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Original poster

Which Covid Vaccine? (Anxiety!)

52 replies

Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 08:15

I've been reluctant to have the Vaccine, mainly because I'm super anxious and have a real phobia of needles and hospitals.
However, now they have started to do walk in vaccine clinics in my area, I have womaned up and decided to go and get it done, that and I'm done hiding away from everyone due to fear of getting Covid!
I'd rather have the one with the least side effects.
All jabs seem to be available as walk ins now, so which one is the best one/least likely to make me feel rubbish?
I'm 37 and in good health although I'm fatter than I would like!

Also does anyone have any tips on dealing with anxiety/panic attacks getting this done, are they understanding that I will not want to sit in a waiting room for 40 minutes? 😒
Do you think they'd let me have the jab sat at the door?
Lack of fresh air really sets off my panic attacks!

OP posts:
Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 10:01

I found all the staff kind and helpful - it was actually a very impressive set up

Legoninjago1 · 25/07/2021 10:05

@Foxhasbigsocks

I found all the staff kind and helpful - it was actually a very impressive set up
Same here. All the volunteers and vaccinators at both the centres I went to were utterly lovely and ready to deal with all types of emotions! You'll be fab OP.
RuleOfCat · 25/07/2021 10:13

It's brilliant that you've overcome your fears to make this decision.

We've had a range of jabs in our family (Az, Pfizer and Moderna) and the side effects have been different each time - from literally nothing, to a few hours with flu symptoms, loss of Appetite, and a very sore arm. Nothing too dramatic. I've had much worse colds. But I wouldn't say one jab was consistently worse than the other. In fact, I combined AZ first and Pfizer second, which is supposed to be tough with side effects, and it wasn't too bad at all.

Would it help if you do some visualization exercises, imagining any side effects as your immune system doing gym training to recognise covid virus cells in the future? When you first start going to the gym your muscles really hurt afterwards, right? This is your immune system doing the same thing. It's actually reassuring to have physical evidence that your body is reacting and preparing itself.

Do tell the centre staff you're really nervous as soon as you arrive, ask if you can wait in the fresh air or near a door/window. And while there put all your conscious thoughts into deep breathing from your stomach - slow in, slow out. The needle itself is totally piddly - it's nothing like drawing blood. My DD is nervous of needles and she breezed through it.

VanGoSunflowers · 25/07/2021 10:23

@Pregnantpeppa

At my first and second dose they wanted us to sit in the waiting room for 20 minutes afterwards. I felt sick and dizzy for the first (totally the aftermath of fear in my head not physical side effects). For the second I decided to walk out and my partner was in the car outside so wouldn’t be alone/driving. The Marshall said I wasn’t allowed to leave and I asked under what power he could detain me. They have no lawful ability to detain you and i said thank you I appreciate the advice but I am going to leave.
This I’m not afraid of needles but that wait after my jab was when I felt the most anxious. For my second, I will do the same as you and just leave!
Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 10:24

You have all really helped with a pep talk, I can't thank you enough for the support.
I have told OH what the plan is (he's very good with my weirdness!) and he and DS 4 are currently getting ready. ( They will sit in the car and wait for me)
I'm going to at the very least go look at the centre this morning, ideally I'll get the bloody jab at the same time but let's get there first!

OP posts:
bluetongue · 25/07/2021 10:33

Well done. I found it a much less stressful experience than going to the doctor or dentist.

I had Pfizer and had minimal side effects apart from a sore arm and a low grade fever with some chills with the second one that only lasted about 12 hours. Not a big deal. So glad I’ve had it.

A tip from a fellow anxiety sufferer. My first injection hurt a fair bit. I was worried about the second one. I told the nurse I was anxious and my first jab hurt. She could feel how tense my arm was and got me to concentrate on relaxing my shoulder and arm and it really did hardly hurt at all.

bluetongue · 25/07/2021 10:38

Totally missed you have a choice of astral or moderna. Go with moderna as there some concerns with side effects for younger people with astra. That’s the last thing you need to worry about!

Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 10:45

Still waiting on my boys to get ready.. anxiety is going through the roof but I'm determined to at least go see the medical centre.
I should add (although drip feed and I know everyone hates those!)
But I was Agoraphobic for years, got better, normal life, then covid so it does feel like I'm back to square one again at the minute.
My mental health is shot to shit again right now but I really want my normal life back, step one, get the vaccine!
Modera is what I'm going for, OH has Pfizer and has rotten side effects with the first one, second one none.
I may be yapping on here , giving a running commentary (Sorry) this morning.

