I had my first dose a week ago today (Pfizer). Nothing unusual to report. Slight soreness. I have had my Heartmate II for almost ten and a half years. Second shot will be on 1 FEB. My cardiologist and VAD coordinator were sick for one day after their second shot with flu like symptoms. I expect the same, but maybe not. The LVAD, in my opinion, is not an issue but other issues but other conditions may be. Not worried.
My wife and I got our first dose on 1/10/21. Sore arm for a couple of days like after a flu shot, but no other side effects. I now get a text from V-Safe regularly to report any symptoms. Nothing to report. I’m 77, got my HeartMate 3 in Dec 2018. The nurse asked if I as on prescription blood thinners, and of course, I am. But the only consequence was she applied pressure to the injection site for a few minutes before applying the band-aid. My LVAD team said their second doses were a bit more uncomfortable, with flu or cold like symptoms for a day or so afterwards. I’m very grateful to have gotten the first one and look forward to the next. We’ll still need to follow the 3W protocol, but will feel safer.
My husband and I got ours on Jan. 13. No problem except a bit of a sore arm. I hope you can get yours soon. We are from Oregon and now we are worried we can't get the second dose as they are reporting not having enough vaccines.
Gmorning my husband had his lvad implanted 7/1/20 and is doing well after some (hicupps) as they called it in Tampa generalhisp. Can't thank that team enough for all their support thru this awful covid time. My husband received his covid 1st shot 1-4-21 and has no issues except for a sore arm for a couple days. We did clear it with his cardiologist in Tampa that it was ok for him to receive the shot as we live in ft myers. Good luck!!!
Looks like we have to wait since we are under 65. Scary when you hear they are running out constantly. Did you get your vaccines at hospitals or vaccine centers. It would be great if the LVAD medical teams were distributing and /or giving us information on this.
In addition to my husband’s LVAD, we are in the 75+ group (he’s 85 & I’m 81). One of our LVAD coordinators at UNC called us 10 days ago as soon as they started scheduling appointments. We received our 1st doses today at a large vaccination center set up by the University. It was amazingly organized & efficient. We go back Feb 10th for our 2nd dose.
If you haven't gotten the COVID-19 vaccine I'd highly recommend researching it. DO NOT TRUST MAIN STREAM. This is not a vaccine yet. It is still in trial and you will be part of the 3rd phase. It WILL NOT stop you from getting COVID-19 and it may cause serious risk. I know that it is pushed by doctors and big pharma but it's dangerous. Please go to ICAN.org for some legitimate facts surrounding the trial vaccine. Personally I won't be getting ithttps://www.icandecide.org/covid/
I am also participating in the Pfizer study where I am. After the first dose, I just had soreness and maybe a headache. I got the second dose late yesterday afternoon and woke up achy, shivering, feverish, disoriented, nauseous, and I feel better today but I'm still pretty out of it. Before that, since the Covid hit I was taking Zinc lozenges I hate to take that but only to strength my immunity.
I know we don’t have a lot of information on any adverse events so keep us updated! It sounds like your all doing well! I’m still reading and waiting until it’s our turn.
My wife and I had our second dose two days ago and have had zero adverse reaction or after effects. However we both took two Tylenol tabs before the shots and continued every four hours afterward for one day. It seemed to work great but have some concern that the "before" doses may serve to weaked the effectiveness of the vaccine. Am not able so far to find a clear answer on this, only opinions but no data. I understand that NASIDS should be avoided but acetaminophen is OK. It's my opinion that we should all get the shots subject to the agreement of your VAD team or other qualified providers. Please do not go just by what I say.
Our nurse daughter told us to take Tylenol before our shots & for 24 hours after as you did. We had our 1st vaccines on 1/19 & didn't even get sore arms. We have our 2nds on 2/10 & hope to have the same result, but even if we do have a reaction it will be worth it.
Just after I sent the above comment, I read the following comment, so looks like we'll change our plan - sorry.
"Dr. Tony Moody, a professor at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, says Tylenol and other painkillers could affect the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine if taken before getting a shot. Afterward, they're fine to take for any associated pain, he says."
