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Original poster

Worried about 2nd AZ vaccine

78 replies

Kaylasmum49 · 21/05/2021 11:00

I'm due my 2nd vaccine next Tuesday and I am in two minds whether to go for it. I keep reading about the blood clots and that they are still occurring after the second dose.

My mum died at the age of 45 after a stroke and because of that I was advised to not take the contraceptive pill. I am 54 and have severe health anxiety which impacts my life on a daily basis. I am currently awaiting treatment for my anxiety.

I want to cancel my appointment and wait to see how many more cases arise after the second dose. Am I being over cautious?

OP posts:
WilyKitWilyKat · 21/05/2021 11:05

It seems pretty simple to me - if you feel it’s too high a risk for you personally, or just don’t want to have it, then don’t have it. Personally, I’ll be having my second dose, but it’s up to each individual to decide what’s best for them.

Original poster
Kaylasmum49 · 21/05/2021 11:58

I want to have it but I am really worried about the blood clot issue.

OP posts:
Brokensharted · 21/05/2021 12:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Billandben444 · 21/05/2021 12:18

Yup, it's a groundhog thread.

CloudPop · 21/05/2021 12:40

There should be a specific topic titled "Reasons not to have the AZ vaccine"

rainbowunicorn · 21/05/2021 12:45

Funny how it is the same few names that keep cropping up with the same questions.

Original poster
Kaylasmum49 · 21/05/2021 13:56

Thanks!!! Just take the piss eh? I'm genuinely worried about the risks. Seriously what a nasty group of people.

OP posts:
loweylo · 21/05/2021 14:24

Perhaps you could talk to your GP for them to give you a more accurate risk assessment based on your medical history? There is actually quite a high risk of blood clots from contracting covid too - and the risk of blood clots from the second dose is very very small - so that might be something to think about? My step dad ended up in hospital for 11 months after suffering a very serious stroke which the Drs thought was as a result of him having the flu as your risk of stroke after flu is much higher (he had actually been vaccinated but it was the year that the vaccine was really ineffective). I know this is obviously relatively rare, but there can clearly be consequences to contracting viruses. Although there is a risk from the vaccine, there is also quite a high risk of complications from covid so maybe teasing this out with a medical professional might help and then you can make a more informed decision?

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 21/05/2021 14:26

It’s like rain in the rainforest…

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 21/05/2021 14:27

@Kaylasmum49 Maybe this is one for your gp rather than a bunch of randoms on the tinterweb 🤷‍♀️

Sadless · 21/05/2021 14:27

Same here i am due second does on Sunday first time I have posted about it. I have turned 39 since the last jab and was ill for a day off the first. I am thinking that the first one didn't kill me so the second shouldn't. Still worried about it I have the appointment at the same time as my husband but he's 44 so he's not worried anyway and he had no side effects from the first.

Sal

Backofbeyond50 · 21/05/2021 15:04

If you are worried seek medical advice. These forums are not the best place
Incidentally were you reassured by the thread about the testing swabs op.

spacegirl86 · 21/05/2021 15:08

If you've had your first dose already you are likely to be in one of the more vulnerable groups (I take it it's because of your age given that you are 54). That means you are more at risk of blood clots from actually catching COVID, never mind the other risks. I understand it's a worry (I've got mine in a few weeks and I'm not in a vulnerable group) but try to think of it like that and get yourself fully protected against the bigger risk.

Rainbowsandstorms · 21/05/2021 16:16

@Kaylasmum49 have you had a look at this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4249882-Alternatives-to-AstraZeneca-vaccine-for-under-40s-will-be-considered-amid-rise-in-blood-clots-Thread-3?watched=1

Lots of useful info and people with similar concerns.

Backofbeyond50 · 21/05/2021 17:24

I am wondering now about blood clot risk for 2nd dose. I gad my second dose today and the person taking the details made me aware of the risk but said there were no reported cases in 2nd doses and a quick Google search seemed to indicate the same. However I am sure I read on here that cases have been reported.

Original poster
Kaylasmum49 · 21/05/2021 18:12

I'm not in the vulnerable group, I am an unpaid carer to my autistic ds. I am going to call my gp on Monday and go over my concerns.

Thanks to those who tried to understand my concerns and to those that felt the need to ridicule me, try being a bit nicer.....it doesn't hurt!!

OP posts:
manicwhatday · 21/05/2021 19:41

@Backofbeyond50

I am wondering now about blood clot risk for 2nd dose. I gad my second dose today and the person taking the details made me aware of the risk but said there were no reported cases in 2nd doses and a quick Google search seemed to indicate the same. However I am sure I read on here that cases have been reported.
@Backofbeyond50

15 cases have been reported so far from the second dose.
9 million second doses have been administered.

