Severe allergies and having Pfizer - positive stories anyone?

[YarnOver]

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!

@RandomMess

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?

Well I asked about this.

Apparently there is only one current exemption, which now I have looked what I'd written down, is to PEG.

As it's so new, and there are many people like myself and others who don't know what they're allergic to in medications and vaccines, that's the only current exemption. And then two blood clotting disorders (one of which I have ) for AZ.

So at this point no you can't be exempted really. The nurse said maybe in time but goodness knows when as there would have to be a lot longer medical trials done first.

So whilst my Drs have all expressly told me not to, and I do mean all of them.... They can't offically do anything to exempt me from restrictions.

Oh and also what exempts you in the UK wouldn't necessarily in another country so it could be pointless anyway

It's a nightmare 😭

@RandomMess

It's a nightmare 😭

It is. I feel really pissed off.

Multiple specialists have told me no don't get it. Despite the fact they're also prescribing drugs which mean I should have shielded. Ok I didn't but that's my choice.

So why doesn't that count? I'm saying I'll have it .
. I am very very pro vax I've had extra ones like chicken pox for my kids. I've researched endlessly for safr ways to take the meds I've needed to whilst pregnant....

If my Drs are saying no, and covid was SO mild for me, I mean seriously I have hayfever now and that's worse!!! Why am I having to do this so I and my family don't get left behind . It doesn't make sense :(

Your doctor's have told you not to get it. End of discussion really,isn't it?

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Your doctor's have told you not to get it. End of discussion really,isn't it?

No. If you'd read what I'd written above maybe?

I have read it. I'd take the advice of medical professionals, they've told you not to have it. If my ds had been told not to have it because of his anaphylaxis he wouldn't have had it.

I think with anaphylactic reactions, the biggest danger is that it happens unexpectedly with no help at hand. You are in an allergy clinic and if you reach, they will have adrenalin, steroids, oxygen immediately available and will be looking out for early signs of any problem. I nearly died last time I took Penecillin but was at home alone with 2 toddlers. I had AZ but was closely observed afterwards until they were happy. I had no reaction to either jab other than sore arm.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

I have read it. I'd take the advice of medical professionals, they've told you not to have it. If my ds had been told not to have it because of his anaphylaxis he wouldn't have had it.

Look, you haven't read it obviously.

And if you have well - then it's clear I'm here for people's experiences and not for your opinion on what I should or shouldn't do.

I didn't ask for an opinion and as such your opinion means nothing to me. So you can leave off any further comments thank you unless you have anything to add about what I actually asked.

@vdbfamily

I think with anaphylactic reactions, the biggest danger is that it happens unexpectedly with no help at hand. You are in an allergy clinic and if you reach, they will have adrenalin, steroids, oxygen immediately available and will be looking out for early signs of any problem. I nearly died last time I took Penecillin but was at home alone with 2 toddlers. I had AZ but was closely observed afterwards until they were happy. I had no reaction to either jab other than sore arm.

As I've said above, my reactions are not anaphylaxis and not ones which you'd expect for reactions and also some of them are not ones which anything can then be done about. So whilst my only option is to have it done in a hospital and that would help with some of the more typical reactions I've had, which are like anaphylaxis, others if they happen, it wouldn't matter where I was or who was with me, and that's what I'm concerned about!

Also not all, in fact a large majority of my reactions aren't immediate.

I really don't want to do this at all, but, as I've also said above there is no current provision for giving is exemptions - I was told they definitely would exempt me if they could, so unless I want to start losing out on things and moreover my children missing out... Then my hands are tied and I have to take what is a very real risk

Ah right, so you just want people's opinions that you agree with. Got it

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Ah right, so you just want people's opinions that you agree with. Got it

No

I didn't ask for ANY opinions. I asked for people's actual experience.

I did actually post a few months ago asking for people's opinions on this. So yes then I got a lot of different opinions and that was fine. But this post is not asking for opinions at all. So yours isn't welcome. Perhaps you can notice that no one else has given me their opinion, just their experience?

I would be interested in what you're allergic reactions are. My understanding is that generally allergic reactions are at the minor end of threatening to life but that severe allergies lead to anaphylaxis which is the most severe form of allergic reaction and can be life threatening.
I am genuinely interested in what allergic reactions you are having which are life threatening but not anaphylaxis.
Personally, if I felt that anxious about it, I would not have it just yet and just wait and see where the UK goes with rules and regulations as it may all just die down over next year and become a non issue.

@vdbfamily

I would be interested in what you're allergic reactions are. My understanding is that generally allergic reactions are at the minor end of threatening to life but that severe allergies lead to anaphylaxis which is the most severe form of allergic reaction and can be life threatening. I am genuinely interested in what allergic reactions you are having which are life threatening but not anaphylaxis. Personally, if I felt that anxious about it, I would not have it just yet and just wait and see where the UK goes with rules and regulations as it may all just die down over next year and become a non issue.

I appreciate your interest but whilst I've asked for advice I reserve the right to not divulge my personal medical history. It's very complex, involving a lot of Drs, it's resulted in the loss of one of my children and so whilst I'm hoping this doesn't sound rude, I'm not prepared to share.

Children have missed out on a lot however and I don't want it to be me who ends up meaning we can't go on holiday / do things etc.

Absolutely fine not to share obviously, all sounds very traumatic. I am just being nosey.
I do wonder whether in a few months though the idea of restrictions will just be dropped and Covid will just be accepted as another condition that the vulnerable can continue to vaccinate against as needed. It's it not worth just waiting a few more months and avoiding the anxiety.

@vdbfamily

Absolutely fine not to share obviously, all sounds very traumatic. I am just being nosey. I do wonder whether in a few months though the idea of restrictions will just be dropped and Covid will just be accepted as another condition that the vulnerable can continue to vaccinate against as needed. It's it not worth just waiting a few more months and avoiding the anxiety.

As I've said above. I've asked for experiences not opinions.

Ds has severe allergies to all sorts of things.

He’s had Covid and the first AZ. He did have a severe reaction to it unfortunately. Shooting chest pains, trembling etc. It was pretty severe.

He really can’t have the second jab, which obviously leaves him in a predicament for his general activities in life.

Personally, in your position I would listen to your doctor’s advice.

Ok I'm done thank you all who have given me experiences but this is descending into people telling me what they think I should do.

I didn't ask for that.

I won't be checking back for any more responses but by all means post for anyone else who might want info.

I've very clearly said multiple times I don't want people's opinions about what I should do, which people don't seem to be able to resist doing.

As ever on MN people can't help but to give their opinions where it isn't necessarily wanted.

Jeez