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Covid

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Original poster

I'm booked for vaccine on Weds but I'm so scared!

62 replies

Blissbiz · 08/08/2021 20:38

I'm late 30s, haven't had a jab yet, I know, I know I should have. My family are all anti vax, they regularly send me videos and other shit which I don't even open now. I suffer from health anxiety and panic attacks so I've personally been very wary of getting the jab because I'm worried about long term effects of a new vaccine. Anyway I've now decided that the risk of covid is greater than the jab and that I should get it. I'm just really frightened about all the things they keep telling me about blood clots, stroke, dying! Unfortunately I'm not working, not really many friends so the only side I'm hearing is an antivax one. Just looking for reassurance really or from anyone with long term side effects from jab

OP posts:

RunningFromInsanity · 08/08/2021 21:17

A vaccine triggers an immune system response- that’s how they work.
Periods are actually part of the immune system, which is why it is a completely normal side effect for the vaccine to affect your period. In most people’s case (including mine) you come on your period early as your immune system kicks in.
As you will already be on, you probably won’t have any period related side effects at all.

I’m having my 2nd jab on Wednesday and I am so afraid of needles, we can be brave together!

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 08/08/2021 21:20

The blood clots are associated with Astrazeneca I believe, not Pfizer so wouldn't worry about that. You'll be given Pfizer due to your age. I honestly didn't know I'd had mine, didn't even have a sore arm. I'm due my second on Thursday so hopefully will be the same.

misssunshine4040 · 08/08/2021 21:30

You are being really brave op as in making a choice for you when all you are hearing is negatives and you have health anxiety.
I've had covid and it was awful, you don't want covid and if you get it with the vaccine you will be ok.
Get the vaccine you are 100% right in your thinking.

Toughtips · 08/08/2021 21:37

I had my first one 2 week ago. I had a sore arm for a few days and felt hungover the next day, since then I've been fine.

XenoBitch · 08/08/2021 21:43

It is pretty disgusting for your family to prey on your anxieties like that.
Would you be so worried if your family had not been sending you videos etc?
I hope your appointment goes ok. Treat yourself afterwards. This is a major thing for you, and you deserve something nice :)

LoveFall · 08/08/2021 21:44

DH and I know dozens of people who have had the jab. Basically everyone we know or are even just slightly acquainted with. Even our 16 and 18 year old grandchildren.

We have very high uptake where I live.

I only know one person who hasn't had it, out of fear. Similar to you, her friends and relatives in a different country have been telling her stories.

We do not know a single person sho had anything other than a sore arm and a slight headache.

Get the jab. The sense of relief is worth it alone!

LizJamIsFab · 08/08/2021 21:55

I got a headache with first vaccine (Pfizer) but I went back for my second! Vaccine was 9 months ago now!
All my colleagues (10) all my siblings/partners /parents/ in laws and siblings in law (17 that I know of) all had vaccine with no sig effects (one was in bed with a temperature for 1 day).
I felt delighted at the time to get vaccine and still feel very lucky. I’m not high risk of COVID but work with people who are.

Getting it felt really positive, like part of the solution. Hope you feel this too.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 08/08/2021 22:11

I’m pregnant and was pregnant with both doses. I was really anxious about my first jab. Like you, I’d reached the decision that the risk of covid was greater than the unknown risks of the vaccine. I was still bricking it as I went for my appointment. If you mention you’re nervous, everyone at the vaccine centre will do their best to put your mind at ease and make you feel more comfortable.

Everyone I know has been vaccinated. A couple of people have felt a bit flu like for a day or two. I had a local reaction in the arm I was injected in. It was a small, raised, lump around the injection site and it was itchy after my second. I managed it with a couple of antihistamines and two paracetamol at the second jab and nothing with the first. I’m the only person I know who has had a local reaction at the injection site.

I didn’t feel immediate relief after my first jab. It was a week or so later that I started to feel better about my decision and more at ease. However, that ease quickly moved to relief and I made a number of appointments to get my second jab and kept cancelling the previous appointment when I found a sooner appointment time. I wanted to be double jabbed as quickly as possible. I felt a lot of relief after my second jab.

UnsuitableHat · 08/08/2021 22:16

I had AZ for both jabs (second one in May) with no side effects or anything else. Good for you for having it.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 08/08/2021 22:17

Honestly, just do it. You'll probs feel a bit hungover for a day or so but it's not as bad as being ventilated for covid which is a greater likelihood should you remain unvaccinated.
I was a bit nervous too but it's actually really empowering to know that you've done your bit to help not just yourself, but everyone around you. Good luck with it all.

Original poster

Blissbiz · 09/08/2021 09:19

Did you all take paracetamol just in case, I've heard people say to take it even if you feel ok immediately after?

OP posts:

Arsebucket · 09/08/2021 09:25

@Blissbiz

Did you all take paracetamol just in case, I've heard people say to take it even if you feel ok immediately after?

