I have to lie down when I have an injection - advice needed. (Possible trigger warning)

[Penguineapig]

I have severe vasovagal issues (sudden triggered blackouts) and one of the problems it causes is that I am unable to have injections or give a blood sample while upright. I also have to remain lying down for about 10 minutes afterwards. This is NOT anxiety, panic or phobia induced (which are also completely horrible things to have as well but the advice for those conditions won't work for me). If I can't lie down the blackout will usually occur at the time of needle/cannula insertion but can also occur afterwards and if I've blacked out once I'm also likely to blackout again without warning over the next few hours. Lying down at the time of the event and for a few minutes after prevents any blackout completely, without fail.

So normally if I needed an injection at my GP it would be done in the nurses station where I can lie down. However if I have to give a blood sample I have go to the blood test centre at the hospital instead where I can lie flat, as my GP surgery does blood tests in a room with just a chair. As I said, lying down at the time solves the problem without fail.

I've received my invite for the vaccine but it is at a mass vaccination hub which is just seated. I've contacted my GPs surgery twice to ask what they would advise but they've just responded with a stock email response saying they're not taking bookings for vaccinations, and haven't provided any other information. They're not answering the phone. They've been pretty poor at communication during the last year to be honest.

If I book my vaccination at the hub what do I do? Is lying on the floor an option? I'll have to stay lying down for a bit which i don't think is what they probably have in mind. The only person I know who's had their vaccination at a hub said there was a row of chairs where people could sit afterwards in case they felt unwell but that's not going to be much help in my case, I won't make it that far!

Has anyone else been in this situation or knows if I will be able to have a vaccination at my GP surgery at a later date? I was really pleased to get the invite so soon but now don't know what to do.

I’m in exactly the same situation. I’m simply planning to say “I will faint if I don’t lie down”; take a yoga mat with me (or towel) and lie on the floor. I don’t negotiate on the matter any more - tried on numerous occasions to “oh you’ll be fine” - but neither does it seem making a song and dance about and I’m 100% sure they’ll accommodate me if I make it easy for me them. Good luck; you won’t be the first or the last:

I can't necessarily speak for mass vaccination hubs, but I've been working at a smaller vaccination centre so I do have some insight. At both centres where I have worked so far, there has to be a GP on the site at all times, who normally hangs around in a side room ready to talk to anyone with any issues in private. There is also at least one healthcare assistant, on hand to monitor everyone waiting 15 minutes after the Pfizer jab. On one of the sites, I know that there is a bed where a few people who fainted/almost fainted after the injection were able to lie down until they recovered. There is probably one at the other site as well, I just haven't been aware of it being used.

I would hope that if you explain your situation to the marshal when you arrive, and again to the vaccinator when they go through the standard questions, they will find a way for you to lie down for and after your injection. I would imagine that the bigger sites are even better equipped than the smaller community ones where I've worked.

The vaccinators I have worked with have all been lovely - they will want to make the process run as smoothly as possible for everyone, and will not want you to faint! Obviously I can't promise you what will happen at the site you have been invited to, but I hope this offers you a bit of reassurance!

Oh thanks @NeedingCoffee - glad (and sorry) it's not just me. Do you have to stay lying down for a bit after as well. I'm anticipating that's going to be the biggest problem. I actually have a scar just above my eye from blacking out in a bathroom with stupid square sink. I point to it when someone says 'You'll be fine' - still doesn't convince people!

I would hope they have a stretcher avail Incase of issues. They will think of something practical for you. Better than trying to catch you! I am curios - do you also get blackouts if your cervix is stimulated, eg a smear. I do, and i had read there is a link with cervix stim and the vagus nerve

@Bananabell - brilliant info, thank you.

I haven't been in your situation myself, but I work in healthcare and one of my colleagues has a similar problem (no idea of cause but for example she has to have annual flu jab lying down and lie down for a bit afterwards). Vaccinations for our trust were in a different hospital, not a vaccine hub but she called on the morning and explained and there was an area in place like a previous poster has described that she was able to use. I suspect your GP won't know much about how the individual vaccination hubs are run anyway so might be better to contact them directly if you can? It sounds so difficult for you, but with millions being vaccinated you won't be the only one with this sort of issue so they should have something in place. Hope it all goes well.

At the mass vaccination centre I went to there was a bed behind a curtain screen.

