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Original poster

Severe allergies and having Pfizer - positive stories anyone?

45 replies

YarnOver · 05/08/2021 12:07

I've made previous posts on this and the universal response was no I shouldn't get the vaccine so I will preface this by I have had plenty of specialist medical input!!!

I'm going to have the vaccine next week. I have severe allergies to a huge range of medications. I'm having it done in the allergy clinic in the hospital.

I don't want it, at all, I've had covid, it was very very mild and less than a cold. I'm CEV but never shielded as I didn't want to and I work a very high risk job. So I don't have any concerns about me getting covid again.

The last time I posted there were no restrictions in place for those who weren't vaccinated, now there are. I have a young family, we love to travel and do things when my health permits. So I've decided with my DH that we are probably going to end up being severely limited in what we can do if I don't do it.

I am nervous. I really don't want it, I feel it's more risk to me than covid! The nurses I've spoken to said they are able to give me it in the clinic but said they would totally understand and support me not taking it if that's what I chose... which didn't fill me with reassurance! Although they did also say if they had thought it was an absolute no they would say no to doing it.

Are there any positive stories of people who have allergies and who have had the vaccine?

Although the AZ is recommended for those with allergies I am having the Pfizer as I also have one of the contraindicated blood clotting disorders (it was found on my stillborn baby's post mortem so no one is prepared to give me the AZ (which I obviously understand) even though I'm not worried about blood clots!)

Thank you!

OP posts:

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 08:05

Anyone?

OP posts:

Picklesthecat · 06/08/2021 08:16

There are definitely stories of people with allergies having the vaccines safely as a significant portion of the population has allergies. But without having the exact same allergies it may not be as relevant to you. I would suggest trying a support group for your allergies and seeing if there is any information there to reassure you.

PineappleIceCream · 06/08/2021 08:22

I have a severe allergy to peanuts, not any medication. They asked about allergies and said if I knew it was peanuts and was not allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine then it was fine. I tend to have all sorts of allergies and rashes to things so was a little nervous. I have had both Pfizer now and was fine, no allergic reaction.

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 08:29

@Picklesthecat

I'm a random freak. No one knows what exactly I'm allergic to. Sometimes it's the liquid something is in, sometimes the drug itself. So I can't really find out anything exact.

But I discussed it all with the nurse specialist- she said that there are some known triggers in the vaccine but I've been ok with them as they're in other things I've taken fine so she said that's positive at least.

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Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 08:31

@PineappleIceCream

So are you like me ? You know a definite - peanuts and then you don't know other specific things you just react a lot? That's where I'm at although the definite allergies I know aren't peanuts.

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Mickarooni · 06/08/2021 08:58

Do you have a mast cell disorder/syndrome? If so, I know there are Facebook groups with lots of personal experience. :)

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 10:20

@Mickarooni

Do you have a mast cell disorder/syndrome? If so, I know there are Facebook groups with lots of personal experience. :)

No, I don't. I've been tested for it. It's just very random very severe allergic reactions to things for no particular reason.

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EmberElftree · 06/08/2021 10:58

@YarnOver I'm in the same boat as you I've reacted my whole life to seemingly random unknowns. I carry 2 epi pens.

I want to get the vaccine and it will make our life easier in terms of being able to travel and seeing my elderly parents. I haven't seen my family since November 2019 and we live abroad. My GP here said I should be fine just take my epi pens but I'm still deliberating.

What known triggers did the nurse say was in the vaccine? PEG?

And what have you taken before which contained them?

Roadhouse111 · 06/08/2021 11:05

I've had very serious allergic reactions to things over this past year, no one can get to the bottom of why. I was asked if I'd ever had a reaction to a vaccine before and I haven't, so the medical team were happy to proceed with Pfizer.
I must admit I was very scared when I went in to get it, but I didn't take a reaction.

Have you ever reacted to a vaccine before?

LazyViper · 06/08/2021 12:17

If you do react, they will treat you immediately as they would with any other allergic reaction. You’ll be in the right place for it. It sounds like they believe any risk of a reaction in a controlled environment is far lower than the risk of a CEV person getting Delta.

I have severe allergies and just randomly got given AZ, but I’d have had Pfizer without a second thought if it had been on offer when I was vaxxed.

PolarCub · 06/08/2021 13:28

I have severe allergies to foods medicines etc etc. Carry half a pharmacy in my handbag etc. Many other health issues/autoimmune conditions. Dermatology used to sit me next to the crash cart, have two doctors on duty, when trying a new medicine on me.

I was called for the Covid vaccination before my 70+ parents - at my GP surgery. Well the outcome of that was that the surgery refused to give me the vaccination due to my allergies, btw I have no known allergies to the ingredients of the Covid vaccination.

