4th vaccine experience
First, my vaccine reaction history so far: I had 2 doses of AZ, then a Pfizer. I had very strong but normal vaccine reactions (brutal headache, feeling feverish and ill, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, the whole range really) for 1-2 days. This was a little bit milder with each vaccine.
4th vaccine: Pfizer. My reaction was at least as strong, probably even stronger than with the 3rd vaccine. My symptoms weren’t as bad as they could have been, but I still felt very groggy and ill and useless for two days and had to sleep a lot. This is my 3rd day and I still have symptoms, although now I think it’s a mix of the now milder vaccine effects and a worse day in my ME/CFS symptoms. The line between the two is getting a bit blurry.
So it looks like I always have a strong reaction, which is still considered normal though. So far no serious relapses (if it changes, I’ll let you know but I don’t expect that).
If someone is interested in my "immune profile" for comparison or for whatever reason, here it is. (Although I’m not even sure if it makes too much sense.)
I always always have more or less elevated monocytes, no exception. I guess my immune system is always low-key working on something.
My neutrophils are always a bit low or borderline low, but nothing too crazy.
My NK cell function is borderline low but again, nothing really extraordinary.
My Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio: There is a mild excess of interleukin-4 (Th2)
According to my results, my CD4/CD8 ratio is a bit reduced but Google tells me this is well within normal range elsewhere in the world, so probably means nothing.
I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune disease but in my case this is very early stage, the one that almost never gets caught this early and hasn’t given me any issues so far. The endocrinologist told me it has nothing to do with my elevated monocytes, but I don’t know about the rest.
4th?? We've only had 3 vaccines here in Canada.
Yes, there are a few countries that made the 3rd and 4th vaccines available earlier than others (Israel too, for example). I got my 3rd one in August. You can get the 4th if you are over 18 and 4 months after your 3rd. In theory the doctors administering the vaccine may want to consult with your GP, but in practice I don’t think anyone does that. I’m happy to be a guinea pig if the next one arrives earlier here again.