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Original poster

Unvaxxed due to needle phobia, now terrified after reading everything on here tonight

138 replies

Honeyhorse · 15/12/2021 23:02

I posted a couple of days ago about my needle phobia.
I’ve not had any vaccines as yet. I’m having my first counselling session on Friday. But now I realise it’s too late, the new variant is extremely infectious and I’m going to get it. Even if I stay in the house as much as possible, my DP works in a secondary school so I’m in trouble.

How likely am I to get seriously ill from the new one? I’m 32, a little overweight, no co morbidities.

I hate myself for not going through with it sooner. I’m terrified of the vaccine/needle and terrified of getting this new variant Sad

Please be kind, feel sick and shaky tonight.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 15/12/2021 23:04

I cant imagine how scary a needle phobia is. But getting a needle has to be a better option than the invasive medical interventions that could happen if you end up suffering really badly with covid?

Better a jab than being intubated surely? I know it's not an either or situation, but it's a preventative step.

slaybell · 15/12/2021 23:05

At 32 with no health conditions the chances of you becoming seriously ill are very small.

It's good that you are going for counselling which will help alleviate your needle phobia, and perhaps your anxiety around covid too.

I am 36 and a little overweight and had covid in January (35 then) before I was vaccinated and although I felt rough, I was mostly fine. Was like a bad cold. I've had worse things.

Try not to worry too much

Pensieve · 15/12/2021 23:06

Don’t worry - you got some good advice on the other thread. Just focus on the session on Friday that’s what you can control for now.

Good luck - rooting for you 🤞

Daisypod · 15/12/2021 23:08

Well done for getting help with your phobia. I used to have a needle phobia and it was very bad, sitting on the floor in the hospital crying and screaming and throwing my arms around towards anyone coming near me when told I needed a blood test! I had 3 counselling sessions of cat and was cured! Had numerous blood tests since and have been for my vaccines as soon as I could.
You are taking really positive steps and it won't be long until you can get your first vaccine.

XenoBitch · 15/12/2021 23:09

I understand, I really do. I am also unvaccinated due to needle phobia.

Some healthy people get really poorly, and some really poorly don't suffer from Covid at all.
There is a Covid risk calculator thing... I am not sure of the link or how to find it, but it might put your mind at rest. If anyone reading this can help, please do!

But worrying about Covid wont change whatever outcome that may be.
Do what you can.. keep fit, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy and get all your vitamins.

Angelton · 15/12/2021 23:10

You don’t feel it so surely you could just not look for the 1 second it takes to stick it in? I was in and out so fast I didn’t even get to sit down.

LittleBabyCheeses · 15/12/2021 23:11

Many hundreds of thousands of us caught covid before vaccinations were even a thing. Chances of you becoming seriously ill are tiny.

bowlingalleyblues · 15/12/2021 23:11

Your chances of serious disease are low at your age, and you will reduce it significantly by getting vaccinated. The fear is worse than the vaccination itself, which was super quick.

Fendidntdrake · 15/12/2021 23:11

Honestly, you're doing the right and brave thing getting counselling and facing tackling your phobia. The news is scary tonight but there's no guarantee you will catch this variant. Wear a mask, practise excellent hand hygiene and limit socialising indoors as much as you can.
Try and focus on all the positive things you're doing to protect yourself.

RobinPenguins · 15/12/2021 23:12

You are more at risk than if you were vaccinated, but your absolute risk of getting seriously ill at your age is still extremely low.

Would still definitely recommend pursuing vaccination if you can, but it’s not worth being terrified about.

Original poster
Honeyhorse · 15/12/2021 23:12

Even if I had one jab now…well I mean next week or whenever (if I could physically get myself there) would it protect me or do I need all 3 for protection?

OP posts:
DixieSun · 15/12/2021 23:13

I have a severe needle phobia due to having lots of hospital stays when I was a child.

However DH took me to get my first jab and the needle is so thin I didn't even feel it. I took my phone and watched a YouTube clip to distract myself and then it was done.

