COVID vaccines and neuropathy

I unfortunately agree with you. I have neuropathy and an autoimmune disease. I’ve posted on this discussion previously. After both vaccine shots my neuropathy symptoms increased significantly. They have leveled off, but at a higher level than previously. I’ve only been having neuropathy symptoms for about five months. Except for tremors, which my be related to medications I take, the numbness, pain, and tingling was very slow to come on until receiving the vaccine.

I recently had my first visit to the neurologist, so the origins of my neuropathy are not yet determined. Although he suspects its related to the autoimmune disease I have. He also was not surprised when I told him of the increased symptoms after the vaccine, as it is designed to build immunity and could potentially have an impact on people with certain types of autoimmune caused neuropathy.

Hi @athenalee I am sorry to hear your neuropathy symptoms have increased. Seems many people experience different symptoms with the vaccine(s). All I know is I am trying to avoid an exacerbation of my neuropathy symptoms by waiting for more information as it becomes available. Since this vaccine was approved as an emergency medication I am being cautious. Whatever antibodies(good or bad) it creates in our bodies we are stuck with them. There is no reversal and no legal action a person can take. I do not want to take a chance on worsening neuropathy when my risks are low for contracting the virus. I understand the vaccine provides protection from severe symptoms. Funny, I always thought that a vaccine gives you immunity to a disease. Clearly that is not the case for the covid-19 virus. We can see on Mayo Clinic Connect many members are desperately trying to find ways to decrease their neuropathy pain. I am sorry to hear they found the reverse. I wish everyone all the best and hope their neuropathy symptoms return to their normal. Toni

It is a decision that everyone has to take & there are risks in everything so we are going to take the chance. MY husband is taking the day off & we both will be together.
Thank you & God bless
Genie

I'm also sensitive to medication and my caution with taking anything has only increased since my first dose of Pfizer and the symptoms that came after. I have a question for those of you out there. My primary care is suggesting a round of prednisone if my symptoms don't get better - thinking it might reduce inflammation. I've heard folks on this site taking gabapentin but prednisone has not been mentioned at all. Can anyone tell me why that is?

@avmcbellar- There are a lot of rumors and misinformation around concerning the vaccines. They were approved on an emergency basis in the US. The reason that they were approved on an emergency basis was that the trials were so successful in the early stages that instead of letting so many people more die, they were approved. The vaccines are 100% safe and extremely effective, according to experts such as our own Dr. Gregory Poland.

There are some people whose underlying disease see exacerbations, this is true. Having neuropathy puts you at a higher risk, not lower, for contracting COVID-19 or its variants. Right now The Kent Variant (from Britain) is the most prevailing COVID-19 variant and is much stronger than the original COVID-19. Waiting to see if this will change again, in the future might be like going to a card reader. No one can tell you what effects any vaccine ever produced will have on you. What Dr. Poland has said is that you will not be hospitalized and you will not have a severe illness. Vaccines do give immunity to disease but never has anyone said that it is 100% succeeful, about any vaccine!

The vaccines do not make antibodies in our bodies. We do, at their direction. COVID-19 vaccines send a message for our bodies to do this. There are no viruses in the vaccines.

Today is my second vaccine shot. Am I apprehensive, of course? But for the sake of my health and for those I love and for those around me I am having it.

I love what Dr. Poland asks, "Would you barrel down a highway without seatbelts, good tires, brakes, and airbags?" Of course, you wouldn't. But this is what you are doing by not getting the vaccine. You are also taking a chance of infecting others as well as yourself and being hospitalized or dying.

We all want herd immunity, but unless about 75-100% of the population has the vaccines the virus will just continue to mutate and the variants will continue to become more powerful and we will be back to square one, needing another type of vaccine. Each variant is stronger than the one before in its quest to survive. By not being vaccinated we are allowing this and risking the health of everyone your love and your community.

I have reams of underlying conditions as well as an autoimmune disease and lung cancer (for the past 23 years). Of course, I'm apprehensive that my immune response won't be what I want. But to me, it's better than living whatever time I have left without my family and my small community. My cancer has sure squelched my freedom, and this past year has been horrendous. This is not the way I want to live the rest of my life.

Viruses can't mutate if they can't replicate. Vaccines prevent this.

@merpreb We all have a right to make our own decision regarding the vaccine(s). Good luck! I wish you all the best. Toni

@avmcbellar- Of course you do. However, I did want to point out the importance of having the vaccines, especially how important it is so that the variants don't get the upper hand. I do hope that you change your mind, though.

This might explain the difference...

"Indications and clinical uses. Gabapentin is used as an anticonvulsant, sedative, anxiolytic, and to treat chronic pain syndromes, including neuropathic pain. It is used to treat neuropathic pain that does not respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opiates." -- Gabapentin - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/gabapentin

"Prednisone, like other corticosteroids, quickly lowers inflammation, which cuts down on pain, redness, and swelling. It also dials down your immune system." -- Prednisone for Arthritis: How Can It Help? - https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/prednisone-arthritis

@merpreb thanks for pointing out the importance for getting the vaccination(s). I appreciate your information. In my previous posts I have included how the mRNA works. I am aware it is not a “live” virus or no covid virus is a partial ingredient. Please show me the evidence that it provides immunity. As far as I know there is no proof that it does. I know that someone who receives the 2nd dose 2 weeks later can possibly get the virus and needs to quarantine to not transmit the virus to others. This was brought to my attention about a month ago. Has it changed? I know the vaccine protects an individual from getting severe symptoms. It basically prevents possible hospitalizations. Where is the immunity? We all have to decide whether or not to receive the vaccine. Yes, I will be protected from severe symptoms but I am at a low risk. Do I take the chance from possibly suffering worse neuropathy for who knows how long for a virus there is a slim chance of contracting? These are my considerations. It is different for each individual based on their risks due to exposure and their medical history. If I was a high risk due to my exposure everyday I would be more likely to get vaccinated so I would not suffer severe symptoms from covid. By getting vaccinated I would not worry about getting seriously sick to warrant hospitalization. I could still contract the virus.

@avmcbellar- Thank you. I haven't even been around my sister for a year so I am not exposed hardly at all. But that doesn't mean that I am at low risk. Since I have cancer and other things, as I mentioned, my immune system is still compromised. So I consider myself high risk. I guess that it's all a matter of some words and how you are defining them. I have waited a month for Moderna and I get migraines. So I have chosen to chance those. I had some neuropathy after chemo so I know that it can be horrible. I have friends who have it. I don't envy them, nor do they envy my migraines.

Best of luck

Merry