Covid vaccine anxiety ....

[Anxietyhell21]

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

@Topbunny

Treedown because we don't hear about those made ill by the jab do we. Woman in my local centre had 3 fits after her booster

Oh go away.

Very rare side effects can happen with any medication / vaccine.

Yes very rare issues can happen with any drug including paracetamol.

Likewise food items like nuts.

Luckily rare is what they are.

There's helpful advice above, and I'm sure someone can go with you.

Speak to your gp, they are able to book appointments for nervous patients either there or at a named centre alternatively tell them person on the door

Hi you can definitely take someone with you . My son is needle phobic and has been allowed company with both his jabs ( he admits they he wouldn’t make it through the door on his own )
Just explain at the door .

OP - speak to the stewards on arrival - let them know about your anxiety, and tell them that you have brought someone along to support you, and you hope that’s OK (it will be!). The steward will then let the lead nurse know, and they will work out how to make sure the experience is as supportive as possible for you. At the centres I work in, this may mean seeing you in a more private area, giving you the option to lie down for your vaccination if you wish - there are many possibilities, and if let the staff know what would help you, they will do their best to respond.

All the best

You can always take someone with you for support. Some people see it as a family day out! Please tell the people at the centre & they will usually have a private room where you can lie down to have it if you want to, and they will let you rest there afterwards if that is what you need.

Good luck, you can do this.

There's a world of difference between being nervous and having generalised anxiety/panic attacks. You have my sympathy OP. It can be overcome, but it'll take some work. There are so many techniques now, its just finding what works for you. I found Paul David's book 'At Last a Life' very helpful, and the No More Panic website good for links to the most up to date therapeutic (non pharma) treatments.

The above advice is for the long term. In the meantime, for a one off (vital, which your vaccine is) medical appointment, a small dose of diazepam half an hour before you go would help. Speak to your GP about that, they can prescribe you a one off dose.

@Tealightsandd

Very rare side effects can happen with any medication / vaccine.

Yes very rare issues can happen with any drug including paracetamol.

Likewise food items like nuts.

Luckily rare is what they are.

I think we’re in agreement here

@Anxietyhell21

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

I have massive anxiety with any medical treatment and hate the NHS for causing my ptsd.

However sometimes I have to deal with them. These are the things that help me

Breathing exercises, try rhythmic breathing 4 in hold for 4 breath out for 4 hold for 4. Do this all the way through. If you start to panic alter to concentrating on breathing out for at least 50% longer than inhale, eg breathe in for 4 out for 6 to rebalance the gasses .

Write down your name, date of birth and address then a short explanation of your anxiety. The. You can hand it over to all (maybe take a few copies). Due to switch in brain activity it’s difficult to speak if you’re panicking.

Try to visualise drawing a simple shape in your minds eye, eg a triangle.

Wear headphones, close your eyes when safe to do so.

Tbh I’ve not had great success in getting anyone in the NHS to agree to anyone coming with me during covid.

Good luck

Thanks @Smokeahontas that's really helpful and a good idea about going with someone else who is also having a vaccine 😊

@GaolBhoAlba thank you for the recommendations. I hadn't thought about asking the GP for something to take, thank you 😊