Any side effects from the vaccine?

Only some localized itching for about a week following Moderna shot #1 on February 14th. It’s still a little bit irritated, but nothing to cause concern.

I’ve never logged much of a reaction to anything from childhood polio vaccine onward through annual flu shots to shingles shots and pneumonia vaccine, so I didn’t expect any trouble, but I was on the alert anyway because this is an unknown. Nothing else registered.

One thing I did do right away and frequently for the next few days was gentle curls with a two-pound weight. My thought was that movement and flexing of the muscles of my left arm would help to distribute the vaccine and reduce any effects in the vicinity. Of course I don’t know if that helped, but it probably couldn’t have hurt.

After Moderna #1, I had pain and swelling at the site for two days, and funky dreams. Nothing really noteworthy, except that the dog was fascinated by my arm.
I get #2 in three weeks, I’ll let you know if I react to that.

Sore arm off and on for a day or so. Getting the second Moderna on Friday; will see what that does.

I’ve had both vaccines, Pfizer. No side effects and no sore arm.
My second shot was 2½ weeks ago.

I got the Moderna vaccine. First shot, no real side effects. Second, a slightly sore arm. But, then again, that arm is arthritic, so always sore, so hard to say what was a side effect and what was from not taking my daily dose of Alleve. The soreness kicked in the second day after the second shot, btw, but had pretty much disappeared by the evening of that day, tho’ not sure if because I broke down and took a couple Tylenol or just how it cycled through my body. Other than that, nothing.

I’ve had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. I got a sore arm both times. That’s all.

Moderna. Was exhausted – very tired – for about 24 hours. Otherwise nothing significant.

Second shot is this Saturday,

Both shots—Moderna—no complaints—disappointed—must whine about something else.

@AlaskaTundrea, was your not taking Aleve related in some way to getting the vaccine? I hadn’t heard that there were any pharmaceutical prohibitions associated with it.

Wondering if anybody besides me did the exercise thing and if it helped or made no appreciable difference.

@Jeruba I had heard about the exercise thing, and did it with the flu shot last fall, but completely forgot about it this time.

Sore arm both times. Nothing else to report.

One shot of Pfizer. Arm a bit sore for a couple of days and nothing else.

One shot of Pfizer so far. Later that day, I had some congestion and got really tired. Went to bed and woke up the next day feeling great except for a sore arm — which lasted 2–3 days.

Getting the second shot soon.

I’m still waiting for my turn, but my parents only had sore arms, so I am hoping that is an indication of what will happen to me.

I know a lot of people who were bed ridden and I know a lot of people who had no side effects at all.

Rumor is to hydrate well. Who knows if that really helps or not.

@Jeruba When I got the shot, they told us to stick to Tylenol or, I think it was, Advil. Something about Alleve and some other pain meds perhaps lessening the ability of the vaccine to do it’s thing and become as potent as possible. They gave us several handouts with info on that and such. That’s the only reason I opted for Tylenol initially. In normal life, for me, since the arthritis strength Alleve lasts for 12 hrs., it’s been my choice so as to limit the number of meds going down my throat. Tylenol arthritis strength advertises 8 hr duration. Advil, hmm, 4–6 hours. Fewer pills down my throat, the better.

One of the things I found intriguing and have shared with a shrug with friends, is that after the shot, the nurse giving me my second dose told me they recommended I not only drink lots of water, ie hydrate myself big time, but that I started it asap. The shot clinic folks had water bottles on a cart in the post-shot waiting area. I have no clue whether the fact I drank what seemed like gallons of water over the next 48 hrs.(just my own random decision of time) had anything to do with anything or not but, well, figured it couldn’t hurt and water is free. Maybe @caravanfan has some input on that when he gets a chance. I did some quick searches on it but didn’t find many mentions and the ones that mentioned it didn’t seem to find any proof for it being a plus, or minus for that matter. We do need to stay hydrated, tho’, so, as I said, figured it wasn’t going to be anything negative.

@AlaskaTundrea Both Advil and Alleve inhibit inflammatory response, which is an immune response. Most doctors I’ve talked to seem to agree that probably not enough to stop the immune response to the vaccine, but they all say why take the chance and tell people to take Tylenol. That’s what I’ve heard, that isn’t any official advice from the vaccine companies. It would be nice to know what the people in the trials were taking.

In Florida sometimes people are driving to a vaccine location, waiting an hour or two, waiting 15 minutes afterwards, and then finally driving back home. All that time trying to not need to use the bathroom.

Part of suggesting water might be people are getting dehydrated just going through the process. Plus, people like to believe they are doing something to reduce symptoms, more likely to get a placebo effect. Or, maybe it actually does help.

I had my second dose of Moderna today at CVS. The person who administered it said that reactions to the second shot can run a lot worse than the first and actually resemble a case of covid, with fever, chills, headaches, pain, and tiredness. He was a healthy-looking young guy, and he had a pretty rough ride after #2, especially with the headaches.

He said it’s important to try to tough it out and not use any kind of pain reliever, not acetaminophen or aspirin or ibuprofen, nothing, because they can lessen the effectiveness. But if you just can’t bear it, then take something.

He also emphasized drinking water.

He said reaction symptoms can start in 24 hours and may last from a couple of days to a week.

