COVID vaccines and neuropathy

Posted by cue @cue, Feb 15, 2021

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

......Hi, my nephew in UK was tested and they told him he had Covid and recovered, not knowing it: would you like to know if you actually did have it before? I think there is a test over this side of the Atlantic? Wishing you the best, J.

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@rungreg

Thank you for starting this thread. I experienced my first symptoms of neuropathy mainly at night back in January. I also felt tired and achy, did not think much of it. After about a week it went away and was most bothersome at night, to the point it was hard to sleep. I had an appointment with a neurologist but canceled as it went away. Yesterday I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and almost within 10-15 minutes small tingling sensations appeared. Last night was similar to what I experienced in Jan, tough to sleep with tingling throughout the body but especially arms and hands, again very hard to sleep. I now believe that I had COVID in January. I am a teacher and we’ve been in the classroom since August so my level of exposure is high. I did not get tested as my symptoms didn’t seem to align with COVID. I am hoping this bout is again short lived. I appreciate all I have read from you folks. Any advice for managing uncomfortable feelings, especially at night, is much appreciated.

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Hello @rungreg, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @lacy2. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy but it wasn't from getting the Pfizer vaccine. I've had both the first and second shots with just the minor sore arm around the shot the following day and the second day after the last Pfizer vaccine I had the extreme fatigue which my wife and daughter also had after the 2nd shot.

One thing I think helps since the small fiber nerves are close to the skin is to make sure you keep the feet and legs moisturized with a good skin lotion. I've been doing it regularly since being diagnosed with neuropathy. I used to use a magnesium lotion which others felt really gave them a calming feeling in their legs but recently have just used whatever is available. I may try the magnesium lotion again to see if it really makes a difference in the type of lotion. Here are the two I've used.

Life-Flo Magnesium Lotion - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5QUAIG/
Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OJUY4/

Here's some information from the CDC on the antibody test - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/serology-overview.html
Have you thought about getting a COVID antibody test?

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@johnbishop

Hello @rungreg, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @lacy2. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy but it wasn't from getting the Pfizer vaccine. I've had both the first and second shots with just the minor sore arm around the shot the following day and the second day after the last Pfizer vaccine I had the extreme fatigue which my wife and daughter also had after the 2nd shot.

One thing I think helps since the small fiber nerves are close to the skin is to make sure you keep the feet and legs moisturized with a good skin lotion. I've been doing it regularly since being diagnosed with neuropathy. I used to use a magnesium lotion which others felt really gave them a calming feeling in their legs but recently have just used whatever is available. I may try the magnesium lotion again to see if it really makes a difference in the type of lotion. Here are the two I've used.

Life-Flo Magnesium Lotion - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5QUAIG/
Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OJUY4/

Here's some information from the CDC on the antibody test - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/serology-overview.html
Have you thought about getting a COVID antibody test?

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Thank you!! Received your message while at the grocery store and snagged some lotion! Did not have antibodies test but could easily do it. Appreciate the information!!

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@lacy2

......Hi, my nephew in UK was tested and they told him he had Covid and recovered, not knowing it: would you like to know if you actually did have it before? I think there is a test over this side of the Atlantic? Wishing you the best, J.

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Thank you Lacy!

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@johnbishop

Hello @rungreg, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @lacy2. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy but it wasn't from getting the Pfizer vaccine. I've had both the first and second shots with just the minor sore arm around the shot the following day and the second day after the last Pfizer vaccine I had the extreme fatigue which my wife and daughter also had after the 2nd shot.

One thing I think helps since the small fiber nerves are close to the skin is to make sure you keep the feet and legs moisturized with a good skin lotion. I've been doing it regularly since being diagnosed with neuropathy. I used to use a magnesium lotion which others felt really gave them a calming feeling in their legs but recently have just used whatever is available. I may try the magnesium lotion again to see if it really makes a difference in the type of lotion. Here are the two I've used.

Life-Flo Magnesium Lotion - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5QUAIG/
Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OJUY4/

Here's some information from the CDC on the antibody test - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/serology-overview.html
Have you thought about getting a COVID antibody test?

Jump to this post

Post-Vaccination Neurological Event. “MODERNA”

I am now on Day (6) of a post-vaccination neurological event. Hours after the 1st shot, I experienced numbness in my left shin and foot. Did have random pricking and skin sensations in the seat of my pants.
Now, it has spread to the right leg and moving up to the waist. I have neurological itching in my nostrils and face. I thought it was an allergy, but antihistamines were ineffective. Gabapentin was effective pointing to a Neurological origin. I do have pinpricks in my fingers, feet, and lower Trunk (random). ED evaluated me and advised if I begin to lose balance, bladder or Bowel control to return to the emergency department without delay. I see the Neurologist at Jefferson Hospital this Friday. They are hoping this will resolve but will keep close surveillance on the issue just in case it morphs into a more insidious issue.

