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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

Orthostatic intolerance, Autonomic nervous system imbalance and Bradycardia

ZZY-25214-70725

– day 7 post vaccine I began having widespread muscle twitches on eye lid, and upper and lower extremities. Also developed muscle fatigue and slight muscle cramps with an overall feeling of malaise. Symptoms lasted ~ 1 week. Twitches still present.

– Started having intermittent muscle twitching after first dose these are still occurring at times

– Continue to have wide spread muscle twitching that is waxing and waning

– Diagnosed with mild POTS with orthostatic intolerance, muscle twitching, tachycardia, heat intolerance and fatigue

– I had an ED visit for unstable heart rate and lightheadedness with both tachycardia and bradycardia. I have a presumed diagnosis of POTS/dysautonomia Muscle twitching has continued since January though not as pronounced

Feeling of body temperature change, Pollakiuria and Head discomfort

ZZY-53364-11509

– Increase in urination

– Dizziness and equilibrium is very off

– Difficulty getting my eyes to focus, with it with out glasses.

– incresinly more dizzy with mild pressure in back of head

– Dizziness has dialed down slowly, still experiencing it

– Headache that is mostly a dizzy feeling

– Covid/cold like symptoms

– Got covid 11 days before this check up. Fatigue, brain fog, hot and cold sweats, sinus pressure, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, pressure on chest, coughing up flem, difficulty sleeping due to nose and pain, loss of taste

Loss of personal independence in daily activities, Tremor and Heart rate increased

ZZZ-21824-11119

– Rapid heart beat and upper left chest ache. Don't know if it's, asthma, or what. Just started a couple days ago. Thinking about checking with my doctor but unsure because they let very few people in the buildings with the covid thing happening.

– Rapid heart. Shakey. Tired

– Rapid heartbeat and joint pain Dr office

– I got the back vaccines I have been more tired and after the third one I am more winded than before. I am doing fewer activities than before covid right.

– Winded

– Sinus infection Dr. Visit

Respiratory disorder, Asthma and Bronchitis

ZZZ-25952-35980

– Neck lymph nodes feel swollen and sore . This could be just a flare up from asthma.

– I have bronchitis. Which not sure related to Covid shot . I have asthma and have had to shovel ice storms and be outside a lot because of 3 ice storms and it flared up my asthma.

– Stiff neck

– Food and drink doesn't taste as good

– Sick this week , started 2 days ago . Sore throat , fever , tired ,

– Cough , fever , breathing issues , snotty nose ,

– Breathing issues still , started predisone again . Still really tired.

Nasal discomfort, Oxygen saturation decreased and Palpitations

ZZZ-65152-80463

– I have had moments with a racing heart and a weird heaviness in my chest.

– Muscle and body aches. Felt feverish, but had no temp, sore throat, runny nose. Tested positive for covid today 4/7/21

– Tested positive for covid

– It seems like all my initial covid symptoms have returned. Headache, nasal burning, drippy nose, swollen glands in neck, exhausted by simple tasks. In addition, I am now easily winded by minimal exertion. My pulse ox has dropped occasionally to 96%

Polyp, Cold sweat and Sleep disorder

222-12073-20268

– Hot flashes and sweating

– Hot flashes

– Heart palpitations woke me up. Felt uncomfortable. And still hot flashes

– Very little sleep. Last night first time I took some Motrin then slept well

– Extremely tired

– Clammy hot flashes. Allergys are worst

– Some hot flashes

– Sleeplessness

– Slept a little bet yes t for first time. Hot flashes lessening lower back really aches this whole time

– Lower back has excruciating pain

– Excruciating lower back pain as I have never had. For many many days now. Doesn boy stop my day but everything I do is prolonged. Terrible sleep

– Lower back or might be kidney pain. Sleeplessness And I am exhausted

– Nit sure if my kidneys or lower back pain lol putting hot compress on and it helps. Also cut out caffeine and acidic drinks. Slowly feeling better. Was Really painful.

– Headache fatique body aches fever nausea

Blood pressure decreased, Body temperature decreased and Sputum discolored

222-16063-49300

– Just really sleepy! And on the next question I'm retired so I'm not working or anything out side the home.

