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Original poster

I’m terrified of vaccine side effects.

41 replies

Comefromaway · 23/03/2021 22:09

I’m in my 40s so not due to be done yet but it’s keeping me awake at night.

I’m an emetophobe and terrified of being sick. Dh had the Pfizer vaccine and was a bit tired and shivery. Dd had AZ and was achy, headachy and feverish for a couple of days.

My dad was floored for two days and felt nauseous, my mum had hardly anything.

I’m convinced I had Covid a year ago and have heard side effects are worse if you’ve had it. My fear isn’t rational, it’s a phobia. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of less side effects?

OP posts:
time4anothername · 23/03/2021 22:14

I don't know about the side effects reduction but you can do CBT therapy to reduce the strength of the phobia. If you are in England call your local IAPT service, some are prioritising people who need phobia work to get a vaccine.

sorrysaywhatnow · 23/03/2021 22:18

I haven't heard of anyone vomiting from it. And you're definitely not going to get worse or better symptoms depending on whether or not you've previously tested positive. You can take regular paracetamol at four hour intervals post vaccine. I'd honestly be more scared of COVID symptoms than those from the vaccine, but I understand that phobias are incredibly difficult.

MrsFin · 23/03/2021 22:19

I haven't heard of anyone actually being sick as a result of having the vaccine.

You might not get any side effects at all, but if you do, it's got to be better than having Covid (again).

airforsharon · 23/03/2021 22:19

I had the AZ vac on Saturday. I felt fine for about 12 hours then became very tired/shivery/weak with a banging headache - like you do if you've a filthy cold. That lasted about 24 hours - by Monday morning i felt fine. Several friends have had similar but none of us had sickness.

Tbh i'm not sure there's anything you can do to lessen the side effects, it does seem to come down to luck. I was advised by nurse to take paracetamol if i felt achey/feverish, and i had cups of tea with the odd plain biscuit until i felt well enough to cook again.

Have you had any support or counselling for your phobia?

ComDummings · 23/03/2021 22:21

One of my relatives had covid last year and had the vaccine last month (AZ). They also have several quite major underlying health issues. They had no side effects other than an aching arm. I had it a few days ago and had slight chills, a sore arm and tiredness. I didn’t even need paracetamol to be honest. I’ve not had covid and I had ‘worse’ side effects (which were mild!) than someone who had covid before. So it’s not a given that you’ll get worse side effects just because you had covid.
Googling some CBT techniques could help. Other than that keep some paracetamol handy, rest, drink plenty of water and keep positive Smile

HSHorror · 23/03/2021 22:22

Im also quite phobic and think i had covid in apr 20
Had az vax and nonausea.
I did have chills and then fever.

MrsPernicious · 23/03/2021 22:22

I had Covid this time last year and the vaccine a month ago.

Have the vaccine, it is much nicer and did not involve vomiting.

boxingdayagain · 23/03/2021 22:26

Vaccinator here. Have given about 500 jabs now. I work in a large hub and witness everything going on around me. Not a single person has vomited or been nauseous immediately after. Try not to worry.
If you are anxious speak to your doc. Perhaps he can arrange an anti sickness tablet "just in case?"

Original poster
Comefromaway · 23/03/2021 22:26

My son’s girlfriend’s father was sick all through the night and I’ve read lots of accounts (including on here) of people vomiting.

I was ok about the thought of it til I read and heard those accounts.

OP posts:
MajorNeville · 23/03/2021 22:26

I had AZ yesterday, I have a bit of a sore arm but otherwise nothing, barely know I've had it.

Titsywoo · 23/03/2021 22:27

Haven't heard of anyone being sick just people feeling a bit fluey. I am 42 and had it 3 weeks ago. No side effects just a sore arm.

Workinghardeveryday · 23/03/2021 22:31

I had az weeks ago, fine day I had it, okay day after but tired, day after that felt wiped out like I really needed my bed.

You have to remember, millions of people are having it, it’s to keep you safe. You will be fine!! I would do it again tomorrow really. So you might feel rough for a day a two, yes if you have a phobia that is a scary thought, not as bad as having bad case of Covid though...

Just go for it, try not to make it this big deal in your mind because deep down you know it’s not - otherwise every other person having it would be worried like you are now - and they are not! They want to go! People actually lying to get one....!!! X

AgeLikeWine · 23/03/2021 22:32

I had AZ on Thursday. No vomiting, no nausea, just a slightly sore arm - and I am someone who normally reacts to things. Ikm sure you will be fine, OP.

