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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

Hypoesthesia eye, Periorbital swelling and Swelling face

ZRL-10413-68445

– Day of shot, especially approximately first 4-5hrs, experienced dizziness and shakiness--unable to drive, and had to walk slowly. Also slight puffiness and numbness in upper cheeks and eyes. Significant dizziness upon getting shot.

– Dizziness following 2nd COVID vaccination, and throughout day. Extremely dizzy about 3hrs later, bed spinning. Slight numbness in eyes/cheeks and fingers following injection, lessened throughout day.

Sneezing, Nasopharyngitis and Rhinorrhea

ZRL-20335-71168

– I just dont feel well, even though Im not tuning a fever. Ive been sneezing for two days and am blowing my nose some. It could be the weather (warm back to chilly with wind) and Ive been walking outside. So honestly dont know if this is from the shot or not?

– I had what Im sure was a break through infection. Very mild cold like symptoms for about five days, but severe fatigue for about eight days. This was in mid-August and I was fully vaccinated with Pfizer by the first week in April.

Diaphragmalgia, Oral discomfort and Gingival pain

ZRL-25300-14602

– Pain in gums, teeth, burning sensation in lips, hurt to take the slightest breath. Every inch of my body was in the severest of pain.

– Broke out in pretty sweat drenching sweat throughout the night. Pillow was quite moist from the sweat . Still feeling off and on like Ive got little bee stings all over. Including my mouth

– Night sweats really bad. When I get the chills it feel like needles abs pins in my skin. Lips stating to break out in cold Sores. Pain still at injection sight .Soreness in diaphragm when I take a breath

– Fever blisters. Still feel exhaustion when breathing.

– Exhaustion sets in by mid day.

Aphonia, Abdominal distension and Constipation

ZRL-26004-38498

– Iy made my smallpox vaccination area itch. The area is near this vaccination.

– The onions in a homemade meatloaf made me very sick. I am somewhat allergic, but I was surprised. Bloating, gut-ache, constipation.

– lower back pain after moving heavy boxes

– Very sore back

– UTI Womens health center in (b)(6).

– Head cold, sore throat, phlegm, bad cough. I have done 2 antigen tests and3tests at (b)(6) testing center. All covid tests were negative. My daughter inlaw's parents came by our house not knowing they hadCovid.

– Testing negative but have a bad cough, lost my voice for a while and head congestion.

– Cough, bronchitis Negative for covid

– Coughing

– My arthritis is getting worse.

Temperature intolerance, Sensitivity to weather change and Joint swelling

ZRL-60222-37735

– My lower back has been spasming almost constantly since yesterday.

– Lower back spasms all day.

– Lower back spasms, about 50% freq compared to 5/7

– The constant lower back spasms have almost gone away. It appears they are part of the whole-body reaction to the vaccine I am experiencing.

– Painful visible swelling in what appears to be every joint. I had been diagnosed with minor arthritis in my right ankle and knee. This appears to be affecting every other joint in my body. Neck, back and hands are most swollen and painful.

– I have very mild arthritis. The 1st vaccine sent it into overdrive. Every joint is swollen and painful, particularly the hips. Ive never had hip pain, now i cannot sleep they hurt so bad. I have not gone to the doctor yet, but will go as soon as i am able.

– The "shifting focus" arthritis persists. Each morning is a lottery, if im unlucky, my hips or hands are todays fun target. And all day long that chosen joint is inflamed, hyper-arthritic, swollen, useless.

– I realized that I've been running a fever for several days - I was slow to notice with all the other weird symptoms. It's lower now (100.4F), but I think I slept through the high point today. The moving inflammation has settled in my wrists and knees

– The traveling focus arthritis picks a new joint every day. I appear to be extremely sensitive to hot weather. This is new. Any effort, or even walking around and I am covered in perspiration. I am comfortable in 60F temps now, checked temp 99.4F.

– The tiredness/exhaustion I noted previously is worse. The fast heartbeat is constant now - I wake with a 85 to 90bpm. Will go in as soon as I feel up to it. On top of the exhaustion, I no longer like crowds at all, or anyone to touch me.

– Injection arm is very swolen, painful, and is useless today.