– Sciatica pain and I went to a chiropractor to get it straightened out and it lasted 8 weeks. All better now. I got a shingles vaccine last Friday and my blood pressure dropped. But it's back to normal now. I was a key on Saturday and Sunday!

– Temp 96.7 this morning.

– My temp is back up to normal.

– Asthma

– I took two covid test and they both came back positive. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow and I'm not feeling well at all!

– Coughing up a lot of green. I feel fine though and I do not have a fever.

Radiculopathy, Muscle twitching and Neuralgia

222-19658-81297

– Tingling sensation in fore finger

– Tingling in fingers, legs, toes

– Pin needle pain and nerve tickling in the right finger, neck, back and legs (calves))

– Sharp piercing pain in legs, right hand and neck Visit with my medical Dr. to discomfort from COVID-19 vaccine

– Chest tightness Dr. Office visit

– Head twinges like headache spikes

– Sharp pains in the foot and head

– Sharp continual pain to the left foot like a cramp.

– Still occasional nerve twitches in legs, left foot middle bottom causes discomfort.

– Slight periodic Nerve pain in right neck

– Right Shoulder/neck soreness

– Right shoulder/neck pain

– Right sore neck/shoulder

– Ankle swelling

Epigastric discomfort, Skin burning sensation and Dry skin

222-63728-78028

– Occasional throbbing on wrists, ankles, and shoulder blade. Bruise under armpit on injection site side not there before the shot. Dizziness.

– Stumbling, dizziness

– Blurred vision, loss of balance, weakness

– Weak, can't sustain normal activities

– Overall, feeling very weak.

– Since the shot, my sense of smell has become heightened. The smell of my own urine or being near a toilet causes a wave of nausea.

– Soreness in arm (injection site), ovetall toxicity, and extreme fatigue returned for a few days.

– Extreme muscle pain, fatigue, and weakness.

– Extreme fatigue and some toxicity, as well as intense muscle soreness.

– Diarrhea for multiple days. Fatigue. Muscle soreness. Slight toxicity. Slight dizziness. Slightly blurry vision.

– Slight dizziness

– Dizzy & lightheaded. Eyeballs hurt & very dry. Extreme sense of smell.

– Excruciating muscle tightness affecting entire limb, shoulder, blade, and neck

– Rash that actually started 24 hours after Booster (forget to report). By rib cage, about 1 in. Burned for days, then felt very dry, and is calming down. Also, delicate stomach & felt weak ... not able to eat much for a week ... feel even-keeled now.

– Nausea and gaseousness for the past 10 days. Still have extreme fatigue and toxic feeling intermittently as occurred right after the Booster.

Herpes simplex, Blister and Balance disorder

222-71704-32394

– Broke out with cold sores

– Broken out with cold sore/blisters twice. Mild recurring pain at injection site.

– More breakouts of the cold sores or herpes simplex. I haven't had this many breakouts in such a short period of time since I was a child. Since my second shot I have had 5 episodes.

– Cold sore outbreaks (herpes simplex), larger and more frequently than prior to vaccine.

– Headaches.I continue to break out on my mouth and face with cold sores. They last over a week, even with medications. I also continue to have chills, and feel cold a lot of the time.

– Balance issues, sinus congestion, tiredness Dr. Office

Impaired healing, Aphonia and Injection site reaction

223-16927-06129

– Metallic taste in mouth and streaking pain at the base of my skull shortly after vaccine but it went away.

– Moderate pain in the whole arm of the injection even when immobile

– Dont believe my headache is related. I started menstruating last night.

– Severe bronchitis lasting over a month with trouble breathing. Sore throat, wet cough, lost voice, fever. ER visit and doctor visit. Have had bronchitis before but never that severe or with trouble breathing

– During summer diagnosed as bronchitis. I've had it several times before but never had to go to the ER. The diff this time was I couldn't breathe. 2 trips, multi doctors visits & a month of gasping. Finally resolved approx 2 months after diagnosis.