OP posts:
Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 10:47

Op you should be really proud of yourself - I hope you are, for overcoming the agoraphobia initially and deciding to do this jab.

I bet you will be able to do it today and will feel so relieved once it’s over

Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 10:59

Thank you Fox, Im not feeling very proud at the moment, people are dealing with much worse than I am. It's just a bloody jab fgs!
However, I'm not the only one who is dealing with dodgy mental health since covid struck, at least we can still pay the bills and everyone has their health, I'm fortunate, I know I am.
I do however worry about the lasting impacts of the various lockdowns etc, if I am struggling( working class family with no worries about losing my home!) then others with those worries dangling over their heads are really going to need support.

Oft, I'm off on a 'distracting myself from anxiety' rants! 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 11:57

Woohoo! I done it! Walk in folk where fab, straight in, details, jab.. and they jave let me sit outside after.
Everyone who's putting it off because of Anxiety, they are dead good. 😁

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 25/07/2021 12:01

Well done!
Now have a lovely relaxing afternoon Flowers Cake

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 12:01

Ah amazing op!!!!

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 12:02

Be super proud of yourself!!

Really impressive!

VanGoSunflowers · 25/07/2021 12:05

Well done OP!! You should be really proud of yourself, facing a fear is NOT easy!!

Pinkpowderpuff · 25/07/2021 12:16

Mines at 2pm. Can't face it. It's not the actual jab, it's the weeks of waiting for side effects to crop up after.

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 12:19

@Pinkpowderpuff maybe we can support you to make it just slightly less scary. I would be lying if I said my heart didn’t sink when I sat down to have it and then after that I had to face the fear of side effects. But I managed it and am now almost 3 weeks post second jab. It is such a relief once it’s done.

Do you have any things you could collect together to help you over the next few weeks - favourite authors, box sets of tv to binge watch etc. Found this kind of stuff a really good distraction

Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 12:29

Pink, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the side effects BUT as others have said, the side effects of the jab jave got to be better than actual Covid.
I want my life back, I don't want to be scared of bloody covid anymore.
If I can do this, so can you.
I promise it was soooo much easier getting the thing done than I thought it would be. Xx

OP posts:
RuleOfCat · 25/07/2021 12:31

You are truly amazing! So proud of you. And isn't it a great feeling when you've overcome such a deep anxiety.
If you get zero side effects, that's brilliant. But if you do feel a bit dodgy for a while, just take it easy, take time off work or kids or whatever (get DH to take over), pop an ibuprofen to reduce any inflammation, just lie back and use it as an excuse to watch your favourite show. And let your immune system do all the work.

Pinkpowderpuff · 25/07/2021 12:35

@Foxhasbigsocks I've cancelled it, I can't turn up there in this state. It'll be a waste of everyone's time. It's also complicated by me struggling with tinnitus and the worry that it'll make it worse. I need more time to think about it.

Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 26/07/2021 19:07

Update for those interested (and Pink who's struggling,) so last night and today I felt like I'd been hit by a bus, headache, exhausted and generally rubbish, I slept the majority of today, woke at 4pm! (Thankfully OH'S boss let him have the day of to care for DS and I work flexible hours over the school holidays anyway.)
When I woke up, arm is still tender but that hit by a bus feeling has gone, I'll have an early night tonight and will hopefully be back to normal tomorrow.

😊

OP posts:
Motorina · 26/07/2021 20:33

@Dinotruxagain well done you! Super pleased you got it.

PinkBuffalo · 26/07/2021 20:55

I get really stressed about jabs but I have had double Pfizer now (under 40) and I was absolutely fine for both of them 🙂 just a bit of a sore arm for 24hrs on the 2nd one but nothing bad
I was worried about having it too, but the ladies and dr were so nice to me
Once I had the first one and was fine I was happier about getting the 2nd one and that was nearly two weeks ago and I all double jabbed now 🙂
Go for it op, and good luck!

PinkBuffalo · 26/07/2021 20:57

Oops sorry op did not see your update! That will learn me to read the whole thread lol
Glad you got it done well done 🙂

MrsFin · 26/07/2021 20:58

The Jansen one if you have anxiety about vaccinations. It's it's approved for one jab, so you only have to do it once.
I've had it (I'm on the trial). No side effects whatsoever.