COVID vaccine water weight gain?

dragon_girl26
dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
This is purely a curiosity question....but did anyone else experience a water weight gain when receiving the vaccine? I got my first dose Wednesday, and the next day I had a 3 lb jump on the scale! Since then I've been up about 2 lbs. I'm not fretting about it..I just thought it was interesting and wondered if anyone else noticed something similar! :)
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Replies

  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    edited March 2021
    cmriverside wrote: »
    I was up nearly three pounds, but I was also super thirsty and drank a LOT of water the day after. I mean, so much water that I felt like I couldn't get enough.

    Makes sense, the immune system kicks into high gear which I'm assuming creates inflammation (?) That part about immune system/inflammation is a guess based on other illnesses I've had: hoping some healthcare professional will chime in....

    Yeah, I'm curious to see how the second dose will go now. I don't recall getting extra thirsty after dose 1 (although I drink a lot anyway). Makes sense though.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    we got our vaccines a few weeks ago. I don't recall noticing any water weight gain. we had the Johnson &johnson one. not sure if that would make a difference or not.
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    edited March 2021
    I got Moderna shot 1 (so far). I have not noticed any weight changes that cannot be accounted for by other factors. But everyone's body is different.

    Day of the vaccine I got tired in the afternoon and went to bed early.

    Following day I felt okay except for arm pain as if punched in the arm the day before (similar to when I had shingrix vaccine #2 several weeks ago) Took it easy out of an abundance of caution.

    Day 3 was uneventful and the arm pain was decreasing. Normal activity.

    Day 4 (yesterday) on a longer-than-average walk I had about 30 seconds of mild sensation of spinning, then developed a headache that lasted until the end of the day. This was on top of a hill next to a cow field and studded with oaks; I am allergic to grass pollen and oak tree pollen and so it's possible this was allergy related rather than shot related. Also I drink tea daily and had a lower-caffeine variety that morning so it might have been caffeine withdrawal. Also due to the long duration of the walk and warm weather it could have been dehydration. Also I had been looking up in the trees and walking on the hill without much attention to my walking so I might have created some kind of conflict between my visual and vestibular systems or twisted my neck without realizing it, to generate a slowly building tension headache. I have also had migraines in the past but the more typical aura for me is visual scintillation not a sense of spinning.

    Subjective sensation of warmth and coldness later in the day, but may have been the result of over- and under-dressing, hot and cold drinks, and hyper-vigilance due to the headache. Thermometer revealed no actual change in temperature. Took an Aleive (Naproxen) at bedtime and ran a hepa air purifier in the bedroom, woke up okay today. My main concern (since this was 4 days out) was less that it could be a shot reaction and more that I might have been exposed and caught Covid at the shot site, as it would be typical for symptoms to begin 4-5 days after exposure.

    Traces of allergic response on a typical daily walk today, but not enough to create a headache. Yesterday was pretty windy so more pollen might have been aloft.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    No change in weight for me.
    No reaction of any kind on the day, bit of a headache next day.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    Aside from the weight change, I didn't experience any other side effects other than a sore arm. Everyone keeps telling me the 2nd dose is the bad one, but then others have said they had no issues. I get round 2 of Pfizer in about two weeks so I guess I'll found out!
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    springlering62 wrote: »
    I did, but that’s because right before I got my shot I treated myself to falafel, pickled stuff, fresh pita, baba ganoush, rosewater lemonade,!and pistachio baklava at a favorite restaurant on a side of town I rarely visit.

    Am so looking forward to the second shot.

    Baba ganoush and homemade pita. Mmmmmm..........

    I also think, based on this, I need to make myself a good plan for my second shot too!! Lol I loooove baba ganoush.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    springlering62 wrote: »
    I did, but that’s because right before I got my shot I treated myself to falafel, pickled stuff, fresh pita, baba ganoush, rosewater lemonade,!and pistachio baklava at a favorite restaurant on a side of town I rarely visit.

