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 developed peripheral neuropathy in December 2021 after my first Moderna booster at the end of October 2021. At the time of onset, I could barely walk. As of early October 2022, I was walking and hiking three miles a day and was completely off of Gabapentin. On Thursday, I had an EMG test. The results were better than I could have imagined. My nerves are completely healed. The health of my nerves is excellent. I’m truly grateful for this turnaround. I feel very blessed to have come through this experience, back to my former good health. My doctor believes that my neuropathy was likely caused by an extreme inflammatory response to an overreaction of my immune system to my first booster. She has suggested a short term prescription for steroids if I have any future, immune response overreactions to medical conditions or at the first sense of a recurrence of any tingling or numbness. The suppression of the immune response by the steroids might keep my immune system from attacking my nerves again. The sole reason that I’m posting this is to let people know, that in some cases, healing is possible. I realize that everyone is different and that not everyone will come through this the way I have, but when I read of the frustration and desperation from so many similar cases, I hope that maybe this will help someone to feel a little better. To feel that there might be hope for resolution to their situation. I was extremely fortunate to have a wonderful doctor who heard me, believed me, and has done all that she can to see me through to this day. She gave me hope from the day I met her. We have a plan in place for any future problems. Knowing that and having such good results from the EMG gives me peace of mind. I wish that for all of you.
Hi @detc, You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic here so that you could connect with other members like @dortj, @cue and others who are discussing the vaccines and neuropathy symptoms.
-- COVID vaccines and neuropathy
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-vaccines-and-neuropathy/
You might be interested in seeing the treatments that have helped others with neuropathy symptoms on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website here: https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/
Thank you for the links, John. I appreciate it.
Neuropathy is covered as a SS disability, so what is the problem?
Have you hired a SS disability attorney?
That is great! Did you do anything besides gabapentin that may have helped with your neuropathy? I stopped taking gabapentin because of the side effects and found that it wasn’t helping with my neuropathy anyway. My neuropathy has never went away since my first and only Pfizer vaccine 4/21. It does get better here and there but always comes back just as bad and sometimes worse.
Thank you.
I’m sorry to hear that you’re not finding permanent improvement with your neuropathy at this time. I was fortunate that the Gabapentin helped with no negative side effects. I gradually got off of it as my symptoms subsided. I did a 20 minute yoga nidra meditation every day which I think just helped to calm me mentally and physically. For those 20 minutes a day, it felt like I didn’t have neuropathy because I was so focused on the meditation that I forgot about the discomfort. My stated intention during the practice was, “I am healing”. I had to believe that I would completely heal one day. I also exercise walked on the days that my feet allowed. My neurologist told me from the beginning that walking does help, if you’re able. I think it helped that I was otherwise healthy and that apparently, my nerves were in good shape prior to the sudden onset of neuropathy. It’s difficult to stay positive in the midst of the pain and discomfort, but for me, it really was vital. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.
That is such good news that you are doing so well after your vaccine injury! You are the first person I have seen to report complete recovery that includes recovery of a normal EMG. My symptoms are greatly improved but there was no improvement in the nerve damage according to my most recent EMG 5 months ago. I'm now hopeful that my next EMG will show improvement. Thank you for sharing your good news!
Did your doctor discuss a possible resurgence of your inflammatory reaction to the spike protein if you should get Covid? Would you try a short course of steroids then? My nerve damage from the vaccine is also likely due to an inflammatory autoimmune reaction.
You’re welcome. Thank you for your kind words. I’m happy that your symptoms are improving and hoping that your next EMG will show improvement in your nerve health. My doctor’s theory is that the damage to my nerves happened in the Myelin Sheath, which is a protective insulation around the nerves, more so than the “wiring” part of nerves themselves.
We did discuss a possible resurgence of the neuropathy from a case of Covid. I would take Paxlovid as a treatment and if any neuropathy symptoms began, she would definitely start me on a short term course of steroids to stop my immune system from going out of control. The sooner the symptoms would be addressed, the better the chance would be of limiting that inflammatory response that probably caused the neuropathy. Good luck.
My pn started after my 1st Moderna Covid shot. I’ve had 5 shots with increasing pain and spreading of pn. Now my inclination is to not get the next shot when it’s available. The question is what’s going to kill me, Covid or neuropathy!
Thank you. I believe trying to maintain a positive outlook is very beneficial and I found walking is too.
The yoga nidra meditation sounds like a good thing for me to try. Would you mind sharing a link to the one you do? I wish you continued good health.