Good luck Thanks

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 15/12/2021 23:13

You are young. Chances of you getting severely ill is low. So try not to worry too much.
If you want to, you can do things to improve your immune system. I have a child with not so great immune system, so I always make sure he eats healthy and take things like probiotics and vitamine supplements to help boost his immune system.

Original poster
Honeyhorse · 15/12/2021 23:13

I take vitamin D, vitamin C and a multi vitamin daily. I know it’s not a vaccine, but better than nothing I hope. 🤞

OP posts:
JanisMoplin · 15/12/2021 23:14

Can you get your DP to do frequent LFTs and try to isolate from him if positive? Schoolgoing DS had Covid, and DH and I managed not to get it by giving him a separate room and bathroom for 10 days. He does at least two LFTs a week. Of course not everyone has the room.

XenoBitch · 15/12/2021 23:15

@Honeyhorse

Even if I had one jab now…well I mean next week or whenever (if I could physically get myself there) would it protect me or do I need all 3 for protection?
Yes, it would protect you. People are getting jabs everyone few months because the protection wanes.
Original poster
Honeyhorse · 15/12/2021 23:15

@JanisMoplin we don’t have the space unfortunately, I also have a pre schooler, I forgot to add. So odds are that I’ll get it. In a low incidence area at the moment, but not sure for how much longer.

OP posts:
margegunderson · 15/12/2021 23:16

OP having any of your jabs will help a bit so do work towards that. Your DP doing lateral flows is a good plan. Well done for trying to overcome your phobia

Original poster
Honeyhorse · 15/12/2021 23:17

I’m just hoping the new variant is milder for the majority and including me, even though I am unvaccinated.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 15/12/2021 23:18

@Honeyhorse

I’m just hoping the new variant is milder for the majority and including me, even though I am unvaccinated.
I hope that too. You are not alone Flowers
MrsFin · 15/12/2021 23:18

@Honeyhorse

Even if I had one jab now…well I mean next week or whenever (if I could physically get myself there) would it protect me or do I need all 3 for protection?
The more vaccinations you have the better, but one is better than none.
Pensieve · 15/12/2021 23:19

@Honeyhorse

Your mission for this week is to attend the counselling session and report back to us. You’re going to tell us next steps with the counsellor and if you feel ready, to make another appt. Don’t focus on all the rest.

🤛

TowandaForever · 15/12/2021 23:19

I have a 16 year old who hasn't had the vaccine or other secondary vaccinations because of needle phobia.

They are a patient of Camhs but don't get any support for this. Does anyone know where I could go to get help for them?

SickAndTiredAgain · 15/12/2021 23:19

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

I cant imagine how scary a needle phobia is. But getting a needle has to be a better option than the invasive medical interventions that could happen if you end up suffering really badly with covid?

Better a jab than being intubated surely? I know it's not an either or situation, but it's a preventative step.

OP probably knows that, but phobias don’t respond to that kind of logic. A fear of the potential hypothetical medical procedures in the future won’t necessarily be able to override the fear of the immediate reality of an injection now.

OP I’m sure you’ve looked in to these things but I volunteered at a vaccine centre and even though the rules were that you had to go in alone, people who were clearly scared were allowed to take a partner in with them. It was a large vaccine centre and for those who needed it we had a room with somewhere to lie down where they’d do the injection and you could enter/leave without seeing the other vaccination “stations”. I know those things alone are unlikely to make you able to have it done, but I just wanted to reassure you that if you do get to the stage of being able to make an appointment, the people there will do what they can to help you.

Silverswirl · 15/12/2021 23:19

OP calm down. Take a breath. If you are pretty much healthy you will almost certainly be totally fine.
Yes you will probably get it. But then you will most probably get a cold this year too.
It’s overwhelmingly likely to be a cold or similar. Just stock up on tissues and paracetamol and get some rest of you feel crap.
It’s a few days of feeling a bit rubbish for the vast majority of healthy younger people!
Don’t stress about the vax. If your councilling allows you to have it then great. Just work on that as it’s never too late, even if you have had covid and recovered.
But please try not to get yourself in a lather about the fear level being put out right now.
This is not the Black Death. You may get a cold. That’s it.