Has anyone felt really crummy after getting their boosters? UPDATE

[Laffy Kat]

Last edited Sun Jun 5, 2022, 11:19 AM - Edit history (1)

I got my second booster today at 3:00, at work, and started feeling bad around 7:00--ish. I also felt sick after my first booster. It's not nearly as bad as the vaccine shots, but..still. I think I simply react badly to the Covid immunizations. Flu shots don't bother me. The first (and only) shingles shot I got knocked me on my ass, too.

At least I got to leave a little early because our last MRI was at 8:45 p.m. instead of 9:45. I purposely scheduled the booster for a Friday in case I had a bad reaction, so I could take it easy tomorrow. It will be a Netflix day for sure.


UPDATE: I am feeling so much better today! It lasted maybe 18 hrs, about the same as booster #1. I sure did sleep a lot.

[Phoenix61]

1. Yep! My arm hurt for over a week. nt

[Laffy Kat]

3. Yes, my arm hurts, but I expect that.

It's the flu-ish feeling: aching, headache, no appetite, that I don't like. Although I'm quite happy we have these immunizations, I don't want to complain too loud.

[Basic LA]

2. Felt terrible...

...after both shots & both boosters. I think it's normal.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Right there with you, my dear Laffy Kat!

Here's a link that might help you: It sure did help me.

https://www.healthline.com/health/shingrix-side-effects-second-dose#takeaway

[Laffy Kat]

14. Thanks CalPeggy. According to the info. my side-effects were considered "mild"

I've had shingles, too, and that was terrible. I still get what I call my "shingles headaches" when I get tired or too stressed. I think it's my body's way of telling me to slow down, and I do.

[progree]

5. Been averaging an additional hour of sleep in the 14 days since I had Pfizer booster #2

and a little bit of a sore arm for a day. Similarly for the mild sore arm for my other shots (J&J vax, Moderna booster).

Edited to add: back to Pfizer booster #2 - had it at 1040 AM May 19. About 3 am I woke up feeling very cold, shivering violently, but that went away in about 15 minutes after putting on another layer of clothes. Had a mild fever too -- 100.4 degrees measured around 8am the next day (might have been worse at the time of the shivering -- I did remember feeling kind of hot to the touch but didn't measure it then. Anyway the fever was gone by late afternoon or so. I usually measure about 97 deg with that thermometer.

[tblue37]

6. Got mine yesterday, and I keep falling asleep today. Otherwise OK, though.

Although I had Pfizer for my first three shots, I chose Moderna this time because of some reports that changing up for the booster might be more effective.

My first two shots (Pfizer) didn't make me sick, just sleepy. But my first booster (Pfizer) made my arm hurt so badly I couldn't sleep, and the pain continued well into the next day. I'm really glad this Moderna booster is just making me sleepy.

[elleng]

7. Just sore arm, maybe more tired than usual, and less appetite for a few days.

Having 2d booster tomorrow.

[yonder]

8. No problem with any of the Covid vaccines except the second booster.

Really tired and a bit feverish the next day but gone the day after that.

Both Shingles vax on the other hand, knocked me for a loop - 2 or 3 days out of commission for each.

[Laffy Kat]

12. Oh, my first Shringrx was so bad, my doctor told me not to take the second one.

And I didn't want to anyway. I hope I got enough of what I needed with the first one. I've also had shingles and that sucked.

You are braver than I am.

[hlthe2b]

23. Just want to make sure you know that only if you had a true anaphylatic reaction to Shingrex dose 1

(and you may well have had) is it inadvisable to get the second dose booster. Reactions, even somewhat significant/sustained ones (in the advice of ACIP and CDC) are not included in the exception since return of shingles remains a significant risk--even (and probably especially) after one occurrence. Just wanted to make sure you knew so you could discuss with your doc...

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html

[Laffy Kat]

24. It was by no means anaphylaxsis. I'm an EMT and know what that looks like.

It was a strong reaction, though. There is no way I'd go through that again.

[Laffy Kat]

25. It was by no means anaphylaxsis. I'm an EMT and know what that looks like.

It was a strong reaction, though. There is no way I'd go through that again.

[3catwoman3]

9. Reacted to all 4 - temp of almost 102, body aches, tired...

...and chills that felt more like 104 than 102. Started a few hours in, and lasted 24-36 hours. With either the 2nd or 3rd one, very large area of redness around the injection site - covered about 6 inches of my upper arm. Moderna for all.

Any immunization can cause side effects like this. Not unusual and not worrisome.

[Laffy Kat]

10. Yikes, 3catwoman3!

That sounds like my two vaccine shots. I was hoping they'd be getting progressively easier. Sounds like maybe not.

