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PfizerBioNtech second dose problems

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Siamese Cat

Siamese Cat

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I am type 2.
Hi, I have had my second dose of PfizerBioNtech, I had a temperature, aches, pains, feelings of exhaustion for 24 - 36hrs then just a sore arm, but felt relatively normal. Now my blood sugar is all over the place 15.4, 22.8, 18.4, this is just over a week after the vaccine. Blood sugar taken in the morning before eating or drinking. I should say I am usually high sevens.. I think I am a fish drinking water like one. I feel really exhausted, I have no energy. I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems following the second dose. I know it takes a few weeks for the antibodies to build up. I have seen a doctor, and spoken to my diabettic nurse.
 
They said the other week that the side effects with the Pfizer jab were usually far worse than the first and vice versa with the Astra Zeneca one - sounds like that's about right for you. Main thing is - your doctor and nurse know about the problems you are having so if it doesn't start tailing off again soon, and you need more help, they'll be able to sort that out for you - temporary insulin? - I don't know, just guessing.

I have this to look forward to in a few weeks! Eeek!

Presumably you have had Type 2 for a while and were controlling it OK prior to this?
Are you testing your BG more than once a day whilst this is going on? Have you reduced the amount of carbs you are eating to try not to compound the higher BG any more?
 
trophywench said:
They said the other week that the side effects with the Pfizer jab were usually far worse than the first and vice versa with the Astra Zeneca one - sounds like that's about right for you. Main thing is - your doctor and nurse know about the problems you are having so if it doesn't start tailing off again soon, and you need more help, they'll be able to sort that out for you - temporary insulin? - I don't know, just guessing.

I have this to look forward to in a few weeks! Eeek!

Presumably you have had Type 2 for a while and were controlling it OK prior to this?
Are you testing your BG more than once a day whilst this is going on? Have you reduced the amount of carbs you are eating to try not to compound the higher BG any more?
Click to expand...
Yes, I have been type 2 for just over 10 years. The odd thing is I haven't changed what I eat. Been low carbohydrate for several years now, just started to feel quite unwell a few days ago and was quite shocked when I knew how high I was. Currently testing three times a day. I was 14.2 before breakfast I had two poached eggs on a bed of rocket and now five hours later, been busy hoovering, dusting and doing the chores. Had a very active morning its 15.2..
 
I had the AZ vaccine 11th Feb and I only just feel like I am gaining control of my levels, the last few days, so nigh on 6 weeks. I have insulin to bring mine down as I am Type 1 but some days it seemed like I was injecting water for the impact it had. I hope your levels settle down again soon but as @trophywench suggested, do what you can to mitigate the high levels by reducing carbohydrate intake as much as possible and drinking plenty of water and let your Health Care Professionals know the difficulties you are experiencing.
 
I hope your levels settle down soon.
 
Errr - have you been feeling nauseous or had palpitations or anything else really unusual?
 
If your levels stay that high it would be worth getting some help.
It could be due to the vaccine or something completely different.
Worth checking.

I did find I needed more insulin for a while after my jab, and my levels are normally pretty much in range. I was not surprised at the rise and as I take insulin I was able to get them back in range by adjusting my doses.
 
I felt nauseous when I had the first dose, had a headache, dizziness and a sore arm but my diabetes was fine. I have seen a doctor, and been reassured. I have to wait until Monday for the diabettic team to be back at work...I don't like being this high, I have read it can be dangerous if it goes on to long...
 
I had no issues with my 2nd dose of Pfizer, BG remained fine, no sore arm etc. Had issues with first, with high BG, sore arm etc.
 
Siamese Cat said:
I felt nauseous when I had the first dose, had a headache, dizziness and a sore arm but my diabetes was fine. I have seen a doctor, and been reassured. I have to wait until Monday for the diabettic team to be back at work...I don't like being this high, I have read it can be dangerous if it goes on to long...
Click to expand...
Well it can and were it not for you having just had the jab I'd normally be saying 'get thee to A & E - do not pass Go, do not collect £100' - I'd be worried too so I'm sort of reassured that you're not going to persuade yourself that it's just normal and will go away - cos a lot of people would do that - and it ain't normal.
 
