Had my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday, and yeah, I had a reaction

[Hamlette]

I thought I was fine, but woke up an hour after going to sleep with pain in my upper arm but especially in my shoulder. I have arthritis in that shoulder so can't sleep on that side hence I got the shot in that side and the pain was the same only much worse. So bad I could not go back to sleep.

Googled pain medication after the shot (I knew not to take anything before the shot) and the inter tubes told me it was okay so ended up taking a pain pill at 2 am and was able to sleep.

This morning it feels like my normal slightly annoying shoulder. Seemed sort of odd that it would "attack" the joint so, once again, I Googled it. Found this: "in some diseases, like arthritis, your body's defense system -- your immune system -- triggers inflammation when there are no invaders to fight off." Sort of makes sense from what I've read about why the 2nd dose is worse than the first.

Worth it!

[wryter2000]

1. A doctor on TV said

You can definitely take something like Motrin for after-effects. I have some and will probably take it after my second shot of Pfizer in a couple of weeks.

[James48]

2. Wow.

I had a similar experience following the first Pfizer shot two weeks ago.

I too have pretty bad arthritis in my hip. About four days after receiving the first Pfizer injection, I woke up to some SERIOUS hip pain. My arthritis flared up really, really bad for almost two full days before subsiding. I put it down to changes in the weather. But now that I think about it, it WAS just a few days after my Covid vaccine.

I don’t get the second dose until March 8. We shall see if I get a big reaction again after that one. The arthritis pain was much more debilitating than usual after the first shot, but that could indeed be a reaction tied to the Pfizer.

(If that’s all it is- I’m happy. I can live with arthritis pain for a day. It’s very painful, and uncomfortable. But that’s MUCH better than not being able to breath, or dying from Covid!)

[Hamlette]

3. interesting, I wonder if others have had the same side effect?

let me know how your second shot goes.

[Sympthsical]

10. The vaccine is intended to trigger an immune response

If you have a sensitive inflammatory condition like arthritis, it won't be uncommon to experience that kind of response.

The second shot is more often worse than the first with people. My partner, who is a pharmacist, refers to it as the, "Don't make any plans the next day" booster. From soreness, muscle aches, and fever. It's fairly common with the second shot.

But it's your body doing what it's supposed to do.

[yellowdogintexas]

4. A physician friend told me that joint pain and inflammation often are the

early warning sign of fever.

Since fever is a major part of COVID it could be that is as far as it gets.

I know that I have pain in every old injury when I am developing anything involving a fever

[Polly Hennessey]

5. I also had a sore arm, shoulder and neck pain

after my second Pfizer. I took Extra Strength Excedrin and discomfort was gone. So glad for the vaccine.

[Blue Dawn]

6. I really appreciate your thread.

My husband and are having to drive to another county for our appointments on March 16th and we both have arthritis, so if we should have arthritis flares after our vaccinations we will not be surprised.

Thank you.

[colsohlibgal]

7. Worth It No Doubt

It all beats dying.

Had no bad reaction for Dose 1 of the Pfizer brand. Shot 2 is next Thursday hope it’s like shot 1 but we’ll see.

[Cicada]

8. I had no reaction to shot two. I'm worried.

My wife and I got Moderna shot two yesterday. She feels horrible, I feel fine. I envy you two because I think your negative reactions prove your bodies really really want to kill covid while mine is indifferent.

[Sympthsical]

11. You're fine. Not everyone has a reaction

My partner didn't have any kind of reaction to his second shot. His parents were both not so happy the next day after theirs. It really varies by individual immune systems.

So don't stress at all if you're feeling fine. You're one of the lucky ones!

I've never had a reaction to a vaccine. But I guess we'll see once it's my turn.

[chowder66]

12. Don't worry.....

But when you actually look at the statistics from the trials, most people didn’t have side effects. A little over 50% didn’t experience any side effects at all and remember, they were still 94% protected after receiving the vaccine. So, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have any symptoms after your COVID-19 vaccinations.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/if-you-dont-get-sick-after-your-covid-19-vaccination-does-it-mean-your-immune-system-isnt-working/

[Cicada]

9. I had no reaction to shot two. I'm worried.

My wife and I got Moderna shot two yesterday. She feels horrible, I feel fine. I envy you two because I think your negative reactions prove your bodies really really want to kill covid while mine is indifferent.

[Kittycow]

13. Oh great. :(

I'm already a severe chronic pain sufferer due to my entire body being riddled with arthritis

Welp, better than dying, as someone already pointed out.

[Liberal In Texas]

14. Just got in from getting the 2nd Pfizer.

Guess I'll be seeing if it causes more arthritis pain. Two days after the first one I woke up feeling sore in every joint in my body, kind of like coming down with the flu. Dissipated by that evening.

Glad to hear about other folks reactions.