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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

Polyarthritis, Impaired driving ability and Polymyalgia rheumatica

6Q2-19291-01999

– Had mild sore throat and very tired for a day.

– I have had joint pain that felt like arthritis in my hips and shoulders. It was sometimes so bad it affected my walking. I didnt associate it with the first Pfizer vaccine because it started a week later. It finally started to get better in the last few days but I still feel it.

– Severe joint pain in hips & shoulders. Feels like vine hitting bone with each step I walk. Its been like this since the day after the 2nd covid vaccine. Had mild joint pain in hips one week after first vaccine but didnt connect it to vaccine.

– Severe joint pain, all over body aches, feverish feeling at times with normal temperature, chills. Pain broke thru Percocet. What brings me some relief is methylPrednisolone. But as I began to taper off symptoms returned. Now on 20 Mg/day for week 4 visits in a week

– doctor rxd Methylprednisolone due to severe joint pain & body aches after vaccines. pain level down to where I could just use ibuprofen 800 Mg. He started to wean me off & pain was extreme. Had to go on. Also get hot & then cold, changing clothes.

– My sx worsened when the doctor tried to wean me off the corticosteroids. This happened twice. Once in the first week and once last week. We are going to do a much slower tapering off with dropping one pill for a week over 5 weeks. I hope Ill be

– Joint pain and body aches return when I try to wean off corticosteroids even more slowly.

– Continued pain in joints and muscles which worsens as I try to lower the dose of Methylprednisolone. I have developed some very adverse side effects from the Methylprednisolone so I need to continue to wean and try to get off of it.

– I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica due to the vaccine. Ive been on Prednisone since February. I have many side effects from the drug but without it I have extreme pain in my shoulders & hips, severe stiffness & malaise. I was unable to wo

– Unable to work for 3 months. Severe pain. I walk like a cripple. . Rented hospital bed. Unable to drive or do chores. malaise/ exhaustion. Severe brain fog & poor short term memory. doctor increased prednisone & added round the click Oxycodone. .

Gastrointestinal disorder, Feeling hot and Abdominal pain upper

6Q2-54713-69414

– Some stomach aches and fatigue that may or may not be related to my shot (not sure)

– Still having occasional minor stomach issues, but have had occasional stomach issues in the past so I dont know if its related or not.A little more fatigue but not sure if its related to my low thyroid.

– Right after moderna booster vaccine I felt chills, overheating, headache, dizziness, fatigue, soreness and loss of appetite the next day. Most are gone now after 3 days and I'm basically back to normal now.

Cochlea implant, Blood sodium decreased and Body temperature increased

6Q3-12363-17215

– Muscle pains were moderate for awhile in the morning, very mild by afternoon.

– Temperature 98.7°-99°. Not a fever, but my usual temperature is usually around 98°.

– Asthmatic coughing attacks resulting from BP medication changes. Also low sodium. Was at small group meeting 10 days ago where fully-vaccinated person sitting near me tested positive the next day for breakthrough Covid. I=negative in 2 Covid tests. In person visit, blood tests , chest X-rays with PCPs NP.

– 1st day after booster, moderate joint and muscle pain. No fever, but for 3 days temperatures higher than my usual 97.9-98.3; highest was 99° 3rd day. Today is 97.9° This pattern was also true after 2nd original vaccine, but wasnt ever fever.

– Lots of muscle soreness Apr. 3 night and next day when got 2nd booster (almost 2 weeks ago)

– No symptoms, but I have been notified by my retirement community's Wellness Clinic 3 separate times in the past 2 lmonths that I had been closely exposed to Covid. I never experienced symptoms, and quick tests were all negative each time

Procedural complication, Gastrointestinal tract irritation and Seizure

6Q3-33925-66398

– Slight muscle ache all over but only while taking a hot shower. It went away after 10 minutes

– When I took off my bandage finally today there was a 1 mm very dark red dot where I got the injection

– SEVERE ADVERSE GI REACTION TO A FLUORIDE TREATMENT. NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY LIFE

– Sore swollen painful eyes and GI bloat issues Made appt for tomorrow at drs officeto see dr in office tomorrow

– Severe allergic reaction eye and skin on face from wearing a Demetech n95 mask. I wondered if you have had anyone mention problems with demetech masks

– Chest pain

– Ringing in ears especially right one all the time Visited my private physician and changed somomeds but did not help

– Conscious seizures and tibtinnus

Injection site joint pain, Eye pruritus and Neck pain

6Q3-85648-80506

– No

– Some Shoulder pain- I do have symptoms from preexisting condition I had prior to pandemic but focusing on vaccine symptoms

– Pain/soreness in vaccine shoulder.

