Under 30 and second dose - please help me feel better.

[Buby51]

I’m 29, nearly 30 and had my first dose of Astra Zeneca in Feb. Due my second next week.

I am extremely anxious about it. I didn’t have any side effects after the last one other than some crazy palpitations a few days later - but this may have been purely coincidental as I do suffer with them anyway due to anxiety.

I know the risk of a blood clot is pretty low still.

I was given invited to get vaccine as I am unpaid carer. But I wish I waited so I didn’t get Astra Zeneca.

Any other under 30’s had the first Astra Zeneca and had it awaiting the second? How do you feel?!

Please reassure me! I am thinking of doing an e-consult with my gp surgery so they can help put me at ease but don’t want to waste their time.

I’ve read that a headache is a possible sign of a blood clot. But I suffer from Tmj disorder which can give me really bad headaches. I am very likely to get one after the jab so I’m already dreading the time after. Questioning whether it’s a blood clot or my TMJ. My TMJ causes me headaches that are worse she lying down which is noted as a symptom to watch out for too...

Advice? Help? Make me feel getter please.

Not an aibu sorry but worried it won’t be seen by a lot of people if I put this elsewhere.

I'm 49. I've had both AZ jabs. Glad to.

First one I was very fluey. Second one almost no side effects.

I really think you need to look at this positively, it is so important that we all get vaccinated.

Chance of clots is VERY small so I really don't think there is cause for concern.

If you have a specific reason to believe it will interact with your condition then maybe consult your GP, if you really feel it is necessary.

The sense of safety & relief I feel now that I'm fully vaccinated makes it all well worth it. HTH

Do you take oral contraception? The risk of clotting is far smaller than that.

@Foxyloxy1plus1

Do you take oral contraception? The risk of clotting is far smaller than that.

I used to be but haven’t been for a few years 😊

The rare clotting thing is even rarer after a second dose.

It’s normal to be anxious about jabs, especially if you’ve got anxiety.

Mine is in a few weeks. Most of my friends have had their second dose over the last week or so. All around our 30s. All fine.

I did have blood clot related symptoms after my first dose, and I’m still getting the second one. You had the first one and were fine - you’re half way there. The worst that you’re likely to get is a bit of a temperature.

Keep reminding yourself that you are half way there, and that you got through the first half fine, and then stop thinking about it. An elastic band around your wrist might help, so you can ping it when your mind won’t stop thinking about the vaccine. It’s hard, but it’s not impossible.

You’ve got this.

If you survived the first one I would have thought the second one would be fine as it would suggest you don't have a tenancy for the clot reaction surely?

I've had 1 AZ. It was unpleasant for the 24hes afterwards - but a whole lot less unpleasant that actually getting covid!

As I understand it, if you didn’t have any problems with the first dose, then the second dose should be no problem. There is a lot of scaremongering out there about blood clots, especially when you compare to the risks of other taking things (like contraceptives).

Dh (52), myself (48) and dd (19) all had the AZ, with only minor side effects, and will shortly be having the 2nd jab.

Recent research seems to show that the risk of clotting with AstraZeneca has been found to be pretty-much the same as with Pfizer and Moderna anyway; and as yet it is not advised to mix vaccines. So if you want to have a far better chance of not getting SARS-CoV-2, having the second dose of AZ is your best course of action.

The disease itself carries a far higher risk of that clotting.

In addition to that, there has as yet been no case of clotting after the second dose of vaccine; as far as I know (and all the usual things about I Am Not A Doctor Nor A Researcher In This Field) all have been after the first dose.

If you were not one of the four in a million who had this problem with your first dose, you are really not at all likely to have it with your second. And since you say you had no symptoms apart from the possibly coincidental palpitations some days after the first dose, you're likely to get none with the second either, you lucky blighter.

All the advice I have seen from what I would call "reputable sources" has been the same as the government advice: "If you have already had a first dose of AZ vaccine without suffering any serious side effects you should complete the course. This includes people aged 18 to 29 years who are health and social care workers, unpaid carers and family members of those who are immunosuppressed."

You are not being unreasonable to be afraid, but the fear is of something which is really very unlikely indeed to happen.

(I do hope very much that the TMJ disorder is treatable and the headaches can be stopped.)

I'm 27 and had my second dose last week with practically no side effects at all from it (only a bit of muscle ache).

I had worse side effects from the first dose.

There's a statistically tiny chance that you'll get any clot from the AZ jab, but if it's really freaking you out I guess you can see if there's an alternative vaccine you can get instead? I read that they were doing some scientific trials recently using different vaccines for the first and second doses...

I'm 27, I'm due my second AZ next week, again eligible due to my job.

I'm also breastfeeding and trying to convince a baby.

I can't have Pfizer due to allergies / anaphylactic risk.

I'm in the higher risk category for blood clots as I have a family history so I'm possibly more prone than joe blogs.

I'm not worried at all. I am more likely to get a blood clot during pregnancy etc then due to the vaccine. It has been blown out of proportion and I really don't think you need to worry. I'd rather not being covid home from work and infect my 1 year old baby.