– As previously reported with the first 2 vaccinations, the booster has brought a huge spike in joint swelling and tenderness/pain in every joint.

– The hightened blood pressure and heart rate that happened with the original vaccinations are back and the arthritic pain was renewed/increased with the booster. Is this something i will have always, and does anything work for the super high BP & BPM? Going in for high BP and heart rate.

Urinary incontinence, Restless legs syndrome and Eye disorder

ZRL-63241-03870

– Strange taste in my mouth, tingling in my hand on the vaccine side

– Tingling gone, strange taste gone, no nose bleed

– Extreme fatigue yesterday. Much, much better today. No real symptoms any more.

– I don't think the abdominal pain has anything to do with the vaccine.

– Fatigue seems to have reappeared a bit.

– Eyes still feeling a bit weird, like after coming out of an eye examination. All else fine.

– I lost control of my bladder twice today and that has never happened before in my life!

– Kind of miraculous how minimal the side effects are today.

– Actually, it started about a month ago, but has worsened. My fingers have started intermittently trembling. I was worried I had Parkinson's but then someone told me that a lady had an issue with trembling fingers after the vaccine. Thought I'd note.

– Still have the trembling left hand. Still thinking it might be Parkinson's. Delaying doctor visiit.Rashes appeared today on the back of both hands and both feet. Doubt it has anything to do with the vaccine. Never happened before though.

– loss of balancetrembling fingers in-person visit with doctor

– Still tremors in left hand. Bad balance. Restless leg 9/10 nights. Fatigue. But again, I don't think it's from the vaccine. Visited regular doc. Have appointment with neurologist coming up.

Acarodermatitis, Hydronephrosis and Postmenopause

ZRM-17559-94816

– From the injection side up the neck and head around same ear. Temp around 100-101. Didnt not take Tylenol or nsaids. Definitely down for the count. Wow it kicked me about

– I have Asbergers. And I have an allergy to methyl/ethyl compounds. This is highly common for those with autism spectrum disorder. I feel MUCH better this day. Yesterday was Seriousely rough.

– The lymph nodes in my breast in the same side of injection site got swollen last 3 days. I increased bitch with zinc to 2-3,000mg c per day and pushed fluids it helps. The pain is not really pain it is tenderness localized to injection site only.

– Site still tendrer almost neglible

– Chills this morning early only

– Yesterday and last night extreme nerve pain especially in hands. Very painful. I have alott of muscle stiffness especially in neck. Overall week much more fibromyalgia systemic pain.

– Nasal discharge from exposure to .....

– More sensitivities to chemicals that don't seem to bother others. Yesterday extreme sound sensitivity and nog feeling at all ok god 3 days. Lots of physical pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia. Headaches, disbarred, nausea. Sore throat.

– Recent scabies rash; the crisis house I am living in had 6 COVID Omnicron cases. I was NOT one of them !!!! Tested 3 times Monday, fri, fri. Lots of headaches, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing (I think my "scabies" is actually virus/pox. Swabbed

– Pfizer I had immediate reaction at injection site, itching redness swelling, eyes felt heavy. Moderna NO immediate reaction on site but that night lots of arm pain swelling, fever of 102, headache and 3 following days of sweats severe ache and severe

– Severe flank pain left kidney retaining fluid. Also all lymph nodes swollen and tender especially in arms and breast area ( I am 58 post menopausel. Headaches frequent fatigue moderate to severe

– Lymph nodes still swollen ancillary region, it's like I am having a systemic flare up. I have lupus and arthritis and I have chronic stiffness and flue like systems and my pain is 7-8 (10 being the worst). I Am on pain meds Vicodin 5 not helping

– Difficulty breathing; fluid retention, (espcially joint pain) pain , tremors, headache, fatigue This may not be related to vaccine. I shall not get another covid vaccine 3 is enough

Toothache, Rash and Diarrhea

ZRM-19719-52662

– Lately, the past 10 days I developed a small dry cough. I also have a rashI was treated for poison ivy but this rash looks different. I also had severe diarrhea for two day. Im not so tired that I cant function but Im tired. Had both

– Large swelling of lymph nodes under right arm.

