VAERS reporting of symptoms after COVID-19 vaccine

@loribmt In my case, I regret deeply getting the vax. A couple of days after pfizer dose 2, based on symptoms, I got what can be described as colitis. It is now 3 months later, with meds, some improvement, but far from normal. I am a senior citizen, have never had these symptoms in my entire adult life. Always ate a high fiber diet with no problems. Digestive system perfectly regular and normal. It makes sense to blame this on the vax. The vax is intended to "rev up" the immune system. Much of the immune system is in the gut. Now this appears to be for the rest of my life. I was fine (in NYC), never wore mask except when forced. Now things have changed for the worse, apparently for the rest of my life. We should have been warned.

Thank you all for your information and experiences. I just consulted with my M.D., again and she recommended, as many of you, to get the Pfizer vaccine. Kindness and compassion prevails on this website, thank you!

I received first Moderna vaccine on March 17, 2021. I experienced two hot and red spots on the same arm, plus extensive muscle pain in that arm.
I received second Moderna vaccine on April 20, 2021. My stomach broke out in scabby lesions, my vision was affected enough to bring me to my Optometrist who prescribed new glasses.
Further, I was diagnosed with vertigo by practitioner at Mayo practice in Dexter, ME.
Since that time, on my body "trunk" I have MANY tiny bumps that when I scratch, it produces a slight amount of blood.
This has occurred on my forehead slightly.
I developed bacterial Conjunctivitis which brought me back to the Optometrist twice. This condition has lasted for at least three weeks.

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences.
However, the Pfizer vaccine did a number on my system and 3 months later, I am still not well…currently I’m awaiting test results from a Spinal Tap. I had a very moderate case of Covid in Jan ‘21 and after waiting 3 months, along with doctor discussions, my Pulmonologist suggested I would be ok to receive it. 69 hours later, I spent an entire weekend in the hospital with stroke-like symptoms. They finally diagnosed it as Vestibular Neuritis with severe vertigo. While the vertigo seemed to subside, 4 weeks later I was back in the hospital because of severe neurological symptoms. I was losing fine motor skills in my left hand, my left arm and leg can go numb from time to time, I have several migraines and headaches are almost daily, my speech has become impaired, I can’t sleep, along with a host of other daily symptoms. Since the first hospital stay, I have kept a daily record of my symptoms. My brain is mush (when I could remember things pretty well). My cognitive skills have declined drastically in the last 6 months. 4 doctors later, 3 CT scans, 3 MRIs, 2 weekend stays in the hospital and now a spinal tap, no one seems to know what is wrong other than to “suggest” Post Covid Syndrome. My neurologist has seen me twice now and is referring me to Duke because my MRIs have come back clear.

I’m a 37 year old wife and mom of 2 teens who I could keep up with. I was a grad student and now, it’s hard to get out of bed some days. Though, I push myself out everyday and make sure to give it my all as much as I can. I am very scared to even think about getting the 2nd dose and one of my doctors even suggested I may not need to. I do plan to report to VAERS, it’s just a matter of getting the energy long enough to do so.

Hello @christykc101 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You certainly have experienced a great deal.

Had you ever had vertigo symptoms prior to your vaccines or was this brand new? Also, wondering if you've seen a dermatologist with regard to your rashes? If so, what did they tell they you?

Hello @lisavc and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Both you and another new member @christykc101 have recently shared your experience with vertigo and vertigo symptoms post-vaccine so wanted to connect the pair of you on that note.

I am sure this has been more than scary for you and you mention questioning the second dose. For that reason, I did want to share some resources reporting the second vaccine may actually provide relief to those experiencing long-haul symptoms and/or flare up ups from the first vaccine.

- Mysterious Ailment, Mysterious Relief: Vaccines Help Some COVID Long-Haulers
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/03/31/982799452/mysterious-ailment-mysterious-relief-vaccines-help-some-covid-long-haulers
- Long-Haul COVID Symptoms? Getting Vaccine Won't Make You Feel Worse, Study Finds
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-06-01/long-haul-covid-symptoms-getting-vaccine-wont-make-you-feel-worse-study-finds
I realize this is an incredibly personal decision so I am simply sharing this aspect in the event that you haven't seen/read much about it, as I have found it to be both promising and interesting.

Have you heard about this?

I saw my Neurologist today and we talked about the vaccine. He said my concerns were valid. He said “if I had a medical history like yours I may not be vaccinated either.” If I do get vaccinated I want to wait for the new vaccine for the variants, hopefully available this fall.
I have always gotten vacccinations and want to get the shingles vaccine. Even though people don’t generally get Shingles more than once it is possible and I don’t want it again.
Jake

Hi @christykc101 I am sorry for your medical issues but thank you for sharing your experiences. A friend of mine had decided to get vaccinated about the same time for both injections although I don’t know which vaccine she received. I was supportive and called her a couple weeks after to learn she was doing well. On another casual call a couple weeks later she again was doing great. I thought her health was not a concern by now. Almost a couple months after the last dose of the vaccine she mentioned she broke out into a rash after eating dinner. We passed it up to a food allergy which she never had before and didn’t think more of it. A couple weeks later she reports tinnitus in her ears and vertigo. She is now afraid of falling and refuses her daily walks. I recommended she sees her primary physician. After 3 visits of tests nothing was found including no previous covid infection. She has always had a low exposure risk due to staying home because of not driving. My friend now feels awful because her medical condition has limited her freedom to be able to do her ADLs( activities of daily living). As a result she has seen several specialists and now regrets getting the vaccine because no answers have been found thus far for her deterioration. She is very scared. I again thank you for the information. I will casually mention your experience and try to help her. I hope your condition has improved and you have found more answers. Have your symptoms decreased? I wish you well.

There is still no solid proof her problems are from the vaccine.

I think an individual has a good sense of his own body. The advent of strange and previously non-existent symptoms not long after this new vaccine is good reason to think that it well may be related.