What can I expect with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)?

Curious to find out how many have been newly diagnosed with this condition since receiving a Covid vaccine. Anti phospholipid antibody syndrome condition

@raeanna Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Everyone here shares their experiences with their own health condition. Most of the tips and experiences are very helpful. Can I ask why you asked the question about covid and APS? Do you have APS?

A fully vaccinated with moderna covid 19 vax acquaintance has been recently diagnosed with apps at age 45 previously in perfect health and no family history.

I’ve been taking hydroxychloroquine for @5 years and never had any side effects. I believe that, with aspirin, it has reduced my symptoms greatly. I do have other autoimmune issues, but I’m 84, and really just try to live with all the nuances. Good luck to you all .

@raeanna
I had the APS autoantibodies show up in 2017 and 2019 bloodwork but do believe the Covid vaccine (I had the 2 Pfizer vaccines in 2021) made me worse. I had pain at the base of my skull and dizziness right after the injections and after the 2nd shot, I started to get heart attack like chest pain and difficulty breathing a week or two later. I was 51 at the time. The chest pain and breathing issues went on for 4-6 months afterwards. I started to get abnormal EKGs after the vaccines, too (didn’t have them before). I then got the COVID virus in 2022 and believe I now suffer from long COVID (extreme fatigue, breathing difficulties, etc.).

@raeanna
P.S. I have read that the COVID vaccines have caused neurological issues and endothelial/microvascular damage which may be behind the blood flow/breathing issues people experience. I have small fiber neuropathy plus APS autoantibodies which make me at higher risk for blood clots and stroke/heart attack. My mom had heart disease and diabetes plus lupus/RA/Hashimoto’s and fibromyalgia and died of a heart attack at age 67. The genetic risk factors for me are there but never knew if my mom was diagnosed with APS.

I was diagnosed in August 2020, so I already had it....I did get the J&J Vaccine, which I regret, but my hematologist says it did cause any changes in my blood work...who knows...by the way, the J&J is the one that can cause clotting...the same problem I have! They stopped giving it shortly after I got it...Ugh

Thank you. Keeping you in my prayers. Can you tell me what kind of treatment you are receiving and do they check you regularly for clots? 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Just wanted to mention, my hematologist is a specialist with this disorder and tells me Warfarin is the only effective treatment for APS.