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Original poster

Just as my life was starting to feel normal ...

81 replies

cottondotty · 07/05/2021 19:31

I became a mum last year, 6 weeks before the first lockdown.
Shortly after I was diagnosed with postnatal anxiety (which after therapy was actually PTSD)

I’ve had a really tough year (which I know we all have)
My maternity leave was really lonely, I felt isolated and I slipped into a really depressive state.

I returned to work in December but was working from home.

In March I received a text from my Gp telling me I was eligible for my vaccine, turns out that I was group 6 due to a high BMI.
I was elated, I felt such a sense of relief and jumped at the change to be vaccinated, I had my first dose.

That was 9 weeks ago, in those 9 weeks, I’ve returned to the office once a week (work from home the other two)
I’m in a support bubble with my parents (they’re fully vaccinated and we all test twice weekly)
I’ve joined baby groups and met some lovely mum friends.
I’ve been shopping, eaten out, and I’ve had a weekend break camping.
It’s been like a dream, and my mental health has been amazing, all because I’ve felt safer, protected by having the vaccine.

I’ve obviously been cautious and followed guidelines but I’ve had the confidence to do these things rather than stay at home and fear Covid.

Today, after seeing the news about the age restrictions and the vaccine, I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach.😭

I’m 36 and I had the AZ vaccine.

My only health condition is obesity.

I jfeel like I was just starting to feel “normal” (definitely more normal than I have felt for the last year) and now this is happening.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve absolutely loved how I’ve felt recently, and the vaccine has given me the confidence to enjoy things within the guidelines. but I just don’t know if I can take the chance with the 2nd dose of the vaccine.

If I wasn’t fat I wouldn’t be offered the AZ.

I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
Coachee · 07/05/2021 20:16

I think you’re letting general health anxiety cloud your judgement. The risks to you from
Covid are greater than the vaccine. You’ve had one dose without developing a rare clot. Nothing you mention stops you carrying on with the activities that are improving your mental health. The second dose of the vaccine is very unlikely to cause you any issues. Just have it. The recommendations are

Coachee · 07/05/2021 20:18

Oops, pressed post too soon.....the recommendations are clear and although guidance has recently changed, it doesn’t automatically put you at any greater risk.

Concentrate on working on your mental health so that you can get your life back to as normal a rhythm as possible.

Joeblack066 · 07/05/2021 20:20

You’ll be fine. It’s fine.
Enjoy your return to normality.
It’s all fine.

Original poster
cottondotty · 07/05/2021 20:21

@TheOrigRights

I obv don't know the reason for your high BMI or what you've done to get to a healthy weight, but these are moot points.

Under active thyroid since high giving birth, currently taking Thyroxine.
I guess lockdown and depression haven’t helped me to eat healthily.

I have got my BMI down from 40.1 to 37.4 so that’s a start!!

OP posts:
Confusedaboutlots · 07/05/2021 20:22

the risk is 1 in 100,000 and manifest after the first vaccine

you are fine. not sure what you are stressing about - keep living and enjoying your life

Student133 · 07/05/2021 20:25

I'm 22 amd I've had the AZ, the only reasons that alternatives are being offered is that we have the choice to, otherwise it would be AZ for all. As others have said, if you had am extremely rare side effwct, you'd have had it by now, so I'd try not let the gutter press distort what is a miniscule risk.

Original poster
cottondotty · 07/05/2021 20:31

@Student133

I'm 22 amd I've had the AZ, the only reasons that alternatives are being offered is that we have the choice to, otherwise it would be AZ for all. As others have said, if you had am extremely rare side effwct, you'd have had it by now, so I'd try not let the gutter press distort what is a miniscule risk.
@Student133

My worry is about the second dose (due in 3 weeks) not the first.

OP posts:
whataballbag · 07/05/2021 20:36

@Student133

I'm 22 amd I've had the AZ, the only reasons that alternatives are being offered is that we have the choice to, otherwise it would be AZ for all. As others have said, if you had am extremely rare side effwct, you'd have had it by now, so I'd try not let the gutter press distort what is a miniscule risk.
The gutter press? If anything they've downplayed it. And so far 6 people have had VITT after the second vaccine, so being fine after the first doesn't mean much at all.
turnthebiglightoff · 07/05/2021 20:42

This is an extreme reaction to a 0.000000001% of a chance of something, OP.

Original poster
cottondotty · 07/05/2021 20:43

@whataballbag

The gutter press? If anything they've downplayed it. And so far 6 people have had VITT after the second vaccine, so being fine after the first doesn't mean much at all.

Where did you find this information?

