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Their Stories

What v-safe registrants wrote to the CDC after their Pfizer or Moderna shots, in their own words. Each card is one person, with all of their free text. This page shows only the longer stories: the 116,000 people who wrote at least 400 characters in all. The text is as the CDC released it, except that email addresses and phone numbers are hidden. You get a random set of these people on every visit.

Shuffle

Sinus pain, Paranasal sinus discomfort and Injection site warmth

5R5-30204-01631

– Brain fog

– Sinus pain and runny nose

– Sinus discomfort/runny nose

– Mild nasal congestion

– After digging in the garden, the redness, pain and heat around the injection site returned after it had been completely resolved for several days. It took two days for it to resolve and my muscle is still slightly sore.

– A lot of vertigo/dizziness. May be totally unrelated to vaccine but thought it was worth mentioning

Stress, Gastrointestinal disorder and Asthenia

5R5-56504-48072

– Some lower GI issues for the last two days.

– Very tied and I ache. Not sure why. I was told by the iPhone app that I was exposed 16 days ago (it didn't say 14 days ago when it notified me). Since then I have had a flu shot.

– On Saturday, I was tired, drained: general malaise. I also had digestive issues. It lasted for most of the day and was 90% gone on Sunday. Not sure what caused this.

– I had a bad cold. Some weeks ago now.

– Tired, achy, feeling like I'm stressed

– I caught Covid

Heart rate, Tachycardia and Brain fog

5R6-11073-50986

– The increased heart rate is back from when I had Covid in Jan and the fog.

– High heart rate just like I did when I had Covid in Jan. Sleeping it was 90-104 and hanging out in the 80s

– Resting heart rate 79.5 to 114 just doing simple things

– Resting heart rate is still 87-110 sitting watching t.v vs 64 sitting and 108 while taking leaves in the front yard.

– Resting Heart still rising and elevated. Had enough of teracardia with Covid in January

– High resting heart rate. Just as high as yesterday which is almost 10 beats faster than when I got the shot

– Resting heart rate 100-120 not getting out of bed

– High heart rate still elevated and spikes when I move

Tongue discomfort, Mouth ulceration and Glossodynia

5R6-15894-06859

– Was very dizzy immediately after I got the shot. Also had ears ringing.

– Mouth ulcers which happen when I got first shot

– Like as before, suddenly developing mouth ulcers about 5 days out from shot.

– The minute I got 2nd shot, developed mouth ulcers and my tongue felt like a razor had cut it. Went away and then came back. Happened with 1st shot as well - Moderna

– My mouth is still a mess and this started about 12 hours after 2nd shot.

Fibrin D dimer increased, Biliary colic and Angina pectoris

5R6-16180-43802

– Pain in gallbladder area extreme Abdominal pain for 2 days. Extreme yesterday. Pepcid provided no relief. 50 milligrams Benadryl helped but still in pain

– I definitely had an allergic reaction that responded to Benadryl. Going to get my blood taken tomorrow

– Occasional sharp chest pain but no problem breathing

– Intermittent chest pain left side. Highly focused. Comes and goes. Worse at night

– Heart pain since moderna and increased reaction to polysorbates and PEG. Saw specialist 4 months after vaccination and no clear cause beyond system allergic reaction. I had elevated ddimer when vaccinated and am highly allergic. Allergist neurologist

– Ringing in ear and more severe allergic reaction Allergist

Patient isolation, Painful respiration and Vomiting

5R7-11177-73748

– Fever, headache, vomiting, achy joints x 1 day last week Took 2 at home Covid tests 3 days apart- both NEG

– Did have headache and sore neck and arm yesterday but didn't report in time.

