Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

AZ/Severe Anxiety

49 replies

whataballbag · 08/05/2021 13:06

Wasn't sure where to post this, sorry.

Due 2nd dose AstraZeneca next week.

Have severe health anxiety & ocd. Spent last 4 days crying, panicking, throwing up, feeling suicidal because of the fear.

I know I don’t ‘have’ to have the second dose but I also feel the same about not having it. I just want to be safe, but both options are making me so fucking mentally ill.

Spoke to GP’s who just said ‘shame you feel like that as it’s safe, no chance at all of a different vaccine, referral to psychiatrist’ which I’m greatful for but that’s not going to help me right now.

I know this will sound utterly fucking stupid to some and trust me, I would give anything to not be like this. So fucking desperate and scared.

I'm a single mum to 2 young boys and they shouldn't have to see this. I've held it together so well for the past year and it's all just gone to shit.

I was sooo so excited for the first jab, thought maybe it was a start to recovery for me and now this, just seems like no way out for me.

I don't know what I'm hoping to gain from posting this, everyone I speak to irl either tells me I'm stupid or 'oh it'll be fine'.

OP posts:
snotaproblem · 08/05/2021 14:32

I don't want my second either I totally understand

VaVaBoom · 08/05/2021 14:32

But if you get your second vaccination you have better protection against Covid - which can be a debilitating deadly illness. Did you get your first vaccination as one of the earlier priority groups - were you more at risk of a bad outcome from having Covid?

It's not compulsory to get your second vaccination.

Original poster
whataballbag · 08/05/2021 14:33

@VaVaBoom

But if you get your second vaccination you have better protection against Covid - which can be a debilitating deadly illness. Did you get your first vaccination as one of the earlier priority groups - were you more at risk of a bad outcome from having Covid?

It's not compulsory to get your second vaccination.

Yes, but unpaid carer so not because of my health. My dad (who I care for) has had both vaccines. Bloody Pfizer too
OP posts:
Houseofvelour · 08/05/2021 14:38

I feel the same. I should be hearing about my second vaccine in the next week and I have surgery booked for 12 days time.
I'm more worried about the vaccine than the surgery.
I have health anxiety, OCD, paranoia and health anxiety (amongst other things 🙄)

Original poster
whataballbag · 08/05/2021 14:41

I really think it might be wise to postpone it a little, for me.

I know Ireland are giving 16 week intervals and I can't see any immunity just dropping off a cliff after week 12. I'm not even 11 weeks just yet, so maybe we will know a lot more in 5 weeks? Given how quickly this situation has changed?

OP posts:
RoseWineTime · 08/05/2021 14:43

I think initial findings from the mixed vaccine trial are due out later this month so maybe you should wait to hear the results of this before deciding what to do. I’m on the trial and have had both doses and don’t think there have been any safety issues - just waiting to hear about efficacy.

Original poster
whataballbag · 08/05/2021 14:52

@RoseWineTime

I think initial findings from the mixed vaccine trial are due out later this month so maybe you should wait to hear the results of this before deciding what to do. I’m on the trial and have had both doses and don’t think there have been any safety issues - just waiting to hear about efficacy.
That's the best news I've heard all week rose.

Thankyou for that.

Will you find out what vaccines you got?

I did want to do the trial but too young!

OP posts:
VaVaBoom · 08/05/2021 15:09

We should keep in mind that the only reason the country is in the much better position vs Covid than we were in during 2020 is because of the uptake of the vaccine and we need the full vaccination roll out for the best outcomes and to hopefully avoid more lockdown/disruption and Covid deaths

TruelyWonder · 08/05/2021 15:10

You will be getting a second dose of the only vaccine that has any evidence of being good against the India variant. The India variant is likely to take over from the Kent if not contained. We have some cases here now. Technically the other vaccines should work the same as the AZ but nothing in life is guaranteed. So until we have evidence I would be relieved to get this one.

DarceyDashwood · 08/05/2021 15:23

@Kyph

You know that your anxiety is irrational and no-one is going to be able to stop it for you. Would it help to think like this?

If you get the vaccine next week then you might be worried for a couple of weeks after but then you'll be massively relieved that you did it and you are protected.
If you decide not to have the vaccine you will not be free of the worry after two weeks, it will go on much longer as there will always be a worry that you are not protected or that you still need to get the second dose.

@Kyph I don’t want to hijack the OP’s thread but just wanted to say this mindset is really helpful to me in terms of my anxiety about the second jab. So thanks Smile
Original poster
whataballbag · 08/05/2021 15:28

I appreciate all this and I have had one dose of the vaccine. I think waiting a few weeks is a good idea for when there's more data.

