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Original poster

I’m terrified of the vaccine

70 replies

Icantbebrave · 25/02/2021 22:26

I’ll start off by saying I have severe health anxiety and have done for many years.
I think I had covid last March and I was ill for a couple of days.
One of my big triggers in my health anxiety is a racing heart. Whenever I get a fever, I get tachycardia.
I’ve heard from friends and family who have had the vaccine that they got fever and a fast heart rate as a side effect.
I feel like by having the jab I’m willingly putting myself in the position where I’ll feel like this.
I’m not in an ‘at risk’ category, but I feel a lot of peer pressure to get the vaccine.
Especially when reading about the vaccine passports too, I’m scared I’ll be left behind and won’t be allowed to have a life due to my fear.

I’m not an anti vaxxer by any means and I don’t think it’s a conspiracy theory or a microchip or anything like that.

Does anyone else feel like me? I don’t think I’ll actually be able to force myself into the surgery to have it done when it’s my turn.

I’m 31 and no underlying health issues, so I’ll be way down the list anyway.

OP posts:
parietal · 25/02/2021 22:28

not everyone gets side effects. most people have nothing more than a sore arm.

when you go to get the vaccine, just keep reminding yourself of the benefits of being vaccinated and being safe. Having the vaccine is SO much better than getting covid.

WaterBottle123 · 25/02/2021 22:28

Ask GP to prescribe a small dose of Valium before the jab, that will solve the physical symptoms and you'll be sorted. No need to over think it, we have solutions.

I get this done for smear tests as I get so nervous.

FossilisedFanny · 25/02/2021 22:29

It’s entirely up to you if you have it or not, I guess you have to weigh up the pros and cons for yourself. Could you seek some counselling to help overcome the anxiety?

UmbilicusProfundus · 25/02/2021 22:49

Or maybe propranolol if the GP is reluctant to consider diazepam. It can be used for anxiety and slows down a racing heart so might be good in this kind of situation.

QueenPaw · 25/02/2021 23:02

I had the AZ as did my parents
If this helps! I'm CEV with an immune system that does sweet FA apart from overreact to normal body functions Hmm
Parents - no side effects at all not even a sore arm
I had a headache then went to bed, spent the night restless as hot/cold/shivering and achy but no actual fever. Tired the next day and arm sore but then fine. No heart rate issues at all, it was odd, a bit like I had dreamt it happened! I took paracetamol after the vaccine then again before bed, also tend to worry about health things but it was very.. not frightening

LouiseTrees · 25/02/2021 23:04

So would you rather have the health anxiety of catching full blown COVID?

BabyElephant2 · 25/02/2021 23:39

What’s there to be terrified of? It’s an optional vaccine?

partyatthepalace · 25/02/2021 23:46

@WaterBottle123

Ask GP to prescribe a small dose of Valium before the jab, that will solve the physical symptoms and you'll be sorted. No need to over think it, we have solutions.

I get this done for smear tests as I get so nervous.

This sounds like a good idea.

I don’t think the side effects you describe as especially common OP. I do think it will restrict you if you don’t have it.

recluse · 25/02/2021 23:47

I’ve had it this evening (Pfizer) and am lying in bed now feeling tired and with a sore arm, nothing else. Please try not to worry.

Porcupineintherough · 26/02/2021 06:24

Then dont have it. Have COVID instead and experience the raw glory of a virus known for causing both tachycardia and heart inflammation as well. Covid can cause every single one of the side effects listed for the vaccine only worse, and you can enjoy them in their wild form, on a random and (if you are lucky) never ending cycle.

year5teacher · 26/02/2021 06:27

Beta blockers. Ask your doctor about propranolol.

Original poster
Icantbebrave · 26/02/2021 07:07

I think I have had covid. I was really unwell last March.

OP posts:
EileenGC · 26/02/2021 07:11

You can catch Covid twice. Especially with all the new variants.

The vaccine isn’t compulsory but try to think the side effects will be much less than if you were to catch Covid again (or for the first time, you don’t know for sure you had it last year). If you’re 31 you should have a few more months until it’s offered to you, I would try and see how the uptake helps bring cases down and remember a vaccine reaction lasts 2-3 days max, which is much better than getting long Covid.

