Mornin' all. I got my first dose today and I feel almost tearfully relieved and energized to be on this side of history. I thought I would start a thread dedicated to the experience of being vaccinated, so that we can share info with those who are still on the fence or who are watchful waiting to see how things go.
My hospital got 5000 doses delivered on Tuesday. We have given almost half of that already in the last two days. Participation is voluntary and divided into tiered groups based on patient exposure. Those who volunteer (still paid but outside normal job duties) to work the employee Covid vaccine clinic we have set up can also get it, which is how I was eligible to get it already today.
Getting the second dose is crucial for any protection, so we make an appointment to come back for the second dose on exactly day 21. We will get another shipment from Pfizer in time for that. My wait time in line was about 30 minutes in all. The first day employees showed up and waited over 2 hours, cheerfully. There is a LOT of positivity and hope going on here surrounding this, which feels amazing.
We go to an observation room for 10 minutes after the injection, where we were given bottled water and single serving snacks while we observe for any allergic reaction.
The injection itself was nothing. Easiest shot I have ever gotten by far. I don't even have any arm soreness so far. I will touch base if I start to get any kind of side effects.
I got my second dose Wednesday, and all I can say is be ready. That was rough. I had a fever/chills, body aches, joint pain, headache, fatigue for the entire next day. I didn’t take Tylenol since I didn’t want to decrease my immune response. Most people I know who got their second dose had similar effects but a lot of them took Tylenol or ibuprofen, so they probably felt a little better than I did.
Would taking Tylenol decrease your body's ability to make antibodies? I've never heard that. I thought it only reduced pain & fever.
Would taking Tylenol decrease your body's ability to make antibodies? I've never heard that. I thought it only reduced pain & fever.
Supposedly Tylenol is fine since it's not an anti-inflammatory. In theory you should avoid NSAIDS like ibuprofen because a strong immune response is the goal of a vaccine.
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
...second dose Pfizer/BioNTech in, I feel fine. Just had injection site muscle pain on the first dose and this time around a Peds Nurse gave me the shot and I didn't even feel it.
I had the second Pfizer dose a few days ago as promised the response was very noticeable.
The first 8 hours or so were fine, but beyond that I wouldn't plan on doing too much for about 24 hours, unless your plans already included the fetal position, rigors, sweats/chills, fatigue, and feeling like someone was rubbing sand paper on your brain. At least I don't have to worry if my immune system got the work out it was supposed to.
I'm scheduled to get my vaccine in 3 weeks, but apparently decided at the last minute to build my immunity the old fashioned way. However the vaccine makes you feel, it can't be any worse than what this last week has been for me.
As far as Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen, the CDC faq sheet on what to expect following vaccination states either can be taken to reduce pain and/or fever. I received my first dose on 12/23, & my second this morning at 11am.
Following the first dose I had very mild side effects, including injection site soreness, a general feeling of tiredness that night and the following day, and a brief period of sweats that night, and that's it. However, based on all reports from friends who are getting the 2nd vaccine dose now, as well as what I've read here, I expect to have more significant side effects from this dose.
I will update my post once I get thru next 24 hours, but in the mean time, I did prep my migraine med, because its injectable and if I am really feverish later, I probably won't have the capacity to prepare it at that time, along with other essential items. I am planning to track my fever or lack thereof closely, as I have a family member with severe epilepsy, and high fever is a big trigger for her seizures, so we are hoping to gather a bit of data through our experience. Not that it will necessarily reflect what hers would be, but the more info the better. I was also successful in registering for the vaccine tracking app thru fed government and figure it can't hurt to provide them with more data for what to expect etc. I have participated in clinical trials for migraines, so not particularly concerned regarding the "extra" work involved in participating in this program.
Good luck all, and I will update my post tomorrow night ?
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Got my first dose of Moderna yesterday. My arm feels like a pro boxer was using it as a punching bag and I'm exhausted to the point of I keep dozing off every few minutes.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
I received my second Pfizer dose on Wednesday AM. First dose side effects for me was fatigue the next day but that’s it. Second dose was a doozy: fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue for about 48 hours. Still worth it.
I received my 2nd dose at 1630 on Thursday. By 2100 I was extremely tired. I woke up at 0430 Friday morning with the worst headache I've probably ever had, chills and body aches. I took Tylenol, and felt better throughout the day, but the headache came back with a vengeance Friday night. I took Ibuprofen and went to bed. I have felt great today!
As far as Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen, the CDC faq sheet on what to expect following vaccination states either can be taken to reduce pain and/or fever. I received my first dose on 12/23, & my second this morning at 11am.
Following the first dose I had very mild side effects, including injection site soreness, a general feeling of tiredness that night and the following day, and a brief period of sweats that night, and that's it. However, based on all reports from friends who are getting the 2nd vaccine dose now, as well as what I've read here, I expect to have more significant side effects from this dose.
I will update my post once I get thru next 24 hours, but in the mean time, I did prep my migraine med, because its injectable and if I am really feverish later, I probably won't have the capacity to prepare it at that time, along with other essential items. I am planning to track my fever or lack thereof closely, as I have a family member with severe epilepsy, and high fever is a big trigger for her seizures, so we are hoping to gather a bit of data through our experience. Not that it will necessarily reflect what hers would be, but the more info the better. I was also successful in registering for the vaccine tracking app thru fed government and figure it can't hurt to provide them with more data for what to expect etc. I have participated in clinical trials for migraines, so not particularly concerned regarding the "extra" work involved in participating in this program.
Good luck all, and I will update my post tomorrow night ?
Hi all,
My update, as promised...
Keeping in mind that 83% of people under 55 had systemic side effects from the second dose....
I had basically zero side effects from second dose. I felt a little off at around the 8 hour mark, went and laid down and read my book. Felt fine by the time I fell asleep at 10 pm. I never used my emergency supplies. And that's it!
I wonder if despite being 38, my being post menopausal (surgical menopause at 28), and on a monoclonal antibody perhaps has decreased my immune response.
Now, I should disclose I'm usually in the minority as far as med side effects, etc, and really as far as anything medical. I'm always the weird one. It's just that usually that works against me, and this time it worked in my favor! Yay me.
Same. I got the second dose 24 hours ago. After the 15 minute required monitoring on-site, I drove home with my spouse (just in case I have a reaction on the freeway, LOL) then headed to do some grocery shopping. By evening, I was on Zoom for hours with multiple family members from different parts of the world to celebrate my mom's birthday (she passed away a year ago). I felt rather tired and a bit chilly with a sore left arm by 10 PM, turned up the heat, and feel asleep. Now I feel good. I'm 51 if that matters.
I was excited to get my vaccine about 9 days ago. I am doing great- but did have a few weird things occur. My hand, then arm went numb about 15 minutes after the injection in the arm I received it in. It then proceeded to cause pins/needles in both arms and thighs. No other issues, but they gave me some Benadryl to take when it wouldn’t go away-about 30 minutes into it. It went away after another 20 minutes. Typical arm pain later that night and the following day I had on/off nausea and a metallic taste in my mouth. By the 3rd day, that was gone. I’ve never had a reaction to any vaccines before and not severely allergic to anything. I did attempt a call to the Vaccine Co. to see if that was a reaction they had seen in their trial- but couldn’t find anyone clinical to talk to. Anyway, all is good now. I will get my second one as scheduled, but hoping I don’t have similar reaction.
Kitiger, RN
1,834 Posts
Would taking Tylenol decrease your body's ability to make antibodies? I've never heard that. I thought it only reduced pain & fever.