– Swelling in underarm lymph nodes

– My right side lymph nodes are only a little swollen. Since I've had the vaccine, my teeth on the right side have ached.

– Still have teeth that slightly ache in right side. Slowly getting better.

– Only one tooth is painful today. It happens to be a molar dental implant. Other teeth are feeling fine.

– Constant coughtrying to get the junk out of my lung. Low grade fever. Achy. Headache. 2 home Covid tests-negative. Triple vaccinated.

Eye discharge, Eye swelling and Ocular hyperemia

ZRM-30126-55666

– I have been sleeping a lot since after the day of vaccine. Never thought anything about it not until my daughtet got hers and said she's been sleepy.

– My eyes were red, puffy and itchy. It has also some white stuff coming out of my eyes.

– My eyes are still bothering me. I was given drops by my eye doctor. It got better and then came back and after using new drops got better and it's back again. It's red, itchy and crusty.

Muscle discomfort, Swollen tongue and Dysphagia

ZRM-36434-25255

– My tongue swelled , have a weird taste on my tongue

– I feel horrible, muscle aches, weakness, headache, I feel worse than the first 24 hrs

– A lot of muscle aches and weakness and severe head pressure on back of head

– Im a diabetic and my blood sugars have been running between 200 and 300 since I had the shot

– Im a Diabetic and sense my first shot my blood sugars have been high and hard to control and I have a very bad taste in my mouth , severe muscle weakness . Im not taking the second shot !!!

– My blood sugars have been high sense my 1 st and only Moderna shot . I have been taking my insulin to make it go down , has been difficult which is highly concerning due to my age and I do not want complications with my kidbeys or my liver and heart . Its horrible!

– Lymph nodes are swollen, on my left side with problem with arm and left side, muscle , swallowing

– Left arm pain is getting worse sense the merger a shot , as well as severe muscle weakness , dehydration, problem with my vision in both eyes sense merderna shot never had a problem before shot !!

– I keep explaining to you about this but getting no response

– As I keep explaining, my doctor doesnt not want me to get second merderna shot due to my muscle weakness symptoms and left arm pain sense first shot as well as other symptoms I never had until that first merderna shot ! But no one and I mean no on Went in to see doctor

Nervous system disorder, Neuropathy peripheral and Cold sweat

ZRM-51345-78173

– Congestion, coughing, tightness in chest

– Inconsistent, unproductive cough. Sinus congestion without obvious postedtt nasal drip

– Cold sweats

– Severe Sinus congestion, post nasal drip, dry cough

– Nerve pain- feels like my nerves are in fire. Itchiness all over my body

– Increased neuropathy and generalized pain

– Odd nervous system issues- lightning pain, twitching, slower response time, a full body episode with a Deep lightning bolt up the right side of my neck, into the back of my head, then body dullness, dizzy, nausea, weakness for a few hrs.

– Intermittent sharp chest pain and tightness Mild headache, so far lasting 5 weeks

Dyspnea exertional, Abnormal dreams and Joint swelling

ZRN-22425-98663

– Just had a feeling all morning of not feeling good for around 6 hours. Got better as the day went on.

– Lymph nodes swelling. Upper arm, entirely swollen

– Extreme fatigue and weird dreams of death

– Difficult breathing to exercise

– Where surgical hardware is installed in my ankle is bruising and swelling. Only change in my routine was these shots. Wondering if it is triggering a rejection of my surgical implants

– Chest pain, numbness in my hands

Energy increased, Therapeutic response unexpected and Sluggishness

ZRN-39531-35818

– I feel great! Vaccine got rid of my back pain from a wreck years ago! Docs need to prescribe vaccine for back pain/arthritis!!!

– Ive actually had a positive effect. I have more energy and pain from a previous accident is gone. Im feeling really really good. I think there needs to be further study on this vaccine to treat pain/arthritis. This is a very good side effect!

– Afterwards I feel fabulous! Greater flexibility, more agile and feel ighter and free flowing. Whatever is in the vaccine is a positive for me. I have more energy and stamina!

– After dinner I ate peanuts, Doritos, and popcorn. A few hours later I felt nauseous. Other than that I feel wonderful.