OP posts:
Scottishgirl85 · 07/05/2021 20:44

Sorry you've had a tough year. Your anxiety is putting this out of proportion. The very rare clots occur within 4 weeks, and I think normally after 1st dose, so you're passed that 😀
I mean this to be helpful, but obesity is a bigger risk to your life than covid. You are at higher risk of cancers and heart disease, so your fear of covid is out of proportion amongst other health conditions. The media has made people think covid is all they have to fear.

CavernousScream · 07/05/2021 20:44

I asked my GP about this and there hasn’t been a single case of a clotting incident after a second dose , anywhere. You’re fine to have it.

Original poster
cottondotty · 07/05/2021 20:51

@CavernousScream

I asked my GP about this and there hasn’t been a single case of a clotting incident after a second dose , anywhere. You’re fine to have it.
@CavernousScream

If you look up thread, someone has said there’s been 6?

OP posts:
whataballbag · 07/05/2021 20:57

The information is on the MHRA website

YanTanTethera123 · 07/05/2021 21:01

If you didn’t have any side effects after the first then it’s highly unlikely you’ll get them with the second.
And that’s ?6 out of how many millions?

whataballbag · 07/05/2021 21:01

That came across really arsey and I didn't mean it to!

I feel exactly the same way as you OP. I spent last night sat crying and throwing up at the thought of the second dose.

I realise that's ridiculous and dramatic for some but I have severe anxiety anyway. It's just how it is for me, regardless of how dramatic some people think it might be

whataballbag · 07/05/2021 21:02

@YanTanTethera123

If you didn’t have any side effects after the first then it’s highly unlikely you’ll get them with the second. And that’s ?6 out of how many millions?
6 out of 5.9 million, but the majority of the AZ second dose recipients are more than likely still in the 4 weeks
Gemma77 · 07/05/2021 21:07

The chances of a blood clot are so small and the benefits to your mental health are clearly huge! Chances of a blood clot when you get on an aeroplane are 1 in 1000 and so many of us don't think twice about that. Risks with AZ are 4 in a million...

If I was in your position I would grab the second dose on the balance that the risk to your mental health is so much greater than the tiny risk of a clot.

I'm 42 and had my first AZ jab last week and won't think twice about having the second.

Don't let a 4 in a million long shot take away any of the positivity you have felt recently xx

HowWeAre · 07/05/2021 21:08

Omg at the start of this post I thought you were my friend, you have very similar experiences. My friend had a baby similar time to you and got the vaccine because of her high BMI. It was AZ too and she’s 23. She had the usual side effects, headache, sore arm but that’s it. She had her second dose recently (AZ again) and was fine! She spoke to her GP before having the second dose as she was nervous about it and debated not having it but they really put her at ease. If you were fine after the first one and it’s give you so much more confidence does it really matter why you qualify for it?

Imreaaaaady · 07/05/2021 21:09

You could die crossing the street. The risks are minimal and like anything else in life.

CharlotteRose90 · 07/05/2021 21:16

I’m group 4 and had my first az at 30. I’m due my next one any day and will be having it. It’s a risk you need to take for your little one and because your obese. If you get ill from Covid being overweight isn’t your friend.

Nataliafalka · 07/05/2021 21:16

@whataballbag. he gutter press? If anything they've downplayed it. And so far 6 people have had VITT after the second vaccine, so being fine after the first doesn't mean much at all.

6 out of how ever many million, awful for those 6 people but hardly a significant risk. Even if it were 600 people out of millions and millions the risk would be minuscule

mooonstone · 07/05/2021 21:18

I think the side effects would have happened by now - you’ve already successfully had your first dose 2 months ago. Why are you worried about the 2nd dose when you know that your body will tolerate it as normal?

whataballbag · 07/05/2021 21:19

[quote Nataliafalka]**@whataballbag. he gutter press? If anything they've downplayed it. And so far 6 people have had VITT after the second vaccine, so being fine after the first doesn't mean much at all.

6 out of how ever many million, awful for those 6 people but hardly a significant risk. Even if it were 600 people out of millions and millions the risk would be minuscule[/quote]
Maybe not but the concerns for the first dose started off as a 1 in a million thing and now it's significantly worse odds. Nothing to say it won't pan out the same with second dose

Igmum · 07/05/2021 21:19

So sorry you've had a tough year OP but wonderful that things are starting to come together for you. As with PPs, get the facts. If you get Coronavirus you have a massive risk of blood clots. The AZ vaccine has a minuscule risk, mainly with the first dose (and yes, I've had one and I'm going to have my second). Brilliant news that you are restarting work, seeing family, getting healthy and being happy again. Keep going OP and enjoy those wonderful moments Thanks