Yay! Glad you are getting the second shot. And always good to be prepared for feeling a little down a day or two after a vaccine if you can. After a strong response to the first, my second was nothing unusual (little arm soreness? I remember the first -- not the second. LOL). I hope you have the same. I strongly encourage anyone who has reservations about a second shot to get it. My feeling is that if you had a strong reaction, you are EXACTLY who benefits most from and may need the vaccine, including the second dose, the most. If you still had a strong immunity to the virus and were likely to hold the virus at bay over the years, it doesn't seem your body would have such a strong response. Seeing my husband's pain for months and my cousin worrying about her husband possibly going blind was enough for me. I'll get a third shot if they ever decide it is needed....

Just saw this article today about another immune response to the vaccine, which causes blisters, very dangerous if not treated. We know so little about the immune system, and doctors often know little about immune responses to various things. I went to see a whole host of specialists for my rash but finally figured it out by myself. One thing for sure, these symptoms should not be ignored by doctors just because they're not sure what is causing them. They should be investigated. Do read this story, linked here. Thankfully the doctor of the woman featured did some research and outreach to try and find treatment for her, better than what would have happened if s/he had just said, "Oh it will go away" . . . or kept at the standard protocols and didn't realize that there were new developments. Having had some "atypical" responses to other medications, and my one serious but not life threatening reaction to the measles vaccine, I would say that one should err on the side of caution and monitor the situation closely with the help of a GOOD doctor. It's difficult sometimes to decide how seriously to take these minor annoyances because most of the time they just resolve on their own, except when they don't . . . I'm always paranoid I will ignore some skin cancer sign . . .but on the flip side I don't have the time or money to be running to the doctor for every little thing . . . https://www.yahoo.com/news/few-covid-vaccine-recipients-developed-133911410.html Edited to add that hubs had a recurring rash that he said he picked up "in the pool at college" which recurs whenever he spends time in a public pool. It looks like the "whole body" pictures of the Pityriasis. It comes and goes at other times too. Like I said, association is not causation, because I got my first Pityriasis outbreak in college and had never spent time in the pool there, although I did go to the hot steam sauna a couple of times which necessitated going into the locker room. But still, that's just the age I was, of the typical outbreak. It came and went with me having no idea why. I did not realize that it could occur later in life. I have not had a flare up again of it. I don't have a problem with our town's public pool or locker room so far, although I never frequented it a lot. Edited AGAIN to add that delving into the fine print of the whole article Nosoccermom posted, Pityriasis rosacea is also indicated as a possible side effect of taking omoprazole/Prilosec, which hubs has started taking for acid reflux. https://www.drugs.com/omeprazole.html Ah the mysteries of the immune system . . .

I am referring to the vaccine against BA4 and BA5 subvariants. I got it a week ago. We are traveling, so I thought it would be a good idea to get it even tho' it won't be in full force when we leave. The BA4 and BA5 are the most transmissible strains of Omicron.

I cannot create a new thread or post. I have had a lot of trouble logging in to houzz or garden web. I repeatedly get an error page ”Sorry… ~ we cannot find any results.” I have not violated any terms and have not been reprimanded or informed of any perceived infractions or complaints. I cannot reach ”Emily” and there seems to be an outdated protocol for doing so, and a ?maybe a newer very very circuitous way to do that. If anyone can find “Emily” please copy paste this note to her. If I am not going to be allowed access to post as a longstanding member (since the 1990s), I want to at least say goodbye to many friends here on GW and to remove any and all files and info. I wish member donna_loomis all the best with her surgery (today) and recovery. Perhaps this is a forced or hacked goodbye; I do not know. I am not feeling energetic or patient enough to f around with this messed up site and no effective way to communicate to management. If I do not get back to any forum, I just want you all to know, I appreciate every one of you. So many fine people here. petalique PS edited typos ❤️