– July 4 had fever chills sore throat and discomfort taking deep breaths for 14 hrs.neg at home test initially then positive after 36 hrs. Resolved quickly and other than isolating, able to do everything as before ( exercise etc)

Paresthesia, Nausea and Injection site pain

5R7-22058-78616

– Was surprise how quickly the injection area hurt, that hand was a little tingly about an hour after

– Nausea was slight and abated, fatigue was in afternoon

– I was still pretty sore in my arm when I woke up, but the more I moved and did the less it hurt. It was a pretty good day and I was able to do some chores around the house no problem

– It hurts more upon waking and less as movement increases

– Less severe today, but still feeling discomfort, between mild and moderate

Pollakiuria, Axillary mass and Dysgeusia

5R7-25957-04361

– Odd taste in mouth immediately after shot yesterday

– Overall feeling of being unwell

– Bad taste in mouth

– Very frequent urination

– Nausea yesterday when eating. Today there is a very painful and large lump or swelling on my left underarm. Same arm I got the shot

– Arm feels heavy and tired easily when I do certain things and still have swelling/lump in underarm

– Headache, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, dizzy, back pain, cough, runny/stuffy nose,

Allergic respiratory symptom, Renal disorder and Kidney infection

5R8-14219-65229

– Allergies - sinus drip, coughing, a little asthma.

– My "fatigue" manifests as extreme sleepness.

– Usual sinus allergy symptoms - coughing, post nasal drip.

– Felt like I had a kidney infection on Sat, 4/10, pain diminishing greatly by Sun, 4/11. I constantly deal with post nasal drip & allergy symptoms, so I assumed that was the issue. 2day my primary care said vaccine side effects don't include kidneys .

– Coughing, stuffy and runny nose. Asthma symptoms. It's as if I have an ongoing, perpetual cold.

– Change of season cold/ allergy symptoms. I tested negative for Covid.

– Muscle aches in my shoulders, but I took Alleve & it went away.

– Mild sore throat

– Sinus headaches & allergy symptoms.

– Asthma symptoms have been flaring up.

Increased viscosity of upper respiratory secretion, Muscle tightness and Secretion discharge

5R8-24111-82271

– Can feel my arm that received shot when I move so slight

– Not sure if its from vaccine. But I have. A lot of coughing every three four hours. Lasting sometime 25 minutes. But I also have allergies but felt I should mention

– Feeling hot. Night sweating pain and tightness in legs Periods of coughing Thick mucus drainaige

– Leg pain. Muscles very tight in my legs. Is it related to cov-I'd vaccine .I have no idea.

Knee arthroplasty, Feeling of body temperature change and Rash pruritic

5R8-77175-75333

– Mild Sore throat is new.

– Itchy Rash on the inside of elbow.

– Arthritis pain is greater. Could be weather related. It's supposed to rain today.

– I feel hot and temp goes up. Then I get cold. I feel like I'm having hot flashes again.

– Super red blushing and rash in arms, legs and feet and little on face. I had a cortisone shot in left knee but doc doesn't think it was from that. Back in August I had cortisone shots in both knees with no redness or rash. I was scheduled for knee replacement and doctor put it on hold. I was in pre-op in hospital.

– Had knee replacement surgery One day

Sneezing, Arthralgia and Nasopharyngitis

5R9-10443-61109

– A little bit of a cold, congestion and coughing whenever I lie down. I believe I caught some bug from my grandchildren.

– Intermittent sore throat, sneezing, joint pain. Spoke with doctor outside of office. Subsequent to the above issues I came in close contact with a person who later was confirmed with covid-19. My doctor wishes me to go for a test on Tuesday or wednesday.

– Runny nose, cough, sore throat.

– Headache, coughing, congestion, dizziness, pain all over Monoclonal antibody infusion

Sinus headache, Sinus disorder and Paranasal sinus discomfort

5R9-12058-98442

– Sinus headache and cough in the morning

– Was put on antibiotics and my arm was looked at today.

– Head cold first week in January, tested Negative to COVID after direct exposure from son who was positive 2 days after we were together. I believe the vaccine protected me!

– Yesterday i didn't feel well all day and had chills on the night and upset stomach. Today I feel good.

– Covid positive after trip to Alaska6/30/2022 Headache,fever,sinus pressure, lots of sneezing, very tired, body aches itchy hair/ head

– Sinus issues Scheduled appt

Swelling, Influenza and Insomnia

5R9-12386-49448

– Insomnia, soreness, general feeling of being unwell

– Very sore injection site, not as bad as yesterday, but bad

– Still having trouble sleeping, soreness at the injection site

– Still a little soreness in the injection site, stuffy nose

– Slightly sore at the injection site, hurts to put on or take off jacket, shirt

– Still sore at the injection site

– Mildly sore

– Soreness at injection site

– Very sore injection site

– Extremely sore injection site

– Extremely sore injection site.