– I feel great! A renewed energy. The first dose was much more energy however this one is not as much energy but feel stronger just like after the first dose.

– This vaccine has me feeling stronger!!!

– Im still feeling great! Well done and keep up the great work getting the vaccine to the states.

– Still feeling fabulous! This vaccine has turned back the clock at least 10 years.

– This vaccine has rid me of back pain. Great job!!!

– Feeling great!

– Just feeling like Im about to come down with something, a little sluggish. I think I just need a little rest. Pushing it on the job, stresses out a little with numerous deaths in the family, preparing for funerals and the like. Just a little tired

– Cough

Heart rate decreased, Head discomfort and Balance disorder

ZRN-75434-53991

– Congestion, sore neck, a spell of lightheaded/dizzy, some coughing

– Lightheaded/dizzy, coughing, heavy chested in AM.

– Slight swelling in the neck just above the clavicle (on side the shot was given)

– Tingling sensation through body. Heavy chested at times (not hard to breath though).

– Pain & swelling in the armpit (shot side), sore neck & shoulders, congestion.

– Pain & swelling in arm pit (on shot side), when woke up was off balance and dizzy.

– Little lightheaded/dizzy in AM time.

– Heart palpitations, low pulse (43), overall not feeling well in AM

– Back pain, head pressure, some chest pain.

– Arm pit (on side shot was given) still sore. Forgot to report this in my other check ins.

– Heart palpitations, heavy chested, nausea

Crohn's disease, Retching and Transient ischemic attack

ZRQ-11789-45494

– The day after I got my second dose I was very very sick and saw all over for five days

– Constipation and Still fatigued

– Ive developed Crohns disease. I have experienced a TIA and Im weak. Blood pressures been high.

– After getting a Mederna Booster I had a dry heaves over three hours and couldn't breathe! I now have the big gas problem in my throat where I have to force myself to breathe so I can breathe, Problems swallowing, and other health problems My own doctors offices

Tachycardia, Injection site reaction and Asthma

ZRQ-16316-88116

– Bilateral swelling of axillary lymph nodes. Injection side is larger and more painful.

– Bilateral swollen axillary lymph nodes. Side with shot worse than side without injection

– Tachycardia

– Swollen lymph nodes in armpits and groin

– Asthma new onset Specialist

– Continued swollen lymph nodes in arm where I received the vaccines. Had Ultrasound done and just says they are enlarged. Continued fatigue. Had actual Covid in Dec 2021. Primary care dr

Heart rate increased, Abdominal discomfort and Palpitations

ZRQ-29461-67379

– Last night I felt like my heart was pounding really fast, although my blood pressure was fine. It was odd, didnt have this before. I eventually fell asleep, but my heart rate monitor did show a slightly higher heart rate while I slept. Over 80. Usually its under 80.

– Upset stomach for the second day, but I dont think its from the vaccine, because I have a sensitive stomach in general

– Fatigue more than like is due to the first day of period

– Cough, not sure if it's related Skin itchiness, again, not sure if it's related

Infection, Body temperature increased and Urinary tract infection

ZRQ-32733-17622

– Allergies, possible UTI

– I have a UTI. All my symptoms are from that.

– Still fighting a UTI. Today is better.

– Am slowly recovering from a UTI. Temperature is more nearly normal today.

– Still recovering from a UTI. Temperature still a bit high, but better

– Developed bronchitis. Recovering.

– Recovering from bronchitis and sinus infection

– Still recovering from another illness, which is contributing to my symptoms.

– All other symptoms are part of recovering from a simus infection. Thy are somewhat better.

– All symptoms due to recovering from a sinus infection.

– Lingering symptoms from other health issues.

– All symptoms relate to recovering from a different illness.

– Lingering symptoms of an unrelated infection.

– Still recovering from an unrelated infection. Somewhat better today.

