Just wanted to add that I still support this vaccine; my teenage daughter will still be getting her second dose next month, as will my husband. Freak thing in my case, though I do think there should be a warning for anyone with vestibular issues, migraines, or past TBIs.
Until now, I’ve been considered to be a very healthy and physically active senior. I’ve gone through essentially normal or age-related balance challenges but believe my 2nd dose of Moderna vaccine on 3/12/21 very possibly triggered a dangerous “vestibular attack.” On 3/28/21 about two weeks after the second dose, I experienced significant dizziness and loss of balance including stumble while walking on indoor track at my local health club where I typically exercise several times weekly. I required assistance in walking and was driven to a hospital ER. Overnight observation was recommended. Among others things, evaluation of heart function and brain scan were conducted and found normal. Blood tests were essentially normal. There was speculative suggestion of dehydration. My apparent anxiety was understandable. Vestibular Disorder was not diagnosed in this ER setting, though one attending physician mentioned in passing that services to address balance issues were available at the hospital. As of 4/3/2021 these balance issues continue to foster mild anxiety and significantly interfere with normal life routines and activity. Balance remains a concern, often if simply arising from a chair or turning while walking or standing. There is pervasive lightheadedness or dizziness during calm walking with tendency towards falling. I am forced in consideration of not falling to be cognizant of nearby support from a person or objects, whether chair, wall, door knobs, railings, etc. Important independent physical activity needed to maintain my good physical health is currently hampered or precluded, including simple walking, shopping independently at nearby stores, and participating as accustomed in motion sports (tennis, biking, running, swimming, etc.). I am currently seeking official confirmed diagnosis of Vestibular Disorder and hope this will soon be resolved to get my life back to normal. I’ve always been a strong proponent of COVID vaccines toward herd immunity, but now I wonder. It’s often been said the COVID vaccine rollout was rushed. I didn’t care much about that…until now.
I am so happy to have found this site. I had my first Pfizer vaccine on March 12. After 2 days I experienced a mild dizziness and persistent headache. Most of my symptoms are similar to rbhubbards. Now, 3 weeks later, I have intense brain fog and a worsening headache, and still the unsteadiness. I cancelled my second vaccine, and am hoping these symptoms subside.
@anneornina - I too noticed I started having burning,itchy and watery eyes 3 days after the 1st shot of Pfiser covid vaccine. Did not know why it was. Also from day 4 or so dizzyness started. I already had ongoing cold alergies related sneezing and runny nose, since a couple weeks ahead of taking the vaccine shot. But when I started taking over the counter nasal sprays, it started to get better. But after covid vaccine, runny nose and sneezing continued, so do not know if its the exisiting one continuing or the covid vac induced new runny nose. I continue to take the nasal spray as needed. But dizzyness started after covid vac shot. I still have the second shot due in a couple weeks but concerned of the side effects.
I do think there should be a warning for anyone with vestibular issues, migraines, or past TBIs.
Everyone should get that warning. Although it seems that people with those issues are the most affected, there are also those with no prior history having those issues as well. Everyone needs to be informed of ALL the known potential side effects. They have a right to know in order to make an informed choice.
I got my first Pfizer 3/1 and my second 3/23. After the first I had numbness in my hands just under the skin and a week of fatigue. Thought the numbness in my hands might be the result of some vigorous ping pong games so I went ahead and got the second shot. Since then I continue to have numbness in my hands, am incredibly fatigued, have daily chills, had just a few bouts of muscle spasms around my lips, and have tingling in my lower legs. Had a couple days of dizziness after my first shot but no dizziness after the second. I have Hashimotos so I'm think my immune system is on some sort of tear. I've reported the symptoms to both Pfizer and the CDC. Went to a primary care doctor who didn't seem to know what to think. Have another appointment next week. Hoping for the best for myself and everyone else on here. If I find anything out I'll post it here. Take care everyone.
I had the J&J vaccine 9 days ago. This morning I woke up with vertigo and it took me ten minutes to get out of bed. I've felt "off" all day and am being very careful with how I move. This forum has been eye-opening.
Hi,
I had the first Pfizer shot March 1 and felt fine until March 9 and began to feel unwell. Dizziness began and experienced a painful headache that hurt the left side of my head and face, sore neck, hot behind my neck, and had difficulty looking straight ahead. This happened March 13. Symptoms of terrible vertigo surpassed the headache and by March 16th I went to the ER and my BP was 200/98. I’ve never had BP this high. I’m 50 years old. They treated me with iv cocktail. I went home and migraine subsided but vertigo continues. Trying to go for walks with my husband and I literally have to hang onto his arm because the world doesn’t look right and I feel wonky, weak and unstable. My head and body feels like a constant buzz and wave. Very hard to explain. This is a constant feeling and it gets worse when I walk or turn my head. Even trying to make something in the kitchen makes me dizzzy because of all the necessary movements.