Speak to your GP if you think it'll help. I suspect this is more about your anxiety than your actual risk.

Thanks all. I spoke to someone today who was told to watch out for palpitations now too! But I get these anyway as above. I just feel I will be driving myself crazy looking for the signs after and wondering if it’s my normal anxiety and tmj stuff or a clot (yes I do have serious anxiety) dp is having his first jab around the same time I’m having my second too.. he is a little older than me though (40!)

I need to stay away from social media too. There’s a lot of fake news on there! 😒

There is a very positive thread on here at www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4233679-UK-vaccination-thread-started-1st-May-2021
which you might find a good place to go just to keep up with what is happening without the scare stories.

In my area, almost certainly as a direct result of the vaccination programme having done so well, there have been no covid-related deaths reported in the past two weeks! We're getting there. And you will be one of the people helping to make it so.

Covid is much more likely to kill you even as a 29 year old.

I'm 31 and had my second 13 days ago. Not gonna lie this one gave me headaches for a few days and neck stiffness but I'm still grateful for the peace of mind it brings.

Don't forget the specific type of clot is also associated with low platelets so there's also a rash to look out for too. It's really unlikely you need to worry about anything

I'm 31 and had AZ. I'm not worried at all

Under 30s are at no higher risk of clotting, it’s because they’re at such LOW risk of dying of Covid that the risk of the vaccine vs not the vaccine is similar. ie. you have a similar chance of dying from Covid or from a blood clot, both of which are infinitesimally small (and it’s still not proven for sure the blood clot risk is actually higher than the background risk of a blood clot even without the jab). Older groups are also at risk from blood clots, just they’re more at risk from Covid so it’s less of an ethical issue to ask them to have the jabs. So really, you’re at the same risk whether or not you have the jab so why not just have it?

I've just turned 30 and had my second a few weeks ago. I had no reaction at all with the first jab but did suffer quite badly with severe abdominal cramps following the 2nd. I had to take 3 days off work and did ring 111 for advice as apparently abdominal pain can be a sign of a rare type of blood clot.

They sent me up to A&E and did some tests. All came back negative with no signs of a clot so I was discharged with painkillers. I'm awaiting an ultrasound to check if it was an ovarian cyst, but feel completely fine now. There are some records online of other women suffering severe abdominal & pelvic pain following the AZ jab.

Even after that, I'm so pleased that I'm fully vaccinated and would still advise others to get jabbed. If you do suffer afterwards, ring 111. They can advise and can help you. Better safe than sorry!

My 22 year old DC and myself had our second doses (AZ) 2 weeks ago and were fine. My DC was a little tiny bit run down the following day so just took it easy and was completely normal the next day.
My DC suffers with a lot of anxiety so we really had to help manage that and reassure a lot. I could see how relieved my DC was a couple of days after once they realised all had gone well.

I’m in my 20s and having my second AZ in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait, would bring it forward if I could, and wish I could get my bf vaccinated at the same time.

Personally OP, I'd wait until the pfizer jab was being offered and not get the 2nd dose of AZ. In my country, nobody under a certain age (maybe 50?) can get the AZ vaccine and if anyone has already had the first dose of AZ before the rule was brought in, they get the 2nd dose of pfizer. In my opinion, the UK is being reckless in offering the astrazeneca vaccine to those under 30, where the risk outweighs the reward.

Have they done a proper study into what the effects of mixing vaccines is? I remember vague "initial research suggests..." type stuff.

FWIW OP I've had my first AZ jab and intend to go for my second. I'm high risk for blood clots (genetic blood clotting condition, have had two DVTs previously) but have done some research and have seen the increased risk related to the jab is from a platelet issue rather than the one I have, so am going ahead.

I know that's rambling but I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you have concerns, do some research, don't just go by the "ooh I don't know, you never know what's in them, we're all just guineapigs" comments online. As others have said, you've got a higher risk of clots from taking birth control pills (which I do not take, fyi, because of my condition) than from the AZ.

It’s understandable to be nervous with everything in the news but everyone has given you sensible advice above about risks being much higher with pills and covid itself. The risk with the second dose is lower because as others have said it’s not a usual clot making mechanism. It’s more similar to a drug reaction some people get with a treatment called heparin. So think of it more like an allergic reaction and therefore if you had no issues with the first dose then it’s fine to go ahead with the second.
Also regarding your headaches what you would need to look out for is a headache which is different to your normal. Most times there is also neurological symptoms so weakness problems, visual issues etc. and the headache is very severe too and doesn’t respond to usual painkillers.
Don’t agree with PP comments re waiting for another vaccine as that is not yet proved to give as good coverage against covid & it would delay you completing your course and getting fully protected.
FYI I am a doctor, GP, not a specialist in this area but have vaccinated a few people!

@Smalldogbigdog The UK isn't vaccinating under 30s with AZ UNLESS its a second vaccine.

Can you see this?