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COVID vaccines and neuropathy

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

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@lreitman

I have neuropathy due to damage to my sciatic nerve. I took the Covid vaccine last week and the pain has increased significantly. This did not happen with my past vaccine booster.

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Replies to "I have neuropathy due to damage to my sciatic nerve. I took the Covid vaccine last..."

Welcome to Mayo Connect, where patients and caregivers support one another in their health journeys.
Let me tell you that I have an overreactive inflammatory system, and every vaccine gives me a new surprise. This time, the Covid vaccine in my bicep caused a pain reaction all the way up through my bad shoulder and into my neck.
I have talked this over with my pain doc and my pain physical therapist. It is a real thing, but it is also a sign that my body is responding to the vaccine, whose purpose is to ramp up my immune system.
So, I always try to space out my injections and know I will be sore - often in an entirely new way or place. I plan extra rest & good food, take Tylenol, use ice or heat, and keep moving and stretching. Usually everything subsides in a week, but occasionally it lasts a bit longer. Then I go to the PT or massage therapist for a "tune up."
So, if I always react to vaccines, why do I keep getting them? Because I have bad lungs and therefore am at very high risk of serious illness from any respiratory illness. And because I have seen how awful shingles can be, and with my inflammatory response, I can't imagine how my body would respond.
Sue