I did, but only because my arm was quite sore almost immediately abs I’ve got a baby who’s main hobby seems to be grabbing me in places that hurt!

RainingZen · 09/08/2021 09:30

I had AZ, in my 40s, it was unremarkable. Youll probably get Pfizer which is even safer. Try not to stress out... you've decided to have the vaccine which to me seems a very sound decision, so at this point the worrying is not helping you at all.

Do some positive things alongside the vaccine to give yourself a "risk offset"... take a vit D supplement, eat healthier, drink more water and less alcohol, lose weight, exercise more.

And ENJOY LIFE! Worrying is a big waste of time, why spoil the precious days you have on earth fretting?

DeclineandFall · 09/08/2021 09:32

You need to shift your feeling of anxiety to thinking it of a feeling of excitement. I had anxiety and once I tried that it does help a bit. If you start catastrophising then do it about what would happen if you got covid thereby turning the vaccine into the answer.
I got covid March 2020 and it delayed my period by 2 weeks. Jab didn't. Having mild covid was way worse than any side effect of the jab. I had the AZ.

Elieza · 09/08/2021 09:42

Id suggest you hydrate well with water not juice or coffee etc the day of the vaccine and a couple of days before to ensure you won’t get a bad headache and have paracetamol ready in case you do.

Have good food in so you can eat well and give your body the nutrients to support it doing it’s thing when your immune system gets to work. Not ready meals etc full of E numbers and preservatives.

Pick a day you can rest up after it and dont need to go out, and just chill.

Tinpotspectator · 09/08/2021 09:53

I have had the covid jabs and also covid. . I was unwell for a day after the first one (it's the second with Pfizer if you're going to feel it, but I had AZ).

But oh my god, it was nothing compared to covid, which lasted 6 weeks for me, and then came back a few times for a day or two after that. I was looking forward to my vaccine. I agree that you can perceive it as a release from the stress of possible hospital admission, especially at your age. When you have covid, it can feel as if it has you in its grip and won't let go. Having the vaccine spares you that, at least. Worth feeling rough for a day whilst your immune system adapts to it. I have the flu jab annually and that has the same reaction for me, too, and I've had that for years.

ScribblingPixie · 09/08/2021 10:08

Another tip I read from a GP/writer was to do arm exercises like push-ups before and after you get the jab - it makes it work better he said. I followed his advice - thought I might as well get the full benefit!

slashlover · 09/08/2021 10:08

About the blood clots - I'm on the pill which actually has a higher risk of causing a clot. Don't forget that videos can be manipulated and a lot of people can make a lot of money by pushing fears.

Here's a video of one of the UKs leading anti vaxxers accepting money by people he thinks have investment in vaccines to not mention one specific type.

Heliachi · 09/08/2021 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

EvilPea · 09/08/2021 11:07

Pfizer did mess up my periods, but only one cycle and nothing particularly strange just a bit earlier and a bit heavier.
I would say day 3 is probably ideal, gives it more time to get in and settle before your next period.

Make sure you get it in the opposite arm to which side you sleep. As it does ache after and is niggly so get some nurofen and paracetamol in. However that really quickly goes.

For what it’s worth I think your doing the right thing.

amicissimma · 09/08/2021 11:55

I'm sorry you feel like that.

I volunteer as a steward in a vaccination centre and you are definitely not alone! Be sure to tell the staff that you are scared. Where I usually go the best person is the steward (yellow hi-viz vest) after you have booked in who will make sure that a beady but benign eye is kept on you to make sure you don't get too wound up while you're waiting (some people seem to feel calmer once they're there, a few get quite distressed). Also be very sure to tell the vaccinator - IME they are all lovely and very happy to spend as long as you need talking it all through with you. The centres are much quieter than they were, so you may hardly need to wait before your injection and certainly not long.

And make sure you have something interesting to do for the 15 minutes afterwards. A lot of people say that's the worst bit - it can be boring. I recommend Mumsnet!

I have literally seen thousands of people come and have their vaccine and many returning for the second. And they're all fine. And the nervous ones all say they're so relieved to have done it.

Original poster

Blissbiz · 10/08/2021 17:22

Well I got my first dose this afternoon!! Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to get it and the tip to not get in the side I sleep on!
Feel ok so far, drinking lots of water, so fingers crossed should be fine.🤞

OP posts:

lannistunut · 10/08/2021 17:24

Good news! Fingers crossed you get only mild symptoms. Come back before the second one if you get wobbly and everyone will talk you into it again.

roundtable · 10/08/2021 17:29

Well done Bliss, you've been very brave not to be bound by your fear.

Potatoy · 10/08/2021 18:27

@Blissbiz

Well I got my first dose this afternoon!! Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to get it and the tip to not get in the side I sleep on! Feel ok so far, drinking lots of water, so fingers crossed should be fine.🤞

Well done!

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