Just wondering if this is Dr Moody's personal opinion or specualtion, or is it based on clinical vs antecdotal evidence. I have the greatest respect for the medical profession but have been around long enough to have developed a healthy skepticism of many doctors' opinions. I have learned to asked "why". "Because I (or he or she) said so" is not a good answer. My VAD team of ten or more doctors and nurses took Tylenol before and after. Some were sick the next day and some were not. Hopefully there will be a difinitive answer sooner rather than later.
I agree with your comment & am in the process of doing further research. As I first mentioned, our daughter is a nurse at a very large hospital in Los Angeles, she & her co workers, including doctors, have all followed the described Tylenol regimen. I posted that 2nd comment so that that anecdotal information would be taken as such.
Creating a personal link between LVADers,and their caregivers, with others in the same situation in there own area. A place to post your information so others can connect with you.
COVID vaccine
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 10:45AMI had my first dose a week ago today (Pfizer). Nothing unusual to report. Slight soreness. I have had my Heartmate II for almost ten and a half years. Second shot will be on 1 FEB. My cardiologist and VAD coordinator were sick for one day after their second shot with flu like symptoms. I expect the same, but maybe not. The LVAD, in my opinion, is not an issue but other issues but other conditions may be. Not worried.
In reply to COVID vaccine by Reiss T.
Lori C.Thankyou!!
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 11:11AMWe are encouraged to hear that!! Wondering if you had to stop blood thinner meds prior to taking it
In reply to Thankyou!! by Lori C.
Reiss T.00anti-coagulation therapy
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 1:32PMNo, did not stop the warfarin. BTW, am about to turn 81, Lord willing.
COVID Vaccine - no problem so far
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 12:09PMMy wife and I got our first dose on 1/10/21. Sore arm for a couple of days like after a flu shot, but no other side effects. I now get a text from V-Safe regularly to report any symptoms. Nothing to report. I’m 77, got my HeartMate 3 in Dec 2018. The nurse asked if I as on prescription blood thinners, and of course, I am. But the only consequence was she applied pressure to the injection site for a few minutes before applying the band-aid. My LVAD team said their second doses were a bit more uncomfortable, with flu or cold like symptoms for a day or so afterwards. I’m very grateful to have gotten the first one and look forward to the next. We’ll still need to follow the 3W protocol, but will feel safer.
Covid Vaccine
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 1:05PMMy husband & I get ours tomorrow 1/19
My husband and I got ours on…
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 1:31PMMy husband and I got ours on Jan. 13. No problem except a bit of a sore arm. I hope you can get yours soon. We are from Oregon and now we are worried we can't get the second dose as they are reporting not having enough vaccines.
In reply to My husband and I got ours on… by Craig S.
Sharon S.Covid vaccine
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 3:59PMDid they schedule your 2nd shot when you got your 1st? That’s what the do in our area- UNC Chapel Hill, NC.
In reply to Covid vaccine by Sharon S.
Reiss T.COVID VACCINE
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 4:46PMYes, done at a senior center where I live in Jacksonville, Florida. We go back on Feb 1st, can go later, any Monday.
Thank you!!!
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 2:16PMThese comments mean so much!
Covid-19 shot
Tue, 01/19/2021 - 7:00AMGmorning my husband had his lvad implanted 7/1/20 and is doing well after some (hicupps) as they called it in Tampa generalhisp. Can't thank that team enough for all their support thru this awful covid time. My husband received his covid 1st shot 1-4-21 and has no issues except for a sore arm for a couple days. We did clear it with his cardiologist in Tampa that it was ok for him to receive the shot as we live in ft myers. Good luck!!!
Barbara C.
I guess I have to wait to register
Tue, 01/19/2021 - 5:06PMLooks like we have to wait since we are under 65. Scary when you hear they are running out constantly. Did you get your vaccines at hospitals or vaccine centers. It would be great if the LVAD medical teams were distributing and /or giving us information on this.
In reply to I guess I have to wait to register by Lori C.
Sharon S.Covid vaccine
Wed, 01/20/2021 - 12:34AMIn addition to my husband’s LVAD, we are in the 75+ group (he’s 85 & I’m 81). One of our LVAD coordinators at UNC called us 10 days ago as soon as they started scheduling appointments. We received our 1st doses today at a large vaccination center set up by the University. It was amazingly organized & efficient. We go back Feb 10th for our 2nd dose.
