Question:
My question concerns COVID-19 vaccination side effects. I have received three Moderna vaccinations and after the first, had no reaction other than a mild rash. A week after my second Moderna shot my arm swelled from my shoulder to my wrist, and my lymph nodes exploded in size. I was given a course of prednisone that was effective in reducing the swelling and nodes, but my arm stayed sore for a few months. After my third dose (which I received seven months after the second dose) my arm began to ache within 48 hours. Five weeks later my arm is still painfully sore…it feels like bursitis. The pain is worse at night. Have you heard of anyone else with CLL experiencing this kind of reaction?
Answer: Glad to hear you are vaccinated, but we are sorry to hear of your reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines. It sounds like you have had a robust immune-mediated inflammatory reaction. This is an extremely rare reaction and only a couple of cases of subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis after COVID-19 vaccination have been reported. We would recommend that you check with your physician to make sure he has reported to the CDC via their VAER’s reporting system. Also, maybe ask if you can be seen by a rheumatologist and/or orthopedic doctor regarding management of your ongoing discomfort.
