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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWanting some feedback please - COVID shot reactions
My wife got her first Pfizer shot today and I get my first one tomorrow (just the weirdness of scheduling).
Obviously, totally happy about this opportunity. Just wondering about the experiences others have had with this. I personally expect some fever and some soreness, but wondering just how long this goes and just how strong the reaction people have had while their immune response adjusted.
Specifically, was the first shot the worst, or the second one?
padfun
(1,789 posts)And both of us had no problems at all. Very slight soreness in the shoulder for a day or so but nothing else.
Second shot wasn't any different than the first for us.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Thank you very much!
elleng
(131,203 posts)(I've just had my 2d Moderna; No reaction to the first, awaiting 2d.)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215251312
Gives me some practical advice to help out with any reaction - namely just take some aspirin and sleep through. The latter is definitely something I need to do more of.
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elleng
(131,203 posts)See y'all tomorrow.
wnylib
(21,664 posts)questions people have regarding reactions to the shots. One caller asked if it was ok to take something for the reaction symptoms or if that would interfere with the effectiveness. The doc said that nobody knows for sure, so she suggested waiting out the symptoms as long as you can, but if they are too bad, take Tylenol. For some reason that she did not explain, she said that Tylenol (or generic acetominiphen) is preferable to aspirin or other NSAIDS.
I have not had my second Moderna yet, but I will have Tylenol ready just in case. First shot caused a sore, inflamed feeling in my upper arm and then soreness out to the underarm and up to the shoulder. Lasted two days. Uncomfortable, but tolerable. Did not take anything for it.
Ha hoping your 2nd will be smooth sailing. My husband had zero side effects.
My first Moderna was no problem just a sore arm that passed in 24 hours. I had my second this past Thursday afternoon. 5 am Friday I awoke freezing. The heater was set at 73. So chills, heavy head, some aches, very light pain shooting down my arm. I started Tylenol. I started feeling good this afternoon. So about a day and a half of heavy discomfort. Well worth it!
Good luck to you.
Same with me, re: my first, just a sore arm that passed in 24 hours, my 'sore arm' not enough to effect sleeping, had jab in non-sleeping arm. NOW, thinking of heading to bed, a little unsteady on my feet.
Weather supposed to be very good tomorrow; hope I can catch some more osprey pics. : MAYBE they'll wake me?
Thank you for sharing! Have to add - this is such a magnificent bird.
That kind of picture would definitely help get me out of bed, even if I were not 100%.
zanana1
(6,135 posts)No big deal. I just tried to rest and carry on with my life.
elleng
(131,203 posts)would like to go out and appreciate nature around here.
zanana1
(6,135 posts)You'll get rid of the "blahs" soon. Hang in there.
elleng
(131,203 posts)Daughter's phone call woke me, so I'm actually AWAKE and feeling slightly better, had a bite of orange.
Colgate 64
(14,732 posts)a month or so ago. Neither of us had any reaction except she had a sore arm for a day or so. I had none.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Mimics my normal reaction to the yearly flu shot.
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tblue37
(65,502 posts)though.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Just curious
tblue37
(65,502 posts)kick your immune system into high, or at least higher, gear.
Laffy Kat
(16,389 posts)But not ALL people. About half the people I know did fine with the second one, too. I wouldn't plan on making any plans for at least 48-72 hours after the second shot, the booster, just in case.
My 24-year-old son had his first yesterday and said he feels fine, although I did notice him sleeping a little more.
Very important with the second one: STAY HYDRATED, maybe even super-hydrate beginning the day before.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)But not sure if it was common.
I am doing the hydration now (given tomorrow is the first shot).
Thanks for the feedback!
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Arkansas Granny
(31,535 posts)and the next morning.
After the second I had the same arm soreness, but also felt a little feverish and very tired for a couple of days. I never felt terrible and didn't experience the body aches that others have reported.
The relief I've felt is well worth any discomfort I had. I'm still masking up and social distancing, but not having that constant worry is wonderful.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)This question is not one of concern, but one of pragmatic planning. I am so looking forward to the benefits of the vaccine. Just wanting to know what to look out for and what I can do to help push through any effects.
I am guessing the best advice so far is just to plan on some aspirin, rest/sleep more and make sure that I'm keeping hydrated.
TDale313
(7,820 posts)My only reaction was soreness in my arm, worse the first shot than second. Lasted a day or two. Just my experience, of course, but I didnt personally have any major issues.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Or just things as normal?
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TDale313
(7,820 posts)I did take ibuprofen before the second shot since there was some soreness with the first, but thats pretty much it. And made sure to hydrate, but thats always good advice regardless 🙂
tulipsandroses
(5,131 posts)My parents had no side effects
Lithos
(26,404 posts)That's what I am going to plan for!
Just make sure I've got a light day or two afterward and plenty of water and NSAIDs around!
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Orrex
(63,234 posts)He's 68 and got his through the VA. No trouble with the first shot, some minor fatigue and joint soreness following the second. He also reported that his hands and feet felt very cold, but all of this passed within about 18 hours.
Another friend is in her mid-40s. No trouble from the first dose, but severe headache following she second and rather intense arm soreness. Both of these effects were greatly reduced by ibuprofen and vanished entirely in a little over 24 hours.
As she put it "fuck yeah it's worth it."
The coldness is interesting, never heard about that one - but good to know it passed.
Your second friend is my attitude - it's worth it. I'm assuming no problems after tomorrow, but will definitely have my water bottle and aspirin ready for two weeks later!
Thanks for your input!