    Am so looking forward to the second shot.

    Baba ganoush and homemade pita. Mmmmmm..........

    Oh, man: I could've gotten Ethiopian take-out. It was *right there* on the way home, within a block of the vax drive-through site, and it was almost lunch time, after both of my doses. Why, oh why, did I not think of that!?!? (Now I want Ethiopian . . . .).

    Um, oops: No, I didn't experience any noticeable water weight gain after either shot 1 or shot 2 (Pfizer, if that matters). I honestly didn't experience much of anything after, truthfully.

    I can see how some water retention could happen in theory, though, immune system revving, inflammation, blah blah blah, everybody's different, yaddaYadda. 😉😆

    Happy near-total immunity against symptomatic disease or dangerous symptoms!

    Thank you..and I'm glad to hear you didn't seem to experience any of the rougher side effects with either of your shots. I also got the Pfizer.

    And yeah, the more I read this thread, the more I keep thinking about mapping out a good celebration treat after the second dose!
  • greyhoundwalker
    greyhoundwalker Posts: 21 Member
    dragon_girl26 wrote: »
    Aside from the weight change, I didn't experience any other side effects other than a sore arm. Everyone keeps telling me the 2nd dose is the bad one, but then others have said they had no issues. I get round 2 of Pfizer in about two weeks so I guess I'll found out!

    I had my second Pfizer yesterday, I just have a sore arm nothing else. After the first one I had sore arm, headache and thirst for a couple of days, though I’m in the UK and we have a 12 week gap between doses. Hopefully you will be fine, it’s a good feeling to get them both done.

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    dragon_girl26 wrote: »
    Aside from the weight change, I didn't experience any other side effects other than a sore arm. Everyone keeps telling me the 2nd dose is the bad one, but then others have said they had no issues. I get round 2 of Pfizer in about two weeks so I guess I'll found out!

    I had no real side effects (both doses done, Pfizer) other than needing a nap the day after the first one and thirst after the second one and the arm tenderness which everyone should expect a little bit with an intramuscular injection.

    I was ready for a bigger reaction after that second one but I'm very happy it was pretty easy.

  • MsCzar
    MsCzar Posts: 1,071 Member
    edited March 2021
    Did anybody here who got the two shots adjust their exercise or diet before and/or after? I am getting shot #1 this week.

    I know that grapefruit and grapefruit juice are literally off the table when taking certain meds. Also fish oil supplements are sometimes an issue. Not sure if there are any dietary do's and don'ts for the vaccine.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    The CDC doesn't list any advisories on food or exercise before or after the vaccines.

    I planned on doing nothing the day after.


    They do say to NOT take any OTC pain meds, anti-inflammatories or allergy meds to mitigate possible side effects until AFTER the vaccines. Obviously if you already have to take them for other reasons that would be an exception.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    In the 5 days since my first Pfizer shot, I've been up 0.8 pounds and down a pound from my weight the morning of, so, normal fluctuations.
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    MsCzar wrote: »
    Did anybody here who got the two shots adjust their exercise or diet before and/or after? I am getting shot #1 this week.

    I know that grapefruit and grapefruit juice are literally off the table when taking certain meds. Also fish oil supplements are sometimes an issue. Not sure if there are any dietary do's and don'ts for the vaccine.

    As cmriverside said, if possible, avoid any medication that includes aspirin, ibuprofen, etc beforehand.

    I would recommend treating it afterwards as if you were sick, since your immune system is doing the same kind of work it does when ill and you want to help it do a good job.

    Take it easy, drink plenty of fluids, eat nearer to maintenance.