Bellabelloo · 23/03/2021 22:33

Maybe they are easy vomiters! I am also terrified of being sick but hadn't even heard of the possibility of it making you sick. I had mine on Sunday. I felt achey, but no nausea. X

CryMeAnAquifer · 23/03/2021 22:35

Hi OP, I had mine this morning and did actually feel slightly nauseated this afternoon but not overwhelmingly so. I am very prone to nausea and vomiting - I get extremely car sick, have a very delicate gag reflex and I had two HG pregnancies 😑. I didn’t even know it was a potential side effect until I looked it up as absolutely no one I know who has had it has mentioned it- it kind of made sense that it would be one that I had with my track record!

I can reassure you I’m now just really hungry instead (and a bit tired)! 🍫 🍟

Try not to worry too much about this ❤️

BluePheasant · 23/03/2021 22:36

I am in a front line NHS role so I meet a lot of people. Have not come across anyone who has vomited as side effect of vaccine but have heard a few reports of some mild nausea.

Would recommend ensuring you are well hydrated before your vaccine and throughout the day afterwards. Regular paracetamol is fine to take and very effective at minimising side effects.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 23/03/2021 22:37

I booked my in laws in the day the booking hub opened for over 70s. I nagged my parents to make an appointment. I made sure dh and dh’s status as unpaid carers was correctly logged.

I know I’m a hypocrite. But phobias are irrational.

Last year I was very scared. Ds came home after a half term trip to London with a nagging, persistent cough. He became tired and lethargic and started to feel like his chest was heavy. He got lots of headaches. Then he developed the worst sore throat ever. I then developed the cough and my asthma flared up badly. My breathing was really off and I lay awake at night trying to breathe.

This lasted for four weeks but this was back when no one was interested unless you’d been to China, Italy or had a temperature. Ds was told he had a chest infection.

OP posts:
Luckypoppy · 23/03/2021 22:37

I vomited once. I did feel nauseous. But my friend who had covid, thought she had a stomach bug first due to her vomiting. So I'd say that once was better than more!

I struggle with vomiting too so I do understand.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 23/03/2021 22:39

@BluePheasant

I am in a front line NHS role so I meet a lot of people. Have not come across anyone who has vomited as side effect of vaccine but have heard a few reports of some mild nausea.

Would recommend ensuring you are well hydrated before your vaccine and throughout the day afterwards. Regular paracetamol is fine to take and very effective at minimising side effects.

I do drink lots of water, I might get some ginger biscuits in, they helped when I was pregnant!
OP posts:
Guiltypleasures001 · 23/03/2021 22:39

I had the Pfizer and had jaw and teeth numbness on the left hand side for a couple of hours, bit weird but I was fine Grin

Turquoisesea · 23/03/2021 22:42

I was really worried about side effects after reading about them on here, especially vomiting. I nearly talked myself out of going but I’m glad I didn’t. I had Astra Zeneca on Saturday. I took paracetamol before I went and then every 4 hours afterwards. I was fine except for tiredness and feeling like I had a hangover the next day but no headache or nausea just tiredness. I know of 15 people who had it on Saturday, only 1 was sick and had flu like symptoms. Another couple had the chills for a few hours but the rest were like me slightly achy and tired or no side effects.

Disneyblue · 23/03/2021 22:43

I also struggle with emetophobia so I know how you feel. Like you, I was worried about the side effects.
I did feel feverish and headachy after but not nauseous at all.
My problem is because I think about being sick alot (because of the fear) I trick my mind into actually feeling sick, even though I don't. Does that make sense? So 9 times out of 10 if I feel a bit sick it's anxiety that's causing it.

Vaccine aside, you need support with emetophobia. It's debilitating and can easily rule your life

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 23/03/2021 22:44

I've known quite a few people get side effects with the vaccines but none have mentioned vomiting - Dh said he felt vaguely nauseous at some point but it passed quickly. Everybody seems to mention aches and tiredness and I also had chills all night. Dh said ibuprofen helped him but I didn't bother because I didn't have a headache.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 23/03/2021 22:46

I don’t drink more than 1 glass of wine a night and don’t eat certain foods in case they make me sick! And I avoid places with drunk people.

I am very rarely sick though I tend to feel nauseous for the first day or so of my period.

OP posts:
Yogabear1 · 23/03/2021 22:46

I did have vomiting the night of mine and I have never been sick as an adult other than morning sickness so not a queasy person but I did have a bad reaction to the jab, no one else I know who had it has been sick either so I guess the chances are very small.