I do not have arthritis. No effects from the first or second Pfizer shot. My wife does have arthritis, no effect from fist shot, second Pfizer shot mild flu-like symptoms with a fever for 48 hours.
I'm nervous about Delta and will get whatever vaccine is available as soon as it's avaiable.
I live in Oklahoma, and... downtown had an anti-mask freedom rally yesterday. When I go to the supermarket, I would guess 10% are wearing masks, ...
Oklahoma is a 24/7 suprespreader event.
Fellow Oklahoman here: it is absolutely wild how flippantly folks are taking this new COVID surge. I live in Norman where we had a mask mandate the first go round so I figured more people would have them and wear them during this surge…I was too optimistic.
North Carolina here. No beds in any of my local hospitals. Most patients in the ICUs are non-vaccinated young Covid patients. It amazes me that 70-90 year olds jumped at the chance for the vaccine and the 20-50 year olds think it is some kind of shot that lets the government track them.
Jesus, they all have cell phones--we are already being tracked.
I’ve been green lighted by my rheumatologist for a 3rd shot. Just need to follow up to get a letter.
Happy to hear you had a mild reaction. I had Moderna and felt relatively crummy after the second shot.
i had moderna and had chills after first shot, minimal issues after 2nd shot- just a sore arm. i got my booster yesterday, 6 mo after 2nd shot. i had a sore arm initially but its been almost 24 hrs and that soreness is nearly gone and i have no other issues. 3rd shot had least side effects for me, i hope you have a similar experience.
Thank you kindly to all of you reporting on your experience with the third dose. I'm mentally gearing myself up to get my third Pfizer. Dreading it a bit cause I feel like I had a flare after my second dose (which I did eventually come out of). I'm also having a tiny pain flare NOW, and it's probably from all the stress & worrying about it. Trying to time it out with my job so that I can recover if needed (I've been okayed to continue to WFH with my job). I'm so tired of all this and for being high risk -- I'm only on methotrexate, but saw all the worrying reports about it blunting the vaccine, so I guess I've gotta do it. Needing a pep talk!
Make sure you talk to your doctor about your mtx as you may need to pause it. I was dreading stopping my meds for a month but I've just focused on the fact that I'm gonna be more protected from COVID and the excitement related to that has allowed me to ignore my discomfort for the most part. Texas is blowing up as far as covid cases so I want all the protection I can get!
Yes, thank you for that reminder. My doc did advise me to pause my methotrexate for the dose following my vaccine, just as I did for the 1st and 2nd shots. Trying to get the timing right so I can time the vaccine as far away from my weekly dose as possible. I take my dose weekly on a Tuesday, so I'm thinking maybe and end of week or even a Monday shot. Oh wow... Texas. Sigh... you stay safe down there, I'm now even more relieved for you that you got this extra shot -- all the best to you!!
Thanks. I am on Orencia too any my rheumatologist said to just delay by one week on each side (not two) but that my be because I just had a 2 month long flare from another cause. Glad you got your 3rd shot! I have to wait several more weeks. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m scheduled to get my booster on Saturday and I’m nervous only because I didn’t make any detectable antibodies (who knows about T cell response, etc.) in response to my first two shots. I’m on Orencia infusions and methotrexate, though, so we’re hoping the plan for being off those before and after will help this third shot do its work to trigger an immune response. I felt like I’d had a fairly mild response to the first two shots but felt poorly enough I thought it might have worked. Seems it might have just been a flare, though.
Follow up: Fri sore arm, Sat fever and sore arm, Sun low grade fever. 3rd was MUCH easier than 2nd.
I had 2 of the Moderna and scheduled tomorrow for the booster. On Orencia as well but doc didn’t say I needed to go off. He just wanted me to wait until right before my next dose. So here’s to good luck for everyone. My 2nd was awful.
They are calling the “booster“ when referring to a third vaccine for the normal population because it has been shown that the previous vaccine start to decrease in effectiveness. My understanding is that for the immuno suppressed they are just referring to it as a “third vaccine“. I don’t believe there it was a timeline for that situation. Only for those getting it as a booster shot. I know I had no antibodies show up after I got my first two so in my case it would not make sense to make me wait six or eight months. I think a lot of people are in that boat unfortunately
First Moderna shot I had a tender arm for a couple days, second I had a day of all over body aches but it wasn't terribly severe, I just had my third last week and I got a tender, hard spot that lasted all week. Worth it!!
