You are beautiful in every way. Rest and you’ll feel better. (Second shingles shot did that to me last September.) Just keep being you. (My dear older brother used to close serious conversations with that admonition in the last years before he passed. I miss him. Sincere use of the admonition is a special way to honor his memory.) Keep writing your Letter to America without paying close attention to the numbers of us who follow you and glean such invigorating inspiration from you. We might disturb your focus or somehow cause a feeling of energy drawn out, because you’d feel responsibility and it could clog the gears. You are a phenomenon. A national treasure, I recall someone posting. Take good care, for yourself and your loved ones. We are in historic times and your daily log and context illuminates for us now, and for generations to come. We are ever grateful.
Me too. I took my BIL's advice (he's a doc) and took an aspirin before both shots...had only a sore arm for a few days. But that second shingles shot was a tough one.
On behalf of myself and all healthcare workers I want to thank you for your kind words and support. I was whooped too after my second Pfizer shot and I’m 67. I also heard that younger people had more severe reactions but haven’t observed that. It was about 50/50 in my nursing unit and age didn’t seem to be a factor with reactions. I had chills, fever and body aches the day after my 2nd shot and mild fatigue the next day. A much better alternative to getting Covid. I hope you rest well tonight and feel better tomorrow Heather.
I recently read an essay in the New Yorker (A Doctor's Dark Year) by a young novice doctor who was doing her internship in the ER in New York when COVID roared through the city. There are lots of these articles now. But, reading this one gave me a sense of the heightened fear that the medical professionals like yourself experienced. This doctor then moved to Texas just as the virus hit Texans. Her exhaustion and her fear for her children and husband contracting the virus from her was palpable. The bravery of you and all those on the frontier of medical interventions with this virus has been monumental. Thank you. https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/a-doctors-dark-year
That sure tells what all of these wonderful people have been going thru for over a YEAR! It makes these whiny selfish twits who complain about their "freedom" being taken away, doesnt it?
My second shot is in 3 hours..😳 the first wasn’t too bad. I had the virus last Oct and believe you me...that was two weeks in symptom hell. So, I will be marching right down to the leisure center with my quivering arm and my sleeveless shirt under my jacket, (the nurses love easy access), and get my second jab, as they say here, with slight trepidation but firm resolve. Chicken soup made, Paracetamol at the ready, cat ready for comfort purring, off I go.
I was told to drink plenty of water and take Tylenol before symptoms got too bas. I did take extra strength Tylenol for two days and excess sleepiness was the only thing I experienced...
I read they do not want you to take it before the shot. Afterwards you can take a pain killer but only if it is not in conflict with any other meds or conditions. I had more arm discomfort the first time. The trick is to keep that arm moving. The second time the discomfort was much less that night. The day after my shot I felt really off, slight temperature, chilled and slept a lot. The third day I was feeling great! Good luck to everyone and thank you for doing your bit in keeping us all safer.
Are they still? I’ve been tuning in to clinical updates by Dr. Daniel Griffin (practicing MD/PhD) - he recommended the same early on, then changed his recommendation as new data came out. Do check out This Week in Virology (TWiV) on YouTube or microbe.tv on the web. BTW, got both jabs of Moderna, minimal symptoms on second shot for one day. Husband got two jabs of Pfizer - no symptoms! Yay vaccinations!!
Possibly because it could diminish your immune system's reaction to the vaccine, when the goal is to build the antibodies? The CDC and our local public health department still recommended acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol) for symptoms AFTER being vaccinated, but do NOT take before the vaccine to prevent symptoms.
The pharmacists who gave the shots to both my husband and me (two different people in two different places) said Yes to Tylenol but NO to Advil/Ibuprophren of any kind BECAUSE Ibuprophren is an anti inflammatory but Tylenol is not and that may interfere with the vaccine. Mine also said "drink a lot of water and electrolytes to hydrate" Gatorade or salty or Oxygenated water, etc. And we both did feel that helped a lot.
I took mine before both shots. My BIL (the doc) said it would diminish the body's reaction to the agent used in the vaccine to help with absorption, but would not affect the vaccine itself. Nevertheless, I told the nurses who administered the shot about the aspirin and neither seemed concerned. They did enter that info on the form though.