– Very sore injection site,

– Sore injection site

– Arm is very sore

– Shingles shot is sore and itchy

– Swelling, soreness

– I called the nurse with my insurance plan and she told me that fevers up to 7 days are common, but if anything should get worse to go to an urgent care or ER

– Arms very sore especially the shingles vaccine

Pulmonary hemorrhage, Noninfective sialoadenitis and Hemoptysis

5R9-17330-89630

– Left arm has a tingling it

– Constipation

– Confusion

– Shooting pain in bend of foot

– Extreme fatigue, shooting pain in right foot, equilibrium is off, body soreness worsened

– Excessive coughing, sore throat pain, chills

– Coughing up blood with sputum, pain in chest, tightness in chest, runny nose, respiratory viral infection

– Coughing up blood from aggressive cough, difficulty breathing, respiratory infection

– Nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, heartburn

– Viral infection, coughing up blood due to extreme coughing. Busted blood vessels in my lungs according to Doctor. Extreme fatigue exhaustion. Continue to cough

– Shooting pain in hip Upper respiratory infection Asthma went from moderate to severe Salivary gland inflammation on left side of face Equilibrium is off, several unexplained falls

– Shooting tingling pain in leg

– Bloody nose, extreme pain on side of body shot injected, aches, fever, fatigue,

– Asthma flair ups more consecutive, respiratory infections more frequent Yeast infection

– URI/exacerbated asthma, stomache nausea and vomiting

Paresthesia, Injection site pain and Oropharyngeal pain

5R9-31045-39493

– 13 hrs after receiving the vaccine I began having a moderate sore left shoulder were the shot was administered. Also developed tingling in left arm and hand. 17 hrs after receiving the vaccine, The shoulder soreness reduced to mild and I felt a little foggy in my head.

– Had a headache and felt tired on the 14th day after the injection. These symptoms only lasted for one day. I slept for the majority of the day.

– A little bit of a soar throat

– Headaches

Skin sensitization, Drug hypersensitivity and Tooth infection

5R9-58335-63809

– Actually had a migraine headach which i haven't had in over 10 years. Bright wavy lights in eyes for 30 minutes and then a pounding headach for another 30 minutes. Advil helped with all symptoms.

– Slight migraine where i get bright wavy distortions in my eyes. Took advil, was minor gone after about 15 minutes

– Lower backpain right side

– Skin sensitivity to touch, almost like a pins and needles feeling all over

– An allergy, (broke out in a rash) after needing an antibiotic for a tooth infection. Never had an alergic reaction before.

– Bad integestion and reflux My regular doctor

– 24 hours after shot had major body pains everywhere and very tired. Next morning i felt fine and back to normal

Abdominal pain upper and Back pain

5RA-15639-57611

– Stomach and lower back pains (5 days ago) which I assume are unrelated to my vaccine and more likely attributed to food poisoning. Listing here, in case you have reason to believe my assumption is incorrect. Thanks.

– Sudden onset severe stomach cramps focused on the center and left side with pain that refers to the back. Has occurred twice now, 6 days a part. Went to urgent care - lab work for pancreas and gallbladder were normal. Following up with my PCP.

Injection site swelling, Musculoskeletal stiffness and Abdominal discomfort

5RA-20502-17218

– The pain is so mild I notice it only intermittently.

– On Sunday the 18th the injection site was red, slightly swollen and hurt. It was better on Monday and gone by Tuesday.

– Upset stomach

– Spent two days tired and headachy.

– Got the shot in my left shoulder and am feeling stiffness in my right shoulder and upper arm but may have just slept wrong.

– Sore throat, right shoulder stiff, injection was in the left arm but before bed my right shoulder was feeling tight me

– Cough, sore throat

– Sore throat nasal congestion I think I may have a sinus infection and that is causing some of my symptoms.