Backofbeyond50 · 21/05/2021 20:19

@manicwhatday thank you

HPFA · 22/05/2021 08:57

@Kaylasmum49

I'm not in the vulnerable group, I am an unpaid carer to my autistic ds. I am going to call my gp on Monday and go over my concerns.

Thanks to those who tried to understand my concerns and to those that felt the need to ridicule me, try being a bit nicer.....it doesn't hurt!!

Hi @Kaylasmum49 - don't worry about people being unpleasant - they have no idea what having Health Anxiety is like!

I had a symptom that is possibly linked to the vaccine and even though I've had the all clear (and won't need a recheck if the symptom happens again after second vac) I still don't want to have it again! However I have still had the second jab - half an hour ago!!

As a Health Anxiety vet a couple of things that help me - after you've had a chat with your GP etc try and sit down and make your decision consciously - either "I have decided to have the vax/not have it because....." One of the things with HA is feeling powerless and I find that if I consciously articulate what I'm going to do it helps me feel more in control and less helpless. Also, if you do go ahead with the vax try and tick off the danger points as you cross them - for instance I'm now probably past the point where I'd get an allergic reaction so I'm celebrating that right now rather than agonising over "what ifs".

On the specifics of the blood clots there is a tiny risk but it's very much smaller with the second dose AND the medics are much more up to speed with the symptoms and the correct treatment. With the first doses people were not reporting the symptoms early and then they were being given the wrong treatment - that wouldn't happen now.

I'm not going to advise you what to do because as I said I think it's important that you make the decision for yourself but that's the current situation.

Good luck!

Lau52 · 22/05/2021 09:51

I had my 1st AZ jab just over 2 weeks ago. Had some side effects day after but I also suffer from health anxiety which had quadrupled ten fold since having jab. Daily panic attacks and tears. I spoke my GP first time in 8 years accepted medicine to hopefully help feel normal again because well I’ve forgotten what that is like. If I get through next few weeks and feeling more in control of my anxiety then I will go ahead with my second. But I do understand how thoughts overcome us and trying to accept the rational thinking isn’t easy at all if have you health anxiety. Unfortunately no one can really understand if they haven’t experienced it so ignore the judgements. The whole ‘be kind’ has gone well out the window for some. Speak to your GP and talk through your concerns.

Crackbadger · 22/05/2021 21:46

My grandmother died of a vascular event aged 48. I asked my GP if she thought this put me at risk from the AZ and she said no. But that's probably not the greatest help to you as was a further generation away. I understand your anxiety and hope the doctor is sympathetic and helpful.

Feelingbad2 · 22/05/2021 22:05

I had my second AZ dose on Wednesday. I too have health anxiety. I am slightly worried and probably will be for the next 4 weeks but the thought of getting covid overruled this, especially as I am going to be starting a new job in a town that has quite a lot of cases of the Indian variant.

Walkaround · 23/05/2021 08:32

@Kaylasmum49 - talk to your GP for reassurance, but the sort of extremely rare vaccine-induced blood clot you could get from the AZ vaccine that has been getting so much publicity has no link to the sort of blood clot you are at risk from naturally or with the contraceptive pill. The AZ blood clot is extremely unusual as it comes with low platelet levels (odd with blood clots, as it’s platelets that cause clotting) and a particular antibody. Your risk of a completely different sort of blood clot should not therefore be linked to the vaccine induced type. As others have pointed out, though, you have a far higher risk of getting the more normal type of blood clot as a consequence of getting covid than as a consequence of having one of the vaccines.

Emmelina · 23/05/2021 18:06

You have an even lower risk of blood clots from the second AZ vaccine; if you were fine with the first there’s absolutely no reason for concern with the second.

Rube51 · 23/05/2021 18:15

The likelihood is if you were fine with the first you'll be fine this time but I totally totally get the concern. I'm under 30 and had my first dose of Az In Feb and was extremely worried about the second. I nearly cancelled it, made it a little later in the end. I've had it now but I'm still a bag of nerves over the side effects!

If it helps, I spoke to a doctor the other day as I had an awful awful headache I couldn't shift which I believe is from tension worrying about it. The doctor did reassure me saying that the media needs to stop scaring people and it's extremely rare - I know he would say that! They are also more aware about the clots now so take any symptoms after the jab seriously whereas before they were dismissing people's concerns.

It's not easy not to be concerned with it all over the news and internet etc. It's easy for people to criticise your concern on here but until you've suffered with health anxiety - you have no idea what it's like to deal with it. My anxiety over the jab last week has really made me feel crap. I'm so tense, my heart rate is all over with anxiety and anxiety chest pains etc. It's very real for the people who suffer from this.

Please let us know how you get on op. If you don't want it then don't get it but if you do I am sure you will be fine! 💕