Optic nerve sheath hemorrhage, Cerebral hemorrhage and Blindness

ZRQ-56659-32935

– Lots of muscle pain and soreness in neck and whole right arm up into neck and down back. I am on Stelera biological treatments i have taken Tylenol

– Lots of heavy sore and in my neck and shoulders

– I just feel like I am wore out and fatigued headaches come and go sneezing, spells no fevers

– Really tired, sneezing coughing flu like symptoms

– Ive had so many health issues, blood clots, loss my visoion, have several hemorrhages in left side of brain and optic nerve, now stroke, damage to heart been very tough times

Body temperature increased, Anosmia and Ageusia

ZRQ-90761-98496

– No

– Left arm (where vaccine was given) felt like I had been slugged really hard. It is starting to feel a little better. Last Temperature taken an hour ago was 100.

– No real appetite in the morning until around 2:00pm. Headache is leaving too. Arm is still really sore.

– When I woke up this morning, I still had a mild headache and had no appetite. As day wore on, headache left and appetite returned somewhat. My arm right now feels really bruised and sore. Otherwise I am getting better. I am glad I got the booster.

– Still getting back my appetite. Headache and muscle aches are gone.

– Just feel so-so. Otherwise I am able to function ok.

– Do not feel like eating. General malaise.

– Today is the first day since my vaccine last week that I feel normal

– After being sick for a couple of days with a temperature of 100.5 degree, I lost my sense of taste and smell. I tested and I was positive for Covid on June 26. Since then the smell and taste came back as a putrid smell and taste. It has gotten better

Coccydynia, Anxiety and Hypoesthesia

ZRQ-96513-15157

– I felt a little numbness in my thumb on the hand where I received the shot. However, I suspect that this was because I drove home for four hours after receiving the shot; the numbness is where I held the steering wheel. It was a tingling sensation similar to the thumb being "asleep." It was most pronounced 24 hours after the shot and is getting better now.

– Numbness in thumb has disappeared. As noted, I think this was due to long drive, not vaccine

– Sense of anxiety; buzzing sensation

– Still a little numbness in thumb but gradually lessening.

– Had a very mild scratchy throat yesterday morning, which I suspect was due to post-nasal drip. I took a home Covid test to be certain, which came back negative.

Viral infection, Epistaxis and Sleep disorder

ZRR-13269-50340

– Snotty (slightly bloody) but not runny nose.

– I have to mention night sweats and bad sleep over the last several weeks. It is probably related to perimenopause, but it has been especially persistent.

– I had some virus in April 2022 but tested negative for covid 3 times. Symptoms were sore throat, sickness, diarrhea, high fever for two days, low fever for a few more days, then coughing and head congestion for five more weeks. I am finally better.

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, Tachycardia and Dyspnea

ZRR-16179-33777

– S

– I had covid in December and have had long covid symptoms since then. Not sure if that is pertinent.

– Had a long covid flare up, lasted 3 days

– Still having intermittent fatigue. Having issues with blood pressure and tachycardia and some bouts of shortness of breath Saw cardiologist and had cardiac testing done

– Fatigue is worse when it flairs up, but duration is shorter. Breathing has been worse, having to use inhaler most days and never did before Covid Family dr

Loss of personal independence in daily activities, Gait disturbance and Impaired work ability

ZRR-19345-84084

– Serious joint pain in my knees where I didnt have before. Also increased muscle pain and some intermittent tingling.

– Serious joint pain and muscle pain. The joint pain makes walking, working and other daily activities difficult. It has not lessened.

– Joint pain in knees, by the end of the day sometimes a weakness in lower extremities, sometimes a feeling of pins and needles, difficulty in walking that gets worse at end of day.

– Since 24 hours after the first injection, I have been experiencing joint pain in my knees, which I did not have prior. I have also had leg pain and tingling towards end of day. The pain joint in knees hasnt improved even though its been a month

– Joint pain and leg pain in knees still present since 24 hours after first vaccine

– The vaccine triggered severe knee pain and has now increased In person drs visits

Dermatitis diaper, Oral mucosal eruption and Skin lesion

ZRR-28023-80464

– Fever, irritability, mouth sores, and rash around mouth, legs, and arms. Has been diagnosed with hand-foot-mouth virus. Two other infants were also diagnosed at his daycare.

– He received his MMR, hep A, and varicella vaccines on 8/1/22.

– Skin lesions and sores, 2 on face, 1 on hand, and worsening diaper rash

– Fever of 102 on Friday night, broke with Tylenol and had no other issues the rest of the weekend

– Fever of 102, was transient and improved with Tylenol by the next morning (occurred on 11/26).