OP posts:
Somebunnylovesyou22 · 08/05/2021 15:42

I’m really sorry you are feeling like this it must feel debilitating right now. Don’t feel forced to do anything and think through what it best for you which maybe means taking a little longer to make a decision either way. If you are young and healthy then it’s weighing up the risks/benefits for you. I have had the first dose of AZ but not keen on a second right now. There isn’t the same amount of data on second doses in younger age ranges so for me it makes sense as a young and healthy person to wait until that is available.

cottondotty · 08/05/2021 15:50

I literally could’ve written this myself.

I had my first dose 9 weeks ago, I’m 36 but I’m
in group 6 for the vaccine.

I’m anxious about Covid and have felt so much better about it since having my vaccine, but I’m also extremely anxious about having my second dose now.

I just feel stuck in such a shit place, either way there’s the risk of death for me, either from
Covid or the vaccine.

I feel like I can’t enjoy my weekend after the news yesterday, just feel like I have a huge black cloud looming over me.

Sorry I don’t have any advice for you, but I do empathise, because I’m in the exact same position.

RoseWineTime · 08/05/2021 15:53

I won’t find out what vaccines I’ve had until next year I don’t think. It’s possible that I didn’t get a mixture and got 2 the same! I only had a sore arm after the first jab but flu symptoms after the second one 4 weeks later! I’m thinking either 3 Pfizer or Pfizer then AZ but who knows?!

RoseWineTime · 08/05/2021 15:54

*2 Pfizer

Lmaa97 · 08/05/2021 16:54

I know it may not help but this is so understandable. Please do not feel like you are an exception or let other people dismiss your stress/anxiety. Your are doing exactly what you should do by seeking professional help - and it really takes a lot of courage to do that. And please do not be so hard on yourself for feeling this way: the last few months have been so hard. Flowers

Goodasgolden · 08/05/2021 17:16

If it helps make your decision OP I had my second 8 days ago and I’ve never felt so anxious. I’ve never suffered with MH issues or anxiety and now I’m fucking terrified I’m going to die suddenly from a blood clot on my brain. Nothing would convince me to have a booster and go through this again.
On the other hand if you don’t get it how worried will you be about contracting covid?
I feel for you so much. It’s a horrible decision and position we’ve been put in.

Original poster
whataballbag · 08/05/2021 18:37

I appreciate all this support so much Thankyou honestly from the bottom of my (always pounding) heart ❤️

OP posts:
MaxNormal · 08/05/2021 18:49

I'm so sorry, your fear and distress really comes across.
I get it. I've got quite crippling OCD and when the fear takes over there's no rational or logical thoughts that can cut through, and it's overwhelming.

NailsNeedDoing · 08/05/2021 19:00

I just want to add to the understanding and support, I completely get it.

Anxiety is awful, and so misunderstood by those who are lucky enough not to have experienced it.

If it comforts you even a little to delay for a few weeks, then do it. You know you will have full protection when you are ready, and you can remember that you already have very good protection now, so right now, everything is ok.

Rainbowsandstorms · 08/05/2021 19:53

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. As someone who also suffers from health anxiety and has had the Astra Zeneca and is in my 30s I totally understand. I found the period after my first incredibly difficult and feel very stressed about my second. I also think it needs acknowledgement that this isn’t an irrational fear either. I know there are lots of people who are less risk adverse and are happy with the risks associated with AZ but equally there are lots of concerned people too. It was me who mentioned the 16 week gap being advised by Ireland to you on another thread. If you’re not yet at 11 weeks another few weeks wait could give you enough data to feel like you can make a more informed and confident choice. I’m keeping everything crossed that it becomes clear that there is a much smaller chance of clots if your body coped well first. There seem to be lots of experts who think this is likely to be the case but like you I’d like to see a bit more data first as things changed very quickly after my first dose. I’m sorry you’re struggling so much and I hope you’re able to find a way forward.

Quartz2208 · 08/05/2021 20:15

I think though that the way the information is given is confusing because it makes it seem as if the blood clot issue only hits the under 40s which isnt true at all.

The first decision was made because it was seen that in the under 30s there was a similar risk to dying of COVID (very very small) to dying of a blood clot (very very small again) so it wasnt worth it. The risk still exists for an 80 year old but the risk from COVID is much much greater.

Then the recent decision relating to the under 40s is in part I think because the Government now has enough Pfizer/Moderna stock to vaccinate the remaining under 40s therefore can remove AZ from its list if needed and get numbers up

I think sometimes the messaging on this has been garbled

Original poster
whataballbag · 22/05/2021 15:55

Now I'm feeling a little more with it, I want to say honestly from the bottom of my heart Thankyou so much to everyone who offered me support on this thread.

I don't really have anyone 'in real life' to talk to about these things. I can't express how grateful I am that you were all 'there'.

That's awfully sappy and people will probably see this and think 'shut the fuck up' but I don't care. Thanks

OP posts:
Lmaa97 · 22/05/2021 19:04

Really glad to hear you are feeling better! Smile x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread