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Covid-19 Vaccine side effects

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(@chloeshirecliff)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 4
 

I received my 1st dose Pfizer COVID vaccination on Feb 28th. Initial reaction was minimal. At about 8 hours I got a headache, sore eyes and general aches and malaise. When I woke up the next morning (approx. 20 hours) the room was spinning and I was horribly nauseous. Made to bathroom, but afterward broke out in a cold sweat and nearly vomited. All day had severe vertigo. Over next two days vertigo became more moderate. Other symptoms were a feeling of congestion and pressure around the area of left ear and middle of head. Tried the Epley exercises on 3rd day, which intensified vertigo/nausea. Vomited several times, after which blood pressure soared, pulse plummeted, and I got severe shakes for about a half hour. Next 3 days had severe vertigo/nausea. Vertigo began improving on day 8 to moderate. Was still unable to drive and walked like I was drunk. By day 11 was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given an antibiotic. Congestion in head was lessening, but there was a lump in area under left ear. Day 15 went to ENT. Hearing and visible ear exam were good, everything normal and healthy. ENT thought it was vestibular nerve inflammation and said to come back if it did not resolve over time. Day 17 bent over quickly to catch something and had a wave of spinning again. Regressed to moderate/severe vertigo again for 2 days. Since then there has been slow diminishment of vertigo. I'm at day 26. Vertigo is not entirely gone, but I notice it off and on, and mostly in bed. I am able to live normally at this point and drive, but the vertigo is still there in the background. I hope it will continue to resolve over time.

I cancelled my 2nd dose appointment and will wait until my vertigo goes away to decide whether or not to get a 2nd dose. This was my own decision. Like many others on this site I've been distressed by the length of time the symptoms have lasted, stressed by the lack of public information about my symptoms as a possible side effect, and a bit angry that after 2 visits to primary care clinic, and one to an ENT, none of the doctors seems to consider that this could be a side effect of the COVID vaccine. The comments on this site make me feel that they are not being informed and are discounting our issues as simply coincidental. One side note, I worked in public health in immunizations for over 20 years, and I understand that there are many health issues that can seem related to a vaccination based purely on timing, but really are just coincidence. I am very pro vaccine, even with this COVID vaccine. But I believe that some people definitely are being affected by these symptoms and that they are a real side effects. I hope it gets some attention eventually.

Last, two things others have mentioned really helped me cope: drinking lots of cold water, and drinking ginger tea (really helped with nausea). I've also been taking vitamin C, a baby aspirin and a turmeric supplement (anti-inflammatory). I can't say if these last 3 things are helping, but I am still improving.  I am not a doctor, so I can only say what has worked for me. I tried a nasal decongestant spray, and was offered meclizine by my primary care doctor, but I am hypersensitive to stimulants and became anxious with fast heart beat with just the nasal spray, so I declined the meclizine. I tried ibuprofen, and it lessened pressure temporarily, but overall didn't help me much. As others have said, I thought that the Epley exercises made my vertigo worse.

I have reported my reaction to both Pfizer and to the CDC VAERS (vaccine adverse event reporting system). I would encourage all those who have had similar symptoms to also report. Its the only way this will be evaluated as a real side effect.

Thanks to all who have posted. I was terribly stressed by my own reaction after my COVID vaccination. It helps very much to know that it is a vaccine reaction rather than some other randomly coincidental issue. I hope you all keep improving too.


   
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(@chloeshirecliff)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 4
 

A couple of other things I meant to mention. In the way of symptoms I also had blurred vision and mental 'fog' (felt unable to concentrate mentally) when vertigo was worse. It is mostly resolved now. And I was very sick with an odd sort of 'flu' last year in March - I had many of the symptoms of COVID illness, including a sort of 'brain fog'. I wasn't sick enough to go to the hospital and at that time they were not routinely testing for COVID until you were sick enough to be hospitalized. Its possible I had COVID before getting vaccinated. 

I also did not mention that I've had only one other vertigo issue before, but I am very sensitive to motion sickness, and have been since I was a child. This side effect seems to affect those with histories of vertigo, motion sickness, tinnitus, and migraines from what I gather reading other's comments.


   
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(@janetmarie)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

YES! After Pfizer #1 my internal vertigo increased 20% and began calming down after week 3. Second shot rocked my boat. From a dial at 50 for dizziness went to 90. The first day I had visual disturbances which my pcp sent me to ED. ED dr said, a side effect of vaccine that morning. Turns out it was the migraine (never with pain) first time manifesting with oracular disturbances. Scary. 
then after eye dr examined my eyes 2 days later is when I really was in trouble. Neurologist felt like giving it a month to calm down from vaccine. As you all know, dealing with dizziness everyday, when something takes it to a whole new level/ it sucks. I’m at 3 weeks and I am able to go for walk with a bit more stability - but nowhere close to where I was before vaccine. I reported to CDC and Oregon adverse reaction site.

What was it that is causing us so much trouble????


