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

sorry to hear. My friend similar age felt awful after her first (not had second yet) but was ok after about 36 hours.
Hope you feel better soon. It's worth it.

I had the Oxford vaccine on Thursday and felt very rough on Friday - sore arm, temperature, raging headache, aches all over. Was warned that this could happen though and it was fine by Saturday. My arm is still a bit tender, but that's it.

I'm NHS and in my Trust, if you need 48 hours off after being vaccinated, it doesn't count towards your sickness absence. That really ought to be implemented everywhere, both inside and outside the NHS, so people don't end up financially penalised by doing the right thing.

I’ve reported on the yellow card scheme. And yes they did tell us about the side effects, you get 10 odd leaflets along with the vaccine

I had this was 2nd dose of Pfizer- all fine within 48 hours

I was absolutely fine after my first, due my second shortly so we'll see.

Most people I know (health care) have been fine or bit of a sore arm but a couple have been like OP, and they've already had covid.

@Tiquismiquis

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.

Agree with this. Haven’t had a covid vaccination yet, but when I had my first flu jab three years ago my arm was swollen, red and hot around the area where the needle went in. Really ached, and affected my sleep for two or three nights as it was so uncomfortable. Slight reaction the following year, nothing this year.

My grandmother had 3 days of flu like symptoms after her first Pfizer vaccine, really knocked her sideways.

Interestingly she had covid symptoms in spring (around the same time I did) so possibly an immune response resulting from previous exposure, I suppose. Or just side effects!

I had the Oxford one on Friday morning. By lunchtime I had a headache, by teatime my legs felt like I had run a marathon. By 8pm I had thrown up my dinner and went to bed where I shivered and sweated all Saturday. Got up this morning, still not feeling 💯 but so much better than yesterday! Apparently the second dose makes you feel worse than the first (nurse who gave it to me said that).
But I’m so happy to have had it I will take the side effects!

Hmmm 🧐 keep us posted OP

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

I've not had a vaccine yet, but it's good to know what might happen to be prepared. For one thing I rarely have any painkillers in the house. So I will make sure there are plenty now I know what might happen.
The OP wont put me off, I'm happy to know whatever happens should only be for a few days

One positive way to look at it is it shows your immune system is working!

Thanks I wonder if I should book the day after my second vaccine off just in case

Can anyone explain why you get a sore arm after vaccinations? I sort of understand the fever, headache and muscle aches as you're being given a little bit of the virus but why does it make your arm sore?

@Gazelley

Phizer

Here’s your problem.

You’ve got some knock off. 😂

I had my first vaccine on Friday, and have felt wiped out all weekend. No other symptoms, just tired and a little bit achy.

It’s worth saying (I think) that this is far from being the only vaccine to which some people respond by feeling crap.

Some people feel ill after the flu vaccine - I never have. Many years ago I had a series of vaccines including cholera and typhoid - and had 24 hours of aches and shivers when I just couldn’t get warm.

By contrast, DH has had his first Pfizer jab and had a sore arm for a couple of days. DM had the Oxford one yesterday, no reaction at all.

I know lots of people had Moderna one (overseas) & reported no effects at all.

@Kumquatsquash

Can anyone explain why you get a sore arm after vaccinations? I sort of understand the fever, headache and muscle aches as you're being given a little bit of the virus but why does it make your arm sore?

I'd assume that you would get this because it is at the site of the vaccine, i.e. "ground zero". Also, your muscle has just experienced being pierced by a sharp object, and so there will also be mild, localised trauma.

My sister has had 1 dose of Oxford and my SIL has had one dose of Phizer, both were bedridden for 2/3 days with similar side effects. Both dreading the 2nd dose :(

@PuzzledObserver

It’s worth saying (I think) that this is far from being the only vaccine to which some people respond by feeling crap.

Some people feel ill after the flu vaccine - I never have. Many years ago I had a series of vaccines including cholera and typhoid - and had 24 hours of aches and shivers when I just couldn’t get warm.

By contrast, DH has had his first Pfizer jab and had a sore arm for a couple of days. DM had the Oxford one yesterday, no reaction at all.

True. I have the flu jab every year and I feel like death warmed over!

As pps mentioned it would be helpful to report side effects to the Yellow Card scheme because these are new vaccines. It will contribute to building up real world knowledge base on top of the trial data.

I had the first yesterday and bar a stiff arm for a few hrs and overnight, have felt absolutely fine.

However I have heard that people can react more to the second one, even if they did not react to the first, so will be interesting to see.

Regardless, the rough 24-48hrs is surely worth it!

It sounds like some of you had Covid. So the vaccine may have been given too late. This seems a logical conclusion considering the numbers of people catching it and the stats. Could this be why you felt unwell?

2 people I know have had the Phizer, one who’d already had Covid was quite unwell like you described. The other who hasn’t had Covid had mild muscle aches. So maybe some truth to having worse symptoms if you have already suffered from Covid? Have you had it OP?

My mum felt exactly the same after her 2nd Pfizer for roughly 24-48 hours. Then suddenly normal again. 👍