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Original poster

Astra zenaca!

99 replies

Beep9724 · 26/02/2021 19:04

Hi all, having covid vaccination Sunday! Pretty sure it will be AZ we know a fair few people who have had it in same place and it’s been AZ.

I’m really pleased of course but what kind of side effects should I be concerned about? I know everyone is different but heard a few stories of people feeling poop after having it!

What do I expect?

Somebody told me they felt ill for 2 weeks afterwards yet another said they felt groggy for about 12 hours then fine.

Hoping because I’m having it Sunday I’ll be fine by Monday for the week!

I don’t deal well with being ill with two disabled children (it’s hard work). I know that the vaccination will be better than covid though of course!

OP posts:
DialsMavis · 26/02/2021 22:42

It's interesting to read that the side effects for Pfizer may come with the 2nd dose as everyone I know who had that one haven't had side effects but those who had AZ had.

BackforGood · 26/02/2021 22:43

I had AZ a couple of weeks ago.
No issues at all.
Not even a sore arm.

Looking back, I did have a mild headache the next day (not bad enough to even need paracetamol), but I do get headaches sometimes probably due to a combination of not getting enough sleep and spending too high a proportion of each day looking at a screen, so I'm not connecting that to the jab.

I've been told the needle is thinner than your average needle, which explains why there wasn't even a sore arm.
Most people I know who have had it have either had no symptoms at all or felt "a bit under the weather" the next day.

Needmoresleep · 26/02/2021 22:53

I had AZ a week ago. The first two days was as I expected in that I had fatigue , a bit of joint ache, some burning sensations and some headache but nothing particularly problematic.

But my arm remains sore. At first it spread across my shoulder and up my neck. It’s retreating slowly, but it has been unpleasant. I heard someone today that had the same and it lasted two weeks. Interestingly I think I had COVID before the first lockdown, and I hear reactions can be stronger if your body is already geared up to fight.

butterry · 26/02/2021 22:55

I think the places do both and won't know until the day what supplies will be given. I went to a clinic that only has Pfizer, it was a small residential area GP, the kind in a house so I was a bit surprised because of the storage needed for Pfizer.
Side effects for Pfizer in my family: 2 over 65s no symptoms at all, 2 mid 30s had sore arms, nausea and headache (one of whom had mild Covid last summer)
No side effects for Astra Zeneca at all for 2 over 65s in my family

GeorgeandHarold66 · 26/02/2021 23:03

I had a sore, swollen arm for 9 days afterwards but it was fairly mild, no painkillers needed. Felt slightly icky for 24 hours but again, very mild.

Original poster
Beep9724 · 27/02/2021 10:53

@OrangeSamphire

Hi OP, I have two disabled children too and was worried about the same thing.

Do either of your children have a PA or respite care?

I organised my vaccine for the morning of the day my youngest goes to overnight respite care and for when my DH would be available to look after our other child, just in case I felt awful.

It helped as I was able to not do much the day I had the vaccine, except work from my armchair, and then I went to bed early with a paracetamol and slept knowing I would not be interrupted in the night.

I can’t say for sure but I think it helped. Felt a bit rough the afternoon after the jab, but fine by the next day.

Hi! No they don’t. I have booked it tomorrow morning so dp will be home (he works long hours Monday-Saturday). He’s also not in until Monday afternoon so hoping for some rest as he will be fully home for over a day and a half after 😀 hope it goes okay for you 🌸
OP posts:
Original poster
Beep9724 · 27/02/2021 10:53

Thanks all 🌸

OP posts:
Chillihat · 27/02/2021 11:02

I've had fever, chills, nausea, bad headache and a slightly sore arm. Much better after 24 hrs and now just a bit tired and slight headache. So grateful to have had the jab.

It is advised not to drink alcohol for 2 weeks afterwards to increase the immune response.

HelebethH · 27/02/2021 11:13

Had it last Thursday. Felt very tired yesterday and crashed for three hours. Arm feels a little heavy. Otherwise fine.

CurbsideProphet · 27/02/2021 15:54

I had the AZ vaccine yesterday afternoon (group 6) and was up most of the night with the worst chills / shakes I've ever experienced. Today I have a terrible headache, more of a migraine, am completely knackered, and can't lift my arm up.

However, I'm reminding myself that if I caught covid I would feel a lot worse than this.

Anon778833 · 27/02/2021 16:06

My main symptoms so far have been aching all over and feeling very tired. I feel like I’ve done a major work out with a hang over on top. No fever or anything (yet).

Spodge · 27/02/2021 17:57

I had AZ on Weds at noon. Sore arm kicked in an hour or so later and is still tender. It was never a problem.

