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Covid

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Original poster

Got 1st vac booked this afternoon and terrified!

98 replies

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 10:50

Can someone talk me down with links to all the reassuring data!

I've got horrendous anxiety and depression and as a result for various reasons have kept putting off getting vaccinated including a terrible reaction to a flu jab about 15 years ago.

I finally managed to book and have an appointment (along with the DSs) this afternoon.

Someone has just said they've done away with the 15 min monitoring and proceeded to tell me all the horror stories about people being really ill from the jab.

I really want to go and get it but am almost in full on panic attack mode. Could do with some reassuring data and positive vaccination stories.

OP posts:

TheOneWithTwoParties · 17/12/2021 11:05

I volunteer in a vaccination hub and I’ve helped a fair few nervous and some really terrified people. We are always happy to go slow, find someone to distract you, and if you wanted to wait in our hub you could so do ask. Honestly several of the people who’ve been super nervous didn’t even notice the injection happening. It’s a really fine needle so you don’t notice it, especially if you try and relax your arm as much as possible.

Tell the volunteers you’re nervous and can you have the kindest most expert vaccinator and they’ll look after you.

Twoweekcruise · 17/12/2021 11:10

I was exactly the same op. I am 48 and only had my second two weeks ago. I got so much stick for that which made things worse for me mentally.
I suffer from awful anxiety and it took me an age to muster up the courage to get it done. I had spent ages ‘researching’ but in all honesty I had actually spent most of my time reading the negatives and getting myself in a right state. Let’s face it, most positive stories don’t get put up on the internet and there are much more positives than negative, I see that now, it’s so hard when you are in the grips of anxiety.
But it was absolutely fine, I panicked for ages after (for both sets of jabs) worrying about every ache, pain and strange sensation. But I was fine.
You can absolutely do this and the peace of mind after is actually very reassuring.
Good luck and well done.

LindaEllen · 17/12/2021 11:10

Even if you are ill from the jab it'll pass within 24 hours, and it's usually just a case of resting for a day and then getting back to normal. Having had covid I can confirm that it's much preferable to the actual virus.

I know logically you will know this. I'm terrified of needles and really had to talk myself into going (I've just booked my booster and had to talk myself into that even more) but I didn't even feel the first one, I didn't know she'd done it!

Cookerhood · 17/12/2021 11:13

@kimlo

when I had my first there was no waiting time for az. I was out the door 20 seconds after it was in my arm.

If you want to wait then wait.

The wait was specifically for mRNA vaccines (although some asked you to wait for AZ, particularly if you were driving).

Original poster

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 11:14

Thanks all :)

I'll mention to the staff the anxiety although currently I'm almost hyperventilating and shaking like noones business so they might see that conversation coming.

I know if I bail out now I'll likely never do it. Its taken me months to even get to the point of booking so I've got to get through this. The DS have promised me a takeaway (which I'm paying for ) and a movie (of my choice) night for going - so I'm trying to focus on that.

It's too close and somehow also too far away!

OP posts:

BHX3000 · 17/12/2021 11:15

I’ve had three doses of Pfizer and I’ve been absolutely fine OP, so has everybody I know. The worst I got was a headache after my third. Same headache I get when I go to bed late or I spend too many hours in front of a screen. You’ll be fine!

LefttoherownDevizes · 17/12/2021 11:17

Honestly OP, super well done. I know that there is super every info out there, DS16 has many unknown allergies and qualifies for 3 jabs and I was really scared. He was fine, slightly tired but fine. We were all fine to slightly groggy, paracetamol and fine within 24 hours.

Having Covid and having to do hourly SATs checking and DS needing to go onto oral steroids for his breathing was much scarier.

Please do tell the vaccinators that you are concerned as they are literally amazing. They will be so happy for you to be there at all

FinallySomeNormality · 17/12/2021 11:17

Have had both jabs - pfizer - and due booster tomorrow and can't wait.

For reassurance - I had no side effects from my first two. I wouldn't even say my arm felt sore!

Flu jab for me was much worse!

You can do this!

DontWantTheRivalry · 17/12/2021 11:19

Well done OP,

I suffer from bad anxiety and was pretty terrified before all three of my jabs. I had to keep focused to stop my panic escalating.

I was just nervously chatting to the vaccinator about any old rubbish to try and distract me from what I was about to do.

Anyhow, it took about 2 seconds and I barely felt it.

I was nervous during the 15 minutes afterwards (anxiety driven still) but I was absolutely fine.

I’m terms of side effects, I was fine after
My first jab, a little bit rough after my second, and then worse after my booster. My booster definitely knocked me off far more than my first two jabs.