    Or not. Plenty of people have done fine changing nothing.
  • MsCzar
    MsCzar Posts: 1,071 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »

    That slight "take it easy" was partly that I wanted to let my immune system have plenty of bandwidth, but also that I felt a bit more fatigued than normal . . . but I don't whether from the vaccine or having had a shorter sleep to make it to the early appointment. 🤷‍♀️

    Thanks! I am not at all concerned about a temporary weight gain. I probably skip the scale for a few days. I've also made an early appointment and know that will mean less sleep than usual. I plan to skip my workout on vax day - and if I'm feeling up to it, going very light the following day. Lots of water and lots of rest are on the agenda.

    Think I'll make a big ol' pot of chicken soup this week on the off chance I feel wonky afterwards.

  • 33gail33
    33gail33 Posts: 1,155 Member
    MsCzar wrote: »
    Did anybody here who got the two shots adjust their exercise or diet before and/or after? I am getting shot #1 this week.

    I know that grapefruit and grapefruit juice are literally off the table when taking certain meds. Also fish oil supplements are sometimes an issue. Not sure if there are any dietary do's and don'ts for the vaccine.

    I felt tired and had a mild headache for a couple of days my shot (Pfizer #1) so I didn't work out (spin bike) because I just didn't feel like it. My arm didn't really hurt at all, but I skipped the weights as well for a couple of days just in case. I took advil for the headache.
  • MsCzar
    MsCzar Posts: 1,071 Member
    I know this is all a bit off-track - but as I've watched endless news footage of needles going in arms, it seems the needle looks larger than the one used in my annual flu shot. I'm wondering if larger means more cost-effective given the number needed and if this is the reason for so many sore arms.

    Also wondering if anyone doubled down of their social distancing after the first injection since your immune system was being challenged by the vaccine.

    Can you guys tell I'm getting nervous as vax day approaches? :D
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    MsCzar wrote: »
    I know this is all a bit off-track - but as I've watched endless news footage of needles going in arms, it seems the needle looks larger than the one used in my annual flu shot. I'm wondering if larger means more cost-effective given the number needed and if this is the reason for so many sore arms.

    Also wondering if anyone doubled down of their social distancing after the first injection since your immune system was being challenged by the vaccine.

    Can you guys tell I'm getting nervous as vax day approaches? :D

    Honesty, I am EXTREMELY needle phobic, so I was VERY nervous almost to the point of panic about this. So for me to say it was really was nothing feels significant. I didn't even feel it going in and I didn't watch her do it, so when my nurse said "all done!", I was like..."what? Are you serious?" 😂 The soreness really isn't terrible either. It's one of those things I felt, but it was more of a minor nuisance than a throbbing pain.

    I'll admit I've never taken a flu shot, but people I know who get them regularly said this shot was even easier than the flu shot. The needle is small and thin..at least, mine was. Someone compared it to a diabetic/insulin needle, which I guess is pretty small too (I only know about the ones I used to give my cat)

    I pretty much hibernate in my cave now, so I didn't really have any extra special precautions to take. I never even thought about it until you mentioned it..lol. I may with the second dose, though, since that's the one people seem to have imore ssues with.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    MsCzar wrote: »
    I know this is all a bit off-track - but as I've watched endless news footage of needles going in arms, it seems the needle looks larger than the one used in my annual flu shot. I'm wondering if larger means more cost-effective given the number needed and if this is the reason for so many sore arms.

    Also wondering if anyone doubled down of their social distancing after the first injection since your immune system was being challenged by the vaccine.

    Can you guys tell I'm getting nervous as vax day approaches? :D

    I doubt that's an issue, personally.

    N=1, my arm was sore after my flu shot in the Fall, sore enough that it was uncomfortable to lie in bed on it but not really IMO a huge problem. Soreness after Pfizer #1 was not a problem at all. After #2, it stung for a few moments (nothing major) right away, later (next day) I could feel some light soreness if I pressed on the injection spot, but could sleep on it without noticing anything in particular.

    With n=1 data for Pfizer only, I don't think there's some needle size issue vs. flu vax.

