COVID vaccines and neuropathy
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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I have sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy. My symptoms began 2 weeks after the first Pfizer vaccine. The motor neuropathy causes some muscle twitching, but that symptom has been improving over time. Has your neurologist tested you for autoimmune antibodies?
The more people report these adverse side effects at VAERS, the more likely it is that the makers of these vaccines will look into it.
@pacer3702, no he has not. So you also experienced new onset neuropathy post vaccine?
Yes. There is an entire group of people on Facebook recovering from such neurological issues which appear to be vaccine-related. The group is called Neuro V Long-Haulers. Most are improving now about 9 months post-vaccine. My doctor discovered that my ANA autoantibodies increased again 8 months post-vaccine. The concern is if the vaccine precipitated an autoimmune disorder and the anti-COVID antibodies are attacking my healthy nerve tissue.]
@pacer3702 thank you. I have heard of the group. I’ve been a little reluctant to check it out for the reasons that Facebook attracts some real strange ones at times, and also I don’t want to get mired down again in the cycle of “what’s going on, could it be this or this or this…”. But I may give it a look. I’ve been going through this for a year now. I was one of the first to be vaccinated. It’s been tough. Thanks again and peaceful good wishes for the New Year!
I got an email each day asking for any reactions and I told them and asked for it to be reported Who knows if did
I am grateful to have found this group, as I have been suffering from neuropathy-like symptoms and other ailments for 9+ months after the vaccine. I am disheartened to see that so many of us are experiencing these adverse reactions and receiving little help from the medical community.
Prior to the vaccine, I was a healthy, active, 31-year-old with no prior medical conditions. I get the flu shot annually along with all other recommended vaccines and have never had an issue. I received the first dose of Moderna at the end of March 2021. A few days later, I developed an intense prickling/pins and needles feeling in my arm where I received the shot. Eventually, the pain and tingling moved into my leg and then up into my neck, face, and mouth. At this point, I consulted a doctor who recommended that I move forward with the second dose. He diagnosed me with paresthesias from the vaccine but said that it was not serious and should subside in a few weeks. He said he would report my reaction to VAERS, but did not actually do so until 9 months later when I followed up with him to ask for my case number.
I received the second dose as scheduled at the end of April 2021 and from there my symptoms exploded: burning, tingling, numbness, distorted temperature sensations on my skin, internal vibrating/buzzing, vision disturbances, sensitivity to light, and tinnitus. Around four months post-vaccine, I also developed muscle twitching/spasms all over my body (face, eyes, back, arms, legs, and in my core - almost like my organs themselves are twitching), along with ear pressure/popping. These symptoms have all persisted and migrate throughout my body.
My mother received one dose of Pfizer in April and has exactly the same paresthesia and muscle spasm symptoms (her muscle spasms also began around 4 months post-vaccine). Thankfully, we realized that the vaccine was not safe for her in time for her to refuse the second dose. Like me, she is healthy and active with no prior health concerns.
I have now seen two neurologists, an immunologist, and a rheumatologist who all concluded that these symptoms are a direct result of the vaccine. In addition, they each acknowledged that they have seen many patients like me and my mom; however, they do not know how to help us.
Over the time period of my vaccine injury, I have developed antibodies consistent with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and thyroid disease. Conditions that I did not have prior to the vaccine and do not run in my family. This vaccine has truly been life-altering for me. I am now facing a life-long illness after trusting that this vaccine was safe, had no long-term side effects, and would protect my community.
My mom and I would like to be part of a study for these types of adverse reactions. We are currently on a waitlist for a study with the NIH, but have not heard from them since the fall. Our local university research hospital declined to study our case. Could someone please direct me to current studies that we can join so that people with our reaction can receive support and eventually be screened before receiving these life-altering vaccines?
My heart truly goes out to all of you here. I hope we can find healing in this new year.
@erin2288 I’m so sorry to read your story and know that you’re going through it. It sounds almost identical to my own, except for our age difference. If it helps at all to know you aren’t alone, you aren’t. Traditional medicine unfortunately seems to be of little help right now. As more and more information comes forward, they will have to figure out what to do with us! I have been extremely frustrated with my own neurologist as he’s not able to offer me much real help and tends to be placating. I will only credit him with never having denied that my symptoms are probably vaccine related. I don’t know of any studies we could participate in but I would also love to do so. I return to my neuro in a few weeks and I have some hard line questions for him. I’ll also ask him if he’s aware of any studies being conducted. He practices in a large academic medical center but has never indicated to me that he’s had any other patients like me, whereas I hear other people saying that their docs are seeing a lot of it. This whole topic has become so politicized, it’s very hard to know where the real truth lies. This group is great. Best wishes.
I have had a marked increase in symptoms of neuropathy over past year after taking three Moderna shots. I had not connected the Moderna shots to the increased symptoms of neuropathy, which have grown markedly worse
I also developed peripheral neuropathy after shot but got worse after booster that’s when the pins and needles and tingling all over body started. I told my neurologist but she is not sure if that is what caused it.