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Covid

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Original poster

Reassure me please

23 replies

DartmoorChef · 16/03/2021 16:58

I'm due to have my vaccine in 2 hours.

I'm 52 and have never had flu in my life.

I'm not phobic but I am nervous of injections. I also suffer with quite bad stress and anxiety when it comes to illness and doctors/hospitals (both my parents died due to medical errors)

After reading the news the last couple of days I'm terrified about having the vaccine now.

OP posts:

Mindymomo · 16/03/2021 17:02

I had mine Saturday, looked away and barely felt the vaccine needle. I did massage my arm a few days beforehand, don’t know if it helped. I was sure I would be bed bound for a few days after, but no side effects for me with the AZ vaccine. Everyone I know has been fine, a few had s sore arm, some a mild headache and some muscle aches. But I am very thankful to have had it.

Racoonworld · 16/03/2021 17:03

What in particular are you worried about, or is it the vaccine in general?

over 24 million people in the UK have had the vaccine now and our scientists and medical board have no concerns. I have mine this week and have no worries in the slightest.

Think how much better you'll feel once you have had it, and how much less worried of getting covid you'll be.

CarrieBlue · 16/03/2021 17:06

30 reports of blood clots, 8 deaths from blood clots. 17 million doses of AZ given. You’ll be fine having it, and far less likely to be ill from covid.

Original poster

DartmoorChef · 16/03/2021 17:09

I'm just a worrier about side effects. Common sense tells me that it is OK and I know I should have it but my stomach is literally churning at the thought of it and me being unlucky.

I'm like this at the dentist every time I have an injection too.

I just fear the worst.

OP posts:

Furball · 16/03/2021 17:09

I think EVERYONE is nervous and dislikes injections no matter what it is.

BUT you need to look at it like its far better to have that, than covid - especially if you suffer with anxiety relating to illness and drs etc. -

The vaccine is a positive. The news the last couple of days = teens of millions have had that vaccine and then a teeny tinnest percentage of all of those have this latest issue, which apparently happens just like that without the vaccine anyway.

I'm sure when you get there the staff will all be very reassuring and nice about it all to help put you at ease.

giletrouge · 16/03/2021 17:13

Side effects range from none through to couple of days being fluey. Anything worse than that is extremely, extremely rare OP. Whereas covid itself, the illness is not to be messed with.
No deaths from the vaccine in the UK reported. Deaths from covid, UK - 125,690.
So now, when you say you fear 'the worst' - what could that mean?

Original poster

DartmoorChef · 16/03/2021 17:35

I think I'm lucky to have a pretty good immune system. As I said I've never had flu in my life and probably only a bad cold every 8 to 10 years . I've been a keyworker since the start of the pandemic and not had covid to my knowledge (I was a bit rough for 48 hours last February which may or may not have been it).

I agree with you all. I know I need to have it. And I will have it. But I'm scared and I know its irrational but I can't help it.

OP posts:

giletrouge · 16/03/2021 17:40

What time's your appointment? Hand-hold.
You're gonna be fine and you're doing the right thing. One more person protected.

Crocidura · 16/03/2021 17:44

Tell the staff you are feeling nervous. I volunteer in a vaccination centre and lots of people are scared, some are absolutely terrified. They will be nice to you and will help you through it. Respect to anyone who gets the vaccine even when they are frightened, you are very brave, OP.

Disneyblue · 16/03/2021 17:55

I felt the exact same as you. You're stronger than you think though. I'm 36 hours on and I do feel a bit fluey since but I know it's because of the vaccine so that settles me. I know it will pass soon.

MrsFrisbyMouse · 16/03/2021 18:03

As far as vaccines go it's probably the most innocuous one I've ever had. Really quick, and no plaster needed after - hardly even a scratch!

I watched someone give over a hundred vaccines last weekend - most people didn't even notice that they had been vaccinated and kept asking when it was going to happen! And a fair few who have cried with relief after, as they released a whole lot of the last years stress.

I think the waiting is hardest and then having to fill in the questionairre.

Yes, you may get side effects, but they can be well controlled with drugs, and def preferable to a bout of actual covid.