[ZZenith]

11. *hand in the air!*

Definitely got my ass kicked by all 4 shots. Fever, chills, fever/chills, body aches, wooziness, fatigue, the full-meal deal. Hated every second of it.

I got better.

[Laffy Kat]

15. I hate every second, too, but not enough to not have them.

My sister is visiting the week of the 11th and I wanted to be done with it before she got here. I'll rest all day tomorrow and Sunday if I need to. I wonder why some of us are so susceptible while others barely notice anything?

[ZZenith]

17. Same reason some people get COVID and barely feel a thing

And some are destroyed by it, I suppose. Our delicate and unique chemistries allow for a wide range of reactions to external stimuli. You and I are simply “blessed” with loud immune systems.

Hope you bounce back quickly!

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Had 3 shots, waiting on the 4th. None of the problems I see here...

But then again, I tend to feel pretty shitty most of the time anyway.

[Laffy Kat]

16. I'm sorry, TB.

But I'm glad you're still getting the 2nd booster.

[mobeau69]

18. Only the 2nd booster. Thought I was going to die. Literally.

[hlthe2b]

19. No. Fortunately because i had to work. No real issues after three Pfizer & latest booster (Moderna)

I don't downplay the reactions others may have, but I am either very fortunate (hopefully) or my immune system is not responding as I'd hope (no reason to think that is the case). Still, I have (major knock on wood) not knowingly contracted COVID-19 despite my high-risk exposures ameliorated only by masking/PPE.

[Scrivener7]

20. I've had the two shots, one booster, and two shingles shots this year. I must have

a hell of an immune system because I got sick for days after each one of them. Fever and bad body aches and headaches.

I confess, I haven't gotten the second booster because I just haven't been able to carve out 3 or 4 days to get sick after it.

PS - don't you need a second shingles shot? They told me to do it within 6 months or I'd have to start over. Don't put yourself through that!

[LuckyCharms]

30. We waited quite a bit longer than 6 months for our second,

since if I remember correctly, the 6 months was during the height of the Delta version of Covid, so we were pretty hunkered down.

The pharmacist told us it would be OK to wait a bit, so we did.

Hope he was right lol.

[mitch96]

21. I think it's b/c of the magnetic particles in the chip they injected and the MRI unit..

I'm one of the lucky ones that only had mild reactions to initial and booster. I'm contemplating the second booster for now.. Hope you feel better!!
m

[Laffy Kat]

26. That's it!

Why didn't I think of that!

[PJMcK]

22. Nope

The first dose was uneventful. The second shot made me sick (flu-like) for about 12 hours. Shots 3 & 4 were uneventful.

I recently got 2 shots of the shingles vaccine and my arm hurt for days after the second dose.

Good luck and feel better.

[NNadir]

27. For 3 out of 4 doses, I had side effects.

The first I was narcoleptic, which was kind of pleasant in a way, since I've been a chronic insomniac my whole life. The second was a piece of cake. The third, I was a little lethargic, and for the 4th, more so.

I also had a nice mild case of break through Covid between the second and the third, if I recall correctly. It felt like a bad cold, and I wouldn't have known I had it if my wife hadn't insisted that I get tested.

[Midnight Writer]

28. First dose, felt crummy for the next day. Second dose and booster, had a sore arm and nothing else.

[LuckyCharms]

29. Yes, felt sick after all 4 shots, but the final booster knocked me on my ass for

about 4 days.

Otherwise, symptoms started after 12 hours, and went away completely after about 36 hours.

Feel better soon!

[elleng]

31. Got my 2d booster @ 1:00 today;

drinking water, having late lunch (tuna sandwich,) and waiting.

[Laffy Kat]

32. Good luck!

You're doing everything right!

[elleng]

33. Thanks!

[Karma13612]

34. Heck yes!

I felt terrible after Vax #2. Just like getting the flu, but it resolved after about 24 hours

Then, Booster #2 also knocked me on my butt. I felt awful for 2-3 DAYS!! It started about 12-14 hours after the shot. This meant it woke me up in the middle of the night with shaking chills. Got out the heating pad and placed it over my thighs. It was still cold here in the North Country of NY and we didn’t have the heat on overnight. The bed was cold and I couldn’t get warm. That just progressed in to feeling like I had the flu. I was worried when it seemed to go on too long. Just when I was about to give up and arrange a COVID test, my body said, “you’re good to go”.

Feel better!

[elleng]

35. Booster #2 @ 1 p.m. Saturday, virtually NO reaction AT ALL!

[Coventina]

36. I definitely suffered more from my Moderna booster than any of the three Pfizers.

[Emile]

37. My second and third shots I had side effects, but my fourth shot nothing.

[yellowdogintexas]

38. Nothing more than a sore arm and feeling a bit tired for all 4 of them

I was actually beginning to wonder if I got a placebo