You were all right. It’s just never going to end.

[Louby08]

So many of you on here have said my anxiety won’t just end, and for weeks I’ve told myself it will.
It will end once I’ve got my second jab.

Well you were all right. It’s not just going to end. It’s going to find something else to worry about.


So last night it was approved for me to have my second jab as Pfizer (following first dose of AZ)

I felt so relieved and happy. But tonight, that nagging anxious voice, the doubt, it’s getting to me.

I’m starting to panic now about it not being safe to mix vaccine doses.
Is it going to cause me long term side effects.
I’m telling myself it’s not a good idea and it’s better to just stay partially vaccinated with 1Az

I’ve got my appointment tomorrow morning and I really want to go.

I don’t want to have my second AZ so my option is 2nd one as Pfizer or stay as one vaccine.

I’m worrying that mixing vaccines won’t mean I’m fully vaccinated.
Does it mean I don’t have as much protection.
Will I not be able to travel?

FML 😭

[pinkmagnolias]

Btw, for @bumblenbean and others wishing they had been offered Pfizer too: AZ is actually more effective than was first reported

My preference is Pfizer because of the risks associated with AZ, not its effectiveness.

[Soverymuchfruit]

Fair enough (though those are v low) but I think others had mentioned effectiveness.

[Redbottle]

My EU family was told that mixing brands appears to offer extremely high protection, according to preliminary data. Probably higher than not mixing. I know many people who have done it with no ill effects.

Anxiety is horrible but very treatable. You will conquer it with the right support

[Ilovemypyjamas2021]

@bumblenbean
In terms of your anxiety it’s great you’re getting help; but I second others who have said these posts aren’t helping you. You don’t tend to engage with posters who try to offer you sensible advice and just refute any factual statements challenging your beliefs with the ‘yes but…’ type response your anxiety produces.

Absolutely agree

[Laquila]

I worry that all our responses might simply be feeding the OPs anxiety, tbh.

[Mistymountain]

Just to say I've also read that mixing the vaccines can also provide increased protection.

[bumblenbean]

@Soverymuchfruit thanks! I’ll take a look. I had heard similar - it’s just a bit disheartening when many of the MSM reports seem to bang on about how AZ is less effective. Feel grateful to have had any vaccine at all of course! And am hoping immunity keeps building with AZ…

[wondersun]

I’ve just been reading on twitter that it’s whatCanada now recommends and provides a great immune response - well jell! I’m double AZed. Go for it! Waiting worst bit, you’ll be chuffed when done.

[penni00]

Pfizer after AZ is better protection than two doses of AZ.
There are only three choices 1)AZ again
2)Pfizer (mixing)
3) no action
It seems you definitely don't want AZ as a second dose. I would have thought 'no action' would not be a relaxing route to take for you???
That leaves the route you are on of Pfizer (mix), which will give brilliant protection. Other countries are happily mixing.
All the best x

[Nootkah]

@Louby08 Your worry is not in charge of you. You are in charge of you. Inaction feels appealing because it seems like it's not your fault, but it is a conscious choice not to act so you are still making a decision and are still responsible for that decision. Go and get your jab. If necessary, speak to the thoughts out loud "You are my anxiety talking and you are wrong. Im doing this so shut up". Good luck this morning.

[RaspberryCoulis]

Being on MN is not helpful for you, OP. I agree that cutting all social media use is what you need to do until you get your anxiety under control.

[Louby08]

I just really struggle with decisions. I doubt myself so much and now I’m doubting if mixing is actually a good idea.

[Nootkah]

@Louby08 so let the medics make the decision for you. You have a range of decisions available:

Decide to allow your anxiety to get you to avoid the appointment again. This is still a decision by you.

Decide to allow the medics to decide what is best for you. This is still a decision by you.

I would suggest that giving the power to make the decision to the medics is the one for you here. That way, its their fault not yours... You were just doing as you were told.

Turn up. Talk to your anxiety. Roll up your sleeve and breathe.

[givemushypeasachance]

Loads of people have already mixed vaccines in the trials that are currently taking place - if they all keeled over and died as a result, the trial would have been halted! There's no medical reason mixing vaccines should make your protection less effective, so you'll either stay at the current level you have or you'll get increased protection. If the trials finish and show that mixing vaccines isn't as effective as using the same vaccine for two doses, then later you'll be able to re-assess whether you need a top up of something else, like a second Pfizer dose.

I was in an early trial for another vaccine (Valneva) and now I've had my first dose of Pfizer through the national roll-out, I'm fine! (cohort of one)

[Louby08]

I’ve had it!! Pfizer!

The nurse was absolutely brilliant.

They let my husband sit with me. She was so reassuring and said they had already done lots of mixed vaccines.

The 15 minutes after were hard.

I started to convince myself I was having an allergic reaction. My heart was pounding, hands tingling.
I was panicking. But my husband distracted me, got me a cup of water and I started to feel better.

[thecatfromjapan]

Well done.

That's a big step towards the shore, out of the anxiety-storm.

Well done!!

[Louby08]

@thecatfromjapan

Well done.

That's a big step towards the shore, out of the anxiety-storm.

Well done!!

@thecatfromjapan

Thanks.

[Redbottle]

Well done! It was a challenge but you did it anyway. Whenever you feel anxious you can look back on this as a success. Congratulations on being fully vaccinated

[Louby08]

@Redbottle

Well done! It was a challenge but you did it anyway. Whenever you feel anxious you can look back on this as a success. Congratulations on being fully vaccinated

@Redbottle

Thank you!!

I have such a long way to go. This whole thing has made me realise just how unwell I am.

It’s not going to end because I’m fully vaccinated.
I know that now.

I just hope I can get better. This is no way to live.

[Nootkah]

@Louby08 Good work vanquishing the anxiety voice.

[penni00]

Congrats :)

[Scottishgirl85]

Well done OP! I'd strongly advise you to now have a digital detox until you're better. Hope treatment goes well and you can start living again. Your husband is a keeper

[Redbottle]

This whole thing has made me realise just how unwell I am.

That's an important realisation and in itself another achievement. With the right support you will make more and more steps towards conquering anxiety

[penni00]

@louby08
I have private messaged you. Is that okay?

[Louby08]

@Scottishgirl85

Your husband is a keeper

My god. I know.

I think it’s often overlooked how badly affected those living with someone mentally unwell can be.