I thank you, HCR, primarily; but more to the wonderful woman who attracted me to your site and compelled me to "join" and contribute to your ongoing efforts to make us all better citizens: thank you Judy! You have a great following Heather, and I'm proud to be a devotee. Many thanks and may your sails always be filled with the winds of liberty and truth. I will happily co-opt the words of an opposition-pundit when I say: you are a Great American.
Muchos gracias. I've been lurking a while and comment when I feel the need. It is hard to find a voice sometimes, even amongst friends, when they are seemingly so far above my ken. But this seems a safe place to even give my less-than pithy comments.
You are far from alone in your reaction to the shot, not that that changes much. Please take time to take care of yourself. Everything else in this world will wait for that. Everything. Rest, drink lots of fluids (and electrolytes), put your feet up, light a fire in the fireplace, wrap up in a blanket (or whatever else keeps you warm), and let everything else go. It will be enough. Your cheerleading section out here wants what is best for you.
A little while ago I thought someone posted a link for reporting vaccine symptoms, but it's nowhere to be found now.
Nevertheless, the advice is still good: please contact your PCP's office, local hospital or health alliance to report WHATEVER you experience following vaccinations, even if it's nothing special. The original comment emphasized the importance of helping professionals collect all data relevant to understanding Covid vaccine efficacy and effects. It also says this is a good thing, something that helps everyone. Such data collection will be essential in the fight against the pandemic.
Covid-19 is a NED (Newly Emerging Disease); the hallmark of NEDs is lack of information, limited case histories, inexplicable variations, and groping toward solutions. Progress from new, to familiar, routine, eventually endemic and old diseases, isn't measured just in mortality and morbidity. It's made through accumulating knowledge, lessening ignorance. Tonight's comments display a great deal of valuable information with real descriptive skill. Don't leave it lounging inert in your brain; get it in the public record where it does good. In This Together!
We were given a flyer with VSafe info when we got our first shots. I signed up - spouse chose not to, or forgot - I got a text every day between the first and 2nd jabs asking a few basic questions quickly answered. After my 2nd, the check in was daily for a couple of weeks. Now, after #2 on Easter Sunday, I get a check-in text once a week. I signed up because I know that data is more useful in greater numbers.
I'm part of a study that daily logs testing, vaccines and physical symptoms. It's on my phone, and takes 1 minute daily to complete. Site is covid-joinzoe.com. Study is a collaboration between Mass General Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine and King's College London.
I know exactly what Heather means! That second one knocked me down for a good two days but I am so glad to have it done and appreciative of the medical workers and health care community as a whole. Get your rest Heather and I’m so appreciative of you too.
I also want to thank everyone in this group too. All the different ideas, knowledge and perspectives from all over the country and world are so helpful to me in trying to understand what and why the US is where it is at this moment. Heather and all, take care.
Hopefully your whuppin’ is just a sign that your immune system is engaged and working!
Be sure to register with https://vsafe.cdc.gov/l/2/r_gGnpWoaqFfQg. These good folks are collecting data on our reactions to our jabs so they can share with the vaccine manufacturers for future needs and possible booster shots. It’s a good thing. Do it.
Thank you, Leslie! Not just a link, compassion too. I couldn't find your comment for a while, so I repackaged it in a longer one, crediting the original commenter. Good people and good things indeed.
No, but will look. A few mins ago I heard he's in 23-hour solitary for his own protection. That sounds about right. Bet he'll seek to join a white-suprem/skinhead gang later in his incarceration. "For his own protection."
That's why I wrote it. I didn't want anyone thinking there was something wrong with them if their reaction was different My fever ended the 8th day, and I was less tired today on the 10th, though I had one lie-down: there is an end in sight!
Rest well, Heather 💊💤🛏. I am 74 and only had bicep soreness after each shot. There are so many normal variations of reactions. Rejoicing in seeing my vaccinated friends and acting normal ☺️
66yo and first shot, no pain. 2nd shot, 2nd day, sore arm, sore body, tiredness, but by day 3 I was back to my usual grumpy old achiness from lack of enough exercise. Really gotta get those cortizone shots in my shoulders so I can go jump in the lake!!!
Does Heather deserve a good rest while she grows antibodies against the plague. Why yes. Yes she does.