I have never had vertigo before the vaccine. Have a hx of migraines but hadn’t had a migraine for four months. I went back to ER on March 24th with persistent vertigo,dizziness,visual weirdness etc but no headache and the attending dx me with BPPV and vestibular migraine. I kept saying I think it’s from the vaccine but no one spoke to it. It’s April 3rd today and I’m still suffering with the same symptoms that just won’t shake and my moms neighbor got the Pfizer vaccine 3 days ago and woke up with vertigo, vomiting and his wife had to call an ambulance. They too related this to the vaccine but the paramedics told them they have been busy with calls for vertigo and they are saying there’s a virus going around that’s been terrible for people. The only common denominator that I can plainly see is the vaccine. I just don’t see any other explanation.
Anyone else have thoughts about this? I have been off work for 3 weeks now and I’m running out of sick time and will be hearing from a disability person from work this coming week. I’m frustrated with the persistence of these symptoms. My GP has put me on a Betahistine which I think is giving me audio and visual hallucinations which only adding to all of this. Also I have a physio appointment on Wednesday to see a vestibular therapist.
Does anyone else have similar issues since the vaccine? I honestly am afraid to get the second dose now!
Tracy
You said,
"Trying to go for walks with my husband and I literally have to hang onto his arm because the world doesn’t look right and I feel wonky, weak and unstable. My head and body feels like a constant buzz and wave. Very hard to explain. This is a constant feeling and it gets worse when I walk or turn my head. Even trying to make something in the kitchen makes me dizzzy because of all the necessary movements."
You described it perfectly, as I have experienced that from my vestibular disorder called Menieres disease. Mine recently was triggered by the Pfizer shot and I'm worried about getting the second one, for all the reasons you mention, due to concerns about effects becoming permanent.
I am awfully concerned, after reading through these posts, that an agent within the vaccine is having deleterious effects on the human vestibular system such that the pharmaceutical industry needs to address this problem immediately.
Hi Tracy
I have had a very similar experience as are many of us on here. I am on week 10 now but not to jinx myself...today is the first day I have had very little dizziness. Still have hardly any hearing in my left ear and constant, loud ringing in that ear but I'll take that and no dizziness for now!
I am lucky enough to be working remotely at home but had seriously considered trying to get on disability if I could. Working is so hard!!
I did go for second shot as doctor recommended saying better to get fully inoculated than getting covid and possibly dying. Symptoms did not get better or worse.
Lots of great info on here and comforting to know we are not alone. Hope you have a quick recovery!
I had my Moderna 1st shot on January 4th and woke up with severe disequilibrium on January 9th. As of April 3rd, I still struggle with dizziness and disequilibrium. I’ve seen an ENT, had me eyes examined and a brain MRI. Everything comes out negative. It is exhausting to constantly feel this imbalance. Has anyone had this for this long?
40 something healthy male who just got first dose of Pfizer.
No dizziness but non stop ringing in ear. Never had this before.
Not sure I will get second dose if I am getting reactions like this already.
I tried TeleDoc and they were absolutely clueless. Felt like they were just using Google.
Has anyone that has received any of the new Covid Vaccines, did you experience any increased dizziness or other symptoms?
Had my 1st dose of Pfizer 2 weeks ago, had the kind of side effects I don't want to have again. I have been stressing about getting the 2nd dose, so anxious it brought me to tears. So I spoke to my Pharmacist to get her advice. I can't quote her but she did remind me that these vaccinations are actually still in the trial phase, as none has been through sufficient testing to get FDA approval...yet. So we are all being guinea pigs with these shots; we are the trials they are undergoing. There is nothing known yet as to whether the horrible vestibular side effects we experience will wind up to be permanent damage. No one knows, and I'm not taking my chances. I will just keep doing what I've been doing for more than a year now - masks and distance. As to what you decide, seek advice for yourself. But know that most doctors will likely tell you to "go ahead" because that's what they're being advised, in order to get people vaccinated.
@isismadec They are not yet aware of what we all know. We are all still in their trials. They collect data as we speak.
I’m grateful for this feedback and that I’m not alone. I’m not going crazy and this really is a side effect from the vaccine. If you read anything online about side effects it just says head aches or flu like symptoms. The nurse also just warned of headaches and muscle aches. I am hoping that the symptoms will get better but they just don’t seem to want to subside. I hope this isn’t going to be permanent. It’s awful. It’s hard to go from healthy and normal, going for runs with my husband and long walks with our dogs, functioning fully with work to hardly being able to move without inner waves and dizziness through my body and head. I wish everyone on this site the best and cross fingers we will all feel like ourselves again soon👌😊
Tracy