I’m feeling anxious about this, but I’m just going to keep reminding myself that this is better than actually getting the virus.

@Jeruba I think he was giving a worst case scenario. I’ve heard of a few people with reactions that long but most like me, had relatively mild flu-like reactions mine starting 12 hours after inoculation and were over 24 hours later. Good luck!

About half of people have side effects. Page 13. Actual statistics from the trials. https://www.fda.gov/media/144637/download

I got my second dose of Pfizer this past Saturday and was just really exhausted for two days. Slept most of Sunday. I’m still dragging a bit today, but nothing serious.

My aunt got her second dose of Moderna on Saturday, was fine yesterday, but woke up with terrible flu-like symptoms today.

@Jeruba, how did you weather the second shot? I had my second Moderna dose a few hours ago.

My husband and I were vaccinated today! Monday, 3/15/21. Moderna.

I had a weird reaction. Within a few minutes after getting the shot I felt “it” slowly move down my arm and then a few minutes later into my left side. Then it went up the left side of my neck, and then across into mouth. In my mouth it was a slightly numb feeling on my tongue and an odd taste. It was very mild, but still it was weird. I worried a little it was an inflammatory response when it was happening.

I posted my reaction in my covid facebook group, and it turns out some people either knew someone with the exact same experience as mine, or had experienced it themselves. One women said her daughter described the taste like the numbing agent dentists use, and I agree it was similar.

Now, I am 5 hours after my shot and the place where the needle went into my arm is slightly noticeable to me. A one or two on the pain scale .

My husband had some warmth right below where the needle stick was for a few minutes and that’s it so far.

We’ll see what the next 24 hours brings.

Got number two yesterday. Sore arm, bad sleep with wild dreams, raging thirst, too cold or too hot, muscle aches, major joint pain, fatigue.

Planning to treat this physical distress with fun snacks and silly TV.

Update regarding first shot. It’s the next morning and my arm is a little more sore, about a 3 or 4. I don’t see any redness though. The weird feeling in my body seems to be all gone. I wonder if it’s a sensitivity to one of the ingredients.

My husband is fine. He said he can feel his arm a little sore, but it’s close to nothing.

@JLeslie It’s usually the second shot that produces more side effects.

I know. I linked the actual vaccine insert above, which is data from thousands of people in the trial rather than ten people on social media, and compares it to placebo. Anyone can always look up the actual package insert on any drug or ask for it from their pharmacist.

I also created a covid group on Facebook where people sometimes post their reactions. It helped regarding my weird reaction, especially the odd taste in my mouth.

@canidmajor, it hurt more (but not terribly), and the site itches more (but not terribly). I did the 2-lb curls even more frequently and vigorously than before, but there’s no way to tell if that helped.

Two days later, the effects are totally obscured by a late-night trip to the ER with my son, getting thoroughly chilled waiting in the parking garage (and still feeling bodily chilled 18 hours later), losing half a night’s sleep, and then getting up early to take him to a doctor’s appointment. I could just be having effects from that, or a vaccine hangover, or something else. At any rate, I feel like I’ve been tossed around inside a crate with bags of ice. Temperature is normal, though.

And there’s a big sense of relief at having got the two shots smoothly and on schedule without having caught the virus. On Friday I thought I was coming down with a cold, and I was prepared to dose up and lie rather than miss my window.

How’s your treatment of symptoms going? Hope they’re over quickly.

@Jeruba, messing with all the ER stuff and the stress probably didn’t help! I’m so sorry you had to do that.
My reactions just got worse and worse yesterday, so I went to bed early, slept pretty well for almost 11 hours (my dog wins patience awards!) and I feel much better this morning.

And the relief to have both doses go as scheduled is, indeed, great.

@canidmajor, it seems that there’s hardly ever a clear-cut cause and effect in everyday life. Variables are routinely confounded.

Added to the rest of that stuff, for me, is the time change: not normally disruptive to me, but still, I’ve got up exactly an hour late the past couple of days (meaning in fact at the same time). I am so ready to have a little lapse of time with no weirdness.

Anyway, very glad you’re feeling better and didn’t get chewed (out) by your dog.

@Jeruba I hope all the medical issues were resolved so you can have at least a couple of days that might approach “boring”.

@Jeruba I vote for some “boredom” for you too.

Thank you. I want some boredom so badly that even wishing for it seems like too much activity.

^^ Lie on a chaise on your porch, Miz Jeruba, and I’ll fan you and bring you a lemonade.

We’ll read to you. A little Jane Austen, nothing to raise your pulse or blood pressure. :-)

This is not medical advice, always ask your doctor.

I think I figured out why some techs are saying don’t take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It clearly states on a FAQ sheet about the vaccines that you should not take ibuprofen or acetaminophen before getting the shot. I figure these people are just expanding that in their head to don’t take any pain relievers at all at any time. Or, simply not reading carefully.

Again, I’m not giving medical advice. I’m not telling anyone it’s ok to take anything. I’m just stating what I think is happening. I know doctors who have taken Tylenol afterwards if their symptoms were very bad. Just also want to restate some medical professionals have put out there that maybe ibuprofen would inhibit the immune response.

Taking medicine before sounds like old wive’s tales about avoiding a hangover.

I’ve received both doses of Pfizer.

My left shoulder was sore for about 24 hours, after each one.