Pfizer vaccine? Painful cramps, gurgling in lower abdomen and diarrhoea

[whatsthatnow74]

I had the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday around midday. I was fine after apart from a sore arm. On Thursday morning, I had a short lived bout of diarrhoea and thought nothing of it. Yesterday (Friday) morning, this was worse and I’ve been suffering since.

I’m getting painful cramps in lower abdomen and lots of gurgling sounds. When I go to the loo, I’ve got bad diarrhoea (sorry tmi). I feel okay otherwise and have eaten, but wondering what’s causing this
Anyone else had this as a side effect from Pfizer vaccine? I’m also aware of the possibility of it being COVID so I’ve booked a lateral flow test this morning.

I’ll post back with the result.

I have heard of people getting short term diarrhoea, yes. From my reading I've gathered that pretty much any symptom Covid can give you (and there are lots) you can get as a side effect from the vaccines.

Hope you feel better soon!

Diarrhoea is not listed as one of the side effects - see www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/information-for-uk-recipients-on-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine#side-effects

And side effects after vaccines should come on sooner and go away quicker.

I'd be looking for another culprit.

@CrunchyCarrot thanks for replying. I guess that makes sense re the COVID symptoms and the vaccine side effects.

I was a bit puzzled as to why this happened after a couple of days, but I wonder if it my immune response kicking in? I also have quite a bad headache now 🤔

@tenlittlecygnets no, it’s not listed on the sheet that you’re given, but it is mentioned in other literature. If the rapid COVID test is negative, I’ll keep an eye on things for a day or two and see about getting a PCR test

Yep, headache is a pretty common side effect. If I were you I'd yellow card the diarrhoea, just to draw attention to it. Everyone needs to record any symptoms away from the main ones (fever, sore arm). I've also seen people report delayed symptoms (several days later). One can argue about whether it's the vaccine causing it or not, but it's worth bearing in mind.

I’ve heard of diarrhoea being a common side effect after vaccine.

Could be vaccine, could be covid, could be a stomach bug and just bad luck.
Presumably there is a system to record possible side effects, so I would definitely let them know what you experienced.

This is definitely a side effect - and why some countries won’t give it to older people. They can’t survive the side effects.

Diarrhoea is gastro symptom of covid. You might have reacted to vaccine in this way. Drink lots of water with electrolytes if diarrhoea persists. If you are still suffering from it few days later, get yourself to a&e, as your potassium levels might be dangerously low.

Just saying I had abdo pains, the runs and headache as first symptoms of covid, you may have picked it up at vaccine centre?

My lateral flow test came back negative, so although I can’t completely rule out COVID, I’m thinking it’s unlikely to be that. I’ll get a pcr test in a few days if no improvement though.

I gave a really bad headache now with a sore stiff neck on one side. I think if these symptoms had come on within a few hours of having the vaccine, I wouldn’t have doubted that they were side effects, but since they’ve taken a few days to appear, I’m not so sure...

Hope you feel better soon

My Dad had the same vaccine and had exactly the same as you.

@Realitea oh dear, hope he's okay now? Interesting though. I think as time goes on, these side effects will become more widely known and expected, whereas at present, we're still in the guinea pig stage!

I still have an awful headache and sore neck on one side, so I went for a pcr COVID test this morning (I got an invitation through the Zoe app after reporting yesterday). At least I will soon know if it's COVID (I'm assuing not) or more likely the vaccine. I work with children so I need to be able to go to work knowing that I'm negative.

The diarrhoea is much better today and stomach feels more or less normal, so that's good. I'm still really pleased to have had the vaccine and thankful to have been in a priority group.

He’s fine now thank goodness and I’m so relieved he had it. He has COPD and had a heart attack a few years ago. It only lasted a day.
It’s great the Zoe app suggested a test. I’m sure it’s just the side effects. I know one lady who was in bed for about four days with flu like symptoms as a side effect.
I’ve been reading how side effects can be worse if you’ve had covid even if asymptomatic which is interesting

@Realitea yes, there’s a definite sense of relief when those around you start receiving their vaccines!

I had terrible diarrhoea with covid itself...as above you may have reacted to the vaccine in this way

I've had really painful upper arm cramps in both arms and stiffness in them since having covid vaccine Anyone else had this.

The day after I had upper middle back pain, last half a day and then went.
Had an awful sore arm for a few days though.