– There is still some soreness in injection shoulder. Right now I feel pretty good but yesterday about 1hour after safe check up some pain in shoulder resonated in arm and neck and had slight headache. That could vaccination and/or preexisting condition.

– Shoulder still a little sore

– Shoulder still a little sore... thats about it

– Slight itching sorta comes and goes around left side face, ear and around eyes.

Rash pruritic, Injection site warmth and Injection site rash

6Q4-19327-70044

– Rash at injection site. About 3inches in diameter. Itches also.

– On about day ten I had a rash and itch at injection site. It slowly grew in size and covered most of upper arm. Itch was about two days and redness and hot for about seven days. Okay now. No other side effects.

– Little scratchy throat and tired. Could be allergies.

– On Sept 12,2021 my husband and I both had sore throats for about 5 days and a cough for about 10 days. Chest congestion for about three weeks. Did not get tested as we had no other symptoms.

– Sinus infection Office visit

Brain stem stroke, Living in residential institution and Disability

6Q4-23605-01046

– I am writing for Steve. He was too sick on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to work after the second shot. 6 days later on February 28 he had a devastating blood clot and stroke. Steve is a really healthy health care worker and not on any meds. OMG! Stroke ICU at (b)(6)

– Stroke Stroke rehab now at (b)(6)

– Stroke ICU, neuro-trauma, rehab hospital

– Stroke Rehabilitation hospital

– Stroke: brain stem Rehab hospital and skilled nursing.

– Stroke, swallowing, walking, sleep. Have to get rides for doctor appointments. Had to apply for disability. Cannot work. In wheelchair. Sent my medical records to CDC and you for review. Rehab Hospital, nursing home and now home health care

– Brain stem stroke has caused extensive disabilities with swallowing, walking, eating, etc. I will not be able to work and have had to apply for social security disability. No one from the CDC has even contacted me after I sent all medical record. Emcompass Rwhab, nursing home, home health OT, PT, Speech, nursing, home health aid.

Lactose intolerance, Dysstasia and Discharge

6Q4-31128-81191

– I couldn't sleep long enough due to pain.

– Weakness at left hip. Lose balance without a cane. Trouble getting up.

– Could be unrelated to vaccine. I have Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Pain

– 2 days nausea, gas vomiting but have lactose intolerance. Wheezing, sinus pain, red eyes but have seasonal allergies. Insomnia, fatigue; studying for career technical exam. UTI.

– Fibromyalgia, arthritis, allergies can cause headache, muscle and body aches..

– Could be sinus headache. GI issues might be unrelated to booster

– A little wheezing in the morning. More sinus congestion in the same side that's usually plugged. Normal for me several times a year.

– Lingering sinus infection, drainage, pain and slight cough. Home tests negative for COVID-19.

– Diagnosed as a different virus, a cold. Lab test ruled out COVID. Asthma, chest congestion, sinus infection.

Face edema, Throat clearing and Lip swelling

6Q5-20462-54410

– Itching on upper body and swelling of lips. Not major enough to use an epipen but bothersome.

– Fatigue has gotten worse every day.

– Dizziness

– Abdominal cramps like a period but worse for a few days. Has already cleared up.

– Fatigue and pain

– UTI

– Severe fatigue. Chronic hives. Edema in different areas of the face off and on. Constant nasal drainage and hence constant throat clearing. Constant diarrhea. All of this for several months now.

Sputum discolored, Respiratory syncytial virus infection and Wheezing

6Q6-14060-02823

– Fatigue, just being really tired and extra heavy...even with plenty of sleep and extra vitamins and coffee or energy drinks... it takes way longer and much more energy to do normal daily activities

– Not sure if because of shot or just because

– Still not sure if from shot or just because...

