Unsure whether to book vaccine appointment

[unmumsymummy21]

I received my text this week, inviting me for the jab, as I'm in group 6.

I thought I would be elated, but instantly a sense of dread came over me. I have pretty bad health anxiety, which also spans to medication generally. I worry about medications and side effects. It freaks me out.

I'm on an immunosuppressant because of my condition, but apparently that doesn't cause you to get worse covid. I find that very confusing. But my doctors said that. The vaccine is also fine to have on the immunosuppressant.

Here is my worry- what if I die after ? There was a doctor in Florida who died due to a rare condition kicked off by the vaccine. It's very rare apparently, but it can happen.

I am not anti vaccinations by any means but when my children get theirs, I worry a lot that they'll have bad reactions.

In addition to this I am confused about the messaging from the government. I thought things were going to get a lot better because of the vaccines but this week there have been such negative messages from government ( Grant Shapps ) it has really made me wonder what the hell is going on and why I should even get the vaccine if things won't change or get better ?

May I also add that I've been absolutely terrified of getting / dying of covid this entire year. To the extent that I've had panic attacks about it/ not been able to sleep/ been in the pits of despair. I am in counselling by the way and have been most of the year.

I want the vaccine ! I need reassurance I am going to be OK. I guess this is all about how you evaluate risk. I've been reading a lot about that this year, to calm myself down. I'm over evaluating the risk of the vaccine and I know it's irrational but I'm still really scared. I also over evaluated the risk of dying form covid, which was also irrational. It's been a tough year ! Any kind words of advice welcome.

You say you’ve spent the whole year being terrified of catching COVID - yes me too. I’ve woken up from several bad dreams where I’ve been in situations where I’ve been forced into crowds with no masks and “know” I’ve caught it.

I reckon that contributes to the vaccine fear. A kind of PTSD? Our nerves are already shredded by being clinically vulnerable and inclined to anxiety already. The vaccine is the last straw.

Except it isn’t. It’s our ticket out of this nightmare. Remember eventually the country will open up. We need the protection the vaccine gives. I live a very quiet life but even I need to attend doctor, dentist, hospital, etc.I can’t 100% hide forever.

Read/watch documentaries about the vaccine from trusted sources like Oxford University themselves for instance.

Then go and do something else. Binge-watch something funny. Do anything to distract yourself from thinking about your appointment. Calm yourself with bubble baths or whatever works for you. Limit conversations with anyone who will feed anxiety with their ill-informed opinions.

We are all here for you

Glad to hear you have booked it OP.

May I suggest you don't even discuss it with your parents until it is over and done with or indeed not at aĺl.

It is about getting things in proportion. Would you back a horse that had a one in 14 million chance of winning?

You are piling all your worry on odds that are so vanishingly small. Get your arm out and get jabbed!

Actually it is less than 1 in 14 million as that is only national figures.

I'm still worried but I'm feeling better. I just think it will be a really good feeling to feel protected.

It's very difficult when you have close people in your life who are literally sending articles and videos and calling you daily ( several times a day ) begging you NOT to have the vaccine. It doesn't make it easier when you're already a worrier.

I am not anti vaccinations by any means but when my children get theirs, I worry a lot that they'll have bad reactions.

If the next post you make doesn't say you've now gone and booked it the above claim is bloody disengenous given the content of your posts here.

Just go do it.

I

@unmumsymummy21

Just booked it.

Woo hoo! Well done!

I know anxiety, even mildly and it’s excruciating.

That was a huge thing you did.

You said this :
@midgedude well my parents think I am absolutely insane to get the jab. They've been calling me and begging me not to get it.

Right there is the cause of your issues and the therapy being ineffective

Please see that these people may be your parents but they’re not healthy for you.

If your own child was vulnerable and was worried about booking their jab, would you talk them out of it? Allow them to remain more vulnerable to Covid than they needed to be?

No. You wouldn’t

You would fight all the barriers to help them do something that could keep them safe.

What has your therapist said about the influence of your parents.?

(Ps: don’t tell them you’ve booked it. Don’t tell them anything about it anymore. Be vague.)

My mother is like this. It’s damaging. She told me to come off my steroids (the only reason I can still breathe!) and eat oranges!!!!

She watches every dickhead on the internet who calls himself a doctor and soaks it all right up.

Sometimes I really regret encouraging her to get a computer when she was reluctant all those years ago

@unmumsymummy21

I'm still worried but I'm feeling better. I just think it will be a really good feeling to feel protected.

It's very difficult when you have close people in your life who are literally sending articles and videos and calling you daily ( several times a day ) begging you NOT to have the vaccine. It doesn't make it easier when you're already a worrier.

Please, block them

You know they are bonkers and conspiracy theorists

Whatnow, that has got to be a mistake.
Matt Hancock said over 70's on Monday briefing. And you can book over 70's on nhs website.

In Surrey, we are doing group 7, over 60's and shortly moving onto group 8, over 55's.

@unmumsymummy21

I'm still worried but I'm feeling better. I just think it will be a really good feeling to feel protected.

