Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Covid vaccine anxiety ....

37 replies

Anxietyhell21 · 03/01/2022 16:46

Hello
Have followed this page for years, first post.
Just looking for words of encouragement really.
I had a bit of a mental breakdown in the summer where I was having panic attacks several times a day. I can control the panic attacks now but I do have constant anxiety.
This all came about due to my daily worry over covid, homeschooling, isolation etc

I've had my first vaccine, May 2021. I then had my mental breakdown a couple of months later. Just thinking about going for the 2nd vaccine gives me a panic attack. I don't know why though, I'm not scared of needles. But I felt very funny when I had my first jab like I was going to pass out.

On the other hand I'm obviously worrying about getting covid too. My head is all over the place and whichever way I go, I end up panicked. Over Xmas, a family member who was staying with us received a text saying a friend she had spent time with had tested positive. I went in to full hyperventilating, panic attacks and spent the rest of the day in bed.

I did book and turn up for my 2nd jab but had a panic attack at the door and had to leave.

I know I need to get it done 😢😢

Covid is literally consuming my life and I hate what this has done to me.

Any words of encouragement? I appreciate this post sounds pathetic but it's really affecting my life at the moment.

Thank you

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 03/01/2022 16:49

Let the door steward at the vaccine centre know that you are nervous and they should be able to accommodate you in a more private place, giving you plenty of time at each stage.

Akire · 03/01/2022 16:49

The fact that you went to the door shows a lot of courage. You need think what support you need to get it done. Any friends that could go? How about writing a note to show staff on door that you are really nervous and could you see member staff could with nervous patients, hopefully they would fast track you somewhere quiet and be able chat with you. You will not be the first or last to feel anxious about it

UserError012345 · 03/01/2022 16:52

I've just been for my booster - in & out in 10. Felt a slight prick (chuckle - I know childish) and it was all done.

You can do it. Once done you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

Be brave.

Sirzy · 03/01/2022 16:53

Have you spoken to your GP or anyone about getting help with the anxiety overall?

Do you have a loved one who would come with you and help explain things to the staff?

Treedown · 03/01/2022 16:53

i have anxiety and felt a bit odd too but I was fine with my second. I know dizziness etc was down to anxiety and not the jab.

try and remember that whilst you felt funny and like you were going to pass out- you didn't! Nothing happened and you were OK. it will be the same :)

Clovacloud · 03/01/2022 16:54

Book an appointment for first thing in the morning, and then let the steward know you are phobic. They will rush you through, and you’ll been instantly. My daughter has ASD and is needle phobic, and we’ve done that 3 times now. It means it’s super fast and she doesn’t get time to think about it. You can do this, honestly it’ll be ok. Good luck!

Topbunny · 03/01/2022 16:57

Well I've not had the jabs and I'm ok!

PaulGallico · 03/01/2022 17:01

Another thread of this type...why am I not surprised that this is the first time you have posted on MN OP and your post is about vaccine anxiety - as are all the others who post almost daily.

Treedown · 03/01/2022 17:02

Good luck with that @Topbunny
Everyone who has died or had major consequences from covid was OK one day, until suddenly they weren't Hmm

Topbunny · 03/01/2022 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

MalfunctioningRobot · 03/01/2022 17:32

The people I’ve seen doing the check in when people arrive have always been lovely so I agree talk to them. I overheard one man telling the nurse doing his jab that he was prone to fainting sometimes with injections and she took the time to talk to him and let him sit afterwards until she was sure he was ok.

Over Christmas a couple of members of my family tested positive for COVID, two who hadn’t yet had boosters while the rest of us had. We were all together over Christmas so theoretically all could have caught it from each other but it was only those two who tested positive. So as an unofficial experiment of the benefits of having a vaccine, that seemed proven in our case.

hugr · 03/01/2022 17:39

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Wolfiefan · 03/01/2022 17:40

That doesn’t sound pathetic. It sounds like your MH is really suffering. Have you sought treatment for that?

