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?

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@dhamil

I am 5 weeks out from my first dose of Pfizer and still having new and increased neuropathy pain. It has gotten a little better but as bad as I want the booster I am scared to get it on top of my new pain. I also have an increase in my Tendinitis starting @4wks after shot. It’s been persistent where is in the past it would come and go and was much milder. Not sure if it’s related or not. I’m seeing a lot of people with neuropathy side effects from Pfizer and Maderma on here but not J&J. Has anyone had this side effect from J&J?

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I'm so sorry that your neuropathy and pain are increasing. This has been my experience as well. I find it very disturbing. I get your reluctance. For the 1st week after the reaction/shot, I questioned whether or not I should get the second dose. I am very clear now that this is not good medicine for my body. I do not intend to get any more of this vaccine. This is an important decision for folks who are hurt by it and each will have to weigh the possible benefits vs. risks. There is no medicine that is one size fits all.

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I am now 3 months out from Moderna and the pain is the same. It literally has changed my life completely

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@lia

My symptoms have not resolved at all. I am only 20 days in.

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I’m so sorry! Did you get the second shot? If you did, did it make it worse? Mine hasn’t resolved so I’m debating getting my 2nd.

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@dhamil

I’m so sorry! Did you get the second shot? If you did, did it make it worse? Mine hasn’t resolved so I’m debating getting my 2nd.

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I just realized you’re only 20 days out.

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@revisl

I am now 3 months out from Moderna and the pain is the same. It literally has changed my life completely

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So sorry this happened to you. Did you get both shots? And Did the second makes it worse?

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@dhamil

After your 2nd shot Did your flares completely resolve and how long did it take?

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It took 6-8 weeks for most of my symptoms to clear. Since I have chronic pain and inflammation, made worse by allergies, it is hard to tell right now what might be vaccine related and what is my "normal." Before pollen, I would say I was 90% recovered.

Before my out of this world reaction to the flu vaccine last fall, I would never have attributed my pain to an injection...

My PCP, with whom I had a long visit last week, is seeing reactions "sometimes" in her older patients. If symptoms don't clear at 2 months, she is treating - we are waiting 2 more weeks, then will try a course of prednisone if not better. My greatest symptoms right now are neck & from shoulder to fingertip...pain and occasional numbness - topical rubs, heat, and the odd dose of ibuprofen keeps it tolerable.
Sue

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@sueinmn

It took 6-8 weeks for most of my symptoms to clear. Since I have chronic pain and inflammation, made worse by allergies, it is hard to tell right now what might be vaccine related and what is my "normal." Before pollen, I would say I was 90% recovered.

Before my out of this world reaction to the flu vaccine last fall, I would never have attributed my pain to an injection...

My PCP, with whom I had a long visit last week, is seeing reactions "sometimes" in her older patients. If symptoms don't clear at 2 months, she is treating - we are waiting 2 more weeks, then will try a course of prednisone if not better. My greatest symptoms right now are neck & from shoulder to fingertip...pain and occasional numbness - topical rubs, heat, and the odd dose of ibuprofen keeps it tolerable.
Sue

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I wish you continued improvement. My concern is the 2nd one will make mine a lot worse. That’s why I was wondering it had worsened your pain.

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I’m a 36yo male, healthy and physically active w/no prior history of neuropathy.
On 4/21 I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine in my right arm and within two minutes had a vasovagal reaction—tingling in my underarm, flush feeling face and stiffness and tingling in my upper lips. That mostly subsided within 30 minutes as the dull arm pain set in. Over the next 7 days my arm pain intensified some and moved up my shoulder and down my triceps and into my elbow.
4/28 I awoke with numbness and tingling in my pointer and middle finger of my shot (right) arm in addition to the arm pain and neck and shoulder muscle tightness.
5/8 Arm pain and finger numbness still present, I did some yard work which exacerbated the arm pain, and at this point it was the first day I recognized the pain as a specific intense nerve pain from my shoulder, down my triceps, across my forearm and into my pointer and middle fingers. From this point on the nerve pain and finger numbness/tingling persisted and included intermittent cold forearm/fingers.
5/11 Met with my primary physician who diagnosed me with cervical radiculopathy (C7) as cause for the specific finger numbness without any prior trauma. Prescribed physical therapy, prednisolone and flexeril.
5/12 Had a massage w/aroma therapy, cryotherapy, and cupping. Provided some relaxation, but no change in nerve pain or symptoms.
5/14 First day of PT; neck and arms stretches, neck traction and nerve glides
5/17 Completed Medrol dose pack, steroids seemingly had no effect. Flexeril at night helped relax neck and shoulder muscles a bit.
5/20 (Today) Still have numbness and tingling in my pointer and middle fingers with specific nerve pain down my triceps, elbow, across forearm and into my two fingers that intensifies with activity and at night. Intermittent cold sensation in right hand, underarm inflammation and tenderness, and general weakness of right hand and arm. My 2nd dose is scheduled for tomorrow and given my reaction to the first, I don’t think I’ll be getting it. At this point I’m not concerned with when these symptoms resolve but if they ever resolve.

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Hi. I have neuropathy and several other health conditions. I had the Pfizer vaccine in January and I wish that I hadn't as I have worsening peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. The pain and discomfort is truly awful.

I opted not to get the second vaccine because of this. My quality of life now is very poor.

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@tcp36c

Hi. I have neuropathy and several other health conditions. I had the Pfizer vaccine in January and I wish that I hadn't as I have worsening peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. The pain and discomfort is truly awful.

I opted not to get the second vaccine because of this. My quality of life now is very poor.

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I'm so sorry. I also wish I hadn't gotten the shot and won't be getting the second.

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