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.

@merpreb

@revisl- I had Moderna too. That was one tough second dose! It's not true that scientists aren't interested in the seemingly large number of neurological side effects from vaccines. It might seem that way because much of the research to date has focused on acute infection and saving lives. These strategies have included preventing infection with vaccines, treating COVID-19 symptoms with medicines or antibodies, and reducing complications in infected individuals. Look at this- trials have already begun:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04806113
"Some symptoms experienced by some people weeks to months after COVID infection suggest the peripheral nervous system, the vast communication network that sends signals between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and all other parts of the body, is impaired. Peripheral nerves send many types of sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS), such as a message that the feet are cold. They also carry signals from the CNS to the rest of the body, including those that control voluntary movement. Nerve dysfunction is also a known complication in those with critical care illnesses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary depending on the type of nerves – motor, sensory, or autonomic – that are damaged.

Motor nerves control the movement of all muscles under conscious control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking. Damage to the motor nerves can cause muscle weakness and cramps.
Sensory nerves carry messages from our senses of touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. Sensory nerves transmit information such as the feeling of a light touch, temperature, or pain. The symptoms of sensory nerve damage can include loss of sense of touch, temperature, and pain or a tingling sensation.
Autonomic nerves control organs to regulate activities that people do not control consciously, such as breathing, digestion, and heart and gland functions. Common symptoms include excess or absence of sweating, heat intolerance, and a drop in blood pressure upon standing. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (also known as POTS) can increase heart rate when standing up and cause such symptoms as lightheadedness (or fainting) or difficulty concentrating."
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Current-Research/Coronavirus-and-NINDS/nervous-system#complications
https://covid19.nih.gov/

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Have you found anything on covid Vaccination and impact on nervous system?
I can only find about Covid infection and impact on NS.

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@merpreb

@revisl- I had Moderna too. That was one tough second dose! It's not true that scientists aren't interested in the seemingly large number of neurological side effects from vaccines. It might seem that way because much of the research to date has focused on acute infection and saving lives. These strategies have included preventing infection with vaccines, treating COVID-19 symptoms with medicines or antibodies, and reducing complications in infected individuals. Look at this- trials have already begun:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04806113
"Some symptoms experienced by some people weeks to months after COVID infection suggest the peripheral nervous system, the vast communication network that sends signals between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and all other parts of the body, is impaired. Peripheral nerves send many types of sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS), such as a message that the feet are cold. They also carry signals from the CNS to the rest of the body, including those that control voluntary movement. Nerve dysfunction is also a known complication in those with critical care illnesses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary depending on the type of nerves – motor, sensory, or autonomic – that are damaged.

Motor nerves control the movement of all muscles under conscious control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking. Damage to the motor nerves can cause muscle weakness and cramps.
Sensory nerves carry messages from our senses of touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. Sensory nerves transmit information such as the feeling of a light touch, temperature, or pain. The symptoms of sensory nerve damage can include loss of sense of touch, temperature, and pain or a tingling sensation.
Autonomic nerves control organs to regulate activities that people do not control consciously, such as breathing, digestion, and heart and gland functions. Common symptoms include excess or absence of sweating, heat intolerance, and a drop in blood pressure upon standing. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (also known as POTS) can increase heart rate when standing up and cause such symptoms as lightheadedness (or fainting) or difficulty concentrating."
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Current-Research/Coronavirus-and-NINDS/nervous-system#complications
https://covid19.nih.gov/

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Thank you for sharing! I’m very glad that research is being conducted on people with autoimmune diseases.

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@simoneh

Have you found anything on covid Vaccination and impact on nervous system?
I can only find about Covid infection and impact on NS.

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Not Merry, but I have found some reports in VAERS, the reaction reporting system, so as a part of the decision structure, the reports will be reviewed and evaluated before full, permanent approval by FDA. It is possible that, in the future, one vaccine may be recommended over others for people with specific underlying conditions.

All of this makes it very important that everyone report their adverse reactions in VAERS: https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html There is no guarantee that events reported here or to your physician make it into the system.
Sue

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@simoneh

I had considered a Covid test, even though I literally haven't been anywhere other than the Vacc center. I phoned my family doctor and she said no need to test. She said if I had had Covid at some point in the past they can only detect that a few days after...
Yes, it is so frustrating to be dismissed by professionals, just because I seem ok on the outside, working full time etc. Guess that's what comforts me about this support here, even just being acknowledged, thanks!!!!