Topbunny · 03/01/2022 17:44

Hugr what vaccine have you ever had in your life that you've had to worry about seizures

Needsmorebeans · 03/01/2022 17:45

I volunteer at a vaccine centre and some people felt a bit funny after their first jab. They were anxious and found it all quite emotional and a relief. As others have said, tell the marshal when you go in and also the nurse and they will look after you. Also take a drink of water and eat before you go. Good luck.

Treedown · 03/01/2022 17:46

@Topbunny every vaccine pretty much. I suggest you go read your basic medicines label's. death is on quite a lot of them

Original poster
Anxietyhell21 · 03/01/2022 17:50

Thanks for all the helpful and kind comments.
I wasn't sure if someone would be allowed to come with me to my appointment? That would be helpful.
My mental health issues are certainly triggered by covid. I do have an appointment with my GP to discuss medication this week. I had previously been offered this but wanted to try CBT and other things before trying medication, whilst they've been helpful and I am better than I was, I still have this daily anxiety/health anxiety etc
Obviously reading about someone having seizures after the vaccine isn't helping.
I have to ban myself from news websites and social media for this very reason!
Thanks

OP posts:
hugr · 03/01/2022 17:51

@Topbunny

Hugr what vaccine have you ever had in your life that you've had to worry about seizures
You don't have to worry about seizures specifically. It's a vanishingly rare complication of all vaccines, and a slightly less rare complication of all infections.
ThePoint678 · 03/01/2022 17:52

I really feel for you OP and can feel that you’re having a rough time.

Re your vaccine - you know you need to get it done and the fact that you made the appointment and turned up was really brave. You just need a second go at it now to get it done. Make another appointment fir the first available time and tell them you’re anxious. Can you take someone with you that you trust and who will confidently lead you through the process? You can do it. It’s important.

Then I think you should get an appointment with your GP about your anxiety generally and see if you can get support around that. Hopefully having gotten vaccinated you may feel better about the Covid risk generally. This year (and last) has been brutal and you’ve juggled so much. Acknowledge that. But acknowledge that you’re making your way through it and you can continue to do that.

Good luck OP. You can do this. x

EllaVaNight · 03/01/2022 17:53

I just wanted to reassure you our vaccine centre is great with nervous people. A friend has a huge phobia of needles and they were fantastic. I went along for support so I could explain things if she didn't feel able to. They took her to a more private area and she's managed to have both. Can you take someone along?

XenoBitch · 03/01/2022 17:53

Sorry to read this, OP. Anxiety is bloody horrible Flowers

Have a look online on how to to square breathing. It is good at staving off a panic attack if you recognise the signs early enough.

I hear that the stewards at vaccine centres are really good at spotting who is struggling in the queue. Chances are, one will see you and get you in and sorted quickly. If you think you might struggle to speak, then write all your details down.

Have something nice to look forward to afterwards. There was a phobic lady on the Corona board who bought herself new boots afterwards. Or it can be a nice coffee somewhere.

You can do this.

Smokeahontas · 03/01/2022 17:54

According to Google, it’s a (very low) risk with quite a few

www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/febrile-seizures.html

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC320893/

www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e7594

Nothing to do with these vaccines in particular.

Tealightsandd · 03/01/2022 17:56

OP ignore TopBunny's supremely unhelpful 'contributions'.

I'm sorry you're struggling. Anxiety can be crippling. Please seek help regardless of Covid and vaccine. Have you spoken to your GP? There's also self referral talk therapies in many areas (some, you have to go through GP).

In the meantime for the vaccine. Agree with pp about speaking to the vaccine centre. The people working and volunteering are very understanding of anxiety and will do everything they can to help you.

It might also be worth getting some diazepam from your GP as a one off. I take it before smears after I had a bad experience.

Good luck Flowers

Smokeahontas · 03/01/2022 17:57

And that’s not meant to frighten OP. Very rare side effects can happen with any medication / vaccine.

@Anxietyhell21 do you know anyone that’s due to have a booster or other dose? You might be able to get an appointment together and bring someone for support.

ilovesooty · 03/01/2022 17:59

@Topbunny

Well I've not had the jabs and I'm ok!
How is that helpful to the OP?