My first AZ shot bumped up my BS by 6mmol/L to about 16 mmol/L right after getting it and caused bizarre symptoms for about a week. But they all went away fine, and the BS spike went down before too long. Who really knows though, maybe it caused longer issues idk.

I had my hbac01 done the day after the AZ jab and the nurse was predictably resistant to commenting or giving any advice.

If you have a diabetic specialist of some kind you can ask, that's a good move. Hopefully they can help soon as this sounds like an alarming situation.
 
I had the Pfizer and had low sugar levels for a couple of days, but no other side effects. I've got my second jab when I've got a week off in anticipation of worse symptoms...
 
does anyone out there know why the BG levels are been affected by these vaccines?

not astra or biotech but when i had my flu jab some might remember that i did some posts where my BG levels went all over the place from hyper to hypo
 
mikeydt1 said:
does anyone out there know why the BG levels are been affected by these vaccines?

not astra or biotech but when i had my flu jab some might remember that i did some posts where my BG levels went all over the place from hyper to hypo
Click to expand...
I assume its because our bodies are working harder to produce the antibodies that the vaccine wants us to make. Logically we are using more energy, but don't produce more insulin to get rid of the sugar. I have read that it takes several weeks to build up antibodies. So I am looking at it that I got my symptoms just over a week after vaccination, that I am probably working hard to make the antibodies and the insulin I do have can't cope. I am looking forward to seeing the doctor and Diabettic nurse tomorrow.
 
mikeydt1 said:
does anyone out there know why the BG levels are been affected by these vaccines?

not astra or biotech but when i had my flu jab some might remember that i did some posts where my BG levels went all over the place from hyper to hypo
Click to expand...
This is perfectly normal.
Our bodies are building antibodies and fighting a drug that it doesn't recognise.
It is important to be aware of what can affect our blood sugars, especially with Type 1 when we have the tools to easily correct our blood sugars. Without understanding why we are giving ourselves more or less insulin than normal we risk over treating.
 
Hello helli.
It is normal for me to respond to any high BG by giving myself a correction dose of insulin. I do this if the meal I have just had was an awkward one to carb calc and feel confident in doing so. It is therefore possible that I am "over treating" what ever that means but I do also check my weekly insulin totals re carb intakes for balance and as long as I'm not getting any wild swings in BG ranges I am satisfied.
What should I be looking for when you say "we risk over treating".
I do this sort of correction dose very infrequently but it is the first thing I do if I read high, am I wrong in doing that.

Regards
Getting my 2nd Pfizer tomorrow Monday 29th.
 
mark king said:
Hello helli.
It is normal for me to respond to any high BG by giving myself a correction dose of insulin. I do this if the meal I have just had was an awkward one to carb calc and feel confident in doing so. It is therefore possible that I am "over treating" what ever that means but I do also check my weekly insulin totals re carb intakes for balance and as long as I'm not getting any wild swings in BG ranges I am satisfied.
What should I be looking for when you say "we risk over treating".
I do this sort of correction dose very infrequently but it is the first thing I do if I read high, am I wrong in doing that.

Regards
Getting my 2nd Pfizer tomorrow Monday 29th.
Click to expand...
Hi Mark,
You have replied on my posting Hello helli, I am not helli. I am Siamese Cat...... However, I would be extremely interested in how you are with your second PfizerBioNtech. I am type 2, currently on Metformin. My bs have been high since a week after vaccine. Kindest regards Siamese Cat.
 
helli said:
This is perfectly normal.
Our bodies are building antibodies and fighting a drug that it doesn't recognise.
It is important to be aware of what can affect our blood sugars, especially with Type 1 when we have the tools to easily correct our blood sugars. Without understanding why we are giving ourselves more or less insulin than normal we risk over treating.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this, I find this somewhat reassuring, this is my first vaccine since being diagnosed with type 2, its good to know that this is happening to others. I am type 2, and on Metformin. I am looking forward to seeing my diabettic nurse and gp tomorrow...x
 
Hello Siamese Cat, but if you look above my post you will see helli's post. That is what I was replying to as he raised a point of interest to me.
I'll keep you posted with any reactions I have from my 2nd injection.

Best
 
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