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.
Herpes zoster, Lymph node pain and Lymphadenopathy
Not sure if this is related to the vaccine but I just notice the lymph nodes in my groin appear to be swollen today.
I am still noticing some swelling and slight soreness in my lymph nodes on the R groin area, as noted yesterday, although it seems slightly better today.
Lymph nodes still swollen, as described in last 2 check-ins.
Lymph nodes still somewhat swollen, but noticeably reduced.
Lymph node swelling still present
I had shingles recently. Almost recovered from that now.
Massage, Tooth infection and Therapeutic response unexpected
Lightheaded
Anti-inflammatory effects - sinus drainage, more frequent urination
Tooth infection Dentist office
Covid symptoms last fall (10/21)
Lightheaded, brain fog, blurry vision
Middle finger on left hand bruising at middle joint & numbness at finger tip (bruising since vaccine received), slight relief of chronic sinusitis issues, clearer complexion (facial skin & around eyes)
Consistent pressure and dull pain on left side of head, intermittent headaches on left side of head with greater frequency than prior to last booster. Massage therapy
Peripheral nerve decompression, Pharyngeal hypoesthesia and Carpal tunnel syndrome
Right toe has been numb since Tuesday.
Tongue numb
Loss of taste (only hot/spicy tasted, lower back hurts
Blood sugar running high. Lower back pain and tongue numb.
. Tongue numb and throat too. Loss of taste/sore tongue
Mouth and tongue continues to be numb and loss of taste
Right fingers tingling with right toe.
Muscle aches and ulnar nerve entrapment.
Lymph node swollen on left collarbone. Pain in neck area.
Neck area left collar bone lymph node swollen
Neck collar bone lymph node still painful and swollen
Lymph node still swollen
Carpal tunnel severe in right hand. Specialist
Fluid retention, Limb discomfort and Swelling
Muscle achy,fatigue,joint pain ,cramping .Legs feel like cement ,swelling
Muscle pain,achy,tired,joint pain,swelling,
Retaining fluid and swelling and legs.Still having extreme joint pain, Cramping,leg ache, weakness fatigue, headache
The pains that I have in my joints is terrible especially in my knees I just received knee replacemen and I was doing very good before I got my Covid shot after my surgery.ever since then Has been a nightmare. I feel like I have cement in my knees .
Lung hyperinflation, Heart rate irregular and Dysphonia
For one hour in the middle of the night I had violent shivering. I piled on blankets and took Ibuprofen.
When I had covid I was hoarse for weeks. I still have that mostly in am. Not sure if related or another cause.
Since I did have Covid in Nov my doc son in law urged me to get heart and lungs checked. Hyper inflated lungs, Covid asthma and noe irregular heartbeats! Could any of this be result of vaccines? In office visits and lots of testing
Upper-airway cough syndrome, Feeling hot and Ear pain
Slight Soreness at injection site
Still some soreness in rhe muscle where i received rhe injection. Norhubg major
Was up late last night, which nay account for being tired today. Fekt a littke warm temoetaturecwise today. Not conpletely out of the ordinary though.
Dry Cough, drainage on my rhroat from a cold i developed. Nothing real serious, taking cough syrup, benedryl and a nasal spray to hold it at bay for now.
Only a slight nausea earler today, slight headaches nay or may bot be related a d atm discomfort where injection was received.
Only slight nausea, some back ache, mild headache.
Upset stomach today. Am taking a new m3dication for diabetes, Jardiance that may be causing this, nor sure. Also, achey back.
Ear Ache I can't seem to get rid of. Doctors office
Food intolerance, Choking and Edema
Words confused - say one word but meant another
Switching words - think I've said one word but said another instead
Making appt with my surgeon - prednisone didn't work
Both 3rd fingers and both thumbs shaky when picking up food
Can't breathe fully and have "deep"cough that hurts - discomfort
Not improving cough that doesn't respond to rescue inhaler
Lungs are the same as last time: chronic cough by this time with mild discomfort in chest and continued SOB. Allergy/ asthma in-office visit; reported to Primary Care Physician at routine visit
GFR went from 71 to 55 in March. Bil feet and legs were edematous for almost 8 weeks despite my diuretic, elevating feet, etc. Legs feel heavy and weak. Cough improving; breathing isn't.
Back pain; decreased agile mobility; non-asthma- related cough when lying down especially In office pain management; in office visit for cough
Balance much worse; neurological changes with eyes (double vision in some tests, for example); choking when swallowing some foods or on my saliva The (b)(6) clinic; Physical therapy and speech therapy, ENT for swallowing/ choking issues
Almost passed out in shower. Totally exhausted - couldn't finish shower. Husband helped me get out.
Rash over torso, neck, and face
Rash on upper torso, head and face extremely itchy!