    Keep in mind that skill of the person doing the injection, and (probably more important) random factors about a particular injection, may lead to different superficial effects at the vaccination site. For example: I routinely bruise after blood draws, and quite frequently after injections into muscle (like these). I had no bruise after Pfizer #1, a small one after Pfizer #2. I suspect that accounted for the difference in how it felt, because pressure on a bruise is something one can feel. That's about technique or random luck, not about what went into my arm, which was the same both times. (I can't remember whether I saw a bruise after the flu vax.)

    No, I didn't double down on social distancing after vax 1. I was already taking what I consider to be about the maximum but still practical precautions, so nothing feasible to increase, personally.

    I'm not a medical professional, but if your immune system is weakened by revving to create antibodies, I would think that most of that period, you wouldn't be at substantially higher Covid risk, in the sense that there *are* antibodies, and even vax #1 and things less than the full 2 week wait have seemed to confer some contagion/severity reduction benefits, so you have a speculatively negative effect (immune system depressed in the abstract because busy), with a positive effect (getting some antibodies on patrol). 🤷‍♀️

    You're probably going to have a non-event, or close. Many people do. People more often speak up when they experience problems, and news sources like to report drama, not boring stuff like "I felt fine". It distorts expectations.

    Hoping it's very non-distressing for you!
  • MsCzar
    MsCzar Posts: 1,071 Member
    Thanks!
  • WJS_jeepster
    WJS_jeepster Posts: 224 Member
    I was also randomly up 3 lbs in the days after my first dose of pfizer. Then a week later, I stepped on a dirty nail in my garden wearing flip flops. 11 years since my last tetanus shot, so I had to go in and get that, despite recommendations to not get any other vaccinations within 2 weeks of the COVID vaccine. The doctors had no idea what to do, and ended up calling several state health departments to see if it was ok for me to have the tetanus shot.

    Eventually they decided that a slightly less robust immune response to the COVID vaccine was preferable to dying of lockjaw. Then I was up another pound after that one! Now I am 2 weeks out from COVID dose 1 and 1 week out from tetanus and 2 antibiotics, and finally down a pound again.

    On the needle/pain, the tetanus was WAY worse than the COVID. Much of it also depends on the person giving the vaccine. My COVID was a trainee being supervised, and she was super careful and I barely felt it. The tetanus shot, the surly nurse said "don't pass out on me" then jammed it in. My arm hurt way worse after the tetanus shot (which I guess is normal).
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    MsCzar wrote: »
    I know this is all a bit off-track - but as I've watched endless news footage of needles going in arms, it seems the needle looks larger than the one used in my annual flu shot. I'm wondering if larger means more cost-effective given the number needed and if this is the reason for so many sore arms.

    Also wondering if anyone doubled down of their social distancing after the first injection since your immune system was being challenged by the vaccine.

    Can you guys tell I'm getting nervous as vax day approaches? :D

    I actually told my husband immediately afterward that I thought it was so much skinnier than the flu shot :) You can do it!
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Interesting! Both my husband and I noticed a weight gain in the week following the first Pfizer shot. We wondered if our scale had something wrong with it! I’m down to normal now after two weeks but it lasted a while for me.

    As far as side effects, I felt tired and my arm was sore, but that’s it.
  • 33gail33
    33gail33 Posts: 1,155 Member
    edited March 2021
    MsCzar wrote: »
    I know this is all a bit off-track - but as I've watched endless news footage of needles going in arms, it seems the needle looks larger than the one used in my annual flu shot. I'm wondering if larger means more cost-effective given the number needed and if this is the reason for so many sore arms.

    Also wondering if anyone doubled down of their social distancing after the first injection since your immune system was being challenged by the vaccine.

    Can you guys tell I'm getting nervous as vax day approaches? :D

    The needle is tiny - like the tiniest needle I have ever had I think - I didn't even feel it. And contrary to what others experienced my arm didn't hurt at all after (I did have a headache and fatigue for a couple of days).

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