My COVID-19 Booster Shot

I have been really moved by those of you that have reached out to me to tell me that my vaccine accounts have motivated you to gather more information to make a better and more informed decision about vaccination for you and your family. I know that it is a complicated decision for some people. Now that it has been over eight months since my second shot, I am even more grateful for the access I have to this vaccine and the booster shot. If you would like to read more about my personal vaccination experience you can find it here. None of this is medical advice. Please be sure to consult with your primary care doctor to help determine what is right for you.

Some of the things that being vaccinated has given back to me: hugs, spending time with family and friends, working more safely around my patients, sleeping easier knowing my family is safer and the subway! It’s hard to believe that a year ago so many things felt like they could be dangerous like going to a grocery story or hugging a friend. Though I am still very cautious (masking in my parents home), the reduction of anxiety is huge.

Covid numbers are looking more hopeful and though I am a huge pessimist and still not doing large gatherings or dining indoors indefinitely, seeing the city (NYC) come back to life has been pretty joyous to me. Cooler weather and holidays driving people to begin gathering indoors is a bit cause for concern. It has been also a relief to know that break through cases are mild and that people are recovering despite the inconvenience of being sick and isolating for a bit of time. Either way, all reasons for me to feel the need for that booster shot. Below is the play by play of my post-vaccine booster symptoms.

DAY ONE

11:00AM - Shot in arm. 15 minutes waiting period. No hives this time but I was pretty bundled up and often times, my hives are brought on by cold. We were at a supermarket so I stocked up on gatorade and coconut water.

1:00PM - My injection site is sore.

5:00PM - My entire upper left arm and shoulder is feeling tight and sore

7:00PM - While rushing to make dinner before being out of commission I suddenly feel really really tired. Feeling like my limbs are heavy and like I want to sleep.

11:00PM -A mild headache has come on and continuing to feel really sleepy. I’ve put on thick socks and am going to bed bundled up to prepare for the strong chills I got last time!

I hydrated ALL DAY like it was my job.

DAY TWO

8:30AM Woke up with not much. Just feeling more tired than usual but I woke up at 4am and wasn’t able to go back to sleep so I can attribute it to that. My arm was significantly more sore than the day before.

10:00AM Noticed that I had no appetite. I ate soup.

1:00 PM Started to feel extremely tired and fatigued, my arm was getting more sore and my back started feeling achy.

2:00PM 99.4 F fever. Feeling really tired, got the chills and my whole body was aching, but not as bad as last time! I rested and watched old episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race for most of the day.

6:00PM Feeling weak from not eating much. I snacked here and there but still no appetite. Fever went to 100.3.F and I did some self acupuncture which brought on sweats and the fever came down to 99.0F

8:00PM Feeling better in terms of the fever but physically tired and achy. Decided to eat a meal during this time which helped a lot!

11:00PM Went to bed.

DAY THREE

9:00AM Woke up and my back was still achy, my arm and my armpit was achy. I walked the dog. I felt fine but wasn’t in the mood for breakfast -still no appetite. I drank more soup.

11:00AM Noticed how thirsty I felt. I started hydrating more. Had some remote and admin work to get done.

1:00PM Checked my temperature because I was feeling so tired and weak. 99.4F. Time for more RuPaul’s Drag Race and rest.

2:00PM Chills came on and my fever went to 100.5 F. I did some acupuncture and it went back down to 99.F

3:00PM I had enough of my immune response and fever of 99.6F and decided to take Tylenol.

5:00PM Started feeling better and eating soup

10:00PM Fever did not return. My arm and armpit were still sore.

DAY FOUR

8:00AM Woke up and all the body aches were gone. No fever. My arm no longer hurts but my armpit is sore and swollen still, but much less than the day before. I also noticed my face is a bit puffy so I did some gua sha which helped to reduce puffiness.

If the armpit swelling thing alarms you, please read this information from the Cleveland Clinic.

Reminder: This is my personal experience and not medical advice. I do strongly encourage everyone to learn more about public health and I strongly discourage the spread of misinformation. Keep learning, keep reading other people’s research and leave the real research to the researchers!

By Dr. Emily Grace Siy, DACM on November 2, 2021