Bone pain, Tenderness and Swelling

5RA-21048-66358

– Cervical lymphadenopathy on side of injection with supraclavicular tenderness.

– Worsening cervical lymphadenopathy and pain/tenderness and swelling at anterior shoulder on side where I received the vaccine.

– The lymphadenopathy with tenderness and pain on my left neck, clavicle and anterior shoulder Persists and its not any better.

– Worsening lpsilateral lymphadenopathy.

– Sore throat, runny nose, nose congestion, farigue

Tic, Gingival discomfort and Dental discomfort

5RA-32282-51117

– Soreness at sight of injection

– Gingival irritation and dental pain

– Gingival irritation and pain

– Gingival irritation; rash on right hand Dental appointment in person

– Rash in my right hand has been there a few days. Also gingival irritation and pain when biting on tooth #5 Went to the dentist to get a recheck of the dental discomfort I have experienced for the last 5 days. Things are improving.

– Nocturnal ticks that lasted approximately 15 minutes

– I had a headache last night and this morning. Felt nauseous and had several bowel movements in the middle of the night. Still a bit headachey

– I had influenza A

– Vague feeling of disorientation and dizziness

Acquired diaphragmatic eventration, Aortic aneurysm and Rotator cuff syndrome

5RB-19535-91249

– Spinal lumbar and chest pain from the wires/bone area they used in my open heart surgery

– abdominal aorta 3.3 x 3.0 cm. The thoracic aorta is uncoiled. Chest wall and lower neck: L.eft hemidiaphragm. elevated. Upper abdomen: Normal. Bones: Poststernotomy, with sternotomy wires present. Impression: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, measur

– Small tear in r/rotator cuff, sciatica on right side hip, leg, knee, ankle,and uncoiled aorta

Viral upper respiratory tract infection, Conjunctivitis and Body temperature increased

5RB-29489-34990

– A little arm pain off snd on yesterday. None today. Very brief headache yesterday evening. None today

– I feel . Took no med. my usual temp is 96.7 to 97.7. After vaccine, 98.5 to Max 99.1 yesterday

– I don't know the mild headache is because I did not get enough sleep today.

– I had persistent left arm pain and headache on Monday and Tuesday but none today (Wednesday)

– Viral upper respiratory infection and pink eyes. Dont think related to shot. I think o got it from my grandson

– I had Covid on 2-25-22. Doing ok but this week coughing a lot and stuffy or runny nose. Covid negative trice

Bruxism, Dyskinesia and Specialist consultation

5RB-79836-54832

– Extreme Left jaw pain unable to clench teeth together Dentist

– Left jaw pain cant clench teeth together Dentist. Referred to oral surgeon

– Unable to close mouth. Jaw swollen on left side severe pain MRI scheduled 10:00 am MD office and dental office

– Glands in neck, behind ear and jaw swollen MRI Oral, Surgeon and ENT

– Swelling of lymph glands and continued left facial swelling and pain

– Swollen lymph glands malaise and jaw pain

Groin pain, Axillary mass and Erythema

5RC-10168-79013

– Painful swollen lymph node in arm pit opposite injection arm.

– Large red lump I opposite arm pit from injection site. Pain radiates down arm and through chest.

– Painful red lump under armpit opposite injection arm. Pain radiating down arm and into chest. Pain in same side left groin.

– Still have a large red lump in armpit opposite bog injection arm. Pain radiates out into shoulder and chest.

– Still have painful red lump under arm opposite injection site. Pain radiates through arm, chest, and shoulder.

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage, New daily persistent headache and Ankylosing spondylitis

5RC-11714-79339

– I have ankylosing spondylitis, but pain is worse than normal. Not sure if vaccine or AS.

– Cough

– About 24 hrs after my booster, I had a flare of my ankylosing spondylitis. For the 1st time, my Achilles tendons swelled, and I could barely walk due to the pain. I also got a fever and had body aches for about a 48 hrs.

– Worst ankylosing flare - enthesitis in shoulders and Achilles tendons for 1st time. Brain fog, fatigue, increase in migraine frequency.

