Depression after Oxford vaccine?

[SunnySideAndMarmite]

Had vaccine 9 days ago. Fwiw I'm not in a medically/age vulnerable group (was surprised to be offered it but think they were using up leftover slots).
I have got life reasons to feel shite but nothing new since the vaccine, and I was managing ok ish day to day, trying to be positive, get stuff done etc.
Now I just feel totally hopeless. Just totally out of oomph to do stuff. Everything is a huge drag and feels really difficult and confusing, like eg. going to the supermarket, it seems to take huge effort to sort of remember what I'm doing and look at the list, everything is taking longer to do. Struggling to look after myself and weeping for hours a day. Suicidal, but without the energy or wherewithal to act on it (too much to arrange first).

I feel a bit like I do when I have bad PMT, only that doesn't last this long (maybe just a day feeling this awful, and more days feeling a bit bad), and I was vaccinated around ovulation so PMT shouldn't have started then, or be severe until about Tuesday (usual pattern).

I know I can look at my life and how I feel seems totally logical. But I thought I'd better check in case there's some kind of reaction to the vaccine. I did have quite a strong physical response to it (ill, chills, aches etc).

Just wondering if anyone's had the same experience?

I don’t think it’s vaccine related.

I understand your feelings. You’ve finally got the vaccine, but nothing changes. You’ve still got to stay home, shops/restaurants still shut, no sign of a foreign holiday. It’s a definite disappointment, but we’ve just got to keep going.

did you have any insomnia immediately after the vaccine?

@time4anothername

did you have any insomnia immediately after the vaccine?

Sort of. The first night seemed really long. I kept waking up and lying there for what seemed like hours but it didn't get light. Felt like I couldn't sleep because of aching all over, rather than insomnia as such.

Why?

@DinosaurDiana

I understand your feelings. You’ve finally got the vaccine, but nothing changes. You’ve still got to stay home, shops/restaurants still shut, no sign of a foreign holiday. It’s a definite disappointment, but we’ve just got to keep going.

Sorry to hear you feel like this. It's a bit different for me. There are other things, eg. being involuntary single and childless. (Am 35 so this is awful time ticking). But lockdown related stuff is that I feel I've lost a lot, opportunities and people I loved. I used to enjoy having kids in my life but I've noticed I'm sort of avoiding the one child I can legally see (a very little one so obviously I didn't know them before all this), I think I'm scared or unable to get attached for fear of losing them like the other DC I used to be close to. I don't think there is much hope for me because there is not time or opportunity to heal from how lockdown has affected me on top of everything else. I have booked some fun things for the summer but I won't be getting back the things and people in my life that made it feel worthwhile.

Op, so sorry you feel like this. I think you should call your GP on Monday or if you have an online booking system, complete it now and type in there what you’ve told us.
My DD is severely depressed; I thought so many were affected that we’d struggled to get help. Saw GP on the Monday, via video call. Is in for NHS counselling this coming Monday. GP was brilliant; offered anti-depressants but DD wants to try and manage without first.
Please call and get help. COVID has been unbelievably shit for single people, especially when they feel they’ve lost their social contacts and relationships.
I sense there is something more to this when you reference losing people you loved. Maybe you need some help to get over this loss. I don’t know the circumstances and forgive me if it sounds like I’m minimising but maybe the relationship with the children isn’t lost long term?
Better times are around the corner but it sounds like you need some help now x

just asked because insomnia can throw you out of balance and quite a lot of people have talked about not sleeping after the jab. If it got you at already a bad time of the month it could have made an already bad time worse and hooked into the stress of what you've been through with the isolation. You'll hopefully feel better in a few days but refering yourself for talking therapy to have a space to talk through this and re-engage with life as soon as we can sounds a good plan.

This may be a completely rubbish theory, but I wonder if it's like post wedding blues. All that build up to the big day and them wham, the depression hits. I guess that only works if you have been stressed during lock down and was really looking forward to a vaccine being produced and making us all safer. Otherwise, ignore me.