– A moderate cough with light green to brownish goo, wheezing when i breathe, slight fever of 100.7(normal is 96.3-97.3).

– RSV Dr.'s office visit

– The symptoms are not unusual to today, they are there most of the time

– Above symptoms are not necessarily due to vacation

Decubitus ulcer, Genital pain and Shoulder arthroplasty

6Q6-14487-00877

– I actually felt worse last evening, through the night and this morning.

– No

– I don't think either is related to vaccine shots, but have had a UTI for over four weeks, just recently got antibiotic. I also have felt real bad the last five days with lower back spasms and a lot of pain. Phone call w/primary dr. Couldn't get hold of my pain management dr. Feeling some better today.

– Had an angiogram last week and I had a 95% blocked artery going into the heart. A stent was put in the artery. Admitted to hospital where the procedure was done. Released by end of day.

– In process of trying to heal pressure sores. They're painful, but I'm making progress in their healing. It just takes awhile.

– Pain in shoulder and arm. Having shoulder replacement/reverse in October. Pain in female private parts, when I sit down. Having problem with urine control. In Nov & Dec 2021, had kidney stones and kidney infection. Appointment visit with surgeon re shoulder surgery.

Proctalgia, Cardiovascular disorder and Increased tendency to bruise

6Q6-29646-87101

– Headaches, dry cough, mucus in eyes, redness in eyes, swollen legs

– Moderate joint pain, eyes leaking liquid & redness in eyes, swelling of legs Eye Dr Visit

– Pain & weakness in legs, nausea, constipation

– Muscle aches all over, tired all the time, hair falling out, bruising easily, cannot sleep, ringing in ears, dizzy

– Constipation & rectal pain Testing

– Severe hair loss & circulation problems Test preformed inpt

– Body aches, fever

– Sore joints everywhere

– Pain in all joints, bad hair loss, boils in different locations

Acne, Dysmenorrhea and Musculoskeletal stiffness

6Q7-12329-26174

– High heart rate , consistently over 100 overnight

– Neck stiffness

– Sore neck / mild feeling of stiffness. Also Ive noticed that my heart rate elevates quicker then normal during cardio. I feel winded much fast

– My face has broken out with acne the last few days. I very rarely even have one pimple. My fave has broken out badly.

– Ive experienced mild to moderate painful cramping during my menstrual cycle AND during ovulation. I have never experienced this before, but since being vaccinated, its happened every single month.

Sinus operation, Feeling cold and Blood pressure increased

6Q7-17934-17647

– Insomnia since vaccine

– Fever, Fatigue and body aches 2 days ago

– Severe Fatigue, body aches, headaches and feeling cold. Symptoms get better, then get worse, then get better... And so on. Very frustrating.

– Severe fatigue, headaches, chills, muscle aches,

– Chills, vomiting, low grade fever

– Severe fatigue, Body aches, Chills, Vomiting and then Sinus Infection

– Bad Sinus Infections

– Chest pain

– Swollen Lymph Nodes

– Persistent Fatigue, chest pain, joint & muscle aches and elevated Blood Pressure

– Stomach pains, Headaches and Nausea

– Sinus Infection, chronic Fatigue, headaches and body aches

– Severe fatigue plus chronic muscle and joint aches

– Recurrent Sinus infections and very swollen lymph nodes in both armpits.

– Sinus Surgery due to chronic infections & inflammation

Pulmonary edema, Restlessness and Dysphonia

6Q7-23578-03878

– Pain in neck

– Legs and thighs ache and hurt restless

– Blood pressure up a good bit , heart rate has increased and pulse rate. Uncomfortable in chest area tightness at times pressure and strong pain over serval days not sleeping well.

– Blood pressure and heart rate and pluse really hight for days.

– Lungs breathing short breaths raspy

– Fluid in lungs pneumonia and 2 rounds of antibiotics and steriods and still there got to see a lung dr.

Food poisoning, Body temperature increased and Hot flush

6Q7-25961-71075

– Heavy sweating in overnight sleep

– Headache, hot flashes with sweating but no fever, and upset stomach. I think i got food poisoning from chicken I ate out and not Covid-19.