FoolsAssassin · 26/02/2021 07:11

Pretty sure I had Covid last March which left me with episodes of tachycardia for months. I had the vaccine at the weekend and had a very tiny bit but so little compared with before if that helps to know.

MarieFromStTropez · 26/02/2021 07:12

You can still catch it again. Someone I know had it in April and by October had no antibodies.

Another person I know who had it has been left with severe heart problems. He was a previously healthy 35 year old.

OP, you can take something to bring your temperature down from the vaccine, if indeed you have a temperature rise.

RosesAndHellebores · 26/02/2021 07:12

If you think you've had covid, pay for an antibody test and make an informed decision. Personally, I'd have more concerns about not having the vaccine and catching the virus asymptomatically and transmitting the virus to a vulnerable person who couldn't have it for health reasons.

FiveShelties · 26/02/2021 07:14

If you were only ill for a couple of days with Covid in March it might be worth the risk of not having the vaccination and hoping you do not have another dose which puts you in hospital. Depends what you think would be worse.

starfish4 · 26/02/2021 07:16

Myself and my husband have had the vaccine. I felt a bit sick for a few hours, DH ached - neither of us had a temperature or increased heart rate. My three friends, Mum and Auntie had inside effects.

Do you have anyone who can meet you afterwards?

FiveShelties · 26/02/2021 07:17

sorry posted too soon ....

Do you have family that you could pass the Virus on to?

MoirasRoses · 26/02/2021 07:17

You can catch Covid twice @Icantbebrave .. so if you had it in March, you could get it again. As we come up to a year, it is likely your immunity may have waned significantly (although it’s all an unknown). Some people get it more mildly second time but some get it worse..

You don’t have to have the vaccine but it you have health anxiety, it seems a complete no brainer. Side effects would be for 24 hours & then you’ll be fine & protected against an unpredictable virus. And that’s if you get any side effects. I’m terrified of being sick and I would pay a million pounds to have a vaccine against norovirus! It’s a real fear. However, I have to put my fear aside for the sake of my kids now I’m a parent. My children go to nursery, softplay etc (in normal times) where they could easily pick up a sick bug.. it wouldn’t be fair of me to hold them back! 🤷🏼‍♀️ Sometimes you have to put on your big girl pants and get on with things!

southeastdweller · 26/02/2021 07:26

The vaccine passports may not happen anyway. Why not see how that pans out until you’re called up?

You don’t have to have the vaccine. Your body, your choice.

Kittytheteapot · 26/02/2021 07:32

I've recently become terrified of the vaccine too, but for a different reason. I have heard some people can vomit following It and I have severe emetophobia. Apparently up to 1 in 10 have this sickness?! I have gone from eagerly awaiting the vaccine to wondering if I will be able to go through with it and feeling tearful at the thought I might not be able to. I know it sounds ridiculous to anyone without emetophobia but for me, it is a massive alll-consuming fear.

OP, I don't know about your fears, but it does sound like there might be some medication you could try. It's worth a call to your GP.

lightand · 26/02/2021 07:34

Speak to your GP

As regards getting yourself into the surgery to have it done, just saying it may not be your surgery[that may be me missing the point]. Venues ar ound here are largely not the surgeries.

Ch3rish · 26/02/2021 07:35

Some people have no side effects at all, some are quite i'll for a couple of days. Anecdotally older people suffer less but there's no way to predict how you'll feel unfortunately. Maybe follow up on some of the suggestions above but don't assume you'll react in the same way as someone who tells youth were fine or that they weren't there's no correlation between young them.

PracticingPerson · 26/02/2021 07:40

Accept who you are, and then work through it. Health anxiety is tough, only you can work through it and bullying won't help Flowers

You want the vaccine but are worried you can't. You have lots of time yet due to your age.

Speak to your go about medication to help. Get support for the health anxiety. Consider stuff like hypnotherapy.

Remember your vaccine offer isn't 'come Tuesday or miss out forever' - you can think it through and go prepared.

I agree though, my view is the vaccine risk is much lower than the covid risk, it is just there is control and a clear moment when you choose to have the vaccine whereas catching covid is random.

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