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Original poster

Weird symptoms following 2nd jab

72 replies

ExhaustedFlamingo · 26/04/2021 19:31

I’m 45 and had my second AZ vaccine on Saturday. I wasn’t worried about having it.

Walking back to the car to sit and wait for the required 15 minute period before driving off I felt short of breath, but not wheezy. I then felt very panicky. Debated going back in but nothing else developed and the feelings eventually passed. All good, I drove home.

Saturday night I woke up after about an hour of sleep utterly consumed by grief and panic and sobbed like a baby for about an hour. My mood plunged and everything felt very bleak.

Sunday I tried to pull myself together but I felt very empty and flat. I had to work through Sunday night (self employed) and at about 6am I noticed my upper stomach was hard and deeply uncomfortable. It’s also swollen but I’m desperately overweight now so that doesn’t help.

Since this morning I’ve had a splitting headache and my mood is rock bottom. Constantly crying and tearful, I’ve been in bed all day. Stomach still feels weird and I’ve got zero appetite.

I have suffered with anxiety for years but never anything like this. Life can be quite tough, I’ve got two autistic children who I home educate now, my DM is disabled and my DP lost his job last week. I work very long hours and get little sleep. So theoretically it could be stress but I’ve been through much tougher times and never had this before.

Could it possibly be related to the vaccine?? I was really ill with the first dose with flu-type symptoms but had expected to sail through the second dose.

I feel so awful physically and mentally- I just don’t know what to do with myself.

OP posts:
Realitea · 26/04/2021 19:37

I would speak to your doctor if I were you. I'm sure it's just the anxiety of having the 2nd jab, knowing you didn't feel great after your first one. Even if you didn't think at the time, it could've been buried in you a bit.
Has the headache gone? Does paracetamol help? Is your stomach painful?

OhShitShit · 26/04/2021 19:41

Hi OP

I had a hard time with my first AZ vaccine (flu like symptoms and exhaustion) and just over a month on my arm is still slightly bruised and intermittently very sore.

Interestingly I’ve had a horrific increase in (pre existing but on the wane for years) anxiety, coupled with very uncomfortable stomach, bloating (upper stomach area) feelings of racing heart and breathlessness over the past week.

Like you I’ve assumed anxiety, but following this with interest.

WonkyWhiteLavender · 26/04/2021 19:52

I am very interested to read this (though really sorry that you are experiencing it), because after my first AZ vaccine I had my first ever physical anxiety attack. I felt like I was having a breakdown. I just thought that I had lost the ot, but maybe not?

Original poster
ExhaustedFlamingo · 26/04/2021 19:57

@Realitea I rang my GP this morning but the earliest date for a telephone call is next Friday, 11 days away. They triaged it and said doesn’t qualify for emergency same day phone appointment.

My anxiety is a nuisance but normally I’m the one that manages everything. If you didn’t know, you’d never guess. I’ve never had what feels almost like a breakdown. I know what you’re saying makes sense but it all seems so sudden and extreme. Headache not relieved by painkillers.

OP posts:
Original poster
ExhaustedFlamingo · 26/04/2021 20:03

@OhShitShit and @WonkyWhiteLavender

That’s really interesting that both of you experienced weird symptoms too!! Have either of you been dizzy at all? That’s another symptom which I’ve had on and off since the first jab. Also racing heart and breathlessness at times!!!

I know I’ve got a lot of stress in my life and reactive anxiety is the obvious answer......it just doesn’t feel like that though. This all feels different somehow.

OP posts:
Gothichouse40 · 26/04/2021 20:07

Same here. I suffer with anxiety anyway and I think it's been worse since AZ vaccination. I will be considering carefully whether to have the second.

Canyouexplainhowthatis · 26/04/2021 20:11

I suffer with anxiety and had a similar experience post 1st Pfizer. Thought I was going to have a heart attack in 15 min observation - but it was a panic attack.

The next few days my mood was very low but that was definitely my anxiety (and fear of the unknown.)

Lots of scare mongering re vaccines online, it’s hardly surprising we have this reaction.

Workinghardeveryday · 26/04/2021 20:17

@ExhaustedFlamingo
I had mine on Saturday too (2nd), I also suffer anxiety terribly on and off.
I felt totally exhausted and still do but as we do powering through because we have no choice.
I feel really pissed off, not sure if it’s exhaustion and hormones but I am pissed off!!
Could you be tearful because you were already wiped out then did a night shift and then the vaccine zaps literally all your energy for a while?
Messes with your hormones too, I came on late Friday night, an hour after vaccine just stopped and nothing since, not like me.....

Desmorelda · 26/04/2021 20:17

I ended up in A/E 10 days after my first AZ jab with a fast heart rate. I had long covid too however which had just about resolved. The medics said could be a relapse of LC or an immune response to the jab. They weren't sure. Still not right.

JocastaNu · 26/04/2021 20:51

When I had my first AZ jab my brain went into overdrive and I had thousands of thoughts racing around, it kept me awake all night.

I think it's a stress response. This last year has had a massive strain on us and I don't think we fully appreciate the true impact it's had on our mental health.

The vaccine represents so much. It's our way out, but there's also an unknown element with side effects and the knowledge that this is a new vaccine technology. Plus you have social media ramping everything up to 11.

Honestly with all this going on I'm amazed that we're all mostly holding it together.

OhShitShit · 26/04/2021 21:32

@Desmorelda

That’s interesting too.

I had (suspected) covid early in the pandemic (no testing available) and have had a rubbish year of being just vaguely run down, then in the autumn had the racing heart, breathlessness etc that came on after a minor cold.

