Vaccine Recommendation after severe Covid and monocolonal treatment?

Posted by nichirschfield @nichirschfield, Jan 13, 2022

My husband had severe Covid (non-vaccinated)at the end of October. Got monocolonal treatment in the hospital on Day 10, ended up on a ventilator for 2 weeks. We were advised not to get vaccine until 3 months after the monocolonal treatment. We are approaching that at the end of January. Any recommendations on which vaccine to get and any info we should know about getting first vaccine after all of this?
Thank you

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@apliebs

Unfortunately, there is very little information regarding clinical studies for people with autoimmune diseases and taking vaccine. There is conflicting information regarding immunity after contracting COVID. Some very reliable sources say that it lasts longer than the vaccine. Some say vaccine lasts longer. We do know vaccines do not last that long. We know this to be true now because of all the breakthrough cases. (Booster requirement) Yes, I believe in the vaccine, but, because of the very many variables, such as medication one is taking, current health, etc., not all autoimmune diseases are the same and should not be lumped together. Decisions should be researched and reached with your own physician.

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Yes, there is no perfect or final answer in these times. Knowledgeable people can only make an informed judgement call.

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@vic83

I appreciate your doubts, however, it is an example of how the general public does not understand the concept of research. I am a retired market research professional from high tech with lots of experience in data analysis, forecasting and database design. My subject was not medical but technical and economic, however the skill set is similar. WHY DOES GUIDANCE CHANGE OVER TIME? Because one starts with similar situations, creates a model, and then adjusts it as more data comes in. Any type of forecasting does this. Also, one must be aware of context, that is the "big picture". For example, what seems a high value by itself is not so when seen against a whole population of similar. And research also triangulates data points for a position. The general public is ill prepared to judge what ever pops up in a google search. Doctors in one specialty claiming knowledge in another is an example. Judgements on medical issues requires organized research with a systematic collection of data, viewed in the overall relevant context. This requires resources and people with the appropriate skill set. That is why one should consult the real research institutions. The criticism of these institutions is unwarranted. We are living with a NEW virus which mutates....medical research follows it and makes the most informed call it can as more information is documented.

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No one is criticizing. Questioning should be allowed. Also, I made my comment without providing my background which I see you have provided yours at great length. So having no knowledge of my background, it would be nice if you didn't preach or be judgmental. I think that people are smarter than you think.

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@apliebs and @vic83, this is a case where you are both right. The changes in public health guidance can leave many questioning "What is the right thing to do?"
@apliebs I completely agree with your statement "not all autoimmune diseases are the same and should not be lumped together. Decisions should be researched and reached with your own physician."

Thank you both for the debate, in accordance with the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) and helping to inform with respect.

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@apliebs

No one is criticizing. Questioning should be allowed. Also, I made my comment without providing my background which I see you have provided yours at great length. So having no knowledge of my background, it would be nice if you didn't preach or be judgmental. I think that people are smarter than you think.

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Yes, I think comments like; "it is an example of how the general public does not understand the concept of research", or "Criticism of these Institutions were strong and not necessary. But I welcome people's background so I might get a sense of the basis for their comments. I thin it is best to sift thru the stuff that is not specifically germane and focus on just on the relevant facts. Give each other a break and also try hard to stick to just the information that will advance an understanding of the subject.

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@eric211

Hey CD what symptoms are you having after the shot? I had a similar experience. I had bad covid for a month, recovered for a few weeks, got my first Pfizer shot and got very sick again a few days after. It was just like I had covid all over again. Most all of the same symptoms. I have been sick ever since. It has been two months since the shot and 4 months since covid diagnosis. I have bad fatigue, headaches, insomnia, and respiratory issues all over again.

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Hello Eric. I have heavy chest pressure almost constantly/every day now and have for over 6 months and also my breaths are shorter and more labored. Also fatigued at the end of every day (5:00 - 6:00pm it starts) and I do not have the normal energy I used to have to do after work things like I used to. It doesn't hurt but it is heavy and constant. There are times when there is a mild pain in my center chest area but it is mostly a constant pressure/heaviness. I'm sure it is inflammation and it doesn't go away. It is worse after strenuous activity so I've learned to not do strenuous activity. I recovered from Covid in May and was feeling good in late June and all of July 2021 after recovering and I decided to get the first Pfizer. 3-4 days or so later I starred feeling the heavy chest pressure and shortness of my breaths. Been that way ever since and that was in Early August. It is February now. I did not get the second dose as a result of the first. My Pulmonologist is the one that recommended I get the shot after recovering from Covid symptoms and started to feel better. Was not good advice in hindsight to say the least. He doesn't appear to have treatment options except steroids and that doesn't eliminate the issues. I was a healthy person, 52 yrs old, 6 foot 1, 198 lbs, very very active with a good diet until I got the covid and then got worse after the 1st shot of Pfizer. It has changed my life and I hope to wake up someday and it is gone but so far it is there and just as bad as it was in early August when it came back.