– Spinal CSF leak, new daily persistent headache Office visit

Colitis, Abdominal discomfort and Abdominal pain upper

5RC-13362-85586

– My arm hurts when anyone or anything ( my cat ) brushes to it or sit gets touched. Other than that I was very tiredtoday.

– Upset stomach , vomiting just a little, than a headache that lasted all day even while taking Advil. Just sick for a little under 24 hours

– Colitis Visit with my doctor

– Stomach ache, diarrhea

– Upset stomach ( I puked ) and headache sore arm, I got a tetanus shot the day before that.

Neurological symptom, Electric shock sensation and Muscle fatigue

5RC-25171-33858

– Tender lymph node under arm of injection site

– Mild lymph node tenderness under arm that received injection

– Redness and pain at injection site. Joint pain in wrist, elbow and shoulder. Generalized feeling unwell. Began at day 9 post vaccine.

– Continued arm pain at injection site. Aching shoulder.

– Continued pain in area of injection site. No redness or swelling, just tenderness and what feels like nerve pain.

– Neurological symptoms, feels like mild seizure activity

– Occasional head tingling, flushed feeling. Some weakness. Still having some neuro symptoms.

– Scalp tingling, mild vertigo

– Paresthesia, vertigo

– Tingling face, hands, feet. Weakness in limbs. Fatigue.

– Tingling in arms, legs, face. Muscle aches and joint pain. Heart palpitations. Have mri scheduled

– Still experiencing tingling of extremities, joint pain, extreme fatigue.

– Still experiencing tingling sensations. Additionally, tinnitus has worsened over time. Joint pain and muscle fatigue still present.

– Continued parathesia, brain zaps, and neuropathy.

– Still experiencing nerve inflammation, flare ups of nerve and joint pain, brain zaps, extreme fatigue, etc

Coating in mouth, Cluster headache and Acupuncture

5RD-23626-49688

– A tiny bit of lightheadedness.

– I got my shot in the left arm. My arm itself is so sore that I cant lift it all the way up, which I know is pretty normal. On top of that the left side of my trunk up into my neck feels tight and a little bit achy. My fatigue level is making me move slowly today and has kept me from doing some of my regular activities, but in general I dont feel too bad.

– New symptom: As the pain in my injection arm subsides, I just noticed that theres new pain in my right shoulder just below the top of the shoulder, as if the inflammation pattern is moving. This pain wasnt in my shoulder yesterday.

– Continue to have unusual inflammation in right shoulder. I feel fine today otherwise, but yesterday after my daily check in I experienced a huge drop in energy and motivation, and had allergic sniffles. Im not sure if its related to the vaccine or not, but its unusual for me to feel so fatigued headed into the weekend. I even felt kind of depressed, also unusual for me especially on a Friday.

– Extreme irritability, stress, and edginess, to a much greater degree than normal.

– I got typical post vaccination rash just below injection site, 8 days post-vax. It was hot, red, bumpy, & itchy. (I read this is common with Moderna).It subsided in 4 days. Also still unusually elevated stress/anxiety, maybe unrelated.

– I forgot to report yesterday that my fatigue was actually severe until about 2 PM which definitely limited my ability to do anything. Today my fatigue is mild and Im able to do my normal activities. Also, I noticed that on the injection site the flesh feels hardened, sort-of a lump just below injection site.

– Last night, I developed a rash over my frontal rib cage just below my breast. I may have forgotten to mention after my first shot that this happened then as well. This happens to be the area where I tend to develop shingles. Ive heard that the vaccine might possibly trigger shingles. If so, it was very mild and has already gone away today. I wrote chose Moderate for the symptoms because thats how they were last night, hot, red, & very itchy.

– Changes in gastrointestinal health: chronic gas ( especially after eating, but it continues all day) for a week now. This happens to me occasionally but to have it last so long is very unusual.

– Last week I reported G. I. distress. Its better, but I still have it on some days.Yesterday for 1st time: leg cramps & numbness in my right leg. Im prone to RLS for years, but almost never leg cramps. Lasted all day, not improved by exercise.

