Last Updated on November 3, 2021 by Anna Baumann
I want to clarify from the beginning that this information is not intended as advice in any way. My reason for this post is to simply share my own experience with getting the Covid-19 vaccine with Graves Disease.
Why I got the Covid-19 vaccine
My decision to get the vaccine was twofold.
- My parents are both over 70 with underlying health conditions. I want to spend time with them knowing I’ve taken all precautions.
- I work in a dental office. Patients ask us all day long if we’ve been vaccinated. While it’s really none of their business, knowing that we are is a comfort to them.
Vaccine #1
As a healthcare worker, I was eligible in Phase 1A. My first shot was in January on a Friday afternoon. The whole process went smoothly and the injection was painless. I felt completely fine the rest of that day and through the evening.
In the middle of the night I rolled over onto my arm and the pain woke me up. My first thought was it’s just a sore arm, not a big deal. But as I woke more, I realized that I was also feeling feverish and had a bad case of chills. Since the thermometer was downstairs and I was tired, I did not take my temperature. I grabbed another blanket, and went back to sleep.
By morning I was completely fine! I woke up with no symptoms other than a sore arm. It was the strangest thing! If you had asked me at 2:00 AM I would have told you that I’d be calling in sick to work Saturday morning. But it was like someone flipped a switch and I was totally fine!
Vaccine #2
Two weeks before I was scheduled to get my second shot, I was in to see my Ophthalmologist. He asked if I’d gotten my Covid-19 vaccine yet. When I told him what I’d experienced with my first shot, he told me to brace myself because the after-effects of the second could be much worse.
My second shot was also on a Friday. My office works one Saturday per month, and the following day was, of course, our working Saturday.
I knew I was in trouble as soon as they shot me. My arm was sore immediately! That was my only symptom throughout the rest of the day and evening.
The next morning I woke up feeling a bit ‘iffy’. My stomach was out of sorts and I just felt sluggish. By the time I got to work, I was feeling more exhausted, and also nauseated. Another hour later and my whole body was aching.
By 9:30 AM the body aches were so bad I couldn’t sit in my chair. When I got up I was dizzy, nauseated and shaking with chills. I decided to leave before things got so bad that I couldn’t drive myself home.
I arrived home safely. By that time chills had set in big time! My temperature was 102 so I popped some Extra Strength Tylenol. Then I changed into a pajama top and bottom PLUS a sweatshirt and sweat pants. In bed I had a sheet, a blanket, two comforters and my Sister’s dog on top of me. I STILL shook with chills.
At some point I fell asleep. When I woke up the nausea was overwhelming. That’s when the vomitting started. The entire rest of that day and night was a repeat routine of sleep, upset stomach, shake, ache, sleep, etc. I really couldn’t believe how bad I felt. I was convinced it had nothing to do with the vaccine, and that I must have gotten Covid.
The next morning, I felt completely fine! It was unbelievable! Again, it’s as if someone flipped a switch! All that was left was a sore arm and the memory of feeling intensely horrible!
Conclusion
Right now I am about six weeks past my second shot. My OPINION is that having Graves Disease had nothing to do with the experience I had. Because truly, it wasn’t much different than what many other people deal with. I know so many friends, family members, patients and coworkers that had similar reactions, and none of them have Graves Disease.
Although for me it meant a couple days of not feeling well, I’m glad I took the Covid-19 vaccine. I know it’s experimental and we could debate all day about the ingredients, long term effects, politics, etc. But that’s not what this is about. For me, at this time, it was a good decision. And my sharing this with you is just my way of letting you know that I did it, and that I’m doing well.
This post is based on my own personal experience. It is not intended as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition.