– Profuse soaking night sweats.

– Soaking night night sweats

– Total body ache, headache, low grade temperature, chills, cough, runny nose. Self tested for Covid-19, test came back negative.

– Brain fog

– Night sweating around upper body, brain fog, and can't sleep due to joint aches.

– Night sweating upper body area.

Implantation complication, Scar discomfort and Breast discomfort

6Q8-13669-84912

– Face was hot and flushed(like a mild sunburn) about an hr and 15 minutes after injection. Lasted about an hr. Have mild fatigue this evening.

– Runny nose, sneezing, some coughing from head congestion

– Sinus congestion, runny nose, sore throat, pressure in blocked sinus, like in the past when I have had sinus infections. Was given antibiotics for sinus infection from my drs urgent care location where patients have to go during covid pandemic.

– Severe Dizziness

– Injection site is hot (feverish)

– Began having some gastric symptoms, intestinal pain...don't think it's related to my COVID vaccination however.

– Lethargic & Fatigue back. About 3 wks after 2nd covid shot, developed capsular contracture in left breast of older silicone implant. Didn't think connected to shot, but now lymph nodes in neck & armpits are enlarged. Now pain/discomfort in breast.

– Was in contact with a COVID positive person & waiting on my test results. Still have the issue in my breast after my 2nd vaccine where I had swelling under my arm and breast implant shifted up in chest. Have diagnostic mammogram scheduled for nxt wk. Dr appmt

– Insomnia-cant sleep well

– Trouble sleeping, restlessness and insomnia but tired.

– Still some insomnia

– Forgot to mention swollen lymph nodes but had them starting day after shot and still have them under right arm and in neck.

– Underarm lymph node swollen. Neck one had gone down today.

– Feel like I have a cold virus. Runny noise, fatigued and sleeping more than normal.

– Fatigue and swollen lymph nodes in neck.

– Mild headache and slight nasal congestion. Swollen neck lymph nodes. Fatigue.

– More discomfort in left breast from more scar tissue around my breast implant after lymph nodes under my arm swelled very badly after first vaccine. Seem to have more ongoing fatigue

Trigger finger, Thyroid mass and Limb injury

6Q8-15472-41627

– Hands tingled/itched for 1/2 hour after the first 1/2 hour

– Was very nauseous the second morning. Had a wave of terrible fatigue on the 25th, lasted about 1/2 hour. I am on 2 immunosuppressants for RA, asthmatic, had pneumonia in april.

– Also have RA, but increase hand pain today

– Severe,worst headache ever, probably migraine. Negative CT Angio

– Headache

– Run of SVT, chest discomfort, nausea

– Rheumatoid arthritis flare and trigger finger. New thyroid nodule

– Injured toe, reflux flare

Arthralgia and Pain in extremity

6Q8-21217-31777

– Very mild Joint pain in my elbows.

– Both shoulders and elbows - very mild.

– A few folks asked me to share what my second dose experience was like, so here we go. (b)(6) Dose #1 (Moderna): * The night before and the morning of and all day long, I drank lots of water. * I didn't even feel the jab until the next morning; my arm felt slightly sore for about a day and a half. * That's it. No other side effects. (b)(6)Dose #2: * The night before and the morning of and all day long, I drank lots of water. * Received the jab at about 10am * Pam's arm started feeling jabbed about an hour later; mine was fine up until around 11pm when we were getting ready for bed. * I took 2 acetaminophen right before going to bed...just in case. * By midnight, my joints were feeling 68 years old (I imagine that's how they might feel). * Around 3am, I woke up feeling like every single joint in by body - every toe knuckle, rib, vertebra, nose bone, etc. had someone jab a pencil into them. It wasn't painful, just very bothersome, tight and uncomfortable. * At the same time, I noticed I had the chills, but didn't feel feverish. * At 6am, I woke up - because...SO MUCH WATER had been drunk - and because the "pencils" were subsiding and it felt as if the relief was happening noticeably (I hadn't taken any other meds at this point). * I awoke again at 8:30am and decided to start moving around - my joints were morning-achy, but I don't know whether or not that's vaccine related or just 50-year-old-outta-shape related. * Other than the uncomfortable moment between 12am and 6am, I would wake up thinking that there were no major side effects from the vaccine. * My injection site is still pain-free.

