I’ve had my second vaccine and I feel horrendous

[Gazelley]

Absolutely bloody awful. Exactly like the flu. I had no problem after my first and I’m very pro vaccine so this is not a “don’t get the vaccine” post. Just be aware you might need a day off afterwards.

Had the vaccine at 8ish last night

• woke up around 3 with a headache
• woke up again at 6 with severe muscle aches all over
• fever then chills, fever then chills on and off all day
• vertigo and the room spinning when I turn over in bed
• appetite is fine, I’ve still been hungry
• very sore arm (same as the first time)

I’m hoping it’s going to be gone by tomorrow morning but I’m feeeling bloody sorry for myself

I felt the same after the first dose of Pfizer. It passed really quickly. Hope you feel better soon OP.

I think it’s important though to put this in the context of other vaccines and the fact that minor side effects can be common . For example; I personally felt like shite after my whooping cough vaccines in pregnancy and know lots of others who found it quite hard going. With my second my arm was so sore I struggled for at least a week.

It makes you realise why babies are so cranky when you struggle as an adult with the reactions.

First one given by a nurse felt nothing at all.

Second one was given by a consultant surgeon! Definitely felt that one!

Are none of you taking Paracetamol for the aches and pains and high temperatures?

I had the Oxford one and struggled to keep my temp below 39 for 3 days, other than that and a headache (probably from the temp) I've felt ok. It's a damn sight better than the alternative.

@ShirleyPhallus

I’m not sure how useful this post is tbh. I get that you feel unwell and wish you better but the last thing we need is people looking for excuses not to be vaccinated

Did you lose your humanity on your way to Posting? 🙄

@Gazelley. I'm sorry you're feeling so crap! Hopefully it won't last too long! I'm going to book the day after off when I get mine. Probably first & second.

Aunt & uncle had theirs 2 weeks ago (AZ) in the 80's. He was fine (slightly sore arm) aunt is still feeling utterly crap. Another 92yo Aunt had Pfizer snd she just had a slightly sore arm. -washed her windows the next day (wish she'd do mine 🤣🤣).

It's all so personal how it affects you, but like you, no one I know is saying don't do it, they're just warning you might need to book a day off or whatever.

Drink lots!
Water not wine!! (Tonight at least!)

Certainly no more forceful than any other Vax, barely felt it.

@Hollyhobbi

Yes on a regular basis and alternatively ibuprofen.

On Thursday I had my first dose of the Oxford vaccine and have spent most of the last two/three days feeling very rough. I think it’s luck of the draw tbh. Two of my colleagues were fine and myself and a hand full of others have all had side effects to some degree.

I’d advise anyone having the vaccine soon to take paracetamol an hour before hand and then every four hours for at least 24-48 hrs.

Op I had terrible vertigo and nausea with covid, I couldn’t stand up without falling over. The doctor prescribed me something that had to dissolve under my gum. It really helped. Would it be worth asking for something to relieve the spinning?

Yes I’ve taken regular paracetamol which is clearing the headache to the background. It’s not touching the muscle aches etc though

I always feel like that after the flu jab.

@IHateCoronavirus

Op I had terrible vertigo and nausea with covid, I couldn’t stand up without falling over. The doctor prescribed me something that had to dissolve under my gum. It really helped. Would it be worth asking for something to relieve the spinning?

That’ll be buccastem. I have vertiginous migraines and have this medication, it supposedly helps nausea but I swear it makes things worse. You can buy it over the counter but I wouldn’t bother, ginger and mint do a better job.

I had my first the other day. The Oxford one. My arm has a lump from the injection and it hurts like buggery and I've been absolutely knackered but apart from that it's fine.

I agree that sharing your experiences can be helpful. People know what to expect.

It’s good that people know that this might happen. That it is normal. That it will pass. Ans that it is certainly worth it. Stops people worrying and might even help them to plan for the possibility that they might not be functioning ok for a day or so after Pfizer jab 2. Thanks op.

I had a reaction after the first one (Pfizer)

Fever (38), headaches, achey bodd, and spent the day sleeping on and off.
Second, fever, but headache had gone and didn’t feel the need to doze.

All side-effects as listed.

I had mine on Friday. I thought I had a tiny bit of numbness around lips later that afternoon, but there again I could have imagined it. Other than that, nothing. I expected to have a sore arm yesterday but didn’t.

yellow card scheme

For anyone experiencing side-effects, it may be worth reporting them under the Yellow Card scheme ( see link above).

My Dad had a really bad reaction to his 1st jab pfizer jab, he's dreading the second.

But he has this every time with the flu vaccine (often sends him to bed for about 2 days) so for him it's normal.

My DH had this after his first injection - Pfizer - but he has already had Covid. He said that of his (non-scientific) sample of mates, people who had had Covid felt worse after the first. People who hadn't had Covid felt worse after the second (those that managed to get the 2nd dose before schedule changed!). Younger staff experienced more side effects than older. That certainly fits with your experience (and that of the trial volunteers).

When I initially posted about it, I was told it was a 'coincidence' and not a helpful thing to post.

I still can't wait to get my own jab - won't be for months yet. Having watched DH's experience of Covid, I think I'd rather do almost anything than go through the disease itself.

My mum felt similarly unwell after 2nd Pfizer one but was fine again within 24-48 hrs. Hope you feel better soon.

Friend of mine had both Pfizer without incident.
I had the Oxford last week and felt unwell next day. Good job I wasn’t working .

I’m not sure how useful this post is tbh. I get that you feel unwell and wish you better but the last thing we need is people looking for excuses not to be vaccinated

Don’t be silly. Stopping people discussing possible side effects is far more likely to make nervous people feel even more reticent to get the jab because they’ll assume the worst about the side effects.

@ShirleyPhallus I agree. Less than 24 hours too.

I've had the flu jab yearly for the last 10 years due to work. Never had anything except a slinky sore/achey arm for a few hours after.

I'm also 99% sure I had COVID in November.
DD12 & partner had symptoms. DD12 was positive and partner negative.
3 days later myself, partner & DD lost all sense of taste. Between us and DD8 we had covid temps etc.

We applied for postal tests that didn't arrive, then were negative when the second lot came 15 days later.

I'm booked in to have the Pfizer vaccination tomorrow afternoon. I'll report back how it was and if there were any side affects.