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Original poster

How can I overcome this?

41 replies

CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 10:37

I know this has been done to death- I’ve also booked a call with the gp.
I’m shit scared of getting the vaccine but so want to..I’m convinced AZ will give me clots and MRNA is too new

1 in 50000 for clots seem too high for me as a risk factor.

How can I get over this and go and get the vaccine?

Please be kind

OP posts:
Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 10:38

I’ve name-changed not a troll

OP posts:
Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 10:41

Bump

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 09/08/2021 10:45

Don’t know how old you are, but google informs me that a healthy 30 year old woman has a 2 in 1000 chance of dying if they catch covid. Makes your 1 in 50,000 chance of blood clots look pretty good odds.

LindaEllen · 09/08/2021 10:52

You need to get things into perspective.

Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 10:55

I’ve just turned 41

OP posts:
Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 10:56

@LindaEllen I’m trying to/ I really am

OP posts:
LadyJaye · 09/08/2021 10:57

Hello OP - my job involves working with statistics and modelling, so I can hope I can help in a small way.

We know that the vast majority of humans find it difficult to comprehend risk at a population level (it's not any kind of failing, it's just that our brains really aren't wired to work that way!).

So, to put things in perspective:

Your chances of dying in a road accident in the UK are about 1 in 20,000 (assuming you attain an average lifespan, that's a lifetime risk of about 1 in 240).

(That's actually very low, thanks to the UK's laws on road safety, car maintenance etc - you should some other countries' stats...)

However, most people continue to drive / cross the road etc on a daily basis.

So, given that the likelihood of the occurrence of a clot as a result of the AZ vaccine (and I believe that stat refers to occurrence, rather than deaths - obviously I'm not an HCP, but I believe that most clots can be treated successfully and few lead to death) is around 1 in 50,000 - more than double that of a fatal RTA - the risk is very, very low indeed and much lower than getting in a car.

As I say, I work with data a lot and if I'm getting overwhelmed by messages, I find statistical analysis weirdly comforting. I hope I've been able to help you a little.

merrymouse · 09/08/2021 10:57

You need to think about the much higher chance of complications if you get Covid.

Also although the vaccines are new, that doesn’t mean they aren’t tested. It means that people moved heaven and earth to test them. There isn’t usually such impetus to get things done.

LadyJaye · 09/08/2021 10:58

Oh, btw, I'm 42 and double-vaccinated with AZ. No side effects apart from a bit of a sore arm for a few days. Smile

Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 11:01

Sorry that meant to say just turned 40

OP posts:
Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 11:02

@LadyJaye thank you- I work with data from the finance perspective and take comfort in numbers- but my anxiety is so irrational right now

OP posts:
Fleek · 09/08/2021 11:03

I think booking a call with your GP is great. That's a big step.

The way I see it, our brains really aren't our friends sometimes. Mindfulness has helped me with my own anxiety - thoughts aren't facts, although they can feel like they are. Your brain is doing an amazing job of trying to protect you right now but it's misfiring, essentially. Your job is to override all the fireworks your brain is creating and tell yourself that as much as it is terrifying you with fear and predictions of terrible things happening, actually the very safest course of action is for you to have that jab. Fear is just a feeling - a horrible, intense one, but literally it's like weather where it is also going to pass and do you no lasting damage. You are at higher risk from Covid, which can actually do you physical harm. The blood clots some people have died from are utterly tragic but they have affected such a tiny number of people. It's vanishingly unlikely that will affect you.

If you can get your appointment booked in then keep really busy that will help. The less time you have to think about the worse case scenario the better. I wouldn't necessarily advise that for other fears, but this really is a case of just pushing through it. Once it's in you, it's in you and you can move on.

The other thing that helped me was seeing the early stages of the vaccine trials - Sarah Gilbert vaccinated her own children. She really wouldn't have done so if she had significant concerns about safety.

Arsebucket · 09/08/2021 11:03

I just went and did it a couple of days ago. Didn’t think about it. Just got in the car and went.

