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← Return to COVID vaccines and neuropathy
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Hi I'm new to the group. I found it when trying to find answers to my symptoms.... I was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy 3years ago, getting worse, mainly in winter. Mainly tingling in my legs, face, chilblains, burning feet, never got any medications or relief. This winter was a bit easier than last. I'm mid 40s, female, generally healthy and fit.
6 weeks ago I got AstraZen vaccine and ever since experiencing severe fatigue, tingling all over my body, muscle and joint pain, feeling down etc.
I went to my family doctor, who said it might be connected to vaccine. Neurologist has several months of waiting list.
Any advice? Any relief? Feeling lost.
Replies to "Hi I'm new to the group. I found it when trying to find answers to my..."
@simoneh- Good morning and I also welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. Severe fatigue, muscle, and joint pain feeling blah, and headaches are all expected reactions to the vaccine. The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies against COVID-19 and it is your immune system that produces these yucky reactions. I had Moderna and except for tingling, I had the same reactions that you did with a high fever. By a lot of the discussions here it looks like you aren't alone in having neurological reactions especially with people who have a history of PN or another neurological disease.
Are you taking any medications for your small fiber neuropathy? Can your PCP increase or change it to help with your current situation?
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Current-Research/Coronavirus-and-NINDS/nervous-system
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Hello @simoneh, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I've had small fiber peripheral neuropathy for 20+ years. I experienced extreme fatigue the second day after my 2nd Pfizer COVID vaccine. From what I've read fatigue is a common side effect for a lot of people for the COVID vaccines.
-- Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: What to know about side effects: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-what-to-know-about-side-effects
There are a couple of neuropathy discussions you might find helpful.
-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
-- Small Fiber Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-neuropathy/
You mentioned being diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy 3 years ago. Were you diagnosed by a neurologist?