Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine and Pain: What Users Say

• Ann...
• September 19, 2020

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Doctor recommended this Prevnar 13 because of my 'age group' (I'm 66 yr. old white female). It has now been 8 months, and my arm is still painful, so that I can't lie down on that side. One month after receiving the injection, my right eye had a subconjunctival hemorrhage: all the blood vessels in the white of the eye burst, so that my eye was filled with blood. It took 3 weeks for my body to reabsorb the blood. I also found large bruises on my arms and legs. I am not someone who bruises easily. I looked up the side effects of this drug, and it said, among many other things, 'easy bruising, easy bleeding.' All this time, I've also been experiencing sudden rapid heartbeat, sometimes it pounds so hard I can't sleep, and when I had my blood pressure taken, it was higher than normal. Usually, it's a healthy low/normal reading. I experience lightheadedness, dizziness, and mental fog, as well as moments of intense anxiety. All these negative symptoms are due to the shot, since I was healthy before."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2019

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I was given the Prevnar 13 shot, and by that evening, my arm was swollen down to my inner elbow and all the way around. It was hard as a rock and hot and achy. I also had a fever, and my whole body was achy, my husband had to walk with me as I could barely move, my whole body ached. The next day, I called and asked if they needed to report the side effects to the health department. They said no, that was all common things from the vaccinations. I was told possibly a sore arm, that was all. This lasted for 4 days, but 2 months later, I still have a painful ache in my arm from time to time. I am 66 years old and would worry about an unhealthy older person living alone getting this."

• MKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine "I was told by my physician that I need to take the pneumonia Prevnar 13 shot during my intro to the Medicare Wellness exam. The shot was the most painful shot I have ever had. Two hours later, my arm was red, hot, and swollen, and the tips of my fingers were extremely cold. Then the body aches started, and I couldn't get warm. When I felt the urge to go to the restroom, I felt really faint. As I lowered myself to the floor to keep from fainting, I broke out in a fierce sweat. After getting assistance, I was able to get back to my bed. I didn't sleep much that night and went to the ER the next day. They did blood work, and my white blood cell count was 11. They had just checked it 2 weeks ago, and it was 6. They said it was a very bad reaction to the injection. Three days later, my arm is still hot, and I was told to take prednisone to reduce the swelling. I am still very sluggish and haven't felt good since the injection. I will never take this again, and I'm finding out it may not have been mandatory."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2019

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I had this shot 4 days ago, the most painful shot ever. Each day since brings some other negative reaction. First, painful arm and sore neck, second day, dizzy, third day, nausea, today, just a general feeling of sickness. Never again."

• Cor...
• September 12, 2019

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I was 78 years old last year when I received the Prevnar 13 shot in October on the recommendation of my doctor. I turned 79 in July of this year (2019) and am still suffering the consequences of this decision. My left arm in October 2018. Now, almost a year later, my arm still hurts and it has a very limited range of motion. I swam (backstroke) competitively in college and while my right arm can still do a full stroke, my left arm cannot. Not only is it painful, but it makes a horrible 'crunching' sound like someone crushing and forcing a paper lunch bag into a 'wadded-up' ball. I am angry and hate the fact that I went into the procedure with two perfectly functioning arms and left with what appears to be forever, life-changing, painful disability."

• MEG...
• October 12, 2020

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Had the pneumonia and the flu injection and ended up with horrible side effects day one, muscle aches, pains in both arms, second day after worse, third day took a Benadryl, felt a little better, fourth day mild diarrhea and body aches and lack of feeling well. Today is the fifth day and still sore and running to the bathroom with loose bowels. No fever but still feeling unwell with sore injection sites in both arms. When do these side effects end? How long? Never again, I had pneumonia last year with a cold, it wasn't as bad as this..."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2018

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I'm a 72-year-old female, and had my 2nd (and thankfully last) Prevnar vaccine in my left arm in October 2017. The initial side effects were swelling, pain, and redness on and around the injection site, and pain and limited mobility throughout my left arm within hours after the injection and continuing for over a week. Additionally, the day after the injection, I ran a fever and felt like I had contracted a bad flu... this lasted for about 3 days, gradually improving each day. Now, 6 months later, I still have pain and reduced range of motion in the injected arm."

• Sed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Just had the Prevnar 13 injection yesterday, thinking it would be beneficial in case I somehow contract Covid. Injection site was pretty painful compared to the flu shot, which I had also received. For reference, I’m a 30-year-old female. That night, I woke up dizzy and proceeded to throw up. I went to bed hoping it would pass. In the morning, my arm and ribs on the same side felt like I had been hit by a bus, as I could barely move it without experiencing moderate pain. Today, I could not leave my bed, and I’m hoping these symptoms subside so I can work. If you receive this vaccine, consider these risks-when I had asked about side effects, the nurse brushed it off, saying I may experience some flu-like symptoms from the flu shot-nothing mentioned about the pneumonia shot. I worry about older individuals who are being diligent in their health and may experience these symptoms or far worse without warning."

• Jua...
• March 20, 2016

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "When I was in my 20s, I had a pneumonia shot, and they said I would never need another one. My doctor insisted I have this new one. I didn't want it, and he knew it, but a nurse was standing there with the shot, and I let them administer it in my upper right arm towards the back. The same day, my arm was useless, and I had to hold on to it as it hurt so bad. I kept trying to get into the doc, but was turned down. I only lived a block away and went into his office, but would not see me. This was, guessing, a year and some ago. My arm hurt that much for a week and then started to be able to move it. But the shoulder joint of that arm is still very painful. I am in therapy for my right arm. Rapid heartbeat and breathing too."