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Orrex
(63,234 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(145,667 posts)I ran a fever with the second. My youngest also ran a higher fever with second. Alternate NSAID and Tylenol if run a fever
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Definitely ready to do the NSAID support afterwards.
Thank you, very much!
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Kablooie
(18,644 posts)Basically no worse than the yearly flu vaccine.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Other than basic soreness. But, given the advice above, I am going to make sure nothing major happens the day or two after my second shot in case I'm a bit fatigued and make sure I take something for any aches and headaches and to drink plenty of water.
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aeromanKC
(3,328 posts)Pfizer #2 kicked me on my butt the day after shot!! Sore arm and extreme shivers about 4 am (2nd quilt and turned furnace on cured that) and nausea for about 6 hours (6 am-noon) felt weak the entire day BUT then after that back to normal the following day and fully vaccinated!!
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Am definitely on alert for the second shot for fatigue and other issues.
But, similarly, so excited about getting through this and moving on!
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DanieRains
(4,619 posts)Bad but not horrible.
Next day felt fine.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Ok, will plan on both days now.
Thank you!
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DanieRains
(4,619 posts)Felt fine though.
Could be worse.
May possibly not have been the shots. Could just be random but I don't think so.
I'll take it either way.
Better than a ventilator. My friend I talked to the first time in a year had covid. He survived but other 5 in icu at same time didn't. He's still on oxygen but lungs are slowly clearing up.
Tough old bird. So happy he's still with us.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)Definitely a tough old bird!
I'm going to just plan on getting what I can done in the morning and to clear my calendar to chill as much as I can Mon/Tue. Hopefully, I will be one of those without a strong reaction.
Thank you so much for your input!
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DanieRains
(4,619 posts)Just hammering their case.
littlemissmartypants
(22,839 posts)I didn't ask which iteration/version of the vaccine she got, sorry.
Wishing you and yours well!
❤
Lithos
(26,404 posts)So far just a little fatigue for my wife, and I'm doing well.
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littlemissmartypants
(22,839 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Mild tenderness in upper arm about 6 hrs. after 1st shot, which was gone the next day.
2nd shot resulted in much less injection site tenderness -- barely noticable.
No other reactions at all.
Beforehand, I stocked up on quick / easy prep foods -- soups & sandwich-making goodies, with the mindset that any side effects would be better than a vent, and that I'd get through it.
This past Friday was 2 weeks post-2nd vax, but, of course, I still mask, social distance, & scrub hands & glasses when I return home from grocery.
Sure beats a year ago, living in terror, counting days after trips to grocery store, dreading possible onset of symptoms on day 5+. It was a paralyzing fear I'll never forget.
So to scientists, docs, nurses, & Team Joe!
Congrats on your upcoming vaccines!
On edit: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Lithos
(26,404 posts)So far just a little fatigue for my wife. I'm doing great no soreness at all. Hoping the second one goes as well!
And yes, definitely hydrating.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Even the vaccines prompt different responses.
Glad to hear you and Mrs. are both doing well!
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Great feeling, isn't it?
Hawker123
(74 posts)First shot, soreness around shot for a couple of hours.
Second shot. Soreness for a day. Slight fever for a day. Kind of worn for a day. Fine since. Got mine in Jan, Feb
Lithos
(26,404 posts)So far for shot #1, I'm doing ok, no soreness. My wife is feeling fatigued, but otherwise ok.
Thanks!
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KatyaR
(3,447 posts)I didn't have any reaction to the first. For the second, I had some arm soreness that afternoon and a bit of swelling around the injection site and some rash on my upper arm for a couple of days afterward. Really nothing to worry about.
My coworkers had the Maderna shots. When one had the second shot, he was sick for a couple of days. Another after the first had a lot of body soreness and some arm swelling for a day or so.
I'm just so glad to have finished the series that the side effects are definitely worth it!
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,858 posts)Moderna decided to use a higher level of vaccine.
https://www.statnews.com/2021/02/02/comparing-the-covid-19-vaccines-developed-by-pfizer-moderna-and-johnson-johnson/
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Each dose of Pfizers contains 30 micrograms of vaccine. Moderna went with a much larger dose of vaccine, 100 micrograms. It means the company is using a little more than three times as much vaccine per person as Pfizer is. And yet, they arent getting better results. The governments vaccine development program, formerly called Operation Warp Speed, has asked Moderna to test if it could lower the dosage of its vaccine without eroding the vaccines protection.
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Buckeye_Democrat
(14,858 posts)... the first injection usually results in worse symptoms.
If not, the 2nd dose tends to result in worse reactions.
Nothing too severe, like an actual infection and the severe effects that can accompany it, but it's from the immune system reacting to the vaccines.
It varies a lot among different people, and the lack of any feeling of illness or malaise doesn't mean the shots didn't work.
Lithos
(26,404 posts)I had not heard that. Very good to know.
Neither my wife nor I have been infected. We've been super disciplined about avoiding going out and when going out to properly mask up, social distance, and clean all surfaces. Plus we've used the garage as a sort of DMZ to leave what we were wearing.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,858 posts)My arm didn't start to feel sore until the next day, lasting for about two days total.
My 2nd dose of Moderna is scheduled in 11 days. I'll be prepared with fever reducers, just in case.
Rhiannon12866
(206,302 posts)But from what I've heard, experiences vary widely. My friend who got Pfizer just couldn't stay awake the night after shot #2, while another who got Pfizer only had a sore arm after both shots.
I had Moderna and have heard of reactions like mine and others who had no reaction at all after either shot. Congratulations and good luck! And no matter your reaction, it's temporary.
whistler162
(11,155 posts)if it was aches and pains the addition went unnoticed.