It's very difficult when you have close people in your life who are literally sending articles and videos and calling you daily ( several times a day ) begging you NOT to have the vaccine. It doesn't make it easier when you're already a worrier.

Even if you did not have anxiety this would be bloody annoying. They need to find a new hobby.

Has it occurred to you that you may be an anxious person in the first place BECAUSE of your parents?

I know that’s what has happened to me and my siblings.

Something to explore going forward. Work on setting boundaries on conversations and contact. The minute they start with this stuff make up an excuse and end the contact.

I'm CV. I caught covid in October, quite probably from school. I ended up in hospital with 7 weeks off work, and 4 months in I'm still not fully better. I will now be taking extra medication for life following that time.

To me the risk of the vaccination feels much much smaller than the risk of covid. I will be jumping at the chance when my fate comes through, and if it eventually turns out to be a regular booster thing I'll be first in the queue where possible.

what do you mean?

Exactly what I said. It is not yet known whether, and to what extent, the vaccines can entirely prevent infection. If you know differently please post the evidence.

@WiseUpJanetWeiss

what do you mean?

Exactly what I said. It is not yet known whether, and to what extent, the vaccines can entirely prevent infection. If you know differently please post the evidence.

We know they don't eliminate the possibility. We do know they reduce severity in vaccinated people who get cv. We do know that you're much less likely to be seriously ill or die if you've been vaccinated.

One doctor in the US versus 14,000,000 people in the UK that had the vaccine and didn't die from having the vaccine. Anti vax are pushing the one doctor (he may have had something else wrong with him anyway).... anxiety is irrational.... 1 versus 14,000,000

@RedToothBrush what ?? Why ? I worry a lot about my children's vaccinations and I worry about my own. What is your problem ? Why would you say this ?

[quote unmumsymummy21]@RedToothBrush what ?? Why ? I worry a lot about my children's vaccinations and I worry about my own. What is your problem ? Why would you say this ?[/quote]
I can't tell you not to read a thread but I feel that this might not be the best for your anxiety / MH

@MzHz totally get what you're saying but my parents believe with everything that they are that this is all BS and that I could die from the vaccine. They believe the whole conspiracy. Hence they think I'm safer not getting it. But I don't think like them but it doesn't help me feel less anxious. We argue about it constantly and I believe we cannot talk about this anymore now.

@stampsurprise

My mother is like this. It’s damaging. She told me to come off my steroids (the only reason I can still breathe!) and eat oranges!!!!

She watches every dickhead on the internet who calls himself a doctor and soaks it all right up.

Sometimes I really regret encouraging her to get a computer when she was reluctant all those years ago

I know it's awful, YouTube and social media has lots of crack pots spreading their unproven rubbish and it's dangerous ....there is one doctor in India spreading that inhaling steam will stop you getting covid....dangerous rubbish that will mean people will die needlessly....hence rhe need to remove false news .... some vulnerable people lap up the false news

Well done for booking it. I work at a special
School and lots of us have had it over the last week. I feel so much more relaxed having had it. I will say though that quite a few people have felt rubbish for two days after, but then it stops and you feel fine. Just so you don't panic if you do feel ill. Also think of it as a sign that you immune system is working and learning.
I only felt slightly headachy and shivery for a few hours.

@unmumsymummy21

I'm still worried but I'm feeling better. I just think it will be a really good feeling to feel protected.

It's very difficult when you have close people in your life who are literally sending articles and videos and calling you daily ( several times a day ) begging you NOT to have the vaccine. It doesn't make it easier when you're already a worrier.

Can I suggest you block them unti, after you have had the vaccine. The tripe they are sending you is very damaging.

@OpheliasCrayon this is why those of us who can have the vaccine should do so - to protect those of you who can't. Stay safe

[quote unmumsymummy21]@MzHz totally get what you're saying but my parents believe with everything that they are that this is all BS and that I could die from the vaccine. They believe the whole conspiracy. Hence they think I'm safer not getting it. But I don't think like them but it doesn't help me feel less anxious. We argue about it constantly and I believe we cannot talk about this anymore now. [/quote]
Best not to talk about it. Not until well after you've had your vacc and clearly haven't died of it. There really is no arguing with stupid, and unfortunately there's even less point arguing with people who've swallowed conspiracy theories.

Fortunately your parents are the exceptions, it seems there's a smaller number of these gullible fools than I'd feared.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/one-person-in-100-is-turning-down-chance-of-covid-vaccine-pxvcd3t09?shareToken=a0119ce396674515d8ce76ef1a483818

Well done for booking, OP.

whatnow - that must be a mistake, or misunderstanding. DH is 68, got his invite yesterday and booked online. His appointment for the first vaccine dose is next week and the second one 11 weeks later, in May. I'd check out what has happened with your mum's booking.

I understand it is a bit daunting but do you obsess about how many people die in car accidents every time before you drive somewhere? Please just focus on the fact that the vaccine is safe.

SpringtimeBluebells

Absolutely! There are other reports falsely claiming pork is involved in the vaccines to discourage Muslims and Jews having their vaccine 😡