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I had new onset neuropathy 12 hours post first moderna vaccine. I did get covid tested just to rule out and it was negative. You can also get a nucleocapsid covid antibody test that would only be positive from a past covid infection not from vaccine. You just have to make sure the correct one is ordered bc the other antibody tests (that test for spike protein) will be positive after vaccine. My nucleocapsid was negative. I don’t have any answers for you but I share your frustration!

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@merpreb

@revisl- I had Moderna too. That was one tough second dose! It's not true that scientists aren't interested in the seemingly large number of neurological side effects from vaccines. It might seem that way because much of the research to date has focused on acute infection and saving lives. These strategies have included preventing infection with vaccines, treating COVID-19 symptoms with medicines or antibodies, and reducing complications in infected individuals. Look at this- trials have already begun:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04806113
"Some symptoms experienced by some people weeks to months after COVID infection suggest the peripheral nervous system, the vast communication network that sends signals between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and all other parts of the body, is impaired. Peripheral nerves send many types of sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS), such as a message that the feet are cold. They also carry signals from the CNS to the rest of the body, including those that control voluntary movement. Nerve dysfunction is also a known complication in those with critical care illnesses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary depending on the type of nerves – motor, sensory, or autonomic – that are damaged.

Motor nerves control the movement of all muscles under conscious control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking. Damage to the motor nerves can cause muscle weakness and cramps.
Sensory nerves carry messages from our senses of touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. Sensory nerves transmit information such as the feeling of a light touch, temperature, or pain. The symptoms of sensory nerve damage can include loss of sense of touch, temperature, and pain or a tingling sensation.
Autonomic nerves control organs to regulate activities that people do not control consciously, such as breathing, digestion, and heart and gland functions. Common symptoms include excess or absence of sweating, heat intolerance, and a drop in blood pressure upon standing. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (also known as POTS) can increase heart rate when standing up and cause such symptoms as lightheadedness (or fainting) or difficulty concentrating."
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Current-Research/Coronavirus-and-NINDS/nervous-system#complications
https://covid19.nih.gov/

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@merpreb this research is great of course but doesn’t look like it addresses the vaccine, just neurological effects of the virus itself. I’m hoping for vaccine research but I fear it’s not going to be priority for a while.

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@lk61

@merpreb this research is great of course but doesn’t look like it addresses the vaccine, just neurological effects of the virus itself. I’m hoping for vaccine research but I fear it’s not going to be priority for a while.

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@lk61- Today Dr. Poland has given data about the vaccine's history. You will be surprised! There are years of history to this vaccine! It's wonderful.

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@merpreb yes, it is really amazing science and I am pretty well aware of the research that went it to it, my comment was directed at specific research into its potential effects on the neurological system. 😊

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@tracyt

I had new onset neuropathy 12 hours post first moderna vaccine. I did get covid tested just to rule out and it was negative. You can also get a nucleocapsid covid antibody test that would only be positive from a past covid infection not from vaccine. You just have to make sure the correct one is ordered bc the other antibody tests (that test for spike protein) will be positive after vaccine. My nucleocapsid was negative. I don’t have any answers for you but I share your frustration!

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Thanks so much, that is useful to know. I hope your new onset is manageable and wish you well! Will you get the 2nd dose of Moderna?
Thanks again!

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@simoneh

Thanks so much, that is useful to know. I hope your new onset is manageable and wish you well! Will you get the 2nd dose of Moderna?
Thanks again!

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No I have not gotten second dose. It’s been 5 months and neuropathy isn’t resolved. Neurologist and PCP both were nervous of what my reaction might be to second dose in light of how I responded to first. They said it’s hard to know really bc it’s so new still

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@tracyt

No I have not gotten second dose. It’s been 5 months and neuropathy isn’t resolved. Neurologist and PCP both were nervous of what my reaction might be to second dose in light of how I responded to first. They said it’s hard to know really bc it’s so new still

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Just one report here, but my daughter had a very strong reaction to her first Moderna dose, fever, nausea, pain, even had to have steroids to reduce systemic swelling of all her lymph glands.
At the direction of her PCP, she had the second dose because she works as a school nurse, her second reaction was about the same, but she has no lingering effects.
Sue

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