Doctor couldn’t find anything wrong with me; she did mumble about long covid but I didn’t think much of it. Figured they’re saying that to everyone with weird symptoms Grin and as I never had an initial positive test, it sort of felt pointless to pursue it anyway

After the AZ vaccine a month ago, a minor cold that had been clearing up and was no more than a sniffle turned into a horrid flu-like illness, and again the racing heart etc a couple of weeks after.

Super strange. And hard to know what’s psychosomatic, what’s possibly just pandemic induced anxiety, and what’s real but undiagnosed.

I’d be happy with any answer- just an answer would be good!

Flowers for all feeling shitty

myrtleWilson · 26/04/2021 21:34

Isn't stomach pain and a bad headache not relieved by painkillers two of the symptoms to look out for with AZ - when you rang the GP did you flag AZ vaccine? I'd ring again for advice OP

FenceSplinters · 26/04/2021 21:41

I developed a really bad skin infection after the AZ jab, and had anxiety too, although I suspect that was due to worrying about blood clots.
I’ve already decided not to have the second jab when it is due next month.

ConstantlyChanging · 26/04/2021 22:11

Oh great, more unexplained things we didn’t know about AZ.

whatisforteamum · 26/04/2021 23:09

How interesting.
I've had an ok time in lockdown and had my AZ jab 5 weeks ago.Felt tearful not like myself and shivery with a headache and churning stomach. Seemed better for a week then shiver and not my hyperactive self.
I'm having CBT for anxiety and depression and still felt shivery today.
I was wondering if it was the jab or returning to work but can't help feeling not quite right.

Emma2021 · 26/04/2021 23:25

I worry a lot and went in a little apprenhensive but it got worse as i worry a lot but all was ok after a few days first jab. Worrying does not help but that is who i am and I wish i was not

Missingthesea · 26/04/2021 23:42

Sorry you feel so rotten OP. When we had our 2nd AZ jabs on Saturday the nurse said that if either of us got a bad headache that wouldn't shift, or a high temperature, we should call 111. wishing you better soon Flowers

Original poster
ExhaustedFlamingo · 27/04/2021 00:02

I’ve just realised something. And I feel like a giant idiot 😳😳

On Saturday afternoon my DS 11 managed to knee me full force in the stomach. As I mentioned, he’s autistic and has quite high needs. He was happy to see me return from having my jab so literally ran down the stairs and threw himself at me, kneeing me full-on in the tummy. It REALLY hurt at the time.

The thing is, he’s very clingy physically and has dyspraxia too so can be quite clumsy. He curls up in my arms like a toddler and clamours to be picked up so I’m constantly getting bangs or knocks. He can bite when he’s overexcited too. So I’d just forgotten about being whacked because it’s a common occurrence. I only remembered tonight when DP joked about accidentally hitting my tummy and I suddenly remembered.

My tummy hurts and feels strange where he kneed me so that’s obviously the reason for that. I’m such an idiot for not remembering sooner!!!!

Obviously it doesn’t explain the panic or anxiety attacks, or the other symptoms like the headache and dizziness. I just thought I should update just to say ignore the stomach thing, I don’t think that’s the vaccine!! 😂😂 The rest of it though, I’m still leaning towards thinking the vaccine potentially.

OP posts:
ReginaPhalangee · 27/04/2021 00:05

I was awake from 4am with a panic attack and had to have a day off work 2 days after my jab. I thought I was going mad

Myleftfoot39 · 27/04/2021 05:49

Really odd but I’ve suffered with insomnia and anxiety since having the first jab. The day after the jab I had a feeling of being really ‘awake’ and buzzing with thoughts. Since then I have felt on edge and nervy.

I wasn’t stressed about having the vaccine so nothing to do with that. I really am worn out with insomnia and thinking if I should have the second dose.

MRex · 27/04/2021 07:48

If your headache doesn't go with lots of water and a paracetamol then call 111 instead of GP. (Not convinced by a triage that doesn't involve a doctor, our GP makes each call to decide who to see / refer / reassure / send prescription for or whatever.)

I've always found arnica helpful for bruises, that might help your stomach. Hope you feel better soon.

Girlmama3 · 27/04/2021 09:10

I think you need to phone 111 and definitely yellow card your symptoms.

I hope you feel better x

SirVixofVixHall · 27/04/2021 09:59

@Myleftfoot39

Really odd but I’ve suffered with insomnia and anxiety since having the first jab. The day after the jab I had a feeling of being really ‘awake’ and buzzing with thoughts. Since then I have felt on edge and nervy.

I wasn’t stressed about having the vaccine so nothing to do with that. I really am worn out with insomnia and thinking if I should have the second dose.

I have been similar to this. For the week after the jab I also felt very low in mood, tearful and not like myself at all. I have since read that mood changes are a recognised side effect.
Maverick197 · 27/04/2021 10:23

I too had anxiety symptoms, low mood and tearfulness, after my first AZ jab. It's been two weeks since the jab and I still feel a bit jumpy. I used to suffer from anxiety when younger, but I haven't had anxiety for years now. I am not sure if I will have the 2nd jab as I really don't want to trigger full blown anxiety again.

Sparks779 · 27/04/2021 11:53

My other half is experiencing breathlessness and fatigue 10 days after the first jab. The NHS said he may have contracted covid which I think is bullsh*t. It cannot be a coincidence.

Has anyone had any covid symptoms more than 2 days and up to 2 weeks or more after the first or second vaccine, in particular, shortness of breath.

In reality I think there are a lot more adverse reactions but the NHS are not publicising so as not to discourage people from getting the vaccine.