Good luck - you can do it! (And you might even get a sticker if you want one. )

Original poster

DartmoorChef · 16/03/2021 20:49

I had it done. The lady doing it was lovely and in all honesty I did not feel the tiniest thing. I couldn't believe she had done it and there's not a mark there at all.

OP posts:

Cornettoninja · 16/03/2021 20:55

Glad to hear it went well @DartmoorChef

My dp had his yesterday at roughly the same time of day, he took a couple of precautionary paracetamol before bed and swears he has zero side effects today. It’s worth keeping some paracetamol to hand just in case but hopefully you’ll sail through too.

Madmog · 16/03/2021 20:56

Glad it's over for you. Now it's done, I bet you feel much better and relieved you've now got something in your system that will protect you and reduce transmission to those you care about.

notrub · 16/03/2021 21:05

I'm 52 and have never had flu in my life.

As far as you know.

Actually it's highly likely you've had flu many times but not noticed it, or thought it was a cold.

We all have various levels of immunity to flu, from previous exposures - depending on that level you could face anything from no symptoms at all to full on bed-ridden for a week.

notrub · 16/03/2021 21:08

@DartmoorChef

I had it done. The lady doing it was lovely and in all honesty I did not feel the tiniest thing. I couldn't believe she had done it and there's not a mark there at all.

Very well done!

Courage is all about overcoming fear - if you don't have fear you can't be brave. Whether or not the fear is rational is irrelevant - you've shown you can face down your fears and that deserves respect!

Original poster

DartmoorChef · 16/03/2021 21:48

Thanks everyone.

@notrub honestly. I have never had a bad cold either . Touch wood!! .. as a kid my mum used to purposely take me round to friends whose kids had chickenpox as she wanted me to get it over with as a child. It never happened. Unfortunately I did get it as an adult at the age of 26 and it was bloody awful but it is also the last time I was ill enough to really feel ill.

Considering I'm a bit overweight, I smoke, and drink.. I consider myself very fortunate that I've been blessed with a great immune system . I swear by eating lots (too much lol) of healthy foods along with the bad lifestyle and I'm a firm believer in you are what you eat and I swear by seafood and oily fish, green veg, lots of herbs and very little sugar. It's worked so far and if I'm feeling a bit run down I up my intake of zinc, iron and vit c.

OP posts:

Katkincake · 16/03/2021 23:03

Hi OP. Had mine at 5pm today, also a bit trepidatious given all the recent news, but not enough to stop me having it. I’m currently in bed delaying going to sleep as worried what effects I may wake up to. DH had his on Friday and just got headache then felt a bit run down for a few hours in the afternoon. It’s the not knowing whether you’ll have side effects isn’t it? I’m 44, but just been diagnosed with epilepsy so quickly bumped up the queue, reading anecdotal accounts that AZ triggers more side effects in younger age groups doesn’t help!

Fingers crossed all we each get is sore arms.

Original poster

DartmoorChef · 17/03/2021 12:31

Well I'm still here... albeit with a bit of a headache and feeling tired but apart from that I feel fine.

OP posts:

Katkincake · 17/03/2021 13:22

Ah glad you're OK OP. I've just got a sore, not achey, arm but nothing else so far

TonTonMacoute · 17/03/2021 13:44

I read an article the other day which said that during the trials for the AZ vaccine 1% of the people reported a serious adverse reaction to the vaccine.

It turned out that most of them had been given the dummy vaccine!

The mind can play all sorts of tricks, like a reverse placebo!

SabrinaTheMiddleAgedBitch · 17/03/2021 14:14

So pleased you are okay OP. I have mine tomorrow and I am feeling similar - combination of general health anxiety, recent headlines and just starting to recover from a nasty sciatica flare up so I'm feeling exhausted and can’t face the thought of anything else!

Trying to remember to be grateful but cant say Im looking forward to it

MRex · 17/03/2021 14:24

@DartmoorChef

Well I'm still here... albeit with a bit of a headache and feeling tired but apart from that I feel fine.

Good to hear. I had mine yesterday too. Randomly got an aching arm by the injection site for 15 min last night and 10 min this morning, and that's all. Just have to wait and see if we get any other effects.

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