covid 19 vaccine

I have a Metronic pacemaker since 2019.  I had the covid 19 vaccine yesterday  Oct 4,2023, called Spikevax by Moderna US, inc.   Had it at my local gocery stores pharmacy.  The pharmacy tech ask which arm , I said i have a pacemaker.  She then said the right one.  Felt a tiny pinch an she said all done.

On the really short drive home wondered if I got the full amount.  Well i have to tell you about an hour later, had a metalic taste in my mouth, then felt a little faint.  Decided this was not good, then that feeling disappeared in a couple of seconds. But my eyesight was a little blurry, memory for spelling not good.  Then spent the rest of the afternoon on a chair in my living room, napping(which is my usual reactions to perservatives).Which this one has many of  and drinking many glasses of water.  As i remembered that is what have been told after surgery to wash that garbage out of system.   Later in the evening my arm started to swell and redness appeared.  Ached all over.  This morning got up around 5amEST an took one of my Turmeric supplements.  Went back to bed and when i got up around 8am, achiness was gone.  Arm still swollen.

Yesterday i wrote to the caridolgist an asked since i am monitored at midnight.  Could they look an see if i had any Afib episodes around noon yesterday.  This morning they called and said the Cardiolgist wanted me to transmitt.  So i did. They wrote back an said no A-Fib episodes since 8/30/2023.  That everything looked good.

This was my 6th one and the first one with a reaction.  Will i get another one time will tell.

new to pace

16 Comments

Covid

by docklock - 2023-10-05 16:03:09

I got the first two shots. Way back when everyone was panicking.  Then I came down with Covid.  Did everything but vomit. Sick for a good week. Only got up to use bathroom and take care of my dog. 
I have not gotten any of the numerous boosters.  And certainly not going to get the "new" variants.  
That's just my opinion and your mileage may vary.  

 

Sorry to hear

by Penguin - 2023-10-05 16:23:44

Sorry to hear that you had a reaction NTP - but no AFib!

 

Covid.

by Selwyn - 2023-10-05 17:01:48

The week ending 22nd September, deaths in the UK mentioning Covid were 2.5% . That is 5 deaths out of every 200.

Who knows how many died with Covid and nothing on the death certificate? There is not a lot of lateral flow testing done except by hospitals.

My post of 21st September 2023  on this site was:

I spoke with my cardiologist about Covid and the heart. I was told that they were kept busy with a whole load of new patietns who's hearts had been damaged from Covid. This is confirmed by a study published in January of this year in the journal Cardiovascular Research, this  followed a group of over 7,500 people with and without pre-existing heart conditions, who caught Covid-19 between March and November 2020 (which is before the vaccine was available in the UK).

Compared to uninfected people, this group was around 40% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and five times more likely to die during the 18 months afterwards. People who had experienced severe infection were at even higher risk.

Both in the short-term and long-term, those previously infected were at higher risk of the following heart and circulatory system problems:

Heart attacks
Coronary heart disease
Heart failure
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
They were also at higher risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation in the short-term, but not the long-term.

Of course, Covid vaccination may cause myocarditiis and pericarditits, however the incidence is about 1 in 10000. Your chances of having Covid damage to the heart are a lot higher from the infection. At present, I have friends of which  two fit people have been quite ill with Covid. England reported 8961 cases of SARS-CoV-2 in the week to 2 September, up 22.6% (1649) on the previous week.

Long-COVID symptoms adversely affected the day-to-day activities of 65% of those with self-reported long COVID, with 18% reporting that their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities had been "limited a lot".

( uk.gov info).

 

I played table tennis with an 86 year old tonight who had had his Covid vaccination earlier today.  I've had my Covid jab and had a sore arm for  24 hours. 

Thanks Selwyn

by Good Dog - 2023-10-05 20:58:17

Selwyn - Thanks for all the important data. Sure makes the case for getting the vaccination!

I have had five so far and am schedulled to get my 6th in five days.

I was administered my first four COVID vaccinations in my left arm as I have for every other vaccination during my lifetime. I received the fifth in my right arm. That was a first! A few weeks later I had a stroke. I can only say that I had suspicions with regard to that specific vaccination, and of course; the first ever injection in my right arm. I suppose that is just, because I am human. 

