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Was there an uptick in autoimmune conditions after COVID vaccines?
A few years ago I experienced intense vaginal itching. I tried various over the counter creams, none of which helped. In desperation I went to a walk-in clinic (I was unable to get in to my primary care doctor) and I was examined by a Medical Assistant who prescribed a steroid cream. She said that there was a stronger one that she hesitated to prescribe because it can cause thinning of the skin. The cream was not successful and eventually I was able to see my PCP who said this was Lichen Planus and prescribed Betamethasone cream. That, thankfully was effective. The following year when I had my yearly health check I complained that my legs were very itchy. My PCP looked at them and said that I could try an OTC steroid cream. This was shortly after I had a COVID booster. I then made an appointment with my dermatologist and asked if he thought I was having a reaction to a new medication that I was taking for blood pressure. He said "this isn't a drug reaction, I think this is Lichen Planus!" He prescribed Betamethasone and it was effective although I still get occasional red, itchy bumps. I have learned (from Mayo Clinic Connect) that this is an autoimmune condition and wonder now if an uptick in autoimmune conditions has been seen since the administration of COVID vaccines.
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Note from the Community Director
The vaccines that help protect against COVID-19 are safe and effective. Clinical trials tested the vaccines to make sure of those facts. Healthcare professionals, researchers and health agencies continue to watch for rare side effects, even after hundreds of millions of doses have been given in the United States.
Side effects that don't go away after a few days are thought of as long term. Vaccines rarely cause any long-term side effects.
If you're concerned about side effects, safety data on COVID-19 vaccines is reported to a national program called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in the U.S. This data is available to the public. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) also has created v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that allows users to report COVID-19 vaccine side effects.
If you have other questions or concerns about your symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional.
From Mayo Clinic: COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts
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@admeliora Thank You
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1 Reaction@creondave I had no heart problems prior to the vaccine. The only thing I took was an occasional Tylenol. So no other meds could be attributed to my diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. I was on no other meds. I am not in my 70’s. I am a lot younger than that. So out of the eight years I have two left. If what they say is true I will be leaving behind two kids for my husband to raise.
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3 Reactions@leigh17 Parsonage Turner sorry for the mistake
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1 ReactionMy my physician said in her experience, COVID itself has caused an uptick in autoimmune diseases and type 1 diabetes. I believe I had very mild Sjögren’s before……. COVID, but the virus gave it wings.
I'm not going to argue with anyone about the cause of their maladies. Life is not a case study of certainties, probabilities and possibilities and there is no side by side comparison available. Life is full of what ifs. As humans we look for reasons for everything bad that happens in our lives and need to apply blame for things that go wrong. We project our anger externally and sometimes we vent so much anger that we forget to look at anything for what it is, so much so that we no longer enjoy anything in our lives. We are all adults here and each of us has the right to believe what we want for ourselves. Some choose to blame vaccines, incompetent physicians, condescending government and/or media cover-ups for their issues and they have every right to do so. Others choose not to believe in the conspiracy theory and they also have every right to do so. No matter what anyone believes, they do not have the right to tell the others that they are wrong or foolish for thinking as they do, even if they believe so. There are two words in the English language that can make any statement untrue if they are included. Those words are never and always.
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3 Reactions@momac59 You would be wrong in saying that the Pfizer vaccine wouldn’t cause issues, wrong! I had the Pfizer vaccine and 2 boosters and I immediately had a metal taste in the back of my throat from the first Covid Vaccine and then 8 months later contracted Covid and on day 2 of the virus, I lost my taste and smell and it hasn’t come back and it’s July of 2026! The medical community, at least the doctors that I have seen, have not helped me, not one single one! I did see a Neurologist through Northwestern that did think outside the box and has me on a supplement PEA-LUT, but it doesn’t seem to be doing much of anything. I’m also doing Smell Training with a smell kit daily, so far, nothing…I do know this, I will never take another Covid injection, EVER!
Just to clarify, Pfizer shot was ok FOR ME. As I said, everyone is different. Unfortunately for some, neither shot is good & some people have benefited from them.
Good luck with your health & let’s hope we all find answers!
It was not my intent to cast aspersions on the COVID vaccine when I posed the question about an uptick in autoimmune conditions. It was an honest search for information since I had two 'events' following two vaccine doses. I want to be as informed as possible before making a decision about my health. I don't believe the vaccine actually caused my lichen outbreaks. I had done considerable research after my diagnoses and learned that lichen planus is considered to be related to autoimmune conditions under the heading Rheumatoid. I have had ridges in my fingernails for many years and I understand that it is also related. I have not gone to a Rheumatologist, nor had extensive testing done in that regard. What I have come to suspect is that COVID vaccines and perhaps getting COVID changes things in our systems which then might wake the sleeping dog. I am very surprised at the responses that my question has caused and because of those I will think harder and longer before getting another booster, but I probably will continue to get them. I have been able to avoid getting COVID so far but my daughters and husbands have all gotten it. Some got the vaccine, others not. Thank you all for contributing to my question and I hope you can find relief.
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4 Reactionsblinken, most of us understood your motive and have replied expressing their private experiences. I hadn't realized the many side effects that have been suffered. And there probably aren't many places where people who have suffered can give expression to their plight.
I don't think the pandemic would have ended without the vaccines.
And I appreciate your question.
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2 Reactions@artemis1886 I am sorry you are having to deal with such a horrible issue. I have come into contact with so many diseases via work, as well as been exposed to so many dangerous chemicals since I was a child that have since been banned. I simply start to wonder what causes what issues, as the world does seem so incredibly toxic that it feels impossible to pin down things. Either way, dealing with the side effects is terrible regardless of what caused it, and I hope you can somehow find a solution.