– The injection site took 3 months to heal. I had excruciating pain in my arm and shoulder. It hurt both to move & when still. I couldn't sleep on that side or raise my arm. Had my regular Dr look at it

Bacterial vaginosis, Glucose tolerance impaired and Mass

223-19774-17511

– Elevated heart rate

– Insomnia

– General feeling of weakness and cruddiness

– Swelling/ bloating

– Severe anxiety attacks. Increases blood pressure to 170/110 (and I'm already on bp medication).

– Before Covid, only issue was Hashimoto's thyroid. Starting six months after having Covid I have been diagnosed with tachycardia, high blood pressure, prediabetes, persistent and antibiotic resistant BV and now lumps on vulva that need to be biopsieD

Cystitis, Urinary tract infection and Abdominal discomfort

223-22764-84597

– Rash appeared briefly after a shower. Went away quickly, didnt itch.

– Fatigue is mostly due to having poly myalgia rheumatica. I've had it for 10 years.

– I had a bladder infection and on antibiotic for it. Gone now.

– I have poly myalgia rheumatica, so always have some aches and minor pain.

– I have a bladder infection.

– Health condition: a UTI.

– I had mild fever and a brief episode of diarrhea and upset stomach for one day, October 15.

Muscle tightness, Mobility decreased and Dyspepsia

223-24542-04798

– Soreness under arm I received vaccine in.

– I think I have caught a secondary illness

– Bad Heartburn

– Lightheaded

– Slightly lightheaded

– Severe heartburn

– Swollen, sore lymph nodes under an. Heartburn

– Still having some tightness in my shoulder. It was very sore and locked up for days, but getting more movement now. It was the shoulder of the injection arm.

– Shoulder stiff miss in vaccine is better but still continues.

Confusional state, Lacrimation increased and Sinus disorder

223-95585-75712

– Had flu like symptoms in September that lasted for about 5 days. This included extreme exhaustion and vertigo and low grade fever. Took Covid test at mobile location

– Confusion

– Head ache and exhaustion

– Low grade fever, headache and sinus congestion and fatigue

– Allergy related sinus issues

– Not related to Covid, allergy related symptoms : stuffy nose, eyes running and asthma acting up

– Sinus infection and asthma related issues

Injected limb mobility decreased, Loss of personal independence in daily activities and Limb discomfort

224-97584-78851

– Joint wrist pain ONLY in right arm of injection

– My right arm where my 1st Covid shot was given has started hurting again. Raising my arm hurts the most. Feels like I received my shot today.

– Forgot to mention right arm pit pain. Started last Tuesday I believe.

– Right arm pit pain

– Right arm still hurts from 1st shot, 02-27-21. Doesnt hurt to the touch. Hurts to the point where it bothers me to raise my arm. Constantly. Never ends.

– Right arm where I received the shots are still bothering me.

– Right armstill bothers me to raise my arm above head. I can do it but the muscle hurts.

– Right arm pain from 1st Covid shot, nothing has changed

– From my initial shot in January my right arm still hurts. Can raise my arm but it hurts to do so.

– Difficult to use right arm. 2 Drs, 8 physical therapy sessions, numbness off/on in hand. Shot (not the vaccine itself) was given too high up in the arm. I now need cortisone. A lot of pain. Cant use arm a lot of the time like I used to. Now what?

– Initial shot of 01-30-21 right arm is painful. No full motion. Physical therapy for weeks, exercises, just had a cortisone shot to elevate pain which isn't working. Can't carry my grandkids, passion of cooking has lessened due to arm pain. Call me Physical therapy, cortisone

Psoriasis, Heart rate increased and Rash

225-24508-93667

– My previously diagnosed psoriasis has gotten much worse since my 2nd covid vaccination. The skin flares are more pronounced and on more parts of my body and don't go away with treatment like they did before my vaccinations. Doc apt with my family doctor

– My heartbeat seems to beat faster than normal when I'm not active. I have worsening psoriasis that has not gone away with treatment as well as skin rashes. Visit to primary care physician

Psychiatric symptom, Hypertension and Feeling hot

226-22246-75822

– Very slight headache

– Loneliness

– Very mild headache, feeling of internal warmth in my head but did not run a fever, slight sniffles last night.