Had really bad fatigue (heavy limbs, felt like a sack of potatoes) which kicked in 10pm on the day of the jab and lasted until 11am the following day.

That was it.

WanderingMilly · 27/02/2021 18:14

The people I have spoken to (very subjective) seem to follow a pattern, regardless of which vaccine you get.
The ones which get the flu-like side effects, such as chills, temperature, headaches and so on, are the ones who have had COVID previously (even mildly) whereas those who have had nothing haven't had COVID at all.
The sore arm seems to be different, and related to whether the needle hits a nerve of not.
I'll find out soon enough when I get my vaccination....

WanderingMilly · 27/02/2021 18:14
  • or not
Original poster
Beep9724 · 27/02/2021 18:19

@WanderingMilly

The people I have spoken to (very subjective) seem to follow a pattern, regardless of which vaccine you get. The ones which get the flu-like side effects, such as chills, temperature, headaches and so on, are the ones who have had COVID previously (even mildly) whereas those who have had nothing haven't had COVID at all. The sore arm seems to be different, and related to whether the needle hits a nerve of not. I'll find out soon enough when I get my vaccination....
Interesting. I’m really unsure if I’ve had covid and if I did it was a year ago so quite a while ago - I had a cough and never get coughs usually. My dc were poorly too with symptoms very covid like!
OP posts:
CKBJ · 27/02/2021 19:09

My mum had AZ last Saturday. It has taken all week for her to get over it. The first 48hrs were the worst the. rest of week so tired can’t do anything without feeling exhausted.

MintyCedric · 28/02/2021 08:13

It is advised not to drink alcohol for 2 weeks afterwards to increase the immune response.

Whaaaat???!!! Shock

RedcurrantPuff · 28/02/2021 08:33

There was nothing said in the vaccine insert leaflet about not drinking and I’ve had a few drinks since I got it.

Anon778833 · 28/02/2021 08:42

Nothing bad will happen if you drink alcohol but if you abstain for two weeks you may get a more effective immune response. That’s what scientists are saying.

The NHS is concerned about heavy drinkers not getting the jab if they think drinking is contraindicated (it’s not). There’s no research relating to alcohol. But scientists think that you’ll get a more effective response if you avoid alcohol. It’s common knowledge that alcohol reduces your immune systems efficiency.

WhataMissMap · 28/02/2021 08:48

I had the AZ, as did my mum and aunt.
None of us had any side effects at all.
We didn’t even have sore arms.
I was very surprised, normally when I have the flu jab I have a sore arm.

Branleuse · 28/02/2021 08:52

I had AZ on thurs.
I woke up about 4am feeling slightly achy so had a couple of paracetamol and went back to sleep.
Felt achy on and off all friday but nothing major. Painkillers sorted it. Thats basically it. Most of my extended family have had no side effects. My stepdad felt a bit fluey for a couple of days

Bugslydoo · 28/02/2021 09:25

I had the AZ yesterday lunchtime, had a bit of a headache around 10ish last night so had a paracetamol and went to bed.
Woke up today feeling absolutely fine-but my arm is killing me! Feels like I have been punched repeatedly at the injection site. Other than that I feel completely normal.

MsJuniper · 28/02/2021 09:39

I had it last week (early evening) and woke up in the night with the shivers. It wasn't like anything I'd experienced before. I had to put two layers over my pyjamas and wrap myself in my duvet. Later in the night / morning I vomited a couple of times. Then slept on and off for 12 hours and was just left with a headache. Arm hurt more a few days later.

I haven't felt quite right all week but not ill exactly. A bit achey and tired. I haven't had covid previously as far as I know.

My advice would be to set yourself up with water and some layers you can put on, and have a sick bowl handy! I didn't eat all day but then had a few salty crackers and cold grapes which were the best food since post-birth tea & toast.

Hope it all goes well.

Sunnyday321 · 28/02/2021 09:43

I've had it . Had mine early in the morning. Fine all day and into the night. Woke up about 6.30am and felt as if I was going down with flu , felt weak and shakey. Took paracetamol went back to bed. Woke up again 8.30am, felt ok just slight headache. Was fine there after . Dh had his , no symptoms at all. Good luck for later.

JeansNTees · 28/02/2021 09:43

Has anyone else had swollen lymph nodes after AZ? I had quite a strong reaction with headache, fever, tiredness the next day but now 3 days later I have a red injection site and a really swollen lymph node above my collarbone on that side. Google says that swollen armpit lymph nodes happen to around 10% after vax but this is a bit more random.

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