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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Hi @kle, for whatever reason they only do that area, foot/ankle. The skin test was done when it was acute. I had burning paresthesias to both my arms without temp sensation changes like in lower body. Similar but not exactly the same. My fushion surgery seems to have helped the arms. I dont require medication for the lower but I did when it was acute. I had Lidocaine patches put on lower body areas and it was enough maybe to distract my mind off the pain but wasnt too helpful. I have a different neurologist who has a high interest in MS. He is doing MRI imaging and serum lab tests. Not done yet but soon. I think the lower sx's could stem from my neck b/c I have been having more burning at the cervical surgery site lately and it is "waking up" some of these other upper and lower area but still not as bad as last year. I dont know if Covid was an initiator or an agitator of these lower symptoms but nervous system can be reactive and activate other areas. I dont know if Ill ever know. I try to eat well, whole foods and more vegetables and less meat. No processed food and I like to exercise. Best wishes to you and can keep the line of communication open as needed. Take Care
My neurologist didn't request a skin biopsy. My SFN is caused by antibodies and was diagnosed through extensive blood tests at UCLA. IVIG treatments would probably help me but I'm unable to tolerate them. Although I am better than when I first had neuropathy symptoms so maybe the few doses I had helped.
My SFN is not from the vaccines it is pre-covid. I never had the mRNA vaccines. I had the other vaccines.
I'm the person who started this discussion a few years ago and I hope everyone who has shared their experiences is doing better now.
Take care. Joy
Thank you very much @ralphysmom. I hope you feel better each day. You seem to be doing all the right things including good nutrition. I will try to do the same.
Three years ago I developed chemo induced neuropathy in my hands and feet. In 2021 I participated in a clinical trial which confirmed my diagnosis through a skin biopsy, skin ultrasound and other sensory tests performed by a neurologist. I don't think the trial is completed so I can't give any results. I can say that I've had four Pfizer vaccine shots and noticed no worsening of symptoms. However, last week I tested positive for covid (mild symptoms and I took Paxlovid), and the neuropathy worsened in my hands and feet. So for me, I will continue to get the shots. As to nutrition, etc., I've got nothing. The trial wax testing a supplement containing some form of nicotinamide.
..not perhaps correct place for this but I know i got P.N. after Norflox, a Quinoline drug, 2016 but years ago I did not keep track of illnesses and medications... now am wondering about retina problems and laser surgery/floaters and the whole shebang.... too late to go back in time for many health issues treated by antibiotics but resulting side effects.... recently had Trimethoprime and my floaters are worse and also seeing thousands tiny moving dots - Optometrist thinks stress but I think the meds.. how do I prove and is it treatable.. I doubt it. Just reading about Cipro and eye issues, why are they allowed to still treat us with such bad side effects when another drug woul be less life-changing... I dont get it. Even pharmacist says; you aren't allergic to it, its a side effect! Is it worth swapping one illness for such bad side effects? J
Oh, the previous vaccines we've had many years ago, can cause neuropathy years later. Such as hepatitis vaccines , and flu vaccines I unfortunately had on my doctor recommendation when travelling.
Even flu vaccines some years before covid were mRNA already .
...never thought to check but when I came to Canada had to have smallpox vaccination?? long time ago. but every time I went back to uk to see parents had to have the vaccinatin to get back into /Canada as did my two children one of whom was only 5 months old one time; and I often wonder if some of our later adult illnesses could have been cause by so many... I cannot recall exact details though and in those days no computers! And how many other "vaccines" have we had over the years....
Way too many
My foot neuropathy started within a month of the shingles vaccine
Second Pfizer worsened it terribly. Stopped there and would never have another one
Anyone diagnosed with multi neuropathy associated with POEMS?
Same thing happened to me. Developed neuropathy 24hrs after I got Shingrex. But it only lasted 2days. I got the second shot and it came back again but cleared after a month. My neurologist said it was just inflammation from the vaccine and it shouldn’t be permanent. Then had my first Pfizer vaccine and it caused so much neuropathy pain and this time it didn’t go away. My neurologist urged me to get my second covid shot but knowing what the 1st one did to me I never got another one. Scared to even get the flu vaccine at this point. Wish I had never gotten Shingrex! If I hadn’t maybe the covid vaccine wouldn’t have caused this on going neuropathy and I’d be living a normal life in more ways than one. But I’ll never know. Wish you well.