Rest well, our friend.
Second, third, fourth and ad infinitum that!!!
You are beautiful in every way. Rest and you’ll feel better. (Second shingles shot did that to me last September.) Just keep being you. (My dear older brother used to close serious conversations with that admonition in the last years before he passed. I miss him. Sincere use of the admonition is a special way to honor his memory.) Keep writing your Letter to America without paying close attention to the numbers of us who follow you and glean such invigorating inspiration from you. We might disturb your focus or somehow cause a feeling of energy drawn out, because you’d feel responsibility and it could clog the gears. You are a phenomenon. A national treasure, I recall someone posting. Take good care, for yourself and your loved ones. We are in historic times and your daily log and context illuminates for us now, and for generations to come. We are ever grateful.
Well said... and I'm going to take your brother's words for those I love as well. Thank you for that.
Gosh, you’re welcome, Peggy. Very special. Thank you.
Shingles shot got me too. Covid vaccine did not. Yes carry on.
Me too. I took my BIL's advice (he's a doc) and took an aspirin before both shots...had only a sore arm for a few days. But that second shingles shot was a tough one.
Same here.
Illuminate - incorrect verb form - nit sure if edit function is available.
It's not. It's one of the apparently unfixable bad features of Substack.
Thank you! My “nit” brought a laugh! Ha!
I found that a reply can be highlighted, copied and deleted.
Perfect! Thank you! Then you paste elsewhere, edit, then go back and paste new version! Thank you!😊
Letters from an American is a real shot in the arm.
Next big job is to find the vaccine against stupidity......do you thing we can "strong arm" this with turbo-drive up to "warp speed"?
Morning, Stuart! You're up early, I'm up late.
I'm working on it. It's too early for me to add to your punny comments. More coffee.
https://media.awakeningtowholeness.net/stupidproof-your-future/
Grumpy!
And the bonus is that LFAA makes you feel better!
I see what you did.
You're in the Show Me state, Cathy , so I showed you.
Oh, my. Can I send you to your room? Wait, we all already are.
TPJ, go look at the request you made for a sousaphone clip...
On behalf of myself and all healthcare workers I want to thank you for your kind words and support. I was whooped too after my second Pfizer shot and I’m 67. I also heard that younger people had more severe reactions but haven’t observed that. It was about 50/50 in my nursing unit and age didn’t seem to be a factor with reactions. I had chills, fever and body aches the day after my 2nd shot and mild fatigue the next day. A much better alternative to getting Covid. I hope you rest well tonight and feel better tomorrow Heather.
You all are heroines among essential workers, Karen. Your perspective is reassuring here; your healing arts span hemispheres.
What TPJ said!
Thank You! Your words mean so much
I recently read an essay in the New Yorker (A Doctor's Dark Year) by a young novice doctor who was doing her internship in the ER in New York when COVID roared through the city. There are lots of these articles now. But, reading this one gave me a sense of the heightened fear that the medical professionals like yourself experienced. This doctor then moved to Texas just as the virus hit Texans. Her exhaustion and her fear for her children and husband contracting the virus from her was palpable. The bravery of you and all those on the frontier of medical interventions with this virus has been monumental. Thank you. https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/a-doctors-dark-year
That sure tells what all of these wonderful people have been going thru for over a YEAR! It makes these whiny selfish twits who complain about their "freedom" being taken away, doesnt it?
Indeed!
Thank you for being out there on the front lines. Thank you for being you! 🌺❤️😍
Thank you, Karen, and all your fellow healthcare professionals, for your courageous and essential service on the Covid front lines.
Ditto what they said!
My second shot is in 3 hours..😳 the first wasn’t too bad. I had the virus last Oct and believe you me...that was two weeks in symptom hell. So, I will be marching right down to the leisure center with my quivering arm and my sleeveless shirt under my jacket, (the nurses love easy access), and get my second jab, as they say here, with slight trepidation but firm resolve. Chicken soup made, Paracetamol at the ready, cat ready for comfort purring, off I go.
“Comfort purring.” I love that! Wish it could be bottled ...
I was told to drink plenty of water and take Tylenol before symptoms got too bas. I did take extra strength Tylenol for two days and excess sleepiness was the only thing I experienced...