Hand deformity, Joint lock and Clumsiness

ZRR-30712-00315

– Swelling hands, rash on palms, itching, weakness, stinging pain with numbness in arms & hands. Muscle spasms on right arm & hand & fingers. Wakes me up in the middle of the night and worsens upon use. Clumsy, dropsy, claw-like hands wont lie flat.

– Achy painful shoulders, arms, wrists & hands with random spasms. Fatigued, tired & sometimes just exhausted.

– Swelling, stiffness, locking right elbow & ankle. Painful! I fell to the ground onto the my walkway due to my ankle locking up. Skinned my left knee to the bone. That was 1 month ago tomorrow/Friday Was seen by my pain management doctor.

Middle ear effusion, Asthenopia and Swelling of eyelid

ZRR-32276-84635

– Muscle weakness

– Swollen eyelid

– High Blood Pressure. My blood pressure historically has been low or low normal range. Since Covid Vaccine on 3/30, I have tested very high 4 times. Bp checks from pharmacy and tomorrow doctor's office

– High blood pressure since first dose

– High bp

– Abdominal pain, joint weakness, particularly in knees

– High blood pressure since first dose persists. Home monitoring 2x day since just before second dose. 2 Dr's office visits

– Some nausea today

– Pain seems to be localized to arm of injection inluding elbow , wrist and fingers. Additionally, my hand and fingers of opposite arm.

– Joint pain in my hands is getting a bit more bothersome.

– Eyes feel tired and dry

– More frequent headaches (at the base of my skull). Fluid buildup in one ear. I've had this in the past but its been awhile and this time it caused discomfort in my jaw.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, Skin warm and Dysmenorrhea

ZRS-21559-36871

– My carpal tunnel in my left hand is tingly

– Could be the covid arm or hypersensitivity. The swelling feels like bees stung me. The swollen area is quite warm and gets itchy at times. Causes me to be rather slow at my work tasks sometimes.

– I can still feel like there's something around/ surrounding the injection site from time to time. Also itchiness sometimes too.

– Didn't think of it much but I have had 3 periods now after being vaccinated and the 1st 2 were quite heavy. The 3rd one I had painful cramps and it was also heavy. Date wise it arrived earlier but week wise it was 4 weeks since last one. Uncomfy.

– Periods were different. 1st 3 since I've started inoculation they were very heavy and cramps were very painful. Lasted longer than usual. 4 th o e was a little early with some pain. Today not feeling so great. Slight fever or cold type feeling.

Secretion discharge, Menstrual disorder and Hot flush

ZRS-28783-34193

– I had swelling in my armpit of the arm I received the shot. It was noticeably tight in that area. It was gone when I woke up.

– Neck stiffness

– I developed chest tightness (sporadic over 2 days), daily headache that comes and goes, daily nausea that comes and goes and had heat flashes and felt feverish for a day then resolved. I have tested for covid 4/30 and was negative and will test today

– Ive had a few random, really bad headaches. Ive had upset stomach a few times not related to anything known.

– My period started the day after my booster injection. I have an IUD and haven't had a period in almost a year.

– Random headaches and waves of nausea

– Cough, congestion, fatigue

– Cough, congestion and headache

– Still coughing up mucus. I'm having bleeding again which is the second time since my booster dose. Before that I was having no spotting or menstrual cycle because I have an IUD

– Chronic runny nose and congestion

– Random headache/nausea

Gastric disorder, Oral herpes and Gastrointestinal disorder

ZRS-75067-76065

– Swelling is hot to touch. Started on 2/18 and still present. On injected upper arm-shoulder nearly to elbow.

– Red area on arm has expanded. I thought ir was diminishing but it increased overnight.

– Muscle cramping

– I think the rash is resolving. Not lasting as long as the first time. It's not as swollen and the itch isn't as intense.

– Some new gastric issues. Not sure related to vaccine though. Could just be age.

– No

– These symptoms were on the day following the booster. They lasted for 2 days. I did also get a cold sore after a few days. This happened followinf the 1sr booster as well. I have had the shibgles vaccine.

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