– Depression resulting from the loss of my on January 14, 2020. We had been married for 52 years. Loneliness is an issue.

– Severe diarrhea and weakness. No fever. Passed in 24 hours. Suspect it was due to eating some fried chicken that was in the fridge for at least a week.

– Severe head cold. Tested Negative for COVID and Flu. Just a common cold virus per check up with physician.

– Lingering low headache

– A period of high blood pressure unusual for me. Cardiologist had me wear a zip patch for 14 days. Seems more normal now.

Body temperature increased, Asthenia and Pyrexia

226-33012-05075

– After my second shot, the day after on Jan 29th I had a fever of 100.8,joint aches and low energy for about ten hours

– Sick. Fever of 100.8,lasted 36 hours. Felt exactly like illness after second vaccine shot. No congestion, no coughing, no nausea. Headache and general fatigue.

– I had a two day period where I felt very tired and had a small fever. Felt almost exactly like after I got my second vaccination.

Blood pressure inadequately controlled, Temperature intolerance and Mental disorder

227-11921-46877

– My back hurts

– I seem to bruise a little easier and i do have a bruise around the injection site but that might be a mere coincidence

– Theres several things nothing medically needed personality changes mostly. I still bruise easier though.

– Intolerance to cold weather

– blood pressure is out of control even with the help of 40mg of lisinopril it's not curbing it, difficulty breathing under strain. Mental health is been declining as well things such as depression and heavy mood swings. I now require care from a primary care physician

Rash pruritic, Hypersensitivity and Muscle spasms

227-14457-42003

– Sore muscle in chest

– Stuffy nose irritated throat

– My right pectoral muscle cramped about 9:30PM PST but it was for only like 5-8 minutes then nothing

– Not sure if related, but, I've had an allergic reaction itching rash across parts of my body, head/scalp, neck, lines on back, elbow pits, wrists and fingers took OTC allergy meds mostly went away can tell that allergy meds are wearing off

– Cold like sunrooms, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat

– Extreme fatigue, temps from 101-103

Systemic lupus erythematosus, Myalgia and Respiratory tract congestion

227-21555-07793

– I've been getting headaches but I don't think it's related to getting vaccinated

– I don't think they're vaccine related, I've recently been diagnosed with Lupus and think it's possibly from that. Muscle pain and excessive tiredness on the daily for approx 2 mos. Most recently flank pain (which I had hx with as a child) And a regular dr visit based on messaging

– Sore throat, fever, cough, congestion, body aches, headache

Skin warm, Feeling cold and Contusion

227-24359-93782

– This is my first dose. The pain at first was very sharp & painful but subsided quickly & now is mild. Also after the first few minutes my stomach felt queezy- I've had a fecal transplant in the middle of 2017 due to a past infection & my stomach is quite sensitive. But I thought reporting this potential side effect might be relevant. In the hour or two following I also started feeling very cold & actually still feel colder right now. It's like a cold feeling in my body.

– I have a bruise with slight redness at the injection site & pain. Moderate, more of a annoyance than anything. I do not feel cold like yesterday, nor is my stomach having any issues. I feel malaise, slightly warm with slight fever. In the past I had a rabies vaccine and I feel like I did after that. (Bruise was not a symptom of that though)

– Last night I had chills and feel between mild and moderate malaise today. But feeling able to continue my day as normal.

– Upon waking today, I am fully better. Only mild pain at injection site. Bruise is healing.

– Redness & bruise is present at injection site but it is healing & I am fine. Feeling good today.

– initial bruise is healing with minimal pain (at injection site)

– bruise is still healing, looking slightly better than yesterday.

– original bruise is healing, it seems to be healing ok.

– Also, last night a few hours before bed I got a mild fever. I only check my temperature unless I feel the need to. I took tylenol and it broke and never returned. I felt cold but hot last night so that's how I guess it was a fever.

– Yesterday I could not fill out a vsafe forum due to text coming late. Yesterdays report would have been nearly the same as today, just with less than mild pain at injection site. Today the pain is gone.

