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Original poster

Any 40 year olds having your 1st dose this week/soon?

102 replies

VaccineAnxiety · 04/08/2021 11:23

I need a hand hold..I’m trying to force myself to get this vaccine but as with everything when you force yourself it’s even harder..anyone in my boat?

OP posts:
lavieengris · 09/08/2021 21:42

@VaccineAnxiety I hope the call tomorrow helps put your mind at rest.

Let me also suggest another forum, that might you find helpful. The people who contribute are just random people too, but their aim to help everyone get vaccinated, so they're more interested in helping people get the facts than calling them horrible names.

lavieengris · 09/08/2021 21:43

Posted too soon in error! The link is here: www.reddit.com/r/GetJabbed/

XenoBitch · 09/08/2021 21:47

[quote lavieengris]Posted too soon in error! The link is here: www.reddit.com/r/GetJabbed/[/quote]
I was about to ask what it was. That board seems to be just posts about where to get jabbed though, and not about how to overcome the other barriers that might be stopping people.

lavieengris · 09/08/2021 21:58

@XenoBitch There's a daily thread - one for London, and one for everywhere else - where you can ask any questions you like. The intention behind that board is to get as many people jabbed as possible, so people are willing there to answer questions about what a particular vaccine site was like, what their side effects were, etc. I thought if the OP had a walk-in centre in mind, they could ask about it there and get more information on the experience, which might help with staying calm on the day.

MN is a bit mixed between people who believe in Covid and people who don't, whereas that forum would have a more positive response to someone who wanted to get vaccinated, but wanted a lot of questions answered first.

XenoBitch · 09/08/2021 22:06

@lavieengris I did do a search for my particular issue on the that board and it came up with nothing :(

lavieengris · 09/08/2021 22:17

[quote XenoBitch]@lavieengris I did do a search for my particular issue on the that board and it came up with nothing :([/quote]
The threads move fast. I would suggest waiting until tomorrow morning (given what time it is) and posting something on the new shiny mega thread for that day.

Depending on your question, there's a really lovely vaccine scientist on Twitter who might be able to help? She often helps spread good information. twitter.com/sailorrooscout

musicalfrog · 09/08/2021 22:31

Hey OP just wanted to say well done for putting so much thought and effort into getting this done. It sounds from your posts like you're getting it together now and building up to getting the jab. Best of luck!

XenoBitch · 09/08/2021 22:34

Thank you @lavieengris - my issue is needle phobia, but it is deep seated and severe (more PTSD than phobia). I think I will just end up holding out for the vaccine in a different form such as patch or spray. I have read they are being worked on.

lavieengris · 09/08/2021 22:54

@XenoBitch I'm hesitant to talk about the vaccination as I don't want to inadvertently upset you, and I'm not sure what would do so. (If there's anything I can share from my own experience that would be helpful, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll assume it's too much.) However, as this affects your medical care in many other ways, I wondered if you'd managed to access any help on the NHS?

Depending on where you live, there are some treatments you can try for which you can self-refer yourself. Talking therapies aren't for everyone, and you may well have given everything a shot by now, but I just wanted to check, as some people don't realise they don't have to go through a GP.

I think nasal sprays are further ahead in development than some of the other alternative methods - not sure what the timeframe is, but if this is the only option left to you, I hope it happens soon! Fingers crossed.

Howmanysleepsnow · 09/08/2021 22:55

Is it just AZ you’re scared of? Turn up. If it’s AZ you can go home again. If it’s Pfizer, you have the option to take it. Just go… even if you have to go back another day, it’s a step past being afraid.

Original poster
VaccineAnxiety · 10/08/2021 09:18

@Howmanysleepsnow
Scared of both - AZ blood clots
Pfizer/Moderna - long term impact- immediate anaphylaxis

OP posts:
Original poster
VaccineAnxiety · 10/08/2021 09:21

I just got off the phone to gp- she was not helpful, she asked me self refer to the IAPT service

I asked my questions and she kept repeating that’s your anxiety- you are not anti vaccination

Not moved forward

OP posts:
lavieengris · 10/08/2021 12:30

@VaccineAnxiety I'm sorry you're still feeling stuck.

There are some walk-in clinics that are AZ only or Pfizer only, so if you would feel more comfortable with one over the other, you could probably swing it so that's the only one you're offered (and if you get offered the wrong one, as has been mentioned, you can always leave and try again elsewhere).

