A question for those who got the Pfizer two shots!

[CTyankee]

hubby and I will be getting our second shot later this month. The first one was completely uneventful: no pain at all. We are getting a bit nervous. If you got the second Pfizer shot, did I cause any bad reactions?

I know everyone is different but I want to be mentally prepared for something worse...

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Why would it be worse?

I'm awaiting my second Pfizer, too.

[CTyankee]

4. Good question. I guess we don't hear from the people who have an uneventful second dose but

we hear a lot from the folks who have bad reactions. I just wanted be prepared with some Tylenol and mentally get ready.

[moonscape]

8. Perhaps because it's when the immune system more

kicks in to gear as it's creating immunity?

I'm hoping for a reaction as a sign my chemo-body is creating lots and lots of antibodies

[Aristus]

18. I got the Moderna, not the Pfizer.

My first dose was relatively uneventful; just a red, warm, itchy welt that presented at site of inoculation about a week later.

My second dose caused an entire day of pronounced fatigue and achiness.

For a lot of recipients of the vaccine (either one), it seems the second dose has more pronounced side effects than the first.

[tblue37]

20. This article from "The Atlantic" explains why the second shot is often (not always) worse,

and why that's actually a good thing:

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/02/second-vaccine-side-effects/617892/

[yellerpup]

2. Hi! I had no ill effects from the second shot.

Only a sore arm from the injection, which was the same as my reaction after my first shot. Hope it goes as smoothly for you two!

[JenniferJuniper]

3. My sister her second shot a couple of weeks ago,

She had no reaction at all to the first and says she had a headache after the second. Bad enough for her to lie down for a couple of hours, but nothing else.

[LAS14]

5. My daughter-in-law said it was awful. The worst flu-type aches and pains. But definitely worth it!!

[underpants]

6. Brother in law had a lot of pain in the shot arm

[Quixote1818]

7. I have heard more people complain about the Moderna second shot. nt

[CTyankee]

9. I hear that a lot, too.

[Celerity]

14. yes, more 2nd shot affects with the Moderna, based off hearsay nt

[rollin74]

10. personally I had mild flu like symptoms after 2nd dose

I had no reaction after first shot

I know several people who felt pretty crappy after their second dose

I think most people have a rather mild reaction though

[SCantiGOP]

11. Second shot generally has more side effects

The side effects are a result of your immune system reviving up.
I had no effect from first shot. For second shot, my shoulder ached for a day or so but nothing serious. I slept well that night, got up next morning and sat on the couch scanning my phone for about 15 minutes. Next thing I knew, it was 4 hours later. Wife said I was sleeping very soundly so she left me alone.

My daughter had Covid in Sept and vaccine in January (she’s a hospital nurse). She had about 5 hours of aches and headache that came on 12 hours after 2nd shot, but said it was nothing too bad.

[Lefta Dissenter]

12. My arm was a lot more sore than from the first one

and for some reason I couldn't sleep that night. Not from the arm, not from feeling sick - my brain just wouldn't go into sleep mode. So I spent a good part of the night just trying to go with the flow, listening to podcasts and saying to myself, "I don't have covid! YAY!" We had swapped shifts around, so I knew I could nap the next day, which I did. But other than being sleepy and having that sore arm, I didn't have much in the way of symptoms.

The others in our group - one had a headache day of shot #2, but was fine the next day; two felt flu-like the next day; one had virtually no symptoms at all after either dose.

Congratulations to you and Mr. CTY! The sense of relief and gratitude is almost overwhelming.

[Silver Gaia]

13. From what I've read, the side effects are usually greater after the second dose.

It was described sort of like this: The first shot activates your immune system toward the virus. The second shot is like, "WTH? Back so soon? We remember you!" and the "big guns," like T-cells and other things get activated. So, it's a good thing if it happens. At worst, you might feel like you are getting sick with the flu (fever, bodyaches), but only for a few hours to a day. And a lot of people have little to no reaction.

Just remember that you CANNOT get covid from this, and that you won't get any sicker than what I described (unless you are having a severe allergic reaction, which seems unlikely if it didn't happen with the first dose). Try not to be nervous! This is all normal and temporary.

Another thing to know is to NOT use any kind of pain relievers before or soon after you receive your vaccination, as they can blunt your immune system's response.

I've had my first dose of Pfizer and am awaiting the second. I had an achy arm and felt fatigued the first night, but that was all. I did my best to boost my immune system prior to getting the vaccine, and refrained from pain relievers both before and after.

I don't have links to post, but this is what I have learned from multiple credible resources over the past few weeks. Hope this helps!

[CTyankee]

19. i don't know if I have your stoic response. I am an utter coward at the thought of pain, that is,

throbbing, unstoppable pain. But I am also a total baby about it. I don't care if I am. It is not a matter of pride. All I want is for pain to stop.

[Silver Gaia]

24. I wish for you a no pain experience!

[Tanuki]

15. I have had both of my Pfizer vaccinations. I had a robust immune reaction each time,

more so the second time. The symptoms came on more quickly the second time. Some people have few or no symptoms with either dose, so everyone is different and you can't predict your own experience based on someone else. I have never had any reaction over the years to flu vaccine or any other routine inoculation. I had significant chills and elevated temperature after my second dose, and I threw up once. The fever "broke" rather dramatically, leaving me soaked in sweat, but I felt OK after that. Make sure you have plenty of liquids on hand to stay hydrated in case you have a fever. I did take Tylenol, but only after the fever started. My hands got really cold when I had chills and I used a heating pad to warm them. I was not worried at any point because I knew that it was not dangerous and was not likely to last more than a day or two. Just think how relieved you will be! Please try not to worry about the vax....you will be fine.

[Silver Gaia]

17. Thanks for your post!

This is more or less what I am expecting. But I know it will be temporary and is for a worthy cause. I don't feel apprehensive, just relieved to have the opportunity.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

16. My guess is that it's going to be highly individual.

Some people will have zero reaction, some will have a bad one, with every possible variation in between.

Just don't fret. Get the second shot and celebrate that you've gotten both of them!

[Towlie]

21. I had no reaction at all from the first, very mild arm soreness for a short time from the second.

 
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The arm soreness was barely noticeable enough to reassure me that something actually had been injected into my arm. I noticed it a few hours after the shot, but only when I raised my elbow. The next morning the soreness was completely gone.

[IggleDuer]

23. Same here!

After the first shot my chronic back pain dissipated for about a day.

I had arm pain with the second shot if I pressed really hard!

[appalachiablue]

22. CNN: 2nd Shot Can Be A Duzy, Dr. Fauci: Moderna 2nd Shot Feb 8

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/health/coronavirus-vaccine-second-shot-effects-wellness/index.html

https://democraticunderground.com/100215067644