– Last week I experienced leg cramps in both legs, worse in the right leg. I dont usually have these. They havent bothered me this week, so its probably insignificant but I thought Id report it anyway. It caused me to make a follow up appointment to have a leg vein ultrasound. I had one in 2019 but the pandemic kept me from following up sooner. I had my ultrasound this morning, and Im awaiting the results.

– I've had a rash over ribcage since 1 week after 2nd dose. 2 weeks ago that rash turned into a shingles flare-up (starting @ rib cage site).I've still got blisters & severe neuralgia. This all may/may not be related to my covid vaccine. Also office visit for the rash pre-shingles

– On the 1st eve after shot I had mild dizziness & extreme fatigue. 2nd day moderate fatigue. 3rd day, developed pain under left arm pit. ( This happened w/ both Moderna shots too.) Off & on cluster headaches, butt they were there before the booster.

– Migraine today, (cluster headache cycle, but this 1 all day. Better after acupuncture. Developed mild, itchy rash on upper ribcage between/below my breasts. I had same after Moderna shots. Prone to shingles. Have had 1 dose shingles vax November.

– Continue to have migraines in a cluster cycle. Annoyingly moderate to heavy all day yesterday & today. Started before the vaccine, possibly worse after? Continued itchyness over upper rib cage.

– Woke up with bad migraine, didn't subside until after 5pm.

– Cluster headache cycle continues. Sat & Sun were the worst! Cycle started before vaccine, but is little worse & more stubborn since the shot

– Over the last week I had to to lift several heavy holiday boxes down from a closet. I developed large bruises on both my bicep & forearm, but only on the left arm, my shot arm. Strange! They're fading now.

– HSV outbreak, and upper backache

– Severe allergies with clogged eustachian tubes. Started the day before my booster, but I don't usually get seasonal allergies and they've gotten worse over the last 3 days. This could also be due to dry windy high-pollen conditions in my area, but I'

– Continued allergies, wondering if the coveted vaccine might make my system a little more elevated due to antibodies?

– Anxiety, more than usual. Have been feeling this off and on since last week.

– Another day of pretty severe allergies/hay fever

– Last week I woke up with debilitating nausea, followed by diarrhea that lasted all morning and made me lose a third of the day. It's very unusual for me to get that so I'm just reporting it. I'm unsure if it's related to the vaccine.

– Started having tension headaches several times/week since beginning of July. Sometimes they happen daily, as in this week. They're annoying but not very severe. I never know if these things are related to the vaccine, but it's always worth reporting.

– Forgot to report yesterday: fatigue was worst on Tues. & prevented normal productivity. Also, last night I got major allergies, felt like a cold coming on. Today still fatigued enough to slow down my usual level of motivation.

– I've been experiencing excessive gas and flatulence. At first I didn't think it could be related but I just realized that it started right after the booster, and has continued all week. Normally such problems clear up in 24 to 48 hours

– Still some of that intestinal gas reported yesterday.

– Still some intestinal gas.

– Chronic gas still a problem. I woke with sniffles & a coated, almost sore throat everyday last week. (May've forgotten to report). New symptom past 3 days: soreness at back of head. Took COVID test: negative

– It's not exactly new and not worsening, but just staying worryingly the same: excessive intestinal gas and flatulence. I keep reporting it because nothing has changed about my diet so I can't explain it.

– Cluster headaches for past 3 days, and continue to have lower intestinal problems.

– I continue to have problems with excessive flatulence and bloating. It's never lasted this long for me. It could be due to stress but it's worth reporting just in case, since it started shortly after the booster.

– I can't recall if I already reported this: I'm on a 2+ month-long cluster headache cycle. I get them almost daily. It's unusual for me to deal with this for so long so it's worth reporting despite being uncertain if it's related to the booster. Acupuncture

Macular degeneration, Impaired work ability and Feeling hot

5RE-27486-66323

– Dizziness

– Dizziness has gotten a little worse.

– Dizziness. Also I never got to report my symptoms the next day after my 2nd dose because i was too sick. 8 hours after my 2nd dose i had terrible chills one minute and burning uo sweating the next, not fever, and body aches. I coukd nit sleep and the next day i could not work because of fatigue and body aches. I was better the second day.

– Heart palpitations, macular degeneration in right eye

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