COVID vaccines and neuropathy

Thanks for this. The first large study I've seen that relates covid to nerve damage. If that's how some immune systems react to covid I assume they might react the same way to the mRNA vaccines?

To all of you suffering from distressing symptoms after your vaccine, I would like to offer another bit of emerging research. This has not yet been peer reviewed, but it is quite interesting. From the New York Times http://e.startribune.com/Olive/ODN/StarTribune/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=MST%2F2021%2F06%2F17&entity=Ar00104&sk=A65A6C20&mode=text

In short, the article from the New York Times reports that over 20% of people who had Covid, whether severe, moderate, mild, or even asymptomatic, suffered adverse health effects afterward. Sometimes even months later. Among the most reported are nerve and muscle pain, including in people who never had such problems in the past. Nine months after a severe, non-hospitalized case of Covid, my 41 year old daughter was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis, even though she never had ANY symptoms pre-Covid. Her partner at work was diagnosed 9 months after infection with asthma for the first time.

So, it is possible that some of the people reporting reactions after vaccine, especially those who had Covid, may have had these symptoms without the injection.

Also, I would like to see an evaluation of the percentage of the population reporting lingering or severe effects after Covid vs after vaccine. I know the number of event reports is far below 20% of the number of doses given. Last time I checked (in May) it was below 2%.

Just another piece in the puzzle that is Covid.
Sue

I am up to 1800mg of Gabapentin (600 3X per day). It doesn't really help for the pain. My doctor says I could take even more. Why bother?

My best guess would be that you are correct. The unknown in this scenario is whether, if a susceptible individual chose not to be vaccinated and got Covid, would they then get neuropathy or have neuropathy get worse?

In my case, I know that I am susceptible to inflammatory flares from vaccines. However I also have compromised lungs, and high risk of serious illness from Covid, influenza and pneumonia. Therefore I choose to take the vaccines and accept those consequences, rather than risk serious illness from the viruses.

I also wanted my life back, and knew I could not go out unvaccinated into the world, or spend time with my too-young-for-vaccine grands.

You decision may differ. And, as with everything Covid, stay tuned - we are still learning.
Sue

Thanks Sue This is the only vaccine I have ever had a negative reaction to. I go for a second shot next week with considerable trepidation...

@cue. I have the same concerns with my neuropathy and lichen planus. Has anyone heard of issues with lichen planus and the vaccine? Was testing these conditions part of obtaining approval for a vaccine?

To all of you suffering from distressing symptoms after your vaccine, I would like to offer another bit of emerging research. This has not yet been peer reviewed, but it is quite interesting. From the New York Times http://e.startribune.com/Olive/ODN/StarTribune/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=MST%2F2021%2F06%2F17&entity=Ar00104&sk=A65A6C20&mode=text

In short, the article from the New York Times reports that over 20% of people who had Covid, whether severe, moderate, mild, or even asymptomatic, suffered adverse health effects afterward. Sometimes even months later. Among the most reported are nerve and muscle pain, including in people who never had such problems in the past. Nine months after a severe, non-hospitalized case of Covid, my 41 year old daughter was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis, even though she never had ANY symptoms pre-Covid. Her partner at work was diagnosed 9 months after infection with asthma for the first time.

So, it is possible that some of the people reporting reactions after vaccine, especially those who had Covid, may have had these symptoms without the injection.

Also, I would like to see an evaluation of the percentage of the population reporting lingering or severe effects after Covid vs after vaccine. I know the number of event reports is far below 20% of the number of doses given. Last time I checked (in May) it was below 2%.

Just another piece in the puzzle that is Covid.
Sue

I have had the two vaccines and now have a paresthesia on my right side of face identical to a diagnosis of mono neuritis multiplex 25+ yrs ago. I suspect there is a link between the drug and my current MNM problem.

@fishmore Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We’re an online community forum where members come together to use our experiences and valuable insights gathered along our life journies to help each other. We’re not medical professionals so we can’t diagnose but we can offer suggestions and help find answers.

How long ago did you receive the Covid vaccination? Also, which type~Pfizer, Moderna or J&J?

Do you remember how long after your vaccinations that you felt your paresthesia returning? Was it after the first shot or after the second? I’m only asking so that the information is available for others who can relate to your situation.

Sharing my story with you, I had a pre-existing neurological diagnosed condition on my spinal cord. After my 1st dose of Pfizer I had an awakening of the symptoms at about the 2 week point. My transplant team at Mayo had me return for a full work up with my transplant doctor and neurologist. Shortening the story, but in essence, my neurologist stated that some people with pre-existing neurological concerns are experiencing some symptoms of their original disease as the immune system gets stimulated. But also that the symptoms in most people disappear within weeks to some months.
My symptoms subsided and completely went away after about 2 weeks I was cleared to have the 2nd shot and was given a prescription for a steroid burst ‘just in case’ i had a flare up. No reaction the second shot so I didn’t have to take the steroids. In my case getting the actual virus would have serious consequences and made the vaccine all the more important to receive.

I hope you have some improvement soon. Did you report this reaction to your physician?