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← Return to COVID vaccines and neuropathy
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I am a 59 year old female who has never had symptoms of neuropathy until about 3 days after receiving my first Pfizer vaccine, last December. I did go ahead with the the 2nd shot as scheduled, on the advice of 2 docs. I have had every neuro work up there is, with the exception of a LP, to try to figure out a reason for this sudden onset neuropathy (mostly lower extremity) but nothing makes sense except that it is vaccine related. I do have degenerative disc disease and recent MRI and EMG confirmed that I have radiculopathy (pinched nerves) at S1. It’s reasonable that some of my lower extremity symptoms could be caused by this, but not likely since they literally appeared overnight. My neurologist now hypothesizes the vaccine may have exacerbated the pinched nerves. All I know is that my life hasn’t been the same since I got the first shot. It is bearable and I’m able to do everything that I want and need to do, but I do live with the fear of things getting worse. I have searched the internet regularly for months and feel like I am starting to see more references to neuro problems after vaccine. I just felt this group might be a good place to document what I am going through. I have not yet reported this as an official vaccine reaction because I’ve had so many differing opinions, and many other reasons, but I do plan to.
Replies to "I am a 59 year old female who has never had symptoms of neuropathy until about..."
How are you doing now? I’m 52 and had same experience. I’m a dermatologist and my symptoms appear to be small fiber neuropathy. Extensive testing negative. Mine is worsening since began 4 days after my 2nd Pfizer. Shaky legs and losing temperature and pin prick sensation hands and feet. Fatigue. Muscles overly tired. If also lost some weight over last 3 months for no apparent reason. Eyes now becoming dry and not sweating on hands. There has been a case report of a 57yo female. That doc said he’s had multiple other physicians contact him about similar cases.
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Hello @lk61, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Thank you for sharing your experience with Pfizer COVID vaccine. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy and have had both Pfizer vaccines with only minor symptoms which others have reported (sore arm, fatigue on 2nd day of second vaccine). I'm sorry to hear that it appears to have caused an onset of neuropathy symptoms for you. There is another discussion which you may find helpful which discusses myofascial release therapy and has helped some people with neuropathy pain caused by compression of the nerves.
Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you shared your after vaccination symptoms with the CDC? -- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html