Regurgitation, Loss of consciousness and Body temperature increased

6Q8-30873-87997

– slight headache last night. part of today. gone now

– stuffy runny nose some joint ached

– runny nose. a little fatigue. some muscle cramps in legs. nothing serious tho

– sweat at night. nasal congestion.

– sneezing. cough. elevated temp by 1 deg

– 6/14/23 passed out while playing cribbage and sitting at a table. out for less than a minute. regurgitated, sweated profusely. after 10 mins i was back to normal. visited e r 6/15/22. overnight in hosp

Limb discomfort, Lethargy and Abdominal pain upper

6Q8-31265-31838

– Lymph node sensitivity in armpit

– Pain in lymph nodes in armpit

– Pain in lymph nodes in armpit on side of injection

– Sensitivity in lymph nodes in armpit on side of injection

– Pain in lymph nodes in armpit, sore throat

– Pressure/pain in lymph nodes in armpit on side vaccine was given

– Piercing pain in stomach. Feels like someone is poking me with a needle. I also still have lymph node pain in my armpits that seem to get worse around menstruation.

– Swollen lymph nodes in armpits

– Positive COVID-19 test. Stuffy nose and lethargic for about a week.

Colon cancer, Arrhythmia and Tinnitus

6Q8-55890-89321

– I have had indolent CLL/SLL for 5+years. On March 31st I ended up in Emergency with extreme pulsitile tinnitus. They gave me a head and neck CT scan. This was 6 weeks after my 2nd Pfizer vax. The lymph nodes were severely larger than 6 months ago. oncologist, ENT, Personal Care Provider MD at Peace Health

– Being treated for cll/sll

– Arrythmia probably due to chemo side-effects

– Got chemo for cll/sll. Apparently the RITUXAN wiped out the Pfizer Covid vaxes. And will continue to do so until next June. Research just being done now on that. So it may change. Oncology

– Colon cancer CT and scheduled for surgery

Superficial injury of eye, Formication and Food poisoning

6QA-13498-85096

– Itchy eyes, just like you get at the start of a cold of flu.

– Scratchy eyes continue, mild symptoms.

– Very mild pain, eyes still a little itchy, stuffy. Otherwise fine.

– Joint pain might be from Nexlizet also, which MD prescribed recently...

– While I did have stomach pain, I am quite sure it was due to old scalloped potatoes, not the shot.

– A little more nasal congestion, drainage. Assume it is mostly allergy related. Attended a citizenship swearing in ceremony in Roseville CA 6/29 - did not wear mask. Now thinking I should have with Delta+ variant? Will watch.

– Only chills with sweats last night. None during the day.

– Odd kinda itchy, creepy crawly sensation on my arms as I went to bed last night. Feeling passed during the night and hasn't returned. Recalled this happened during the second dose also, it has not happened at any other time.

– Cold/flu-like conditions before Christmas, no sore throat or cough. Food poisoning/stomach flu early January. Fever took 6 days to go away. Listeria?

– Tested positive for Covid. Fever <100F, cough, nasal and chest congestion, sore throat, runny nose, scratchy eyes. Sore joints. Symptoms for two weeks, positive for 12 days. Now testing negative. Still have nasal and chest congestion. Ok breathing.

– After I contracted Covid (May/June), my Hailey-Hailey jumped from my armpit to my groin. Being treated by dermatologist now. In dermo office.

Aphasia, Memory impairment and Taste disorder

6QA-22243-26836

– I do notice brain fog

– I have noticed increased sense of smell

– Brain fogIncreased sense of taste

– Joint and muscle achesContinued intensified sense of taste, not unpleasant, just startlingContinued brain fog, worrysome

– Brain fog and muscle/ joint painI feel like we have the same PTSD symptoms we had in 2018 after we lost our home and neighborhood in the Wolsey fire in MalibuWill second shot make this worse?Supposed to get it tomorrow Friday, delayed because o

– Continued muscle and joint pain, brain fog

– Muscle and joint pain persists, as well as brain fog

– Continued joint and muscle pain, and brainfog

– I continue to have worsening memory and speech problems

Body temperature increased, COVID-19 and Cough

6QB-14949-07430

– I had slight fatigue yesterday too especially after aerobic exercise, it took me longer to recover. This was after yesterday's check in.

