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Original poster

AstraZeneca - headache and tired for over a week. Anyone else ?

44 replies

Bookshelfer8 · 31/03/2021 14:33

I am very grateful to have gotten the AstraZeneca vaccine. But I’m starting to feel a bit concerned that I’ve been a bit below for a bit too long! Anyone else have this?

I got the vaccine last Sunday. Monday I got flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, chills, nausea and went to bed. Tuesday I woke up tired with a mild headache. And every day since! (9 days now.)

Is this normal? Anyone else? If so, when did you feel completely better?

OP posts:
Grumpycatsmum · 31/03/2021 14:35

Don't think that is normal. Suggest you ring your GP today.

Peachyqueen · 31/03/2021 14:46

I'm a vaccinator, we tell patients to call 111 if they have a headache or symptoms last for more than 4 days. I'd suggest that to be sure.

Hope you're feeling better soon Flowers

Original poster
Bookshelfer8 · 31/03/2021 15:11

Oh crikey thanks both! Just calling my doctor now!

OP posts:
Peachyqueen · 01/04/2021 13:28

@Bookshelfer8 how are you doing? Did you talk to your GP?

Sidewalksue · 01/04/2021 13:37

Day 4 here, better, but still very tired

Original poster
Bookshelfer8 · 01/04/2021 21:51

I did! The doctor was lovely. She said to come in person (it was a telephone consult) if not gone in a few days, but I don’t have any other concerning symptoms which would suggest a blood clot. I am relieved!

Had a mild headache again today, so it isn’t gone yet. Less tired today though. Gosh wasn’t expecting this! Still very glad I had the vaccine though.

sidewalk hope you feel less tired tomorrow!

OP posts:
JustDanceAddict · 01/04/2021 21:54

We had ours on Sunday - husband is still tired, I’m ok but was tired first 48 hours. Jab site is tender still. Felt a bit coldy today but could be hay fever!!!

Sidewalksue · 01/04/2021 21:54

Thank you @Bookshelfer8 suddenly improving this evening after being exhausted today. Hopefully we can both enjoy the Easter weekend.

penni00 · 05/04/2021 20:03

Hi Bookshelfer8
I have had a headache (heavy head) since the AZ vaccination two and a half weeks ago. I was like you with the same flu-like symptoms for a few days after the vac but the headache has never gone away. Touch wood, I don't have any other symptoms indicating a clot, but am concerned as to why the heavy head (not throbbing but heavy and uncomfortable at the front of my head and above my eyes) is staying with me.

Original poster
Bookshelfer8 · 05/04/2021 21:32

penni00 did you contact your doctor? Mine wanted to see me if in person my headache wasn’t gone by about 14 days. I think definitely worth giving them a call.

My headache was in the exact same place. It is now gone now (yesterday marks 2 weeks since I had my vaccine I think - I am losing track of days!), but I am still very tired, tbh. I wasn’t quite expecting to get these side effects!

OP posts:
Savoretti · 05/04/2021 21:36

I’ve got the tiredness too. Two weeks now. Headache lasted probably ten days but quite mild. I just flop into bed exhausted every night

Fundays12 · 05/04/2021 21:38

I have been really tired for 10 days since i got it but other than that fine.

Wakemeuuuup · 05/04/2021 21:42

I had the same symptoms. I rang the doctor and was told some people have a headache for up to a month and to ring back or 191 if it got worse

GirlofInkandStars · 05/04/2021 21:43

I’m 12 days in now and still exhausted. The headache comes and goes too. I was putting it down to end of term tired ness but if it’s still ongoing this morning I will be calling my GP. Several of my colleagues have reported similar issues - unfortunately it sounds fairly common Sad

cashoncollection · 05/04/2021 21:46

Nearly two weeks later and I’m still exhausted. No headache here. No help to you OP but it certainly is lingering for me.

penni00 · 05/04/2021 22:39

I have not contacted the GP, i am amazed that a headache following a vaccination can go on for so long. Aside from the clotting scare, I find it worrying what in the vaccine/vaccine reaction causes the prolonged headache of up to a month as in Wakemeuuuup's post. Can it be harmless side effects with no damage when a vaccine causes a headache lasting a number of weeks? I was thinking if the two dosing method hadn't been changed to 12 weeks apart, then I would be almost due for the second dose whilst still with bad head from the first dose! I appreciate the other posts, and it is good to not feel so alone with my head!

