Anyone had a problem with neuropathy after receiving the vaccine?

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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Profile picture for cosette1968 @cosette1968

I totally support you, am sorry for what you are experiencing, and understand your feelings. I posted early on and since then have read post after post about those of us with similar experiences. We might differ in exact symptoms or history but we are the same - we had the vaccine and then we had neuropathy - either a flare or a new experience altogether. My symptoms subsided after two months, but then resurfaced and have continued on and off since then. I have received no acknowledgement that this is vaccine related and even though I begged - I couldn't get a round of steroids just to see if it would help. i want to believe that in the future there will be full acknowledgement of this adverse effect but more importantly there will be help for us that are affected. Surely, a protocol can be developed. If there was something more I could do to further this cause, other than report it, I would. In the meanwhile, we need to recognize and support each other in any way possible. If it wasn't for the posts here, I would have thought I was totally alone.

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I developed peripheral nerve issues after my first Moderna shot. My doctor refuses to believe that the shot is to blame. He is testing me for auto immune issues. I was feeling all alone too! Not getting the second shot, at least for now.

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Profile picture for suzanne2 @suzanne2

I also have peripheral neuropathy that increased after my 1st Moderna vaccine. I am due my second tomorrow and am really scared to get it! I have a lot of pain in my left foot and the feeling that I am constantly wearing socks on both feet. I have been with children in a classroom setting since August and have not been sick once with any illness this year. No social distancing with 5 year olds! They wear mask also except for lunch time. Have to make a decision and an on the fence!

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How are you now?

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Profile picture for tamster @tamster

How are you now?

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Much better. Over the months it has slowly gone back to normal!

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Profile picture for tamster @tamster

I developed peripheral nerve issues after my first Moderna shot. My doctor refuses to believe that the shot is to blame. He is testing me for auto immune issues. I was feeling all alone too! Not getting the second shot, at least for now.

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I have three autoimmune diseases, I have autoimmune disease caused neuropathy. When I got the vaccines my neuropathy increased significantly. My neurologist said that it was probably an autoimmune reaction to the vaccine.

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Profile picture for jard @jard

Hi there. I'm sorry to hear your situation. Doctors are gradually figuring things out but it's probably not PEG, which can cause instant allergic reactions, and is the reason you have to wait 15 mins after injection. It's more likely because the spike protein (the thing the vaccine actually makes) remains in your body for several weeks after vaccination. In some cases this causes neuropathy, which feels like burning, because the spike protein can get attached to peripheral nerves, which the body reacts to. In rare cases, this can also lead to autoimmune reactions where the body attacks its own nerves. This typically leads to a numb feeling. There aren't any tried and tested solutions yet but in the meantime I suggest trying bromelain. It helped me. It is thought to potentially snip the spike protein, maybe making it less reactionary and helping the body to remove it. Unfortunately, we're all lab rats at the moment but getting covid without being vaccinated might be a lot worse.

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My son, 34 years, had the 2nd Pfizer injection in May. In July, he complained of tingling in both hands, both legs from the knees to toes. No pain, but sometimes feels weakness and fatigue in these affected areas. MRIs of head, cervical and lumbar are negative as was the EMG/NCV of his legs. Lab work was all negative. The neurologist cannot explain the symptoms, but states he wouldn’t rule out that it may be related to injection. It is now Oct and he says the symptoms are unchanged. I’m greatful that they have not worsened. Any recommendations are appreciated. Has anyone recovered from the symptoms?

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Profile picture for jcc352 @jcc352

I never had any type of Neuropathy symptoms prior to getting the Moderna shot on 3/29/21. Several days later I started experiencing the tingling in the feet and hands. I felt like the symptoms were subsiding and at the advice of my general doctor got the second shot on 4/26/21. Symptoms became more pronounced after the second shot with burning sensations in feet and hands and numbness in fingertips and toes. I went to see a neurologist and he diagnosed me with Small Fiber Neuropathy. I also found out at my appointment that I cannot feel cold temperatures in portions of my feet and ankles. This started out as annoying but has turned into slightly painful. However, it's not debilitating. I was hoping after four months it would go away or subside some. No luck. I chose not to medicate this as it is tolerable. However, I am very concerned on getting a booster shot when that need arises.

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You are experiencing the similar symptoms as my 34 year old son. He is 4 months post 2nd Pfizer injection and had had no changes in the tingling of both hands and feet to knees. Are you better? If so, what treatment worked? God bless you

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Profile picture for dag10 @dag10

My son, 34 years, had the 2nd Pfizer injection in May. In July, he complained of tingling in both hands, both legs from the knees to toes. No pain, but sometimes feels weakness and fatigue in these affected areas. MRIs of head, cervical and lumbar are negative as was the EMG/NCV of his legs. Lab work was all negative. The neurologist cannot explain the symptoms, but states he wouldn’t rule out that it may be related to injection. It is now Oct and he says the symptoms are unchanged. I’m greatful that they have not worsened. Any recommendations are appreciated. Has anyone recovered from the symptoms?

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@dag10 your son’s symptoms sound quite similar to mine. I am now almost 9 months out from 2nd Pfizer and am experiencing very slight improvement. I have tried so many things such as dietary changes without any real effect. I do take a few supplements and vitamins but I think more than anything the passage of time is the biggest thing giving me slow improvement. I am just so grateful it isn’t worse and doesn’t really keep me from doing what I want and need to do. But it has been an extremely frustrating and at times frightening experience. Best wishes for your son!

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I am scheduled to get the booster this week and am hesitant because i have just been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy idiopathic I also have been having severe headaches for over a month. Can’t find the reason brain ok says might be neck or tmj. Any advice very nervous about getting shot but will be flying to Arizona to move and thought I should get it before traveling.

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Profile picture for lk61 @lk61

@dag10 your son’s symptoms sound quite similar to mine. I am now almost 9 months out from 2nd Pfizer and am experiencing very slight improvement. I have tried so many things such as dietary changes without any real effect. I do take a few supplements and vitamins but I think more than anything the passage of time is the biggest thing giving me slow improvement. I am just so grateful it isn’t worse and doesn’t really keep me from doing what I want and need to do. But it has been an extremely frustrating and at times frightening experience. Best wishes for your son!

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Thank you for responding. We are trying the supplements and trying to eat organically. We walk an hour almost daily. I believe that with time all the symptoms will improve. It is scary and frustrating, I agree. I believe strongly in the power of prayers and our God is greater than these symptoms. All things are possible with God. Give Him praise. Thank you Jesus for the healing. Amen.

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Profile picture for dag10 @dag10

My son, 34 years, had the 2nd Pfizer injection in May. In July, he complained of tingling in both hands, both legs from the knees to toes. No pain, but sometimes feels weakness and fatigue in these affected areas. MRIs of head, cervical and lumbar are negative as was the EMG/NCV of his legs. Lab work was all negative. The neurologist cannot explain the symptoms, but states he wouldn’t rule out that it may be related to injection. It is now Oct and he says the symptoms are unchanged. I’m greatful that they have not worsened. Any recommendations are appreciated. Has anyone recovered from the symptoms?

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Hello @dag10 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. What a great support you must be for your son while he goes through this. I think it is great to hear you say things that you are proactively doing to help your son recover from his symptoms.

Everyone has seemed to recovery very differently from their symptoms, which makes it challenging. Still, making daily choices that support well-being and healing while the medical community is feverishly learning from data will only help your son.

Is he being seen by a neurologist?

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