Tongue and esophagus muscles weak. Cannot swallow properly causing food to possibly enter airway. This causes choking and more testing in hospital. Uncontolled sometimes violent coughing. Will need surgery to correct. Many Dr's visits, hospital testing (EGD for ex.)
More severe dizziness, poor balance, loss of stamina Primary Care Physician in office. P.T. has helped with problems
Lose my balance easily when walking, turning around Dr ordered Post Covid Clinic. They ordered P.T.
Loss of balance, scratchy throat, green sputum, laryngitis. Physical therapy; appt for throat irritations
Erythema nodosum, Appendicectomy and Specialist consultation
Fever 101.2 -102.1 on 1/20/21-1/21/21. 98.1 today 1/22/21 Rapid COVID test was recommended 1/22/21 am negative
Primary Dr appointment
Appendectomy on 2/23/21
ER 2/22 & Appendectomy 2/23/21. ER 3/7/21 fever, pain in both legs, painful purple pink blotches both legs, pain inside Elbow areas. Dx Erythema Nodosum. 3/9/21 Infectious disease Dr (b)(6) took skin biopsy of right leg. Awaiting results
Erythema Nodosum Saw infectious disease specialist & he did skin biopsy
Muscle disorder, Joint range of motion decreased and Musculoskeletal pain
Moderate Muscle pain that radiates from the injection left arm to the left side of the neck and to the left shoulder blade the
Dry eyes
Neck muscle spasm limit motion of neck
Stiff neck and muscle doadm
Its been one week since my vaccine and I got today delayed symptoms. Today I was tested for the Covid 19 One hour test negative. Three day test waiting fir result
The eight day after my second Vacinne out of nowhere early morning I started to fill shills gradually over my body and gradually within two hours I had the following symptoms lasted all day : chills, mild fever, headache muscle pain and tired.
Arrhythmia, Throat tightness and Joint swelling
Late afternoon chills, temp 100, fatigued.
fever continues to be 99-102, chills may have lessened, night sweats are continuing, heavy at times and I am sleeping on towels and changing sleepwear 2-3 times /night. Headaches have stopped and the fatigue seems to be lessening. I was able to wai my regular doctor (GP) he prescribed a six day series of corticosteroid and a bacterial antibiotic. Because my throat continues to feel constricted, I have an 4/89 appointment with an ENT specialist.
Swollen ankles and lower legs. Heart arrhythmia. Continuing fatigue. Cardiologist
Slight nausea. Night sweats continue to be a problem as I am sleeping on towels and need to change them twice everynight. My fatigue seems to be worse and I have developed swollen ankles by the end of each day. PCP and Cardiologist
Movement disorder, Dysstasia and Back pain
About 11 hours after my shot, my arms, legs and back all began to ache pretty badly, the combined pain made it hard to stand up and move. But it wasnt so bad that I felt the need to go to the hospital. My pain was gone by the time I woke up the next morning. Coincidentally Im taking Diclofenac sodium for joint pain, and the pain was felt through the painkillers, so it may have been worse had I not been taking that.
Ventricular extrasystoles
My heart has PVC. It did it after the first vaccine, but I didnt report it as a symptom because I had a doc tell me that wouldnt cause it. I ended up on a heart monitor after the first vaccine and was referred to a cardiologist due to over 18,000 PVC events in 48 hours. I told the cardiologist I thought it might be related to the vaccine. He said no. It stopped doing it three days before I was due the second vaccine. It started doing it again last night and has been doing it a lot today.
Heart PVC as determined by heart harness. Has happened after both vaccines. In person visit
Heart PVC
Heart PVCs
Acupuncture, Injection site induration and Joint swelling
Cervical lymph node enlargement and pain on same side as vaccination
Lymph nodes swollen, painful, itchy
Painful cervical and ancillary lymph nodes
Lymph node swelling and pain, mild
Lymph node swelling and soreness Improving
Lymph node soreness
Induration and erythema at vaccination siteItching at vaccination site for past 5-6 daysCervical and axillary lymphadenopathy and soreness had started to improve then got worse again Erythema and itching over enlarged cervical lymph nodes Husband is a doctor and examined the affected area. Considered antihistamines but I have had adverse effects in the past. If I did not have a family member I would have scheduled a telehealth visit.
Lymph node swelling and pain
Lymph node enlargement, pain, itching
Rash, itching at injection site, including non-healing site where needle entered.Joint and muscle pain and mild swelling, knees and hands mostly able to do all normal activities except long walk
Itching, redness at vaccine site mildOngoing joint and muscle aches mild to moderate
Ongoing joint pain, esp hands and legs
Ongoing joint pain
Ongoing joint pain and swelling periodic and some normal days but worse than before the second vaccination Acupuncture; email Communication with my rheumatologist
Sinus headache, Insomnia and Nasal congestion
Just a slightly sore arm at the injection site!
