Advised not to have 2nd dose and not allowed an alternative :(

[Sel14]

I had my first AZ 14 weeks ago due to my BMI.

6 days post vaccine I experienced awful headaches, dizziness, numbness & tingling in my hands and feet and visual disturbances.

I was seen in A&E and given the all clear.

The symptoms did not pass and I was referred by my GP to a neurologist.

I’ve been seen today and now have to wait for an MRI & further tests.

I am still intermittently having these symptoms and some days they are debilitating.

I have been advised by both my GP and the neurologist not to have my second vaccine, but have been told I won’t be allowed to have one of the MRNA vaccines as an alternative as this is not approved.

I’ve seen that this can be authorised in exceptional circumstances, and have questioned my GP but have still been told no.

I’m finding this incredibly unfair. I have a 2 year old DC who is in nursery and as of last month I am back in the office at work, so feel that both of these situations put me at risk.

Most people I work with are now double vaccinated and are expressing their excitement of their “new freedoms” and sense of relief at being fully vaccinated and I’m stating to feel resentful.

The Dr has told me I may be eligible for a booster in the autumn if mixing of vaccines is approved, but what am I supposed to do in the mean time?

I really don’t think my employer is going to let me work from home since all staff are now back in the office.

I just want to get on with my life, but how I can I with this looming over me.

I’m feeling seriously depressed about it all.
I can’t face having to hide away from this virus any longer, but without having a second vaccine, what choice do I have 😔

My dh had AZ first dose and then Pfizer for the second. He had a letter from GP and there were no problems at the vaccination centre.

@timetickson

My dh had AZ first dose and then Pfizer for the second. He had a letter from GP and there were no problems at the vaccination centre.

@timetickson

Was this for medical reasons?

[quote Sel14]@CharlotteRose90

It sounds exactly the same as what I’m experiencing.

Have you been offered an alternative for your second dose?[/quote]
Sorry I didn’t see your reply. Erm no not at the minute. All I’ve been is neurology want my scan results and if nothing sinister shows on it then we will make the decision as to whether I’ll get the second vaccine or not. It does scare me as I don’t want the symptoms to get worse again.

Sel14 - yes it was for medical reasons. He had an out of the blue stroke after the first vaccination.

Your GP is wrong. I had Astra and then the clotting thing came out and I have a clotting problem so I’ve had Pfizer for my second dose. Get some advice from 119.

OP has some unexplained symptoms that are ongoing. That is in no way the same as people having a vaccine preference. I really don't understand these posts suggesting that she try to subvert the medical advice of GP and neuro; the process is to first get better - or at least a diagnosis that doesn't conflict with being given a vaccine - and then discuss vaccine options.

@MRex

OP has some unexplained symptoms that are ongoing. That is in no way the same as people having a vaccine preference. I really don't understand these posts suggesting that she try to subvert the medical advice of GP and neuro; the process is to first get better - or at least a diagnosis that doesn't conflict with being given a vaccine - and then discuss vaccine options.

@MRex

I just hope that I can eventually get a second dose and I don’t always have to remain partially vaccinated. ☹️

Eventually you will, for now focus on getting better. I hope you recover soon.

I completely agree with Mrex. It doesn't sound like you will never get it. Just not now. You need to know what is causing you to feel ill before doing anything else. Listen to the advice of your doctor.

Or don't ....listen to anonymous people on the Internet who don't know your full medical history.

@MRex

Eventually you will, for now focus on getting better. I hope you recover soon.

@MRex

Thanks! 🙂

Nicely put @MRex. Some of the examples of mixed vaccines PPs have given refer to clots/clotting risk. You have had headaches/neuro signs which may well have been a side effect of the vaccine (I'm convinced mine are, but it is possible that it is a coincidence). The vaccine mixing trials have shown greater side effects overall from mixed vaccine doses compared with 2 doses of the same thing. So if your headaches are a side effect of the AZ vaccine, it wouldn't be logical to switch to Pfizer at this stage. That's my thinking anyway, I hope that makes sense.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

@Sel14

Same boat as you. Had AZ back in March, still with side effects - did you get a second dose?

How are you now @Sel14? Did you get anywhere with the neurologist?

@Sel14 in a similar boat to you with a very nasty reaction to AZ that is ongoing at 6 months post. I have made progress but am not as well as I was before the jab and may have to accept my current level of health is permanent (triggered multiple auto-immune issues it seems). I am not having the second either at the moment or ever (even though I would like to!). I am was reassured by reading today, that those of us who only had one AZ might still have pretty good protection....

www.ft.com/content/49641651-e10a-45f6-a7cc-8b8c7b7a9710

@Grimbelina

I can't see the info the link leads to as the FT want a subscription, does it say how many months after the first dose we might still have pretty good protection?

penni00 it doesn't say that, but does say that that although Pfizer gives initially higher protection, this then decreases, the Astrazeneca seems to maintain. This was over a 4/5 month period though so who knows after that. It could also be the reason Israel are suffering so much now as they used Pfizer, had a small gap between vaccinations and vaccinated so long ago.

@Grimbelina
Thank you. So hope AZ is holding up well, I having been feeling like - 'big side effects, little protection'. Perhaps the protection is better than I have been thinking, I have been feeling not much better than being unvaccinated. Deserve better protection after all this suffering with the side effects!!!

penni00 I am in the 'big side effects, moderate to good protection' group! Still glad I had it even for that. I think (my opinion only of course from reading endlessly) is that we still have pretty good protection against serious illness/death. I have actually been told I can have the Pfizer next but want to see what the trials publish on this (and consultant agreed). I can't risk being this ill again as I have lost nearly 6 months of my life and still can't work etc. (and I think there is a very high likelihood I will have a similar reaction to a second jab at this point). Still pro-vaccine though, just realise I have been very unlucky.

From:

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19latestinsights/vaccines

"Two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine are estimated to be 92% effective against hospitalisation with the Delta variant (71% after one dose) compared with 86% with the Alpha variant."

That is a good link thank you. I have been waiting for the results of the 12 week dosing interval mixing trials. They seem to be taking forever. Mixing at 4 week dosing interval showed more side effects. I was planning at one point to have Pfizer as a second dose, even have a letter from my GP okaying it. However, my neurologist warned me that an over immune response that I seem to have had, could be worse if I mix vaccines. He said mixing likely to give my immune system a bigger kick than having AZ again. I am keen to see the results of the 12 week mixing trials to see if the longer dosing interval still shows increased side effects with mixing. Currently, I cannot face a second dose of anything, it is difficult to bite that second dose bullet when still with side effects. I don't think I could ever face AZ again, not even sure I can face a vaccine of any kind, even the flu one. I am terrified of how my body might respond after this AZ experience. The medics seem to have different ideas about whether second doses are ok for us side effect people. I don't think anyone really knows.

I have read at least two threads recently on here of people who had Az and then went on to have Pfizer. So it definitely can be done.