Krabbie · 05/04/2021 22:44

I also had the AZ vaccination and was tired and ached for two weeks. What symptoms of a clot are we to look out for?

Katie517 · 05/04/2021 23:22

Our centre tells anyone who has a headache for more than 4 days to contact their GP (even one that comes and goes) Other signs to lookout for are bruising which is unexplained, vision changes and any swelling aside from where the vaccine went in and any nerve related symptoms such as cramps/pins and needles type sensations. Anyone with these should definitely get in touch with their GP asap just to be on the safe side.

cantgetmyheadroundit · 05/04/2021 23:43

I had mine on Weds, so I'm almost day 7. Today is the first day I haven't had a headache, but oh my god, the tiredness. I've been sleeping 11/12 hours a night and needing a nap in the daytime. Feel like I've been run over!

Original poster
Bookshelfer8 · 06/04/2021 08:04

Yes the doctor was asking about things like nerve pain - which I did have the day after, but not again. But she was being cautious and wanted to see me in person if the headache didn’t go.

I am sorry a lot of other people are suffering too - but reassured that I am not alone! I keep swinging between wondering if i need to take some supplements because I’m so tired, and remembering it all started after the vaccine!

If anyone else had prolonged tiredness, when did it pass?

Has anyone had two doses yet? Did the second make you feel the same?

OP posts:
daisyboo1 · 10/04/2021 15:41

I have had a horrible headache since the AZ vaccination ten days ago. I had flu-like symptoms for a few days after the jab, but this headache just won't go away, together with tiredness. I did speak to my GP as I was started to get worried why it's lasting so long but I don't any other symptoms indicating a clot and it seems to be a side effect that many are reporting. The headache is at the front of my head - centre and over eyes. Am just getting a bit fed up with it now!

Original poster
Bookshelfer8 · 11/04/2021 22:47

I’m sorry to hear you have it too, daisy! My headache was in the same place and same tiredness too. A relief no other indicator of clots etc.

Making me wonder about the second vaccine and if it’ll happen again. Anyone had it?

OP posts:
CosmoMint · 02/05/2021 10:25

I am on day 12 since the jab. I had a moderate constant headache starting end of day 1 until end of day 4. But since then I have had occasional, I don’t know how I would describe it but a few seconds every so often during the day, like a heavy head/twinge. But very mild. Not enough to warrant paracetamol. It’s happened on most days since day 5 just randomly throughout the day. My doctor wasn’t concerned at all when I spoke to her. Don’t know if related to the jab. Hoping it’s ok!

Kitcat122 · 02/05/2021 17:28

I am on day 10 since AZ jab. I had flu symptoms for 24 hours after my jab then just felt tired. On approx day 4 I developed a low grade headache that's comes and goes throughout the day. It is at the front of my head and behind the my eyes. Paracetamol not necessary most days. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

penni00 · 02/05/2021 18:04

I think the vac is causing irritation/inflammation of the nerves. I am 6 weeks on, and still not back to normal - mild headache and light sensitivity- although I would say I have improved to how I was at the worst, but improvement is so slow. I have days when I am quite optimistic that I am virtually over it, but then it creeps back to a degree. I cannot look at tv or computer screens for long now as it makes my eyes hurt. Mine began as a headache at front of head and above my eyes, the position of the headache has moved to my temples over time, and has become milder and not quite as constant as when it was at the front of my head above my eyes. Please do keep updating people - I am interested in how other people go plus especially if anyone after having the prolonged headache with the first dose has gone on to have the second dose and whether the second dose affected their heads.