Are LVAD coordinators supposed to schedule it?
Tue, 01/26/2021 - 6:52PMDoes our Lvad team schedule these vaccines for you? Also did you all go to your cardiologist to approve the vaccine for you?
In reply to Are LVAD coordinators supposed to schedule it? by Lori C.
Sharon S.LVAD Coordinators & Vaccine
Tue, 01/26/2021 - 8:28PMMy husband’s coordinators let us know as soon as we could schedule an appointment, but we did that ourselves.
In reply to LVAD Coordinators & Vaccine by Sharon S.
Anthony W.Vaccine
Mon, 02/01/2021 - 5:07PMIf you haven't gotten the COVID-19 vaccine I'd highly recommend researching it. DO NOT TRUST MAIN STREAM. This is not a vaccine yet. It is still in trial and you will be part of the 3rd phase. It WILL NOT stop you from getting COVID-19 and it may cause serious risk. I know that it is pushed by doctors and big pharma but it's dangerous. Please go to ICAN.org for some legitimate facts surrounding the trial vaccine. Personally I won't be getting ithttps://www.icandecide.org/covid/
All the best.
I am also participating in…
Thu, 01/28/2021 - 4:29PMI am also participating in the Pfizer study where I am. After the first dose, I just had soreness and maybe a headache. I got the second dose late yesterday afternoon and woke up achy, shivering, feverish, disoriented, nauseous, and I feel better today but I'm still pretty out of it. Before that, since the Covid hit I was taking Zinc lozenges I hate to take that but only to strength my immunity.
Didn’t even check with my…
Mon, 02/01/2021 - 11:57AMDidn’t even check with my team. Had my first dose this morning at the VA. Scheduled for 2nd on 2/23.
Keep us all updated on how you feel after you get both
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 12:32PMI know we don’t have a lot of information on any adverse events so keep us updated! It sounds like your all doing well! I’m still reading and waiting until it’s our turn.
COVID vaccine
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 12:50PMMy wife and I had our second dose two days ago and have had zero adverse reaction or after effects. However we both took two Tylenol tabs before the shots and continued every four hours afterward for one day. It seemed to work great but have some concern that the "before" doses may serve to weaked the effectiveness of the vaccine. Am not able so far to find a clear answer on this, only opinions but no data. I understand that NASIDS should be avoided but acetaminophen is OK. It's my opinion that we should all get the shots subject to the agreement of your VAD team or other qualified providers. Please do not go just by what I say.
In reply to COVID vaccine by Reiss T.
Sharon S.Covid Vaccine
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 3:05PMOur nurse daughter told us to take Tylenol before our shots & for 24 hours after as you did. We had our 1st vaccines on 1/19 & didn't even get sore arms. We have our 2nds on 2/10 & hope to have the same result, but even if we do have a reaction it will be worth it.
In reply to Covid Vaccine by Sharon S.
Sharon S.Covid Vaccine
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 3:17PMJust after I sent the above comment, I read the following comment, so looks like we'll change our plan - sorry.
"Dr. Tony Moody, a professor at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, says Tylenol and other painkillers could affect the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine if taken before getting a shot. Afterward, they're fine to take for any associated pain, he says."
In reply to Covid Vaccine by Sharon S.
Reiss T.Tylenol
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 4:18PMJust wondering if this is Dr Moody's personal opinion or specualtion, or is it based on clinical vs antecdotal evidence. I have the greatest respect for the medical profession but have been around long enough to have developed a healthy skepticism of many doctors' opinions. I have learned to asked "why". "Because I (or he or she) said so" is not a good answer. My VAD team of ten or more doctors and nurses took Tylenol before and after. Some were sick the next day and some were not. Hopefully there will be a difinitive answer sooner rather than later.
In reply to Tylenol by Reiss T.
Sharon S.Covid vaccine
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 6:13PMI agree with your comment & am in the process of doing further research. As I first mentioned, our daughter is a nurse at a very large hospital in Los Angeles, she & her co workers, including doctors, have all followed the described Tylenol regimen. I posted that 2nd comment so that that anecdotal information would be taken as such.