   
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Soraya
(@soraya)
Active Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 10
 
Posted by: @chloeshirecliff

I received my 1st dose Pfizer COVID vaccination on Feb 28th. Initial reaction was minimal. At about 8 hours I got a headache, sore eyes and general aches and malaise. When I woke up the next morning (approx. 20 hours) the room was spinning and I was horribly nauseous. Made to bathroom, but afterward broke out in a cold sweat and nearly vomited. All day had severe vertigo. Over next two days vertigo became more moderate. Other symptoms were a feeling of congestion and pressure around the area of left ear and middle of head. Tried the Epley exercises on 3rd day, which intensified vertigo/nausea. Vomited several times, after which blood pressure soared, pulse plummeted, and I got severe shakes for about a half hour. Next 3 days had severe vertigo/nausea. Vertigo began improving on day 8 to moderate. Was still unable to drive and walked like I was drunk. By day 11 was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given an antibiotic. Congestion in head was lessening, but there was a lump in area under left ear. Day 15 went to ENT. Hearing and visible ear exam were good, everything normal and healthy. ENT thought it was vestibular nerve inflammation and said to come back if it did not resolve over time. Day 17 bent over quickly to catch something and had a wave of spinning again. Regressed to moderate/severe vertigo again for 2 days. Since then there has been slow diminishment of vertigo. I'm at day 26. Vertigo is not entirely gone, but I notice it off and on, and mostly in bed. I am able to live normally at this point and drive, but the vertigo is still there in the background. I hope it will continue to resolve over time.

I cancelled my 2nd dose appointment and will wait until my vertigo goes away to decide whether or not to get a 2nd dose. This was my own decision. Like many others on this site I've been distressed by the length of time the symptoms have lasted, stressed by the lack of public information about my symptoms as a possible side effect, and a bit angry that after 2 visits to primary care clinic, and one to an ENT, none of the doctors seems to consider that this could be a side effect of the COVID vaccine. The comments on this site make me feel that they are not being informed and are discounting our issues as simply coincidental. One side note, I worked in public health in immunizations for over 20 years, and I understand that there are many health issues that can seem related to a vaccination based purely on timing, but really are just coincidence. I am very pro vaccine, even with this COVID vaccine. But I believe that some people definitely are being affected by these symptoms and that they are a real side effects. I hope it gets some attention eventually.

Last, two things others have mentioned really helped me cope: drinking lots of cold water, and drinking ginger tea (really helped with nausea). I've also been taking vitamin C, a baby aspirin and a turmeric supplement (anti-inflammatory). I can't say if these last 3 things are helping, but I am still improving.  I am not a doctor, so I can only say what has worked for me. I tried a nasal decongestant spray, and was offered meclizine by my primary care doctor, but I am hypersensitive to stimulants and became anxious with fast heart beat with just the nasal spray, so I declined the meclizine. I tried ibuprofen, and it lessened pressure temporarily, but overall didn't help me much. As others have said, I thought that the Epley exercises made my vertigo worse.

I have reported my reaction to both Pfizer and to the CDC VAERS (vaccine adverse event reporting system). I would encourage all those who have had similar symptoms to also report. Its the only way this will be evaluated as a real side effect.

Thanks to all who have posted. I was terribly stressed by my own reaction after my COVID vaccination. It helps very much to know that it is a vaccine reaction rather than some other randomly coincidental issue. I hope you all keep improving too.

@Chloeshirecliff

I had a similar situation. Please check out my response to see. Honestly, I'm not taking my 2nd dose. I was supposed to tomorrow, but I'm canceling as we speak.

 

Also, @Dizziness had mentioned increasing vitamin C. I kid you now, all day yesterday, I drank orange juice, and no dizziness at all. This morning, it came back a little again, so I had a grapefruit. Def. feeling a bit better.

This post was modified 3 years ago 2 times by Soraya

   
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 SJD
(@sjd2021)
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Joined: 3 years ago
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Anyone feeling completely better now with no more vertigo?


   
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(@michaelk)
Very Active Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 58
 

@dizzilizzy Thank you for your report. It is so helpful to hear that your issues resolved because this is the only information that all of us have. 


   
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(@altima12)
New Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

I have been lucky.  I had my first dose two weeks ago and other than a little redness on my arm, I have not had any side effects.  I had the Moderna vaccine.  I was very excited to get the vaccine since I have a chronic vestibular issue due to a virus 9 years ago that has been never ending.  My fear was getting Covid-19 and getting worse.   Good luck to all and hope all your side effects end quickly.  We will be through this soon!


   
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SueMarie
(@suemarie)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

I received my first Moderna shot 3 weeks ago, immediately was lightheaded with a headache that felt like a band around my head, dehydrated, and had a stomach ache.  Symptoms lasted several days, and resumed after 2 weeks.  The lightheadedness makes it scary to drive, so I haven't gone home from work because of it.  I'm also fearful of the second shot next week, and unsure what to do about it.  I seriously thought it was just me, since the few people I shared this with said it's not possible to have symptoms after the first few days, it's all in my head.  It's nice to know I'm not alone!


