decision whether to get booster (2024)

Did your Long Covid doc explain why you should not get the new vaccine? I know all the possible answers but have not heard what an MD has to say about this issue. Best wishes...

Has anyone seen a credible, published, peer-reviewed piece of research on patients with long Covid who then receive vaccines?

I’ve documented my journey since 2022. I have not seen any research on long Covid and past, current, nor the new vaccines. I’ve seen educated hypothesis and decent opinions.

I have my own thoughts, but I’m just a regular guy that wishes I never had the need to know much more about viruses than what I learned in high school biology.

I'm with you!

You may want to consider getting an opinion from a functional medicine doctor. I have one and the first thing he did was order a ton of bloodwork. 32 vials of bloodwork and he seems to check for the things that western medicine tends to ignore. He said Covid is draining to the body and we need to see what you have left. If you think about it, the strain on our bodies from covid, could make dormant illness rise back up because the body is so drained from fighting the Covid.
I am also on another LC support group and many of us are coming to the realization that western medicine is limited in what they can do. I have seen where some people are using their western medical doctors to run tests and then taking the results to a functional medicine doctor. Most insurance policies will work with western medical doctors, but not always with functional medicine. I am very blessed that my functional medicine doctor takes insurance. This way it is not such a financial burden on the patient. This is how to do it. Find a functional medicine doctor that you’re comfortable with and ask for a list of bloodwork they need done. Tell them you’re taking the tests requested to your pcp to order those tests. Tell functional medicine doctor it’s for the purpose of getting insurance to cover those tests and then you’re bringing the results to them for diagnosis. It may sound complicated, but it’s not. Your pcp may even appreciate the additional help in treating you. The two may also use a combined treatment . It’s the benefit of utilizing both worlds.

Hi all, I''m also trying to decide about a booster. I' ve had LC for a little over a year. I've read comments in this forum that the Novavax vaccine might be preferable for those with this condition. I will likely not go mRNA again because my reaction to the last few was mild but similar to my LC symptoms ( fatigue, body aches in particular though not my others, dysautonomia and phantosmia) but I'm very nervous about not getting the vaccine as I haven't gotten one since I developed long Covid. Anyone here have experience with the Novavax vaccine... Also I don't really qualify under the new guidelines, but I'm sure there's a way to get it via my PCP.

I would also love to know what others think about the Novavax vs the mNRA vaccines and if the Novavax is easier on Long Covid fatigue. You sound like a feisty, proactive Long Hauler, and I bet you'll find a way to get what you need. I have had every booster since available, many after developing awful Long Covid fatigue in November 2022. Previously I had been in excellent physical shape for being 77. I was slowly improving to where I could at least manage a 5 minute walk, but got Covid again in late February 2024, which made the fatigue much worse again. None of the boosters had done that. I gradually starting to crawl out of the fatigue hole again when I got the mRNA vaccine in February this year. My booster reaction wasn't too bad, but my Long Covid fatigue seems somewhat worse since then. So, my Long Covid was made much worse by another round of Covid than it was by this mRNA booster. At 80, I will do all I can to avoid more Covid. Does anyone know if there is any reason not to give Novavax a try? Any evidence that Novavax is less effective?

@klf58 " I have had no improvements in my long covid over the last going on four years and every time I get the vaccine I have a huge setback,."...I'd say...stop the revaxxing.I got the two moderna shots in 2020.That's it.Long Covid for 5 years now.Got covid again a year ago and didn't even know it.
Drink LOTS of water.Begin supplements to repair cell damage.Keep going...you'll get through this....you made it this far.

@annies444 I'm no doctor.There has been controversy around 'vaccines for covid'.One thing that DEFINITELY helped me feel good again was a week of Prednisone.Though it didn't last(feeling okay)for an extended time,it DID get my system working in the right direction.Truly think that's an option for anyone with this damage to their system.Don't know if my first shot(s)moderna caused any of this for me,but I'm doubtful.Stay in the fight.You're going to win this deal.

@h2998sc thank you. almost five years now. seems hopeless most days. I hate that others are suffering, but at least we're not alone. 💙

@h2998sc I'm glad you found at least some temporary relief. I did try Prednisone and had a severe and dangerous reaction to it after the second dose (so only 12mg in) My PCP recommended I never take it again. I tend to react strongly to medication and so far there is nothing I can take in including Tylenol and Ibuprofen. This is why any vaccines, though I do get them make me very nervous. I get them with much trepidation. I see my PCP tomorrow and she will say get the vaccine because it's better than getting covid again, but I just don't know there are such mixed messages out there.