Same concerns as you re MRNA but i chose AZ (i’m 41 but they gave me a choice, the place was deserted even on a sat).

yellowstoneranch · 09/08/2021 11:03

Would you feel happier with the Pfizer vaccine?

Arsebucket · 09/08/2021 11:04

if i’d booked an appointment I wouldn’t have gone. I work better if I can just go and do something i’m anxious about without thinking.

Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 11:19

@yellowstoneranch I feel it’s too new

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merrymouse · 09/08/2021 11:24

@Arsebucket

if i’d booked an appointment I wouldn’t have gone. I work better if I can just go and do something i’m anxious about without thinking.
That is good if it actually works, but not good if it just means you keep finding a reason to put it off.

If you really don’t think you can cope with having an appointment, I agree that a good first step would be to see your doctor because they may be able to take practical steps to help you.

yellowstoneranch · 09/08/2021 11:27

Have you got a vaccine hub nearby you could pop to and chat to the Doctor to ask all the questions you want? The actual behind the scenes of how the vaccines work are 40+ years old, it's just been tweaked to fight the Covid-19 proteins but I am not articulate enough to explain it well to you. I completely understand how you feel, and I am not trying to change your mind but it might help you if you can write down some questions and ask someone who does know more and can explain the answers for you to be able to decide and make it clearer to you. Our local hub has a really lovely doctor that I asked loads of questions to, as my eldest daughter is 20. She has had 2 doses of the Pfizer now, I had AZ (wasn't any choice for me at the time, but have seen some places do now have both on offer although Pfizer seems more popular overall, not just with the younger people)
At least you are asking before jumping in with both feet while unsure, nothing wrong with being cautious x

Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 11:28

@merrymouse waiting for a call back

OP posts:
mumsneedwine · 09/08/2021 11:28

Watch this. No vaccine is 'new'. Years and years of research had already been done. Good luck.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=C5kRIyjQXG8

KhalliWhalli · 09/08/2021 11:32

You’d know if you had a blood clot. There are symptoms. If you get any of these symptoms, then go to hospital and they will give you something to break down the clot.

You need to take charge of this OP. I have just read a story of some poor guy who lost both his parents and his brother in one week due to Covid. It kills people. Don’t let it kill you.

Original poster
CrossRoads5 · 09/08/2021 11:41

@KhalliWhalli I’m just scared I’ll miss a symptom - I’ve read on one of the threads here (mig mistake) that a HCA took painkillers for her headache and kept going until she collapsed-

I thought the clot headaches are severe and painkillers don’t work - this made me worry that I’ll miss the symptoms

OP posts:
nordica · 09/08/2021 11:43

The MRNA technology is not new, they've been working on and researching on it for years - that's why it was possible to use it for creating this vaccine.

I did and would have Pfizer or Moderna over AZ any day though, both from a safety perspective and also because they seem to be performing better against Delta.

RumblyMumbly · 09/08/2021 11:44

@CrossRoads5 have you ever used a tampon? You've heard of toxic shock syndrome and presumably live with the risk of that?

As someone said upthread you know of the risk of road traffic accidents but get in a car. Ditto drowning but you presumably still get in a pool occasionally.

On another thread someone said if it was a bowl of rice what's the chance of you picking out the one coloured grain in a bowl of 50,000 grains.

I think you have overthought this. I admit I was jumpy about AZ due to the negative press coverage and changing guidelines but had it with no ill side effects (DH felt a bit rough for the day / night after his first) it also helped knowing so many of my family and friends had it without serious side effects and I must admit of those that have since got Covid I've been less worried about how it will turn out for them as they have protection against serious disease.

I get nervous getting on a plane (personal disaster anxiety) but when I see other people going on holiday my thought isn't Oh no their plane is going to crash, I just think have a good time!

Covid cases will undoubtedly go up as self-isolation for close contacts ends next week, my advice is act quickly to get a jab now to give yourself some protection ove the coming months.

Haffiana · 09/08/2021 11:57

Hi OP. You fears are irrational, so you need to speak to a medical professional in order to get past this.

It is good that you know this and that you have contacted your GP - that is the best way forward.