Acute stress disorder, Increased tendency to bruise and Periarthritis

227-26095-07604

– Limbs feel lightweight

– Sore throat and congestion

– Large swollen lymph node under my collar boneEasy bruising/unexplained bruise on my leg

– Still have clavicular lymph node swelling from the first dose (on the same side as that jab)

– Insomnia. Wired/energy rush all night. Slept 2 hours total

– Infraclavicular Swollen lymph node (still from dose 1)

– Frozen shoulder + intense pain in the side of the second injection

– On-going clavicular lymph node swelling

– On-going clavicular lymph node swelling from 1st dose. Early period this month, very light last month (have been on OCP 16 years and never had this happen before)

– Ongoing lymph node swelling; menstrustion changes (cramps, changing flow, etc that had been steady for 16 years)

– My clavicular lymph node remains swollen on the same side as my 1st dose (7/24). I had an ultrasound done (10/28) 3 months after my first dose to have it checked. Radiologist said it's a vax response/no other causes noted in U/S. Still enlarged today Diagnostic imaging at hospital

– Extreme vertigo and additional joint pain

– Elevated resting heart rate since the injection (90+) while sitting, (but no anxiety to account for it)

– Insomnia/feeling wired overnight

– Dizziness/vertigo, elevated heart rate at rest

– Headache, muscle aches, fatigue

– Abnormal menstruation (increased cramps, longer period, heavier than normal, extended spotting post-period)

– Extreme tinnitus in both ears, vertigo

– Tinnitus in left ear 24/7 (constant) has been constant for past 3 weeks. Tinnitus in right ear intermittent for past 3 weeks.

– On-going tinnitus (24/7, both ears). Hearing loss (evaluated by an audiologist) that was not present previously (likely effect of tinnitus); menstruation changes (I'm on my second period in less than one month despite being on OCPs for 18 years).

– Menstruation changes (significant spotting week before period is due/on 3rd week of pills). That lasted for 2 full cycles. On-going bilateral tinnitus that started a day after the booster and hasn't stopped.

Lymph gland infection, Bloody discharge and Discharge

227-41317-28946

– Swollen tender armpit lymph node

– 1 week after vaccine i developed swollen tender armpit lymph node in arm vaccinated, tenderness in forearm, and then a red rash near injection site.

– Shingles

– No symptoms today but yesterday, the day after the vaccine, I had chills, body aches, and headache.

– Swollen lymph node under armpit

– Swollen lymph node in armpit is red. Burning sensation left upper outer quadrant of breast. (Same arm as vaccine and node)

– Lymph node has grown larger than a marble and is still red.

– The swollen lymph node in my armpit swelled until it was the size of a ping pong ball, became infected, and broke open leaving fluid and blood.

– Not new but swollen red lymph node persists.

– Twitching muscles

– Sore throat

– Slight sore throat with a small bump inside

Throat clearing, Musculoskeletal pain and Anosmia

227-55971-27378

– Severe pain in left shoulder, neck and in between shoulder blades that was not present prior to shot

– Painful stiff neck and left shoulder where injection was given. Also, pain in between my upper shoulder blades My doctor told me if this type of continues to go straight to the ER.

– Stiff neck with pain and also pain in between shoulder blades

– Stiff painful neck, left shoulder and pain in between upper shoulder blades

– Headache, chills, fatigue, cough, clearing of throat constantly, diarrhea and congestion. Feeling very bad. Lost sense of smell and some taste.

