I had not anticipated such a reaction to my Moderna booster shot. I'd reacted to the second one strongly, but not the first one. So I had hoped that the booster - which was half the amount of the original - wouldn't be troublesome. (I stuck with Moderna all the way, so I've had three Moderna shots.)
Even during a long 24 hours plus of chills, fatigue, and achiness, my arm hurt greatly in the area of the shot.
As the other symptoms waned, I developed a strong pain in my lymph glands my armpit in the arm where I received the shot. The gland swelled. My arm still hurt, too, and then the lymph gland began giving off serious pain.
Last night, I had a night sweat that soaked the sheets. I don't normally have these; the last time I can recall doing anything like that, I was running a high fever.
The night sweat is a good thing. That's my body trying to clear out the congestion and inflammation caused by the booster. The lymph gland is still swollen but doesn't feel as big as it was. Progress?
This could take a while. I wrote my doctor about the lymph gland yesterday and she said it would ease in time. She didn't give me a time frame, but the Mayo Clinic website said swollen lymph glands can last two to four weeks.
Clearing your lymph system when you're sedentary and prone to being ill anyway can be a challenge. One thing I was doing when I had the first round of Covid vaccines was drinking apple cider vinegar in warm water every day. I had stopped that but I began it again this morning after reading that it can help clear the lymph system.
Another way to clear the lymphatic system is to jump up and down on a mini trampoline. I don't own one of those, so every time I stand up, I'm standing on my toes and then dropping down, to sort of bounce things around. Can't hurt anything.
I don't want my experience to keep anyone from taking the vaccine. Everyone reacts to things differently. My husband had the same shot and it was like he never took it. Even though I don't feel all that great right now, and may not for a few more days, it's better than dying of Covid. This is an inconvenience compared to what someone with severe Covid experiences. I've seen the news stories and I don't believe they faked. I've also known about 10 people who've had Covid and died from it. So I don't play around with this disease.
Next time, though, I think I'll start drinking apple cider vinegar a few weeks before the booster (because you know this will become a constant thing, probably).
Hi Anita, I am sorry this hit you hard. I agree, better than dying from it. I just found out my neighbor's son died from it and he was in his 30's. I know it is important to drink a lot of water. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI had my booster today (Friday) and fingers crossed I have a milder reaction! I hope you have a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry this happened to you! Like you, my reaction to all three shots was different, and I'm a Pfizer. Shot #1: Nothing. Shot #2: Chills, headache and fever that showed up the morning after and lasted all day. Shot #3: Fatigue all day the next day. I had spurts when I was fine, but after about 3 hours I simply had to go back to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important that we share these stories. People need to be able to incorporate the shots into our schedules because boosters may now be a part of our lives. You're right, these shots are better than dying. Considering that it took me SIX WEEKS to get over covid and my sense of smell is permanently altered, it's also better than even a "mild" case of the virus.
Feel better quick! I've heard about the apple cider vinegar thing....you'll have to tell me how it goes.
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