OD'ing on Vitamin C!
💉+ >^..^< = :-)
FYI all the doctors advised not taking paracetamol/Tylenol/aspirin afterwards
I read they do not want you to take it before the shot. Afterwards you can take a pain killer but only if it is not in conflict with any other meds or conditions. I had more arm discomfort the first time. The trick is to keep that arm moving. The second time the discomfort was much less that night. The day after my shot I felt really off, slight temperature, chilled and slept a lot. The third day I was feeling great! Good luck to everyone and thank you for doing your bit in keeping us all safer.
Are they still? I’ve been tuning in to clinical updates by Dr. Daniel Griffin (practicing MD/PhD) - he recommended the same early on, then changed his recommendation as new data came out. Do check out This Week in Virology (TWiV) on YouTube or microbe.tv on the web. BTW, got both jabs of Moderna, minimal symptoms on second shot for one day. Husband got two jabs of Pfizer - no symptoms! Yay vaccinations!!
Take care, Heather!! Robust reactogenicity😁
Wow. Thank you. Do they say why?
Possibly because it could diminish your immune system's reaction to the vaccine, when the goal is to build the antibodies? The CDC and our local public health department still recommended acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol) for symptoms AFTER being vaccinated, but do NOT take before the vaccine to prevent symptoms.
The pharmacists who gave the shots to both my husband and me (two different people in two different places) said Yes to Tylenol but NO to Advil/Ibuprophren of any kind BECAUSE Ibuprophren is an anti inflammatory but Tylenol is not and that may interfere with the vaccine. Mine also said "drink a lot of water and electrolytes to hydrate" Gatorade or salty or Oxygenated water, etc. And we both did feel that helped a lot.
Sounds like sound advice.
I took mine before both shots. My BIL (the doc) said it would diminish the body's reaction to the agent used in the vaccine to help with absorption, but would not affect the vaccine itself. Nevertheless, I told the nurses who administered the shot about the aspirin and neither seemed concerned. They did enter that info on the form though.
Who carves a heart
on an old birch tree,
leaving not a name?
An extravagantly optimistic sort,
betting the mere suggestion
enough to move the world
in a kind direction.
That's lovely, John!
I vote for "lovely," too, John and Lindsay
Thank you.
I thank you, HCR, primarily; but more to the wonderful woman who attracted me to your site and compelled me to "join" and contribute to your ongoing efforts to make us all better citizens: thank you Judy! You have a great following Heather, and I'm proud to be a devotee. Many thanks and may your sails always be filled with the winds of liberty and truth. I will happily co-opt the words of an opposition-pundit when I say: you are a Great American.
Sails filled with the winds of liberty and truth? I like it, Alan!
Welcome aboard, Alan!
Muchos gracias. I've been lurking a while and comment when I feel the need. It is hard to find a voice sometimes, even amongst friends, when they are seemingly so far above my ken. But this seems a safe place to even give my less-than pithy comments.
Checked your bio, Alan. Local attorneys definitely have something to offer LFAA. And remember, Barbie likes "ken!"
I thought FER SHUR I cleansed the web of any hint of myself. Dbl drat. :)
Welcome!
You are far from alone in your reaction to the shot, not that that changes much. Please take time to take care of yourself. Everything else in this world will wait for that. Everything. Rest, drink lots of fluids (and electrolytes), put your feet up, light a fire in the fireplace, wrap up in a blanket (or whatever else keeps you warm), and let everything else go. It will be enough. Your cheerleading section out here wants what is best for you.
Such great healing advice! Thanks Dave.
Rest for as long as your body needs you to. And know how much you have helped us through this worrisome time.
A little while ago I thought someone posted a link for reporting vaccine symptoms, but it's nowhere to be found now.
Nevertheless, the advice is still good: please contact your PCP's office, local hospital or health alliance to report WHATEVER you experience following vaccinations, even if it's nothing special. The original comment emphasized the importance of helping professionals collect all data relevant to understanding Covid vaccine efficacy and effects. It also says this is a good thing, something that helps everyone. Such data collection will be essential in the fight against the pandemic.