If you normally get affected by hormones it could be that. Some people have been affected by vax with earlier periods.

I didnt sleep well after mine and had a strong feeling of dread and generally quite blah. I now think it was just the immune system kicking into gear, am feeling cheerier again now.

I had mine yesterday. Despite being really tired l hardly slept, interesting that others are saying the same.

@knittingaddict

This may be a completely rubbish theory, but I wonder if it's like post wedding blues. All that build up to the big day and them wham, the depression hits. I guess that only works if you have been stressed during lock down and was really looking forward to a vaccine being produced and making us all safer. Otherwise, ignore me.

This doesn't sound rubbish at all. It's sound common sense. I was vaccinated on Wednesday and it was a genuinely happy moment. At last, the first step to freedom! The euphoria lasted all evening. I drank champagne and my face ached from smiling (very wedding like!) and I had a great nights sleep.

When I woke up on Thursday the great mood gradually evaporated. Nothing has changed yet. I still can't see friends. There's still nowhere to go. I can still only see my elderly mum or my adult children outside for a walk and I can't hug them. There's no certainty when that will change. By Thursday afternoon I was as low as I have been throughout the pandemic.

I am so grateful for the vaccine and I haven't had any side effects but the reality that it was just one small step on the very long journey to normality hit me hard. My normal positivity has returned but that day after the vaccine was a very sad one.

My

Hi yes i have had same and my vaccine was 2 weeks ago. I hope it doesn't last longterm.

Hello I just wondered how you are all feeling.
I had mine 2 weeks ago and have had a similar response. Low / shaky. Nothing else has changed. Just wondering if might be linked.

Interesting. I had mine on Friday. I had a physical reaction (sick, headache) and still feel a bit off colour 5 days on. But also I have been feeling very sad since Saturday. I was hormonal depressed/anxious before and thought I’d sorted it out with HRT, so was a bit fed up it had come back again. I hadn’t made a connection with the vaccine so it’s interesting that you are asking about a link.
Not sure if that’s helpful! I’m actually feeling a bit brighter today.

I dont think it is vaccine related. I had mine a few weeks ago but have been very down and stressed and anxious this whole year. I have been on a low dose antidepressant for years but I do not think it is working very well and since the pandemic and also losing a beloved pet this year, I have been getting worse. I only seem to sleep for an hour at a time and have terrible nightmares. Spent the whole of last week crying at the slightest thing and googling how much of my heart medication I would need to stop my heart!

I decided enough is enough, I have increased my antidepressant to the proper therapeutic dose for 2 weeks and if I am doing ok, I will contact GP to see about getting my repeat prescription altered. I have to say that mentally I do feel better than I did, although I am a bit headachy and nauseous but hoping that will settle.

Thank you for the replies. It's probably just coincidence with me. And maybe more hormonal. Been such a tough year for everyone.

I had the Pfizer, felt a bit woozy and couldn’t be bothered doing much for a day or so. Like lethargic feeling. Also got no sleep that night at all. However, only lasted a day or so. Didn’t have any other real symptoms such as fever etc.
You sound like me when I’m feeling a little down/depressed, over tired or exhausted. Don’t think it’s vaccine related if it’s been more than a few days since your jab. Considering you are having a bit of a crap time at the moment anyway like you stated, I reckon it’s just that, but as your immune system is busy fighting and making antibodies it’s making you feel really low. Try to rest up and relax so you can give your body a break.

I felt low the day after mine (AZ). It happened rather suddenly and I’ve no idea why. It could be circumstantial but it was not like anything I’ve felt before, 4 days on it’s fading away.
I do hope you feel better soon OP 💐

OP here...
Feeling a lot better, thank you. The awfulness lifted when my period started, essentially it was like I had (severe) PMT for two weeks rather than just a few days. Don't know if it's hormone related or just vaccine effects making me exhausted in the same way my hormones do every month.

Hope everyone who's struggling starts to feel better soon. What a year, no wonder things feel so hard. X

There was a whole thread where people were saying the vaccine had messed up their periods. Glad you're feeling better.

Hey how long did it last