Renal pain, Brain fog and Lymph node pain

228-13427-12727

– Painful bottoms of my feet

– Swollen lymph nodes in armpits

– Painful lymph nodes in the armpit of the arm that received the shot

– Quite painful lymph nodes in my armpit of the same arm that got the shot. Swollen and stinging pain

– Painful, swollen lymph nodes in the same armpit the shot occurred

– Brain Fog. Painful, swollen lymph nodes in my armpit- same arm as the shot

– Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit of the arm that received the shot, mild pain now

– Tender lymph nodes in the armpit of the arm that received the shot

– Neck and armpit lymph node pain, pain In kidney (all left side only- covid shot side)

– Painful lymph nodes in left armpit (same side as covid shot)

– Swollen, painful lymph nodes in left armpit

– Swollen, mildly painful lymph nodes in left armpit

– Mildly Swollen lymph nodes in left armpit

– Still have mild swelling and pain in left armpit lymph nodes

Menopausal symptoms, Eructation and Dyspepsia

228-26512-09133

– After 15 minutes, a slight ringing in my ears and swings of pain in my chest area and heartburn feeling

– I think I answered incorrectly in the beginning. I didnt have a fever, but for 6 days any effort makes me sweaty, feverish feeling. Its slowly getting better. Im going through menopause and the heat is twice as bad since I got the shot. Again, getting better everyday. I had heartburn feeling again yesterday, but it comes and goes. Thats been happening since 15 min after I got the shot. In my normal life I dont get heartburn.

– Saw Sandra Lees article in Delish. She got Covid and felt like a metal pinball was pinging inside her body. I didnt know how to explain that feeling I got after my shot until I read her article. It wasnt constant, but come and go for 2 days. After 15 min of 1st shot, also got bad heartburn feeling (lasted a few days), and a very high pitched faint sound in my ears, which came and went for a few days as well. Was very tired for a few days. All symptoms have now subsided.

– Menopause symptoms were noticeably worse day one after getting the shot. Its been 3 weeks since 1st shot and the intensity has calmed a bit, but Im literally sweating so bad at night i wake up from dripping sweat on my arms and chest!

– To sum it up, I was afraid to get the 2nd shot due to the rare and odd symptoms I got with shot #1 15 min after: metal pinball pinging inside my body, pressure and uncomfortable ache in chest followed by burping, tinnitus, worsened menopause symptoms, but the 2nd gave me none of that. The 2nd caused chills 8 hrs after shot followed 4 hrs later with body aches, fatigue, slight fever of 99 degrees, and migraine. Fever broke quickly.

– My head still feels a little wonky. Meaning slight dizziness. I thought the feeling was from the alternating ibuprofen and Tylenol I took for the first 2 days after for a migraine (had a slight dizzy overdose feeling) so I stopped taking anything once the migraine went away, but that dizzy out of it feeling has remained. Im still not 100% yet.

– I reported this after my first shot, but less than 15 min after my 1st Moderna shot several things happened, all cleared up. One symptom was GI related which caused a little chest discomfort and lots of burping. Tums helped. Still comes and goes.

Dental discomfort, Gingival swelling and Dizziness postural

228-27661-25791

– Sore neck. Right Side only; Slight tingling of lips Right side only.

– Dizziness

– Dizzy when turning over in horizontal position

– Pain in muscles and joints. Some days, including today, very fatigued. Slight nausea. Some lightheaded ness.

– Blurred vision in left eye. More fatigue today. Side effects seem to be intermittent and varying intensities. I take Tylenol.

– Tingling Lips and Right Arm also Slightly unsteady on my feet.

– Unsteady in my feet. Sudden pain on my right side of head at back...sudden as though I had been struck my a deeply penetrating knife. Sudden and painful Painful

– Not steady on my feet. Everything a little better than yesterday. Some slight tingling. Right side gums and teeth feel enlarged.

– Very slow on my feet, somewhat unsteady if I walk at my normal pace

– Not completely steady on my feet but better.

– Uneasy on feet but better ie balance

– Very unsteady on my feet. Dizzy. Worst day.

– Muscle pulls and joint Hope to see chiropractor.

Tenderness, Lymph node pain and Lymphadenopathy

228-28393-41111

– Swollen, tender lymph nodes, particularly near collarbone and armpit, side on which the injection took place.

– Swollen tender lymph nodes collar and armpit area on side where injection was given.

– Tender lymph nodes along collar and armpit area where vaccine was administered.

– Swollen lymph node on collar bone. Tender armpit on the side where infection was administered.

– Swollen lymph node on collar bone, side where injection was taken.

– Still have a swollen lymph node past the 4-6 weeks stated.

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