Covid-19 is a NED (Newly Emerging Disease); the hallmark of NEDs is lack of information, limited case histories, inexplicable variations, and groping toward solutions. Progress from new, to familiar, routine, eventually endemic and old diseases, isn't measured just in mortality and morbidity. It's made through accumulating knowledge, lessening ignorance. Tonight's comments display a great deal of valuable information with real descriptive skill. Don't leave it lounging inert in your brain; get it in the public record where it does good. In This Together!
It is on cdc, called v-safe. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html
Thank you Kathy! I knew a good person would help out.
CDC is best, but local medical professionals will forward collected data to the CDC.
Good point, T, and thx for kind words
We were given a flyer with VSafe info when we got our first shots. I signed up - spouse chose not to, or forgot - I got a text every day between the first and 2nd jabs asking a few basic questions quickly answered. After my 2nd, the check in was daily for a couple of weeks. Now, after #2 on Easter Sunday, I get a check-in text once a week. I signed up because I know that data is more useful in greater numbers.
Beat me to it, Cathy! Once you sign up, you will get messages from them so no need to search for their website.
It is easy, and reassuring.
Our study group is amassing responses to vaccinations: their physiological reactions etc. If interested, respond to this comment.
I'm part of a study that daily logs testing, vaccines and physical symptoms. It's on my phone, and takes 1 minute daily to complete. Site is covid-joinzoe.com. Study is a collaboration between Mass General Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine and King's College London.
Better to be down from the shot rather than out from the virus
100%
I know exactly what Heather means! That second one knocked me down for a good two days but I am so glad to have it done and appreciative of the medical workers and health care community as a whole. Get your rest Heather and I’m so appreciative of you too.
I also want to thank everyone in this group too. All the different ideas, knowledge and perspectives from all over the country and world are so helpful to me in trying to understand what and why the US is where it is at this moment. Heather and all, take care.
Yes, thanks to all who have helped us through these challenging times - including you, HCR.
Hopefully your whuppin’ is just a sign that your immune system is engaged and working!
Be sure to register with https://vsafe.cdc.gov/l/2/r_gGnpWoaqFfQg. These good folks are collecting data on our reactions to our jabs so they can share with the vaccine manufacturers for future needs and possible booster shots. It’s a good thing. Do it.
Yes, v-safe is easy. First daily text easy checking, then after awhile they just text weekly.
Thank you, Leslie! Not just a link, compassion too. I couldn't find your comment for a while, so I repackaged it in a longer one, crediting the original commenter. Good people and good things indeed.
Another vote for vsafe! Be part of the study of this.
Derek Chauvin is STILL guilty!!
Morning, TPJ!! Did you see the coverage of his new prison accommodations?
Oh no. Why do I get the feeling I’m better off not looking for that. 🙁
No, but will look. A few mins ago I heard he's in 23-hour solitary for his own protection. That sounds about right. Bet he'll seek to join a white-suprem/skinhead gang later in his incarceration. "For his own protection."
I would've sent you a link but just saw it on TV news.
The nurse who gave me my second shot told me it affected younger people more than older. I felt nothing as I am old. You are paying for being young.🤗
I'm 67 and was knocked out for 10 days by shot #2. Either I'm very young at heart, or people are all different!
I’m glad you wrote this. I am at day 7 after shot #2 and feeling like there is no end in sight. I am 65.
That's why I wrote it. I didn't want anyone thinking there was something wrong with them if their reaction was different My fever ended the 8th day, and I was less tired today on the 10th, though I had one lie-down: there is an end in sight!
There's no end in sight because it's just around the corner.
Hang on PD! We're rooting for you.
Ow.
Rest well, Heather 💊💤🛏. I am 74 and only had bicep soreness after each shot. There are so many normal variations of reactions. Rejoicing in seeing my vaccinated friends and acting normal ☺️
66yo and first shot, no pain. 2nd shot, 2nd day, sore arm, sore body, tiredness, but by day 3 I was back to my usual grumpy old achiness from lack of enough exercise. Really gotta get those cortizone shots in my shoulders so I can go jump in the lake!!!
Likewise - 66 here - and I never felt "bad," no aches or pains or rash or fever, but just wanted to sleep for several days.
I'm 69 and the only problem I had was a few hours of injection site soreness after the 2nd shot. I was very fortunate.
(Mine were Moderna.)
It's both, MB.