Wanting some feedback please - COVID shot reactions

[Lithos]

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. Wifey and I have had both Pfizer shots

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]

2. Cool, that is what I am hoping

Thank you very much!

[elleng]

3. Here's a thread that may help.

(I've just had my 2d Moderna; No reaction to the first, awaiting 2d.)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215251312

[Lithos]

5. Thank you!

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.

L-

[elleng]

7. About to try it NOW!

See y'all tomorrow.

[wnylib]

37. I heard an interview with a doctor on NPR about

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.

[MLAA]

10. Elleng

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.

[elleng]

17. Thanks!

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?

[Lithos]

32. Gorgeous!

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]

40. I had fatigue for three days after second Moderna shot.

No big deal. I just tried to rest and carry on with my life.

[elleng]

42. HOPE this 'blah' feeling doesn't last for 3 days;

would like to go out and appreciate nature around here.

[zanana1]

54. It's different for everybody.

You'll get rid of the "blahs" soon. Hang in there.

[elleng]

56. Thanks, zanana1.

Daughter's phone call woke me, so I'm actually AWAKE and feeling slightly better, had a bite of orange.

[Colgate 64]

4. Wife and I had both Pfizer shots

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]

6. Cool, that is my hoped for outcome

Mimics my normal reaction to the yearly flu shot.

L-

[tblue37]

8. I had no reaction at all to my first shot (Pfizer). I expect my second shot to give me side effects,

though.

[Lithos]

11. Why do you feel that way?

Just curious

[tblue37]

20. Just because I can't believe I will be that lucky twice, and because the second shot is meant to

kick your immune system into high, or at least higher, gear.

[Laffy Kat]

9. Second shot is the hard one for most people who have reactions.

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]

13. That's what I was hearing

But not sure if it was common.

I am doing the hydration now (given tomorrow is the first shot).

Thanks for the feedback!

L-

[Arkansas Granny]

12. I got the Moderna vaccine. After the first one my arm was a bit sore that evening

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]

15. Oh yeah

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]

14. I've had both Pfizer shots

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 didn’t personally have any major issues.

[Lithos]

16. Did you do anything different for the second one?

Or just things as normal?

L-

[TDale313]

19. Pretty much things as normal.

I did take ibuprofen before the second shot since there was some soreness with the first, but that’s pretty much it. And made sure to hydrate, but that’s always good advice regardless 🙂

[tulipsandroses]

18. Sore arm for a little over 24hrs. My son had fatigue for about 48hrs

My parents had no side effects

[Lithos]

29. Thank you!

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!

L-

[Orrex]

21. My neighbor got his Pfizers about a month ago

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."

[Lithos]

24. Thank you!!

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!

L-

[Orrex]

43. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

22. I had almost no reaction to first injection

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]

25. Good to know!

Definitely ready to do the NSAID support afterwards.

Thank you, very much!

L-

[Kablooie]

23. Both just the same except I felt low energy for one day after the second.

Basically no worse than the yearly flu vaccine.

[Lithos]

27. I have never had a reaction to the flu vaccine

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.

L-

[aeromanKC]

26. Pfizer #1 sore arm only

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]

31. Thank you!

Am definitely on alert for the second shot for fatigue and other issues.

But, similarly, so excited about getting through this and moving on!

L-

[DanieRains]

28. Had Fatigue Day After Both Pfizer Shots

Bad but not horrible.

Next day felt fine.

[Lithos]

30. Both days?

Ok, will plan on both days now.

Thank you!

L-

[DanieRains]

33. Yep I Can Get Tired Normally But Was Unusually Tired After Both Shots

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]

34. Glad your friend made it through

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!

L-

[DanieRains]

36. He's A Retired Lawyer Very Impressed With Chauvin Prosecutors

Just hammering their case.

[littlemissmartypants]

35. Mom's had both shots. Zero side effects or arm soreness.

I didn't ask which iteration/version of the vaccine she got, sorry.

Wishing you and yours well!

❤

[Lithos]

44. Thank you

So far just a little fatigue for my wife, and I'm doing well.

L-

[littlemissmartypants]

49. What a relief!

[SheltieLover]

38. Had both Pfizers

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]

45. Great to know

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]

53. This is such a weird disease, isn't it?

Even the vaccines prompt different responses.

Glad to hear you and Mrs. are both doing well!

[SheltieLover]

58. Excellent!

Great feeling, isn't it?

[Hawker123]

39. Same vaccine for me

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]

47. Good to know

So far for shot #1, I'm doing ok, no soreness. My wife is feeling fatigued, but otherwise ok.

Thanks!

L-

[KatyaR]

41. I've had both Pfizer shots.

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]

48. That might make sense.

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/
-----
Each dose of Pfizer’s 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 aren’t getting better results. The government’s 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 vaccine’s protection.
-----

[Buckeye_Democrat]

46. If you've previously been infected, then...

... 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]

50. Interesting

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]

51. You'll probably just have a sore arm, then.

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]

52. Just had a slightly sore arm after shot #1, felt pretty awful that night and the next day after #2

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]

55. No reaction to either pfixer shot BUT......

if it was aches and pains the addition went unnoticed.

[DeeNice]

57. My husband & I both have had 1st shots of Pfizer, zero side effects nt