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Original poster

Is there anything you can do to minimise side effects from the vaccine?

23 replies

Twoweekcruise · 03/12/2021 15:27

I am booked in for my second Pfizer tomorrow.
I am dreading it as I have overwhelming health anxiety and IBS and felt so awful within my digestive system for days after the first jab.
Many people have told me they felt much worse after the second so obviously I am more than a little nervous.
I know there is probably not a lot I can do to help but just wondering if anyone has any tips how I can avoid potential side effects?

OP posts:
nordica · 03/12/2021 15:31

Both times the vaccinator told me to drink lots of water (I believe her exact words were "more than you think you should be drinking"). You can also take paracetamol afterwards if you get flu-like symptoms like aches or temperature.

I think just generally do what you'd do if you were feeling unwell - plenty of rest etc.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 03/12/2021 15:33

My Mum was told by the doctor at the vaccination centre to take precautionary paracetamol for the next 24 hours. She didn't have any after effects but who knows whether she'd have had any or not if she hadn't taken paracetamol. I'll certainly be taking it after my booster, not had Pfizer before.

ginslinger · 03/12/2021 15:36

I did the paracetamol thing and had no problems

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 03/12/2021 15:54

Great. I’ll definitely take a couple of paracetamol before and after and drinking more water which I’m terrible for doing.

OP posts:
AlfonsoTheUnrepentant · 03/12/2021 16:19

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

My Mum was told by the doctor at the vaccination centre to take precautionary paracetamol for the next 24 hours. She didn't have any after effects but who knows whether she'd have had any or not if she hadn't taken paracetamol. I'll certainly be taking it after my booster, not had Pfizer before.
Yes. That's what I was told, too.
TenoringBehind · 03/12/2021 17:14

I was also told to drink as much water as I possibly could and to take paracetamol.
I did both and still felt quite unwell, but not as bad as with my second dose and I was right as rain again after 48 hours.

DespairingHomeowner · 03/12/2021 17:19

@nordica

Both times the vaccinator told me to drink lots of water (I believe her exact words were "more than you think you should be drinking"). You can also take paracetamol afterwards if you get flu-like symptoms like aches or temperature.

I think just generally do what you'd do if you were feeling unwell - plenty of rest etc.

This ^

Making sure you eat well (loads of fruit & veg), lay off the booze and get a good nights sleep a few days before & after never hurts

megletthesecond · 03/12/2021 17:25

I had a paracetamol, really healthy food all day (Inc kale smoothies), walk in the sunshine, also lots of water and a really early night. No problems with either AZ jab. My eldest teen was also sensible and didn't have any side effects.

DD was told to drink water at her recent jab. She didn't and guess who felt poorly....

Theoldcuriosityshop · 03/12/2021 17:35

My 2nd one was much better than the 1st, I had no side effects at all.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 03/12/2021 19:04

@Theoldcuriosityshop

My 2nd one was much better than the 1st, I had no side effects at all.
I am hoping and praying 🤞
OP posts:
Rade · 03/12/2021 19:52

DS was told to wave his arm around, like a windmill Grin. He's had three doses now and was unwell for 12 hours after the first back in January but 2nd and booster were fine.
I meant to try the arm waving but forgot, still had nothing after my booster not even the slightest sore arm.

DismantledKing · 03/12/2021 19:53

I felt a bit ropey after my first, but absolutely fine after my second.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 03/12/2021 22:14

Rade I have to remember the windmill action for tomorrow lol!

OP posts:
Yepamhere2021 · 04/12/2021 08:20

If you would consider homeopathy try Thuja and Ledum just before and after

defnotadomesticgoddess · 04/12/2021 08:30

I did this. Paracetamol. Lots of water. Just had a bit of a sore arm for a day and headaches for a couple of days but went with paracetamol. Husband and daughter did paracetamol for 24 hrs and lots of water and only had a bit of a sore arm - nothing else.

ifonly4 · 04/12/2021 08:38

Another one here saying plenty of fluids. When 18+ started having their vaccination some of the younger ones felt faint/a bit ropey very quickly and I can remember reading it's due to the fact they're more likely to go for long periods without eating - who knows if there's anything in it, but won't do any harm to have a meal/small snack either side.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 04/12/2021 08:47

Can you take aspirin? Paracetamol on its own is next to useless for me and Anadin Extra is the only thing that’ll touch a headache

theriverrunsthrough · 04/12/2021 08:52

Honestly I was absolutely fine with mine. My arm ached a bit in the night when I lay on it but that was it.

Maybe a slight headache but I have one most evening anyway.

Skybooks · 04/12/2021 08:58

As above, lots of water, healthy foods, plenty of rest. I had AZ the first 2 and just had my Pfizer booster this week at 30 weeks pregnant and was fine, slightly sore arm for 24 hours but nothing major. Good luck.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 04/12/2021 12:02

Thanks all. Still dreading it but am drinking loads of water this morning and will take some paracetamol soon 🤞

OP posts:
jimmyhill · 04/12/2021 15:27

@megletthesecond

I had a paracetamol, really healthy food all day (Inc kale smoothies), walk in the sunshine, also lots of water and a really early night. No problems with either AZ jab. My eldest teen was also sensible and didn't have any side effects.

DD was told to drink water at her recent jab. She didn't and guess who felt poorly....

Did she have AZ? At this point it's well known that Pfizer and Moderna side effects much worse than AZ
megletthesecond · 04/12/2021 15:35

jim she had Pfizer. I'm not sure what her brother had though.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 04/12/2021 17:20

Did she have AZ? At this point it's well known that Pfizer and Moderna side effects much worse than AZ

I had really mild side effects with AZ and really don't want Pfizer or Moderna. I've already decided I won't have Moderna as it seems that the side effects are worse than Pfizer (I should add I have a needle phobia and don't think rationally about vaccines). I'd like to know what I'm having beforehand but I know that's not likely. I'd be so much happier if I could have an AZ booster.

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