I have a little bit of a stuffy nose today, but I think that's probably due to lack of sleep/kids than anything else.
I have a head cold, congestion and runny nose mostly. No fever, slight sinus headache, but have rested negative for COVID in a rapid test.
I had cold symptoms again over the last week. After a negative at home test, and the fact that the symptoms only lasted a couple of days, it seemed like it was just a common cold.
Mobility decreased, Injection site pain and Arthralgia
Just soreness in shoulder at injection site. Felt similar to soreness from an intense workout but has subsided a bit during the day.
Shoulder soreness is quite a bit more than the 1st shot. Pretty painful today (feels like DOMS from an intense workout). Other than that, I feel great.
Should was really sore day after injection (difficult to lift arm type of sore) but all back to normal after that day. No other symptoms.
Central pain syndrome, Lactose intolerance and Sensitization
I always have central Sensitization pain & body aches.
Almost always have these symptoms, for 7 years. Have Central Sensitization.
Rash on upper R abdomen, ~2 area. Other symptoms are normal.
Lung tightness
High-pitched tinnitus
Headache, and after 6 days of diarrhea I had 2 days of constipation.
Sinus congestion, dry itchy unproductive cough, migraine, sore swollen neck glands, mild sore throat.
Shortness of breath.
These are normal almost daily symptoms for me.
Lactose intolerance symptoms
Itchy eyes and congestion, probably from wildfire smoke.
Caught COVID-19 at Thanksgiving
Iron deficiency, Heavy menstrual bleeding and Menstruation irregular
My period arrived last night, 8 days early, making this a 17 day menstrual cycle. This is unprecedented for me. After my first dose, my period arrived 4 days early, marking a 21 day menstrual cycle, which is again unprecedented for me. Nothing has changed in my diet, stress, or medications over the last 2 cycles, other than receiving this vaccination. Online research reveals women in Israel reporting similar issues.
I have been diagnosed as having a severe iron deficiency. May just be coincidental. Could be related to the two early periods I have had since my first dose.
Joint injury, Increased upper airway secretion and Sinus headache
Mild diarrhea yesterday (4/21).I can't confirm that has anything to do with the vaccination, but I don't experience this often.
Typical Fall allergy symptoms: increased mucus in nose and throat. Occasional minor sinus headache or stuffy head. Sneezing on occasion, etc. No aches, pains, brain fog, fatigue, fever or loss of smell aste though.
Knee injury in January.
In the last week I've had a runny nose. Not bad and seems like a minor cold. Home COVID test negative yesterday.
Phantom limb syndrome, Body temperature decreased and Injection site reaction
I think I have seasonal allergies as I havent felt great and have had some sinus pressure. Dont think its related to the shot.
Last night I felt like I was cold, but my face was hot. My temp was normal though (97.8)
In shoulder of arm where I received shot.
Chills and aches occurred about 12 hours after shot and lasted for about 3 hours.
In shoulder joint of arm where I received shot.
Very slight again in the shoulder of arm where I got the shot.
Every so often I will get like a phantom slight pain in my arm around the area where I got the shot. Not every day and just very slight. Fleeting.
Sinus infection Regular office visit
Dermatitis contact, Bursitis and Tendonitis
itching and blisters on other parts of my body, but this may be due to poison ivy contracted before 3/30.
still itching from poison ivy.
Still itching from poison ivy, but getting slightly beyter
Still dealing with after effects of poison ivy, 13 Days out.
I did not sleep well last night.
Stuffed head and runny nose due to allergies
Joints usually ache, I dont think this is more than usual
I think my joint pain and muscle aches are due to tendinitis and arthritis.
Bursitis in right shoulder, probably not related to vaccine.
Joint injection, Periarthritis and Joint range of motion decreased
Yes, I continued to have tenderness from injection and developed a decrease range of motion in that arm weeks after the vaccine. Diagnosed with a frozen shoulder received steroid injection in shoulder and now in PT.
Swelling and pain in armpit area
Frozen shoulder for a second time in same arm that I received all 3 vaccines. Had 2 injections and back in PT. Doctors believe related to the vaccine.
Numbness/tingling in right arm Pain and numbness right foot. And still having issues with left shoulder which I developed frozen shoulder after my second shot and my booster.
Tic, Muscle discomfort and Nervous system disorder
I've gad a headache every day since getting the vaccine, but even more concerning, ive had extreme muscle tension and spasms in the back of my neck into the base of my head. I have this twitching sensation (tick), of some kind that has been bothersom
I continue to have an uncomfortable feeling in my neck muscle and pressure in the base of my head and left shoulder. I'm nervous feeling inside to the point it becomes very bothersome. I woke up this morning with pain under my left armpit as well.