I will continue to get vaccinated (RSV & Flu later this month and next). The stats you reported are a clear indication it is the wise thing to do! Oh, and I still wear a mask everywhere I go!

Selwyn

by Penguin - 2023-10-06 06:11:04

Thank you for this information.  It's good to have you on this forum reminding us that this disease still poses a risk. 

I wondered if you'd be able to explain the change in policy in the UK which initially stated that all over 50's should be vaccinated and should receive subsequent boosters because they were the age group most at risk.  This year, the age was lifted to 65. Do you know the reason behind this decision and why people between 50-65 yrs are no longer considered to be at risk? 

Given the protection from a serious Covid infection that previous vaccine / boosters have offered me to date and minimal side effects from the vaccines themselves I was concerned when the age range was lifted as I am under 65 yrs. 

Vaccination

by piglet22 - 2023-10-06 07:42:40

I've mentioned recently a coincidence between ectopic beats experienced and the Covid vaccination earlier in the day.

I had episodes on the following day as well.

I certainly did not feel well enough to go out for my daily walk following the vaccination and am still nursing the sorest arm I've had with all the Covid jabs. Swelling, heat and tenderness three days on. Had the flu jab at the same time.

Just looked on my NHS record what I had. It was:-

Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5 COVID 19 (0.3-ml)

It doesn't fill me with confidence to see on the Pfizer site that this vaccine is no longer licenced in USA. No reason given.

As I've said before, it won't stop me getting vaccinations for as long as they are on offer and a few days of discomfort are worth the protection and possibly keeping Covid in check generally.

vaccine

by new to pace.... - 2023-10-06 08:28:16

thanks everyone for their thoughtful comments.  My site is still a little warm and can move my arm up and down without pain, am feeling ok.  Which really is the issue.

new to pace

Gov.uk Site

by Penguin - 2023-10-06 08:49:50

Pleased you're OK NTP.  

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-vaccine-product-information-poster/which-covid-19-vaccine#comirnaty--3-micrograms

Bit confused about the child / adult dose Piglet?  Did they think you were a Piglet rather than a fully grown pig ?? lol 

 

Weighed in the balance

by Gotrhythm - 2023-10-06 14:24:26

I just had my annual FLU vaccination about a week ago. Most years it's a little pinch, otherwise no effects at all. Occasionally, I'll be achy for a few hours, feel a little funky a day or two.

I've had 5 Covid shots now, and I can report the same reactions (sometimes no reaction at all.) I theorize the difference in reaction is due the fact that every shot is a slightly different formulation of slightly different viruses.

Haven't had the lastest iteration of the Covid vaccine yet, but intend to in the next week.

Thank you, Selwin for sharing the data, particularly about cardiac complications. Too few people recognize this danger from Covid.

Frankly, I would take a chance on a stronger reaction to the vaccine than I have ever had in order to avoid getting a severe Covid infection, and having my arrythmia problems become even worse. Not to mention stroke, heart attack, etc., which my age alone already puts me at higher risk for.

In addition to arrythmias, I also have asthma, and I've experienced that a cold--not even a bad cold--can send me to the hospital. I hate to think of where a severe Covid infection would send me. That's why I took the flu shot, and why I'll take the Covid shot.

New to Pace, sorry you didn't feel so good for a day or so after your latest injection. What you describe is pretty typical of reactions I've had to flu vaccines. Glad you had no afib. Hope you're feeling better now, and feel some reassurance that you are much less likely to get Covid, or have a lighter case if you do.

reactions

by new to pace.... - 2023-10-06 14:46:15

thanks Gotrhythm  I am feeling so much better today.  my reasoning for getting only the Covid19 vaccine if i get this, will not be using a venilator.  that scares me.

new to pace

7 shots so far

by atiras - 2023-10-06 16:19:36

I've had 7 covid shots so far, most recently 4 days ago, plus an annual flu jab for the last 15 years and a recent pneumonia jab. Just waiting to be called for my shingles jab, hopefully asap.

