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COVID vaccines and neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: Nov 7 12:50pm | Replies (2237)

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@pacer3702

My nerve damage post-vaccine is not symmetrical. For that reason, the 3 different neuromuscular specialists who performed the 3 EMGs each reported a sciatica-like pattern. However, lumbar nerve compression and sciatica were ruled out by each of two outstanding spine surgeon's.
I share your theory that pre- existing nerve damage may explain my susceptibility to immune-mediated nerve injury from the vaccine. For 5 years, I had very mild, stable nerve damage in my feet due to inappropriately-prescribed metronidazole. It was expected during vaccine development that those most likely to be adversely affected by the vaccine, if there were adverse effects, would be those with pre-existing nerve injury.

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Replies to "My nerve damage post-vaccine is not symmetrical. For that reason, the 3 different neuromuscular specialists who..."

@pacer3702 thank you. My neurologist, who is about the most passive and uninterested physician I have ever seen, actually put forth that theory to me several months ago. I find it interesting that you mentioned metronidazole. I have wondered more than a few times if a very brief course I had of it could have also contributed to my issues. I was prescribed it in November, 2020. I was given to me by an urgent care doc for what I suspected was a UTI. At the time I wasn’t crazy about that particular antibiotic being used, but as I was getting ready to leave on a 2-week trip the next day, I was preoccupied and not able to pursue other options. I ended up taking it for only 5 days total. Then in Dec. 2020, the day after my first COVID shot, my other symptoms started. With the timing being so precise with the vaccine, I’ve only given the Flagyl a passing thought, especially since I was only on it 5 days. But yes, it has crossed my mind for sure.

I find your theory interesting. My story has nothing to do with the Covid vaccine, I already had neuropathy before the vaccine. But I was diagnosed with throat cancer (non-smoker) 2 years ago, and when I was compromised from radiation and chemo treatments I got shingles. The place I got shingles was on my inside arm near my elbow, right smack at the site of 2 previous surgeries for an entrapped ulna nerve., which were both before I came down with neuropathy. 1 year later, I still have occasional dull pain from the shingles up and down the ulna nerve from shoulder to fingers. So I believe your theory that previous nerve injury makes sites more susceptible to things, though my doctor, who admits never before seeing shingles on an arm where I had it, says the sight was merely coincidence…..