I'm still having muscle twitching, nerve issues and some pain running up the back of my neck into the vase of my head. Newest issue is I've had a severe urinary tract infection with blood. This problem occurred about 3 weeks ago. I'm on antibiotics. Dr. called in medicine based on ky symptoms
Otitis media, Chillblains and Tooth abscess
I had diarrhea all last week from a stomach virus, but it had cleared up a day ago
Some vaginal bleeding (mild staining last night)
Abscessed tooth Dental cleaning, x rays and scheduled a root canal
Post nasal drip, slight cough from seasonal allergies
Seasonal Allergies
Dizziness, middle ear infection My Doctors office
1) Ear infection, treated 2) Eye infection, being treated
Slight vaginal bleeding
Covid, fever, chills, headache, sinus pressure, cough, fatigue, diarrhea. Treated with Prednisone and tussin. After 2 weeks, went to ER for chest pressure, breathing problem, and dizziness. Given toridol presrescription Leviquin for sinus infection.
Hyperhidrosis and Lymphadenopathy
Sweating
Swollen lymph nodes at collar bone on side of injection
Continued swollen lymph nodes at left collarbone area (injection side)
cont with swollen lymph node at left collar bone (same side as injection)
mild left lymph swelling near collar bone on side of injection
Sweating while sleeping
swollen lymph node at left collarbone area (some side as injection)
Swollen lymph gland on vaccination side
swollen lymph gland at left clavicle
mildly swollen lymph on left collar bone area
mild swelling left lymph gland at left collarbone
Injected limb mobility decreased, Wheezing and Myalgia
Day of injection: No injection site symptoms for first few hours. Then had a few hours of soreness around injection site (few inches). Then the rest of that evening my entire left arm felt somewhat sore, and had difficulty/mild soreness raising left arm (due to deltoid soreness, where injection was). By the morning after injection, no symptoms there anymore. Second issue was wheezing, worsening after injection, but I don't know that it's from the injection and not something else, since I may have had it 1-2 days before injection, but wheezing worsened so that on days 3-5 after injection I'm wheezing after every bite of food for a few hours. I will be seeing a doctor about it if it doesn't go away after another week.
Paranasal sinus discomfort, Throat irritation and Sneezing
Mild sore throat
Severe headaches, nausea and sinus pressure
Ive developed a sore throat over the last 2days.
Slight cough and runny nose. A bit tired than normal- nothing that could prevent me from going to work.
I believe I have a cold; sore/scratchy throat in the mornings, sneezing, and stuffy nose.
Runny nose, cough, headache, sore throat Doctor appt
Throat is a bit scratchy and nose is a bit runny.
Injection site discomfort, Somnolence and Musculoskeletal stiffness
Awaken this morning with headache. Much better now.
Just a little stiffness in shoulder and arm I received vaccine. Nothing much.
Just a little sleepy.
Not really pain more very mild soreness in left arm.
Coughing
Congestion
A little cramping pain between neck and shoulder on left side.
Woke up with some congestion not breathe normal thru nostrils.
I'm thinking allergies (sneezing)
Allergies each morning sometimes throughout the day. A few muscle body aches.
Injection site is more of soreness not pain.
Allergies
Basically dealing with lots of allergies forever blowing nose, sneezing.
Tinnitus, Pain in extremity and Nasopharyngitis
The body ache is largely torso-based.
Migraine today. Probably not a side effect.
Tinnitus. I had this before and don't think the vaccine exasperated it or anything, thank goodness.
Headaches and tinnitus. Not necessarily unusual.
Pain in left leg, upper thigh. Overall body pain.
I had what felt like allergies or a head cold after a flight from (b)(6) to (b)(6) . I brought a test kit with me and tested 2x with negative results. So relieved!
Menstruation delayed, Abdominal pain and Vertigo
I have vertigo and the headache triggered a mild dizzy spell an hr and a half after the injection. I got abdominal pain 45 mins after injection. (My period was due on the day of injection but I don't get cramps like that, plus it pushed back my period a day)
Slightly dizzy/light headed (I have virtigo as well so I think its triggering that. But I have had vertigo for so long I know how to handle it.
Sore throat
I am prone to vertigo and it triggered a mild spell.
Hallucination, olfactory, Graves' disease and Injection site vesicles
For two weeks I am smelling car exhaust. 24 hours a day and it sometimes wakes me up at night. It's somewhat intense and has not lessened at anytime.
increase in car exhaust smell some mild throat irritation and swelling
2 large blisters at injection site
All over tingling feeling
Everything started to smell like car exhaust again.
The smell of exhaust keeps returning and sometimes its overwhelming.
I still smell exhaust that comes and goes.
Still smelling exhaust
Fever spikes
Show more