I had mine at a mass vaccination site and mentioned I didn't like needles so would be looking away, I wasn't being rude. The nurse paused and asked if I felt I was likely to faint - I assured her I wasn't and if was just a dislike in my case. She said "that's fine, just if you were we needed to take you to a separate cubicle where you could lie down" so they are definitely geared up to deal with it where I went. I'd suggest telling someone as soon as you get there so they can get you in the right place, but I'm sure they'll be able to support you. Hope it goes well.

I have to do exactly the same. In fact I’ve passed out onto a reception desk before and had to lie on the floor in front of a full waiting room. That was fun!

For the Covid jab I took lucozade glucose tablets straight afterwards which gave me the energy to go and slump onto a chair. Not ideal but could be a possibility?

That’s awesome @Flev what a lovely nurse! Mine just said ‘oh, well it’s done now’ and then said it’s always the young people

The mass centre I went to had a number of Doctors on site, and some beds behind curtains. The beds wouldn't be in general use as they will be tricker to decontaminate, but are available. I am sure it will be fine. It was very slick when I went and I was out before my vaccination time (but not allowed to drive for 15 minutes). In your circumstances you will probably want someone to take you?

Oh and someone asked about steps at one point - mine has a lot leading to it normally, but they used a slope at the back and had a Golf buggy for those with mobility issues.

I had mine at a mass vaccination centre. There were several beds behind screens, and a seating area for 15 minute observation if necessary. It was amazing to see how well organised it was.

Took my disabled son to big vaccination centre and they automatically took him to private area with a bed. Despite best efforts he didn't manage the vaccine but there was no attempt to rush us (or concern about the noise).
Dr was on site and 15 mins monitoring after (dh and I were given it as his Carers) but again had ds not been able to wait they would have made adjustments.

Could you take a yoga mat and a pillow (just in case they dont have a stretcher or similar) and explain when you get there?
Then hopefully they will be able to accommodate you somehow, hopefully in a side room, but if worst comes the worst you can lie down on your mat for a few minutes after the jab (which may delay their schedule, but surely not as much as dealing with a patient collapsing), then move to lie down next to the chairs for 15 minutes (not ideal I know, but better than risking a black out!)

Defo a bed behind a screen in the mass vaccine centre I went to, in a Community Hall.
I think one of the consequences of this being truly a mass vacc service is that you won't be an outlier, or the first one needing to lie down.
Why not turn up, tell them your needs at the go get, and it almost certainly won't be a problem.

If it is a problem, youll have to decline the vacc, and seek another location.
Not a fan of Facebook, but asking in a local page if people have seen a bed /couch in the centre you're booked at, could set your mind at rest. Although, bear in mind, just cause folks say ' Didn't see any such thing' doesn't mean it ain't there, just that they didn't see it.

They will have thought of this. There will be a room with a bed somewhere. Just turn up and mention this when booking in.

Considering it is not unusual to faint after an injection, I am sure there will be a bed behind a curtain somewhere. It's natural you would be anxious about it though, so if you can ring up first that would be ideal.

The hub i and family used has a doctor on standby and a small medical room. My family member had been given instructions for their jab and needed ice on the area first, we were given the choice of coming back and they would ensure ice was there, or using the ice block used for keeping the jabs cool.

Speak to them when you go in. They should be able to accommodate you, even if it means going back another time

My DM has this issue, as do I. She had her jab at a local hub, explained on arrival, all fine, they had the technology.

I work in a mass vaccination centre and we have beds for people who need to lie down while having it done or feel funny after.

@moominmomma1234 - that certainly is a trigger for some, although not me. Not sure if that one has a name, Tussive Syncope is the one I always remember, blackouts caused by coughing and sneezing, which must be a nightmare.

@AgnesNaismith - I've done the reception desk too! It was at one of those Medicentre places getting travel vaccinations. I took a leaflet display rack down with me.

Thank you so much everyone for all the info and suggestions. I've booked my appointment at the vaccination centre now so fingers crossed. I will report back.

I do this as well, although I don't have to stay lying down for long afterwards.

I'd assume that I could tell them and there would be somewhere I could lie down (I'd be happy to lie on the floor but assume that wouldn't be very helpful for the HCP to do the jab, and there are lots of people who wouldn't be able to lie on the floor easily.

I also faint when I have an ear examination.

I am also a volunteer at a GP hub and trust me, the last thing they want is for you to faint as it is really disruptive! Wherever you (or anyone with this issue) are vaccinated, they will ask you a series of questions (eg are you pregnant, are you on any blood thinners etc). This is the point to say about fainting. We have a screened off couch and you would be taken there. It is common and they will be set up for it.

Good luck!

@VicSynix - thank you

I suffer severe anxiety and they asked me if I wanted mine lying down.