so young could have contributed to any of our current illnesses... but its impossible to go back so many years.
It certainly is a leap of faith for me and others to have the covid vaccination and I may not have it, but how guilty would I feel if I don't have the jab, get covid and spread it to others? Ugh
Hi Hank, my 2nd dose was last Saturday. No Sxs except for a lot of pain and a little swell at the site. Then, on Monday it started to itch and my muscles became extremely weak and painful if I tried to use them. Other than that, no Sxs. So strange how this didn't happen until two days after my shot of Moderna. Please forgive if this is a repeat. I have 383 emails in my neuropathy group. Oy vei!
I find that cold packs help and heat flares it worse. I take lyrica for the nerve pain which helps but has it's own set of side effects. massaging the lumps also help.
Hi everyone, I received this as an email from The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy. It’s not on their website yet and it didn’t work to paste the registration link here...sorry. When you register there is a space to ask a question. So, I put in a question regarding my neuropathy symptoms increasing after the first Covid vaccine. Since I can’t get a concrete answer about the correlation from anyone I’ve decided to risk it and get the second shot tomorrow. I’m just so tired of being in strict lockdown and living in fear of getting the virus. Wish me luck!
Ask the Expert: Managing Peripheral Neuropathy AND a Pandemic
April 1, 2021 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Dr. Shanna Patterson, M.D., FPN’s Patient Education Advisor, is Assistant Professor of Neurology at Mount Sinai West in New York City.
@athenalee - Here's the registration link for the Ask the Expert: Managing Peripheral Neuropathy AND a Pandemic
April 1, 2021 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5493381507243281933
I spoke too soon. Haven't felt well since Monday, two days after my 2nd dose. Flu-like; malaise, muscle pain and weak. No fever. Hope it doesn't last long. Have you and Linda gotten your 2nd dose yet? Sorry, I think you've said when. Stay well, feel well I pray! Warmest hugs to you both, Sunnyflower
Sorry to hear that @sunnyflower. I am praying the effects of the vaccine don’t last much longer. Hope you feel better soon. Hang in there. Toni
Thx Toni, I appreciate your sentiment and taking the time ❤️
@busch @sunnyflower When I had my first vaccination with Moderna last month, I was given a card, COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card put out by HHS and CDC. It states, "You can report possible adverse reaction following COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at vaers.hhs.gov