   
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(@hollyd)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 42
 

Thanks so much to everyone for posting their experiences! I am so glad to have found this thread. I posted my story on the thread before - but the saga continues!
I am absolutely convinced my dizziness and tinnitus were side effects of the Pfizer vaccine - symptoms started 4-5 days after first vaccine. Symptoms got so bad - extreme dizziness, non stop vomiting, that I wound up in hospital the first time. Since then, I have been having good days and bad days with varying degrees of dizziness but, thankfully, no nausea - until this past Saturday! Got so bad I wound up having to go to the hospital again. I could not open my eyes without throwing up and had non stop dizziness. I pretty much could not hear out of my left ear. Usually the dizziness comes in waves but this day it just stayed! I have had MRI, Catscan, blood work, been to my PCP and 2 ENT's.
Basically I am told the IF it was caused by the vaccine it should go away. Given Meclizine which I have been taking as prescribed at hospital at 25mg 4 times a day for the past 5 days. After a couple of days i can finally hear again out of that left ear. The tinnitus is definitely better but still there. Dizziness has not been too bad, just comes in waves - some mild and some a bit stronger that put me in bed for a bit. Tough to work like this but glad I am working from home! I just ride the wave and they generally go away. Was told to do Cawthorne- Cooksey exercises and to go for vestibular rehab. I had been doing the exercises for two days and then "Wham" - that is when it got really bad. Now hesitant to do more - not sure if related but...who knows. Working on getting rehab set up now.
I have to add.. I am going on week 8 of this!! Every time I think I have a couple of goods days and this thing may be subsiding...knocks me flat out like this past weekend and I wound up in the hospital.
I insisted they give me an Rx for both anti nausea meds and Valium as that is what they give me in the hospital. I want to have on hand so it if escalates I can self medicate and not wind up in the hospital again!
I can almost live with the tinnitus - but the dizziness!! Ruining my quality of life at this point!
Anyone else having these long lasting effects?


   
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(@hollyd)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 42
 

@suemarie
My symptoms/side effects that I got from first vaccine did not change, get better or get worse with the second vaccine. Dr said better to get fully immune with both vaccines.


   
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(@wfinkbeiner)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

After receiving the VEDA newletter, I opened the forum on post COVID-19 vaccination vestibular side effects. Disclosure: I am a physician (pathologist). I've scanned through many of the posts though not all and would like to add my experience. My own diagnosis is unclear.  Vestibular migraines versus Miniere's disease versus something else (? post viral labyrinthitis). Though I've been susceptible to motion sickness lifelong, I developed left ear fullness, tinnitus and hearing loss vertigo following a URI in November 2017. Subsequently I experienced vertigo in February 2018, and had several bouts of vertigo until July 2018 when vertigo episodes ceased.  I was vertigo-free until day 8 days post Moderna vaccination. Prodrome included left ear fullness, waxing and waning of tinnitus. On the day before my scheduled second vaccination appointment, I had a second episode of post-vax vertigo. I postponed my second dose one week. On day six post 2nd dose, I had another episode of severe vertigo followed by mild dizziness for about a day.  On day 19 following the 2nd dose I felt dizzy, went straight to bed and experienced some mild vertigo.  However, no vomiting or diarrhea which is my usual pattern with vertigo episodes. By morning felt ok.

For those of you asking whether post COVID-19 vaccination vertigo or dizziness persists, I can say that I have not had any subsequent dizziness or vertigo during the past 3 plus weeks. Still early, but I also haven't felt any ear fullness or changes in the level of tinnitus.  As others have done, please notify your health care team of any vestibular symptoms following vaccination. Ask them to report your side effects to the VAERS/CDC. You can also self report. Since many will receive the vaccination at mass vaccination centers, this there may not be a ready contact; however, as noted in at least one other post, you can self report  to VAERS/CDC using this link https://vaers.hhs.gov/esub/index.jsp .


   
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(@jpalm)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 24
 

@hollyd occasional headache still with me. But I can work with that. !!


   
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(@jpalm)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 24
 

@suemarie That is why I was searching for someone to see if anyone else was having the same experiences we all are having.  People have no idea what side effects come with this shot. Pray we all get through this together .. ❤


   
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(@jpalm)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 24
 

@suemarie That is why I was searching for someone to see if anyone else was having the same experiences we all are having.  People have no idea what side effects come with this shot. Pray we all get through this together .. ❤


   
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(@shauna09)
Active Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 8
 

Figured I would give an update. I am 5 weeks and 2 days post 2nd Moderna vaccine and 3 weeks post hospital visit for my vertigo episode. I am happy to say that I feel MOSTLY normal now. I do feel that something is lingering still, but I am able to drive, go for walks, bend down etc without much problem now. I will say, I have consistent tinnitus at this point. It has been ongoing and constant for 2 weeks. I saw an ENT and really advocated for myself that I believed it to be the vaccine because I had never experienced this before, but she didn’t latch onto that idea. She basically told me to push myself to retrain by brain from the vertigo episode so I have been walking everyday and the past 4 days have felt pretty good. I notice avoiding the screen makes me feel so much better. It’s hard because I work from home on my computer all day and am in online grad school classes. I’m wondering if anyone who has developed tinnitus after the vaccine feels it has been resolved? Overall, I’m in a much better place now than I was 3 weeks ago! 


   
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