Please hold my hand through second jab!

[NicoleKidmanSuperFan]

So after making many threads adamant I wasn't going to have the second jab, I went ahead and did it tonight and am feeling super scared. I will document how I feel. Feeling super scared and I know I will for 3 weeks. Any support is welcome.

Ha yes must try to be positive! I think I’ll feel
A lot better after 2 weeks or so - I know that’s not fully out of the woods but surely to god the chances that long after the second dose must be even more minuscule (I’m sure I read any clot with second seemed to be happening quicker than with the first but maybe I’m going mad...)

I watched Run recently - enjoyed it- ironic that the main character is obsessed with illness 🤣

@PastMyBestBeforeDate thank you. I empathise massively with your situation so I hope vaccine uptake continues to be high. If it helps I think if you're in this position of half immunity or no immunity and it is not your fault then that is something you can not help. I think I knew deep down I needed to do the right thing and didn't really have a reason not apart from fear. I am still in a state of fear over it but I hope with time I feel better.

@NicoleKidmanSuperFan oh I'm glad you read that the way I meant it Yes I'm not in this position by choice, I have school age dc and it's a worry. You will feel better. You've read the indicators of a clot but you got through jab #1 and the odds are overwhelmingly in your favour.

So it's almost 12 hours since my second dose of the AstraZeneca and I feel nothing at all. Last time by now I had a temperature and a racing heart. I'm pleased so far and really hope it stays this way! Also feeling happy that I went ahead. Hope this isn't short lived!

@NicoleKidmanSuperFan I was on your previous threads, and I really think you're brave for tackling your fears head on.

Absolutely well.done op. Ignore all the negative comments. Facing and overcoming a terrible fear is brave, Regardless of any logic of the reason for the fear , the feeling is very real .

You have done something brave and incredibly useful to you and to others . Be proud of yourself

:) I was just a bit tired after my second jab but no more than a bit. Most people seem to have a much reduced reaction. Keep on feeling happy!

@NicoleKidmanSuperFan glad you’re feeling alright so far! Yes it was in London that I saw her, she was visiting friends I think. She was pretty conspicuous I must say - very tall and wearing a big hat!

@whataballbag thanks for your kind words. You were nice and supportive in the threads from before so thanks so so much for that.

How are you feeling now? I know exactly how you feel, going through that fear is life consuming so I hope you're doing okay. I do feel scared after having the second jab but also am trying to remind myself that I can seek help if anything changes.

@bumblingbovine49 oh wow thanks so much for that. I needed that today, feeling a bit scared but also hoping I did the right thing. You're so right, all logic goes out the window with these things. For me the constant going over it again and again became too much so I had to put a stop to it. I do hope it pays off...

@MiniMaxi ooo she's an elegant lady!

@PastMyBestBeforeDate yes I'm feeling tired now. Not too much though, did the school run very easily and now having a cup of tea. I sort of want these 2-3 weeks to go quick. My mind goes to dark places and I worry but then I just try and snap out of it! Mental health issues being born out of this pandemic will need to be addressed. My anxiety is old but I see it in people who didn't have it before.

[quote NicoleKidmanSuperFan]@whataballbag thanks for your kind words. You were nice and supportive in the threads from before so thanks so so much for that.

How are you feeling now? I know exactly how you feel, going through that fear is life consuming so I hope you're doing okay. I do feel scared after having the second jab but also am trying to remind myself that I can seek help if anything changes. [/quote]
I'm getting to where you are I think, sick of thinking about it all the time!

I have health anxiety and OCD too OP so I know exactly how you feel. My inside mantra is 'worrying about something only puts you through it twice', easier said than done but try to see it as 'if something bad is going to happen I'll worry about it when it happens, not now'. Glad you're feeling ok so far and you made a brave decision! Well done. X

I'm in the same boat @NicoleKidmanSuperFan in fact I've out my second dose off for a few weeks while I worked on the anxiety and now I'm annoyed with myself because it would be all done and dusted by now if I'd got it when I was invited but it's booked for this week now! I'm glad to hear you've had a better time than the first one, and a massive well done for overcoming your fears to get it done. The people commenting why are you worrying etc are clearly lucky enough to have never experienced true health anxiety. It can be crippling even when you know deep down the risk is minimal. You've done amazingly and you can sleep at night knowing you've done your part for the community.

@whataballbag sending so much love. Be kind to yourself, without sounding annoying and pushy (as it felt like that when people would say this) but maybe just go ahead and do it? Mixing jabs will take time to gather real data and I also got to the point of 'f it, what will be will be'. Not a thought health anxiety likes as it likes certainty but honestly sometimes that's much better than the mental state of going over and over it.

@whataballbag at the same time I know it's not so easy so remind yourself that you will be fine either way. What I did was book it and tell myself I wasn't going to have it. I wanted to see how I felt that morning. The GP helped too. When you have something booked for the day sometimes it's easier to do it there and then rather than knowing it's coming up. Knowing it was coming up was more scary for me so I booked it and thought there's no way in hell I'm doing it. Then when the day came it's like courage just appeared out of nowhere (courage of utter exhaustion from thinking about it). Here to support you either way and anything you decide is okay but also know either way you will be fine with both options

@eandz13 that's a good mantra, I wish I could be strong like that and most of the time I am. I had a big anxiety attack years ago and after that I've been able to calm myself more. I tell myself worrying won't change anything so it's a waste of time. I also try and enjoy the small things in life like a nice hot chocolate or a movie with the kids to distract me. Distraction is key I have seen.

Anxiety coming on a little bit now but going to try and have a nap. I have been drinking lots of water and walking to keep everything flowing inside. Even if that is just psychological! Haha

@BeHappyAndSmile I totally understand your worries. That was and still is me. Won't feel better till 3 weeks are over even though that is definitely an overreaction and one week should be enough. Don't give yourself a hard time for not going for it. I cancelled many times. You'll have it when you feel confident and then it just feels better in terms of coping with the anxiety too. Let me know how you get on!

Well done for doing it OP. Just count the days down now and then you can forget about it. I’m on day 18 and now glad I went as it will all be over soon.

@Goodasgolden oh that's amazing! Day 18 already. How have you felt throughout? Was this your second one? I think you can confidently stop worrying now. @bumblenbean how are you feeling now?

Hi OP... I’m ok, anxiety comes and goes, it’s definitely going to be a long 3 weeks but I’ve kind of resigned myself to that!

How are you feeling op? Had my second one last night and like you I was so anxious - nearly cancelled it. I'm nearing 30. I didn't have any side effects with the last one. Today my arm is a bit sore but nothing major and j have a headache which tbf I had a headache before the jab yesterday and it might not be the jab. I'm hoping the headache will shift later 😒

@Bubby2997 I'm feeling okay. A bit tired, eyes feeling a little heavy but overall feeling okay. I need a nap but my youngest preschooler is running around

@NicoleKidmanSuperFan a huge well done. As a fellow health anxiety sufferer who is due their second dose in 3 weeks I know how much courage that must have taken. I’m actually a little bit jealous that you’ve taken the plunge and are on your way to being fully vaccinated and past the point of obsessing over making a choice. Although 4 weeks is the official at risk period I think the risk really tails off a couple of weeks before that. I hope you’re doing lots of nice things and have some good distractions. It helps me sometimes to remind myself that everything is ok right now in this moment and to continue to use the mantra. If at any point you have any concerns we have a medical service who are now well aware of the warning signs and treatment has improved once again very recently but right now everything is ok and your body will be busy getting ready to provide you with lots more protection against covid. Very much so here to hand hold. You’ve got this and a huge well done too! I hope you’re super proud of yourself