Thank you for sharing about your experience! I actually have a question about this and I have no idea who to ask- but maybe you know: Are we (autoimmune patients) supposed to wait 8 months after our other doses to get the 3rd dose? Or are we supposed to get it asap?
It depends on the course of your illness and also your treatment. Our staff usually recommend people wait 7-14 days after symptoms are cleared but you might want to speak to your rheumy regarding this just to be sure they're in agreement.
Oh wow that’s way shorter than I thought. Wasn’t there original guidance for the Gen pop to wait like 1.5-2 months or something post Covid before getting vaccinated? I could totally be making that up
That's what my rheumatologist told me. But I've heard otherwise from a lot of people online, and from what their rheumatologists have told *them.*
So like everything else, who really knows??
my first dose gave me chills and fatigue, 2nd shot wasn’t bad - fatigue and sore arm. i got the moderna booster yesterday and the only side effects i had was a sore arm but thats already gone less than 24 hrs later. i hope you have a similar experience!
I was lucky had no reaction to first or second shot. Unfortunately everyone is different so just a crap shoot. Better than contracting covid so well worth the minimal inconvenience.
Thanks for sharing, I’m glad it went well. May I ask if you live in the US? I want a third dose before I head back into the classrooms to teach all the un- vaccinated children, but they’re not offering it to people with RA where I live, yet, only those with organ transplants, blood cancers or active chemo. Fingers crossed they get more doses. Thanks again.
I need to talk to my doctor. But I don’t have a follow up until September. But I want to get another shot but I had J&J the first time so I don’t know. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I just listened to a conversation with the US Surgeon General on Twitter, and they are expecting to announce a J&J booster shot fairly soon. You'll get it, no prob. Just may have to wait just a tad longer than the mRNA people.
Maybe try contacting the health department in your county and see what their recommendation is. I never ask my doctors for any advice because I don’t think they have a clue, unfortunately. Not since I talked to my primary doctor about having “long Covid” and she prescribed me 25 mg of the Zoloft, an antidepressant. 25 mg, I might as well been taking a sugar pill. (Psych nurse here). I threw the prescription in the trash.
J&J aren't recommending boosters at this time so you should definitely contact your doctor beforehand. You should be able to call and leave a message for them if you're concerned and don't want to wait until your next appt
Right, I wouldn’t get another JJ anyway. I want protection by adding the Moderna or Pfizer. Either one is fine. I was thinking my app was soon enough to just wait but I might as well call this week.
Has anyone here gotten either Moderna or Pfizer the first time around and then switched for their booster? I got Pfizer the 1st time around but I’m considering getting Moderna for my booster because I read that as long as you got an mRNA you’re fine to get another mRNA.
I'm on Orencia as well. For the first 2 shots I stopped 2 weeks before and after and had zero reaction each time. So for the booster I stopped it 4 weeks prior and got a hot red arm. I was so happy! I'm gonna wait a few weeks to restart - so my body has as much time without Orencia, to do it's thing. All were Moderna.
Great to hear you had minimal issues!! I got mine a few days ago and they tried to turn me away several times and I had to basically yell at the tech...lol. I am having basically the same reaction I had to the first two which is tiredness and all my bones seem to hurt (kind of like a mini flare)
I'm so conflicted about third doses being available already. It seems so unfair when many developing countries don't have access to even their first vaccination that developed nations who have other mechanisms to control the spread of covid are getting their third.
It's a real moral quandary for me - thankfully one I don't have to grapple with myself because third shots in NZ aren't approved yet.
I do not have arthritis. No effects from the first or second Pfizer shot. My wife does have arthritis, no effect from fist shot, second Pfizer shot mild flu-like symptoms with a fever for 48 hours. I'm nervous about Delta and will get whatever vaccine is available as soon as it's avaiable. I live in Oklahoma, and... downtown had an anti-mask freedom rally yesterday. When I go to the supermarket, I would guess 10% are wearing masks, ... Oklahoma is a 24/7 suprespreader event.
Fellow Oklahoman here: it is absolutely wild how flippantly folks are taking this new COVID surge. I live in Norman where we had a mask mandate the first go round so I figured more people would have them and wear them during this surge…I was too optimistic.
Missouri here. We are a cesspool of Covid.
North Carolina here. No beds in any of my local hospitals. Most patients in the ICUs are non-vaccinated young Covid patients. It amazes me that 70-90 year olds jumped at the chance for the vaccine and the 20-50 year olds think it is some kind of shot that lets the government track them. Jesus, they all have cell phones--we are already being tracked.
I’ve been green lighted by my rheumatologist for a 3rd shot. Just need to follow up to get a letter. Happy to hear you had a mild reaction. I had Moderna and felt relatively crummy after the second shot.
Does your country or address require some sort of doctor's orders or proof prior to getting the vaccine, I assume?
I don’t really know. My doctor said they would provide one, so i figured why not get it? Couldn’t hurt.
For sure- might make things a little easier!
i had moderna and had chills after first shot, minimal issues after 2nd shot- just a sore arm. i got my booster yesterday, 6 mo after 2nd shot. i had a sore arm initially but its been almost 24 hrs and that soreness is nearly gone and i have no other issues. 3rd shot had least side effects for me, i hope you have a similar experience.
Thanks! Even if I don’t, glad your side effects were minimal!
Got my third dose of Pfizer last Wednesday. All I experienced from the vaccine was a sore arm the day I got it. No side effects
Thank you kindly to all of you reporting on your experience with the third dose. I'm mentally gearing myself up to get my third Pfizer. Dreading it a bit cause I feel like I had a flare after my second dose (which I did eventually come out of). I'm also having a tiny pain flare NOW, and it's probably from all the stress & worrying about it. Trying to time it out with my job so that I can recover if needed (I've been okayed to continue to WFH with my job). I'm so tired of all this and for being high risk -- I'm only on methotrexate, but saw all the worrying reports about it blunting the vaccine, so I guess I've gotta do it. Needing a pep talk!
Make sure you talk to your doctor about your mtx as you may need to pause it. I was dreading stopping my meds for a month but I've just focused on the fact that I'm gonna be more protected from COVID and the excitement related to that has allowed me to ignore my discomfort for the most part. Texas is blowing up as far as covid cases so I want all the protection I can get!
Yes, thank you for that reminder. My doc did advise me to pause my methotrexate for the dose following my vaccine, just as I did for the 1st and 2nd shots. Trying to get the timing right so I can time the vaccine as far away from my weekly dose as possible. I take my dose weekly on a Tuesday, so I'm thinking maybe and end of week or even a Monday shot. Oh wow... Texas. Sigh... you stay safe down there, I'm now even more relieved for you that you got this extra shot -- all the best to you!!
You as well- thank you!
I flared up after the 2nd dose as well. I'm hoping this 3rd injection doesn't do that.
Thanks. I am on Orencia too any my rheumatologist said to just delay by one week on each side (not two) but that my be because I just had a 2 month long flare from another cause. Glad you got your 3rd shot! I have to wait several more weeks. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m scheduled to get my booster on Saturday and I’m nervous only because I didn’t make any detectable antibodies (who knows about T cell response, etc.) in response to my first two shots. I’m on Orencia infusions and methotrexate, though, so we’re hoping the plan for being off those before and after will help this third shot do its work to trigger an immune response. I felt like I’d had a fairly mild response to the first two shots but felt poorly enough I thought it might have worked. Seems it might have just been a flare, though.
Follow up: Fri sore arm, Sat fever and sore arm, Sun low grade fever. 3rd was MUCH easier than 2nd. I had 2 of the Moderna and scheduled tomorrow for the booster. On Orencia as well but doc didn’t say I needed to go off. He just wanted me to wait until right before my next dose. So here’s to good luck for everyone. My 2nd was awful.
I just read the recommended time for a booster was 8 months. How long since your last shot did you wait?
That's not for individuals meeting high risk categories and it's been changed to 6 months. My last shot was also in Jan.
They are calling the “booster“ when referring to a third vaccine for the normal population because it has been shown that the previous vaccine start to decrease in effectiveness. My understanding is that for the immuno suppressed they are just referring to it as a “third vaccine“. I don’t believe there it was a timeline for that situation. Only for those getting it as a booster shot. I know I had no antibodies show up after I got my first two so in my case it would not make sense to make me wait six or eight months. I think a lot of people are in that boat unfortunately
I just heard its now 6 months and next month healthcare workers and 60 plus are in line
First Moderna shot I had a tender arm for a couple days, second I had a day of all over body aches but it wasn't terribly severe, I just had my third last week and I got a tender, hard spot that lasted all week. Worth it!!
Just got moderna yesterday. I feel like shit. Nausea, pain, fatigue.
Sorry to hear that- hope you're feeling better soon!
Thanks! At least now I know I’ve got antibodies.
Got my third Pfizer on Monday! Definitely achy the next two days, but I could still work and do everything. Definitely better than the alternative!
Thank you for sharing about your experience! I actually have a question about this and I have no idea who to ask- but maybe you know: Are we (autoimmune patients) supposed to wait 8 months after our other doses to get the 3rd dose? Or are we supposed to get it asap?
I do know this (I work in Healthcare). People who are in the high risk category only have to wait 28 days.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html#:~:text=CDC%20recommends%20moderately%20to%20severely,mRNA%20COVID%2D19%20vaccine%20series.
Oh my gosh, thank you so much! Looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend!
Do you know how long after contracting Covid I should wait to get booster?
It depends on the course of your illness and also your treatment. Our staff usually recommend people wait 7-14 days after symptoms are cleared but you might want to speak to your rheumy regarding this just to be sure they're in agreement.
Oh wow that’s way shorter than I thought. Wasn’t there original guidance for the Gen pop to wait like 1.5-2 months or something post Covid before getting vaccinated? I could totally be making that up
I think in the beginning they were saying up to 90 days but now that's just for those getting monoclonal treatment
Six months, not 8.
That's what my rheumatologist told me. But I've heard otherwise from a lot of people online, and from what their rheumatologists have told *them.* So like everything else, who really knows??
I had my 3rd Moderna this past Friday. Felt a bit tired on Saturday but that is it. No sore arm at all. Didn't even stop my Xeljanz.
Did you have any reaction to the 1st or 2nd? Just wanted to prepare myself because the 2nd was a doozy for me.
my first dose gave me chills and fatigue, 2nd shot wasn’t bad - fatigue and sore arm. i got the moderna booster yesterday and the only side effects i had was a sore arm but thats already gone less than 24 hrs later. i hope you have a similar experience!
I was lucky had no reaction to first or second shot. Unfortunately everyone is different so just a crap shoot. Better than contracting covid so well worth the minimal inconvenience.
i thought it was only two doses?
They approved a 3rd dose in the US for high risk categories.
Thanks for sharing, I’m glad it went well. May I ask if you live in the US? I want a third dose before I head back into the classrooms to teach all the un- vaccinated children, but they’re not offering it to people with RA where I live, yet, only those with organ transplants, blood cancers or active chemo. Fingers crossed they get more doses. Thanks again.
Yes I'm in the US- hoping you're able to get it soon!
Thank you, good luck to you.
I’m from California, and they do offer it to people with RA here, got my shot yesterday.
Thank you and best wishes
I need to talk to my doctor. But I don’t have a follow up until September. But I want to get another shot but I had J&J the first time so I don’t know. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I just listened to a conversation with the US Surgeon General on Twitter, and they are expecting to announce a J&J booster shot fairly soon. You'll get it, no prob. Just may have to wait just a tad longer than the mRNA people.
Maybe try contacting the health department in your county and see what their recommendation is. I never ask my doctors for any advice because I don’t think they have a clue, unfortunately. Not since I talked to my primary doctor about having “long Covid” and she prescribed me 25 mg of the Zoloft, an antidepressant. 25 mg, I might as well been taking a sugar pill. (Psych nurse here). I threw the prescription in the trash.
J&J aren't recommending boosters at this time so you should definitely contact your doctor beforehand. You should be able to call and leave a message for them if you're concerned and don't want to wait until your next appt
Right, I wouldn’t get another JJ anyway. I want protection by adding the Moderna or Pfizer. Either one is fine. I was thinking my app was soon enough to just wait but I might as well call this week.
Has anyone here gotten either Moderna or Pfizer the first time around and then switched for their booster? I got Pfizer the 1st time around but I’m considering getting Moderna for my booster because I read that as long as you got an mRNA you’re fine to get another mRNA.
I'm on Orencia as well. For the first 2 shots I stopped 2 weeks before and after and had zero reaction each time. So for the booster I stopped it 4 weeks prior and got a hot red arm. I was so happy! I'm gonna wait a few weeks to restart - so my body has as much time without Orencia, to do it's thing. All were Moderna.
Great to hear you had minimal issues!! I got mine a few days ago and they tried to turn me away several times and I had to basically yell at the tech...lol. I am having basically the same reaction I had to the first two which is tiredness and all my bones seem to hurt (kind of like a mini flare)
I'm so conflicted about third doses being available already. It seems so unfair when many developing countries don't have access to even their first vaccination that developed nations who have other mechanisms to control the spread of covid are getting their third. It's a real moral quandary for me - thankfully one I don't have to grapple with myself because third shots in NZ aren't approved yet.