I eventually got my first vaccination (AstraZeneca) at a walk in center. They took full history, took me to a private area, somebody had to sit with me the entire time and I was monitored for 1 hour (advice is 30 min, but they wanted extra due to my history), also armed with 2 x epipens.
Thankfully all was fine.

I'm waiting to hear about my second vaccine, and am apprehensive of that due to the fact that it could be the second time I'm encountering something and that is when I may react, but I felt very well cared for last time. I can only hope for the best, but be armed with epipens, and the correct facilities around you, to help if it all goes wrong.

I would take the fact that you aren't being told no way to the vaccine, and they are prepared to do it, as a positive. But I do understand your concerns - but only you can decide!

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 14:40

@Roadhouse111

I've had very serious allergic reactions to things over this past year, no one can get to the bottom of why. I was asked if I'd ever had a reaction to a vaccine before and I haven't, so the medical team were happy to proceed with Pfizer. I must admit I was very scared when I went in to get it, but I didn't take a reaction.

Have you ever reacted to a vaccine before?

Yes I've reacted to a vaccine before. Many

OP posts:

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 14:43

@LazyViper

I have severe allergies and just randomly got given AZ, but I’d have had Pfizer without a second thought if it had been on offer when I was vaxxed.

The reactions I get aren't always usual ones that you'd expect for allergies.

Some cannot be treated and would prove fatal.

I've had covid. It was less than a minor cold for me. Despite being "CEV" I've never shielded and work an extremely risky job covid wise. One which my Drs have told me was more risky than their work in a hospital. So covid itself doesn't bother me at all. I'm doing this only so my family don't get stopped from doing things because I've not had it.

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romdowa · 06/08/2021 14:46

I'm in a similar boat. I react to several medications and I've reacted to vaccinations in the past too. I'm pregnant and I can't have the flu or wooping cough vaccine because I've reacted to them in the past. Yet it's looking more and more likely that I will have to have this vaccine once I've had the baby. I'm chronically ill and a reaction can flare up my illnesses and leave me very unwell for months. So I have no idea how I will have this covid 19 vaccine and the subsequent required boosters with out fucking up my health.

Cet73 · 06/08/2021 14:47

My husband has multiple food allergies (has epipen) and he was told he needed to have the AZ vaccine , not Pfizer . This was back in March /April when the research then showing AZ the one to have if have a lot of allergies. He was fine.

clareykb · 06/08/2021 15:17

I have random allergies but not as severe sounding as yours. I had pizer in Feb as work in social care and was totally fine. The took a history, and I had to wait longer than normal with someone keeping an eye on me afterwards. Didn't have a reaction at all

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 06/08/2021 15:19

Ds has anaphylaxis and was fine with Pfizer.

megletthesecond · 06/08/2021 15:20

Place marking. 14yo DS has a couple of severe food allergies and carries an epi-pen. I need to start getting my head around this. If the age limit drops to 14 then I'd rather he had a jab on a hospital site just in case.

Cuntingseal · 06/08/2021 15:48

I have idiopathic anaphylaxis and was fine with Pfizer

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 16:06

I'll just have to hope because I love to travel and don't fancy being stuck here.

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leafygarden42 · 06/08/2021 16:13

My friend has severe allergies to a lot of different medicines etc. She was given a large dose of antihistamine for 3 days before and took them for around 2 weeks after having had it.

She has had both doses now, and took antihistamines both times.

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 16:28

@leafygarden42

My friend has severe allergies to a lot of different medicines etc. She was given a large dose of antihistamine for 3 days before and took them for around 2 weeks after having had it.

She has had both doses now, and took antihistamines both times.

The nurse told me to take antihistamines- she told me to get some if I didn't already take them, but I do take really strong ones so she said to take them an hour before and like your friend for a time afterwards.

OP posts:

Original poster

YarnOver · 06/08/2021 16:31

[quote EmberElftree]@YarnOver I'm in the same boat as you I've reacted my whole life to seemingly random unknowns. I carry 2 epi pens.

What known triggers did the nurse say was in the vaccine? PEG?

And what have you taken before which contained them?[/quote]
I can't remember what the known trigger was, but PEG sounds familiar. What it was in again not sure. You'll have to check with your Dr

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BalloonSlayer · 06/08/2021 16:32

DS has severe allergies (anaphylaxis) and had Pfizer fine with no bad effects, not even a sore arm.

RandomMess · 06/08/2021 16:35

I have 2 friends with severe allergies and don't know everything they are allergic too. One is allergic to vaccines.

Both had Pfizer and are thankfully ok.

I hope it goes well for you, I thought there were going to be exemption forms for those that can't have the vaccine for medical reasons?

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