– Tested positive for Covid 19 on May 7th Some cough. Elevated temperature for 2 days. Severe fatigue with minimal activity for 5 days and moderate fatigue the last 2 days. Prescription for Paxlovid requested from doctor

– Got rebound Covid after taking the full recommended course of Paxlovid from 7th to 12th May. Tested negative on 16th and positive again on 24th

Cystitis, Herpes zoster and Rash

6QB-21338-72187

– Progressing rash on both legs. Seen in urgent care Saturday, outpatient PCP Monday and due to see dermatologist Thursday Urgent care and then outpatient

– Biopsy of skin rash. Possible reaction to covid vaccine. Dermatologist

– A few rash spots like after the 1st vaccine but treating with OTC meds.

– Rash. Went to dermatologist and diagnosed with shingles. Dermatologist

– Increased shingles symptoms

– Bladder infection

Hyperesthesia teeth, Muscle tightness and Neuralgia

6QC-17455-06802

– I am not sleeping well, waking up every hour or so and not being able to get back to sleep after 5 am. It has gone on 4-5 nights and is not normal for me

– My teeth are very sensitive

– sore throat

– Severe sore throat and ears and cough. Tested positive for Covid-19 with at home test. I am getting better but my taste is off

– Nov 18 went to the ER with knubness on my left side. CT and neuro exam did not look like a stroke. I have peripheral neoropathy from GBS in 1957. It appears to me that the vaccine aggrevated my neoropathy. Still having slight numbness.

– The numbness increased from last week. Actually what I called numbness is a sensation without external stimulus. It could be described as a stiffness or tightness, or nerve static.

Vein disorder, Vitreous detachment and Drug hypersensitivity

6QC-99587-16038

– Cold sores and pain in my mouth.

– Mouth/jaw pain..cold sores.

– Mouth pain/jaw pain

– Mouth/jaw pain getting better. Fever blisters getting better

– Sore throat and burning eyes

– Nasal congestion and cough. I felt like I had a cold. I had to get a Covid test to return to work.

– I just received the vaccine an hour ago. I feel a bit shaky and my arm burns.

– Under arm and side of breast pain

– Under arm pain

– Swelling under arm. Joint hurts in the same arm

– Pain swelling arm pit and breast

– Infected tooth that needs extraction. After my first vaccination I had jaw pain that caused me to clench and grind my teeth on that side. It cracked the root. I also developed cold sores on that side. No history of previous dental problems.

– My under arm area still hurts on and off. Sometimes wearing a bra hurts.

– Atypical migraines Office visit. MRI scheduled

– I developed an allergy to PCN. My rt. arm pit has stayed swollen after the second COVID vaccine (Feb. 2021). After I had surgery last week, I had worse swelling and trouble with the IV/vein in my rt. arm pit. I never had trouble with IVs before. Doctor's office

– Vitreous detachments in both eyes.

Nausea, Rhinorrhea and COVID-19

6QD-15038-70842

– Random runny nose since I got shot but its spring and maybe allergy/irritation.

– One episode of random feeling of nausea 15 days post vaccine. Gone after 30 or so minutes- could be just something I ate.

– On Monday late, I started to feel bad- tired and seemed hot. Took temperature and it was mostly 1-2 degrees high. I felt achy and just went to bed. Fine in the morning.

– Sore throat, runny nose, minor cough

– COVID

Mobility decreased, Constipation and Swelling

6QD-22718-70406

– Got vaccine 5 minutes ago.

– More constipated than usual

– neck was so swollen/stiff could not really bend over or move head without pain yesterday. Now on 200 mg ibuprofen 3x/day and pain is manageable. Could barely move neck last night it was so stiff, doing much better with NSAIDS.

– stiff sore neck; pain well controlled by 200 mg ibuprofen 2x/day; will try stopping tomorrow

– I'm mostly fine aside from a rash near the injection site. Neck moving freely again without ibuprofen.

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