• Oil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2017

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I turn 66 next month, and while getting my annual flu shot, I was advised by the pharmacist to get the first dose of Prevnar 13. Within minutes, my arm started to ache, and by bedtime, it was swollen and quite painful. The next day and following day, and still continuing into the second month, my shoulders and joints are quite inflamed. It feels like my shoulder joint is deeply injured. Sleep is near impossible on my sides where I normally sleep and still mildly painful lying on my back. I won't get the second shot next year as this has been excruciatingly painful."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2017

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I turned age 66 last year, and at annual check-up, my doctor recommended I get a pneumonia shot (never had one). The doctor said to take half that year and the other half this year, and then never take it again. Last year, I had redness and swelling of the arm, joint and body pain, chills, weakness, and cough. The redness had gone after one week, but other symptoms continued for two to three months. This year, at check-up, I told my doctor my side effect symptoms, but he didn't think it was from the shot, so he gave me the other half. Within two hours, my arm was swollen with redness covering the whole upper arm. I was hot at the injection site and had stiffness in the joint and reduced range of motion. I had soreness in the front and back shoulder area. I had body aches, low-grade fever, and was in bed for three days. Some side effect symptoms are better, but redness, soreness, and low range of motion are still present. Never again, thank goodness."

• Bak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2016

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Had the Prevnar 13 yesterday. Couldn't sleep last night, and my arm was painful. I can't lift my arm now, and it's very sore. I put ice packs on it and took aspirin, but so far, it hasn't helped! Hope this is all worth it."

• Bak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2016

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Had the Prevnar 13 yesterday. Couldn't sleep last night, and my arm was painful. I can't lift my arm now, and it's very sore. I put ice packs on it and took aspirin, but so far, it hasn't helped! Hope this is all worth it."

• lih...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I suffered side effects that commenced four days after being vaccinated. They included intense itching at the injection site, redness, and swelling. My arm showed movement limitations the day following the injection, accompanied by moderate pain. On day five, the discomfort was sufficient to inhibit sleeping that night. I see nothing to recommend this treatment for senior citizens, although my doctor administered it to me, knowing I'm 78 years old."

• Rit...
• October 15, 2020

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I am 58 years old. So, in March, during the pandemic, I decided to get the PCV13 shot. A few hours later, that evening, I noticed a rash on my left arm where it was administered. It was swollen and red. The next day, I woke up, and the rash got larger, but now it came with pain and fever. I called my doctor, no one wants to see me, thinking I have COVID. I was told to take Benadryl due to the possibility of a reaction to the drug. I took Claritin because Benadryl is too strong for me. The rash went on for 6 weeks. Muscle aches and joint pain without relief would not allow me to sleep. Fatigue and back pain, plus a headache, contributed to an overall miserable night and day. I went to the pharmacy, no help. Six weeks later, the rash and fever went away. But now the pain escalated, I can barely lift my arm all the way up without being so sore. Every night, up to today, I'm still suffering from the pain in my arm, unable to sleep at night. Mind you, I suffer from fibromyalgia. This medicine is not for everyone."

• gri...
• September 28, 2017

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I had extreme swelling at the injection site, muscle, joint, nerve pain continuing and still there four months after injection. Very limited use and movement of the arm where the injection was done. Inflammation caused plaque in arteries to break loose and clog arteries, resulting in two stents having to be placed in the heart. I still have pain in neck and shoulder muscles......"

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2016

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Within a few days of the Prevnar 13 injection, my left knee became very painful, limited mobility requiring ice, Motrin, and rest. It lasted 6 weeks and spontaneously resolved. Then my right knee started in the same manner, but much worse, and lasted 10 weeks before spontaneously resolving. I did not have any injuries or change in activities to cause this. In both knees, there was NEVER any swelling, just pain and limited mobility."

• BKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2017

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Initial injection hurt slightly, was more than I expected, not like a flu shot. However, arm only slightly sore next morning and by end of day no issue at all. Must admit I’ve had allergy shots in the past that were much worse than this, so maybe I was conditioned. If it truly prevents or lessens the serious diseases they discuss, then it’s definitely worth any minor inconvenience of the injection. Recommend."

• LAU...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 15, 2021

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Was hospitalized with COPD exacerbation, and my Dr. advised me to take the Prevnar 13 because pneumonia could be fatal for me, so I did. That has been going on for 5 years now. I still have a knot where the injection was given. Nobody around here wants to hear about this, but my arm still swells up and gets hot. The pain (unbearable) goes from my elbow to my neck and causes extreme discomfort, and I have to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen and 20 mg of Flexeril 2 times a day for about 3 days, and it subsides enough that I can function. And then I'm back to it. 5 years!"

• fao...
• July 29, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Had this vaccine at Dr.'s request. Regret it. I'd rather have pneumonia injection. The shoulder, neck, back, and arm are extremely painful. I cannot raise my arm and have no strength to lift or move my arm. Wished I had read this site before injection. I cannot drive, or worse yet, walk because I use crutches."

• Sni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2017

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Had this given 7 days ago. Initial pressure and pain with injection and an after-injection pain rush, but then okay. Not as sore as having a flu shot afterward. Piece of cake and glad to hope that I do not end up with pneumonia, as that was really not fun at all. In the hospital for two weeks and weak as a kitten. If you need it, get it."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2016

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "It was initially painful, and I was told that it would hurt the next day. So I thought of it as having a tetanus booster. But within two hours, I lost the use of my arm. Abduction and adduction were painful, and I had to use one arm to lift the other and needed assistance with dressing. I lost time from work and could not drive. This is day 4. I don't see this as an adverse side effect listed on the company website, but there appear to be several examples here. I have to have one a year and a day from the date of this one, and it has made me rethink doing that at this point. Hopefully, this will start to get better. Hopefully."

• Joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2020

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "My arm looked like I had elephantitis, it blew up and was extremely painful."