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@cd54016

Hello Eric. I have heavy chest pressure almost constantly/every day now and have for over 6 months and also my breaths are shorter and more labored. Also fatigued at the end of every day (5:00 - 6:00pm it starts) and I do not have the normal energy I used to have to do after work things like I used to. It doesn't hurt but it is heavy and constant. There are times when there is a mild pain in my center chest area but it is mostly a constant pressure/heaviness. I'm sure it is inflammation and it doesn't go away. It is worse after strenuous activity so I've learned to not do strenuous activity. I recovered from Covid in May and was feeling good in late June and all of July 2021 after recovering and I decided to get the first Pfizer. 3-4 days or so later I starred feeling the heavy chest pressure and shortness of my breaths. Been that way ever since and that was in Early August. It is February now. I did not get the second dose as a result of the first. My Pulmonologist is the one that recommended I get the shot after recovering from Covid symptoms and started to feel better. Was not good advice in hindsight to say the least. He doesn't appear to have treatment options except steroids and that doesn't eliminate the issues. I was a healthy person, 52 yrs old, 6 foot 1, 198 lbs, very very active with a good diet until I got the covid and then got worse after the 1st shot of Pfizer. It has changed my life and I hope to wake up someday and it is gone but so far it is there and just as bad as it was in early August when it came back.

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Are your post vaccine symptoms ( chest pressure/lack of energy/shortness of breath, etc. the same as when you covid? Have similar situation except longer time between covid and vaccine and vaccine and symptoms. But mine pressure, shortness of breath were not present during covid (irregular heartbeat, dizziness w/ fever). Have you sought out clinic that specializes in "long covid"?

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@cd54016

Hello Eric. I have heavy chest pressure almost constantly/every day now and have for over 6 months and also my breaths are shorter and more labored. Also fatigued at the end of every day (5:00 - 6:00pm it starts) and I do not have the normal energy I used to have to do after work things like I used to. It doesn't hurt but it is heavy and constant. There are times when there is a mild pain in my center chest area but it is mostly a constant pressure/heaviness. I'm sure it is inflammation and it doesn't go away. It is worse after strenuous activity so I've learned to not do strenuous activity. I recovered from Covid in May and was feeling good in late June and all of July 2021 after recovering and I decided to get the first Pfizer. 3-4 days or so later I starred feeling the heavy chest pressure and shortness of my breaths. Been that way ever since and that was in Early August. It is February now. I did not get the second dose as a result of the first. My Pulmonologist is the one that recommended I get the shot after recovering from Covid symptoms and started to feel better. Was not good advice in hindsight to say the least. He doesn't appear to have treatment options except steroids and that doesn't eliminate the issues. I was a healthy person, 52 yrs old, 6 foot 1, 198 lbs, very very active with a good diet until I got the covid and then got worse after the 1st shot of Pfizer. It has changed my life and I hope to wake up someday and it is gone but so far it is there and just as bad as it was in early August when it came back.

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Dang man, sorry to hear. I was just seen yesterday at a university hospital. This is my second pulmonologist and I saw an ear nose and throat dr yesterday also there. They told me I should have waited at least 3 months after infection. My primary dr recommend me to get it at the time and cdc recommends it still also. I had another CT done last week and it doesn’t appear to be the lungs that are my problem. I’m wondering if it’s my airways. From the research I have done it is also probably due to inflammation but I have chest congestion also that is hard to get out. I’m afraid it’s bronchiectasis but my spirometry and CT appear to show not much evidence of that. I don’t sleep well at all and I have frequent flare ups in the night. I got the Pfizer two months after infection and it was like I had covid all over again. I haven’t felt good enough to get the second shot yet. It’s been two and a half months of this now. I am fatigued a lot and trouble breathing. Chest congestion but not much cough. Seems to be sticky/non productive right now. I’m also hoping to wake up one day normal again.

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@bunzman

Are your post vaccine symptoms ( chest pressure/lack of energy/shortness of breath, etc. the same as when you covid? Have similar situation except longer time between covid and vaccine and vaccine and symptoms. But mine pressure, shortness of breath were not present during covid (irregular heartbeat, dizziness w/ fever). Have you sought out clinic that specializes in "long covid"?

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Similar to when I had covid but the shortness of breath is not nearly as bad. I can take a full/deep breath but when I'm breathing normally it is like I do not take as full a breath as I used to and therefore I think I take more breaths per minute/day than before. Almost like less lung capacity. I am seeking out a clinic now, Mayo Clinic, but have yet to have a consult with a specialist.

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Good...Think I know exactly what you mean...It's like the pressure is what limits you and not congestion directly in the lungs. Therefore attributing it to inflammation..?

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@eric211

Dang man, sorry to hear. I was just seen yesterday at a university hospital. This is my second pulmonologist and I saw an ear nose and throat dr yesterday also there. They told me I should have waited at least 3 months after infection. My primary dr recommend me to get it at the time and cdc recommends it still also. I had another CT done last week and it doesn’t appear to be the lungs that are my problem. I’m wondering if it’s my airways. From the research I have done it is also probably due to inflammation but I have chest congestion also that is hard to get out. I’m afraid it’s bronchiectasis but my spirometry and CT appear to show not much evidence of that. I don’t sleep well at all and I have frequent flare ups in the night. I got the Pfizer two months after infection and it was like I had covid all over again. I haven’t felt good enough to get the second shot yet. It’s been two and a half months of this now. I am fatigued a lot and trouble breathing. Chest congestion but not much cough. Seems to be sticky/non productive right now. I’m also hoping to wake up one day normal again.

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We are very similar but I have no cough. I have deep regret about getting that shot two months after recovering from Covid as I now know that my natural immunity from recovering would have served me well. I will continue to search for ways to get this thing fixed but I feel I now have a chronic or life long issue that may now become a new normal and it may decrease my life span as a result too. I will continue to read this site and hope I will see or hear of some good news. Good luck to you and all of us.

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