I've never had a reaction to any of them and have always reasoned that a reaction to a jab is better than e.g. covid. I don't have much of an immune system now, so am taking all the other precautions - given the increasing number of cases in the UK - masking, avoiding crowded and unventilated spaces and so on. Having seen what Covid has done to my sister, I definitely don't want to get it even if I am entitled to antivirals.

all of them

by dwelch - 2023-10-07 04:44:43

I have had all of the covid shots, this time around got one the first day they had them.

Pacer on left side and have had all of them on the left side.

My family has not had reactions, but know that some folks are like me, just a sore arm for a day, maybe slightly more tired, and some folks are curled in a ball in extreme pain, and everything in between (well, and worse).  IMO worth it, but YMMV, your choice.

Moderna for all of them and no extra special reaction with this falls booster.

 

All of them so far too

by Gemita - 2023-10-07 05:25:59

New to Pace, I have now had my Covid and Flu vaccines and although I did not experience the usual acute symptoms this time - the swollen glands, high temperature, rigors (chills) as with earlier vaccines which lasted in excess of the normal period expected, I did get the usual increase in my arrhythmias again as well as experiencing some pre syncope spells (probably arrhythmia related). 

I sometimes feel that my immune system is more than familiar with the Covid threat and doesn’t really need any more in the way of top ups but perhaps I am mistaken.  I recently read about a woman’s response to half a dose of the influenza vaccine being the same as a man’s response to a full dose.  Perhaps women don't need full doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to be effective (see short link - scroll down to Women experience more side effects.  “We have this idea that one size fits all, but this may be part of what’s contributing to the higher rate of reactions seen among women,” says Rosemary Morgan, a scientist specializing in gender research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/why-vaccine-side-effects-really-happen-and-when-you-should-worry

Regrettably my husband is continuing to refuse another Covid injection (and also the flu one) because he believes it will do more harm than good.  I have spoken to the GP who has tried to encourage him to have both, but my husband won’t have any of it.  In fairness, he is absolutely fed up of taking meds and having injections (and sore arms) with so many health conditions. He had his last Covid injection in April, so he might still have some protection, although I know the new vaccines cover for new Covid variants.  For the moment since he is still under active surveillance of the endocrinologist for his difficult to treat diabetes, we are not adding another potential problem to the mix while his glucose levels are so volatile. Having the Covid vaccine is not always a straightforward decision and it is such a “personal decision” too that should be respected

who should or not get the vaccine

by new to pace.... - 2023-10-07 06:24:47

thanks Gemita for your response, i understand it is our personal choice to get ot not get.  My Acupuncturist thought i should not get the vaccine as she does not plan to get.  I told her i understood.  i took it thinking if i ever a different infection maybe this might lessen it.  Since i currently have some place in my body that is inflamed.  Maybe this might help reduce what or where it is.

new to pace

I feel we have both made the "best decision"

by Gemita - 2023-10-07 06:45:01

New to Pace, I will always respect everyone's decision to do whatever they feel is best for them.  I feel we have both made the right decision to receive the latest Covid vaccine, but I am beginning to question whether I need to continue with "regular" vaccines in the future, or whether I could get by on "fewer injections" or a lower dose of the vaccine each time, since my reaction to each vaccine is always "pronounced" as though I am having too high a dose for body weight.  Not sure that one size fits all, just like with our meds where they often reduce dosage to suit the patient with various health conditions.  I appreciate vaccines break down rapidly and don't stay in the body for too long, but the immune response to the dose received certainly lasts longer and can cause prolonged symptoms in some cases

Symptoms, complications

by Shelly0216 - 2023-12-28 12:08:43

Long story short: Pacemaker placed in Sept 2018, 3 blood clots January 2019. Diagnosed with APS (Antiphosphlipid Anticoagulant Syndrome) blood disorder/immune system attacks tissues within my body. Apparently APS didn't like the pacemaker, on blood thinners for life. Fast fwd to may 2020 after 2 Moderna covid shots, hospitalized with pericarditis. Again, my body didn't like something in those vaccinations. Now, I am afraid of any vaccinations including flu which I used to get evey year. 

Wondering if anyone had any similar experiences?

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