Some walk-in clinics are in hospitals, rather than pop up sites - you might feel more comfortable knowing there were loads of doctors and nurses around should anything not go to plan?

Are you an epipen carrier, or are you just worried about anaphylaxis in general?

What do you find makes you feel more reassured - statistics or anecdotal evidence?

Original poster
VaccineAnxiety · 10/08/2021 12:48

@lavieengris not an epi pen carrier- I haven’t had an allergic reaction so far

But my head say this will be the one

My mind was set on AZ but every time I pick up the keys to drive to the centre I get this chilly feeling I’m driving towards my death

OP posts:
Original poster
VaccineAnxiety · 10/08/2021 12:48

Stats would help but I’m trying not to look at things right now

OP posts:
Blessex · 10/08/2021 13:15

@VaccineAnxiety but any stats you care to look at would say that having Covid is statistically more risky than the vaccine. What other stats are there ?

Blissbiz · 10/08/2021 13:16

I felt similar, I didnt know whether to get vaccine or not. But I've decided I am I'm booked in today for my first jab. I would rather just get it and deal with the side effects than this constant uncertainty of where to get it or not. I'm getting pfizer, I've now stopped reading anymore information on it. I think you need to decide yes or no and that's it, honestly being so stressed and indecisive will make you ill not the vaccine or covid.

Blessex · 10/08/2021 13:16

That should read ‘having Covid unvaccinated’ of course.

Blessex · 10/08/2021 13:17

What I don’t understand is why you are not more anxious to be UNVACCINATED. That would make me far more anxious. And I know we are not the same person but I don’t get the risk principles you hold.

Blessex · 10/08/2021 13:19

@Blissbiz good for you. Well done x

Keladrythesaviour · 10/08/2021 13:21

[quote VaccineAnxiety]@lavieengris not an epi pen carrier- I haven’t had an allergic reaction so far

But my head say this will be the one

My mind was set on AZ but every time I pick up the keys to drive to the centre I get this chilly feeling I’m driving towards my death[/quote]
I had my 2nd vaccine yesterday in a small outbuilding outside of a hospital. There was a big "anaphylaxis kit" on the wall in the waiting room I was in. Could you call ahead and ask if there is one present at the venue you are considering? Explain your fears and that might help to reassure you to know the kit is right there next to you.

Of course the chances of you having a reaction when you've not had anything to suggest you might, are miniscule. But I'm guessing you already know that, just your anxiety won't let you believe it. So know a medical box is there might be a benefit to allay your fears.

AbstractEim · 10/08/2021 13:24

Good luck op, I understand how debilitating anxiety is, I’m an epi pen holder so I went for AZ. Felt a bit panicky straight after vaccine but they had some lovely women from St John’s ambulance available to sit and chat and as soon as I sat down I started feeling fine, the panic was all in my head.

I’m pro-vaccine, nearly died from measles as a child (wasn’t vaccinated) and it has left me with other lifelong health problems that have affected my ability to hold down a job. My son was hospitalised with rotavirus at 18m (no vaccine available then) and was also touch and go for a while. I will always opt for a vaccine when there is one available.

AbstractEim · 10/08/2021 13:27

Meant to add that the people that booked me in Ashley about allergies and I was able to speak to a doctor before the jab and then the vaccinator also double checked with another doctor as I was given an allergy marker with my paperwork. My allergies are food based and I have had one instance of anaphylaxis but apparently food allergies are not an indicator of problems with the vaccine but they were really thorough anyway. My friend has a penicillin allergy and she was also able to have AZ.

Bluesheep8 · 10/08/2021 13:29

*I’m convinced I will not take Pfizer or Moderna

So it’s the ‘clot jab’ for me*

1.I don't think you can choose.
2.The 'clot jab' ??? Confused

Arsebucket · 10/08/2021 13:41

@Bluesheep8

*I’m convinced I will not take Pfizer or Moderna

So it’s the ‘clot jab’ for me*

1.I don't think you can choose.
2.The 'clot jab' ??? Confused

I was allowed a choice, they were doing AZ or pfizer, they just asked which I wanted.

If you go to find a walk in centre on the nhs website, you can see which vaccines each is offering.