Will keep you posted

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@ronmartin76 and all this is what I am afraid of: I have a list of health issues and getting more without the vaccine... so huge decision whether or not to have it: just saw on tv our Premier saying all in Ontario over 80 getting it, I am 77. Been waiting for teleconference with out of town neurologist this tuesday hope I can express my issues properly, I didnt last time and missed the boat and since then gone downhill.... the other day i started to write a few notes and ended up with 3 pages...my husband said take two minutes to tell him how you feel and leave it up to the dr, but I am concerned will forget something important... as far as i can tell, no cure, and then 2 days after another tooth out! Blessings to everyone here suffering with one thing or another... and I hope your symptoms after covid vac. leave soon..... J.

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@tigreyes2004

Have you talked to your dr. to see if he thinks the shot causes people with Neuropathy more side effects & what you should do.
I have it in my feet & legs real bad & take Gabapentin & Cymbalta & I am afraid of the vaccine bc of the side effects.
Please keep me posted on hoe your doing. Hope you feel better.

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Thank's very much. The doctor told me he had no information on covid vaccine side effects for neuropathy. It may cause a problem for some, not for others. Was told to drink lots of water and take Tylenol before vaccine.

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@busch

Thank's very much. The doctor told me he had no information on covid vaccine side effects for neuropathy. It may cause a problem for some, not for others. Was told to drink lots of water and take Tylenol before vaccine.

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Hi @busch and all... so odd, I read weeks ago to take Tylenol before vaccine, half hour before, another half hour after, and one at bedtime. Another bulletin said do not take Tylenol at all. So now I am wondering if it depends on the brand of the Vaccine or the patient? So confusing the information they are putting out isn't it? J.

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@busch

Thank's very much. The doctor told me he had no information on covid vaccine side effects for neuropathy. It may cause a problem for some, not for others. Was told to drink lots of water and take Tylenol before vaccine.

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Hi, its just that I had read not to take Tylenol before vaccine..perhaps you may wish to check into before taking? Just trying to help.
HOWEVER maybe the following does not apply for those with Neuropathy? Could someone please find out? Thanks, June

THURSDAY, Feb. 18, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- You finally managed to score an appointment to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus and you're a little nervous about side effects, so taking a painkiller right before you get your shot seems like a smart idea.
Not so fast, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, the agency is telling people not to take pain medications like Motrin, Advil or Tylenol before getting their COVID-19 vaccines.
Why?
It's possible that taking a painkiller before getting a vaccine will result in a "decrease in antibody response," explained Dr. Gregory Poland, director of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Although the odds of a diminished immune response aren't really known, Poland said it's better to suffer the side effects than take the chance of making the vaccine less effective.

"After receiving the vaccine, if one develops symptoms that they feel they want to treat, it's fine, but ideally not before," he said. "Now, that's a recommendation by CDC, out of an abundance of caution."

There are exceptions, however: People who usually take pain relievers, such as migraine sufferers, should of course take their medication, he added. "Go ahead and take it rather than end up with a full-blown migraine and end up in the ER having to get much more intensive or expensive therapy," Poland said.

REPLY
@rungreg

Thank you for starting this thread. I experienced my first symptoms of neuropathy mainly at night back in January. I also felt tired and achy, did not think much of it. After about a week it went away and was most bothersome at night, to the point it was hard to sleep. I had an appointment with a neurologist but canceled as it went away. Yesterday I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and almost within 10-15 minutes small tingling sensations appeared. Last night was similar to what I experienced in Jan, tough to sleep with tingling throughout the body but especially arms and hands, again very hard to sleep. I now believe that I had COVID in January. I am a teacher and we’ve been in the classroom since August so my level of exposure is high. I did not get tested as my symptoms didn’t seem to align with COVID. I am hoping this bout is again short lived. I appreciate all I have read from you folks. Any advice for managing uncomfortable feelings, especially at night, is much appreciated.

Jump to this post

Please keep me posted with your post-covid neurological side effects. I'm on day (7), and 4 hours ago, I experienced weakness in my left leg and left arm. The back of my left arm was sensitive and felt heavy. Strength returned in both limbs one hour before this posting, but random burning and pinpricks remain, especially in the feet. GBS Syndrome and TM are on my doctor's radar, among other neurological syndromes. We are all hoping that this spontaneously resolves.

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