You’re doing the right thing.

Just try to stay calm and I hope it goes well

user93948921 · 17/12/2021 11:19

You will be okay @BlueEyesWhiteDragon

Well done.

Original poster

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 11:20

Oh I work in numbers so logically and statistically I know its unlikely its just what if, what if, what if.

I thought id won the battle with my anxiety but these last 2 years have got it out in raging full force again and I'm back to being paralysed with worse case scenarios.

OP posts:

Staggersaurus · 17/12/2021 11:21

I hate injections too but honestly this one is a really quick one. I’ve just had my booster and barely felt it and it took maybe 3 seconds to do. The practitioners are so efficient at doing it you will hardly noticed it. My top tip is to relax your arm as if you tense up you feel it more.
People do love a horror story - no one I know has had an adverse reaction to it other than an achy arm and feeling a little bit meh.

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 17/12/2021 11:21

I generally get every side effect possible from any and all medications! But was fine after my jab (well, some very slight aching in the arm, but otherwise fine!). Well done on getting it booked.

suckingonyulelogs · 17/12/2021 11:21

Well done OP. Had my booster this week and everyone had to wait for 15 mins after in a special section with chairs, you may get similar. Good for you

Calmdown14 · 17/12/2021 11:21

Well done for booking. You will feel such relief afterwards. Focus on that.
Drink plenty of fluids this morning and afterwards and I think a couple of paracetamol before does help.
In a couple of hours it will all be done. If you back out you'll have to go through all this mental torture again. Don't put yourself through that.
Honestly, your anxiety is much, much worse than the reality and you'll soon be thinking 'is that it?'

Cookerhood · 17/12/2021 11:22

@BlueEyesWhiteDragon

Thanks all :)

I'll mention to the staff the anxiety although currently I'm almost hyperventilating and shaking like noones business so they might see that conversation coming.

It's too close and somehow also too far away!

Well done, you can do it. Remember the staff have seen it all before, just let them know what works best for you. I genuinely had two people yesterday who were shaking & very anxious. Both of them asked me when I was going to do the vaccine when I had finished doing it. One asked me if I was joking and pretended to give it to him. You may feel nothing at all, or you may feel a slight amount of pressure or mild pain as it goes in, but it will be over in seconds.

HyacynthBucket · 17/12/2021 11:23

Hi, OP. I have had all three (Astra Zeneca and Biontech) and no problems at all other than a slightly achy arm at the injection site for a few hours with one of them, and maybe feeling a little bit tireder than usual for 24 hours. My DP was the same - he had Biontech for first two then Moderna.

If you tell staff you feel anxious, they will help you before and after.

thing47 · 17/12/2021 11:24

OP, just to point out that clinics cutting back on the 15-minute wait is a good thing – it's because adverse reactions are so rare that it isn't deemed necessary.

And as others have said, there's no reason you can't wait around yourself if that sets your mind at ease. Good luck.

Original poster

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 11:24

But it's booked. So that was half the battle. DM is coming to pick me up so I can't back out there. DSs booked for same time so they can hand hold and I overhead them plotting last night to be 'upset" so I focus on distracting them in a ploy to distract me.
The family have been amazing trying to help me with this just my jackass cousin this morning was like ohhh no you not getting jabbed are you... insert take after tale of doom including deaths!

OP posts:

SaltedCaramelHC · 17/12/2021 11:25

Don't back out!

You will feel so relieved when it's done.

I had my booster and didn't even get to sit down - they just did it as I stood there!! So quick and easy. I felt a bit tired later but nothing much, and the injection site was sore for a day or two, but unless I touched it or lay on that side, I'd not have known.

Try to go with the good 'what ifs'. 'What if I don't even feel it?' :) Then you'll wonder if it was even done! Lots of people have had no reaction at all, no side effects, just done and out of there, and chances are, you will be the same.

Getting covid has lots of possible effects too, so you are doing the right thing by getting the jab. Good luck! Plan a little treat for afterwards to build positive associations with it.

Original poster

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 11:28

Im just waffling now to distract myself!!! 2 hours until I get picked up, then DSs then in, out, done.

Then just fingers crossed the whole Covid crisis is done before I need the 2nd

OP posts:

Beamur · 17/12/2021 11:30

You can do this! I must admit I felt a little bit nervous before I had mine, but nearly cried with relief afterwards. I barely felt it and had a slightly sore arm for a day or two afterwards and felt tired. But that's all. Most of the people I know have had it now and I don't know anyone who had a bad reaction. Quite a few people have sore arm/tiredness but only for a day or so.
Good luck - it will only take a few minutes!

sabrinatheteenagemortal · 17/12/2021 11:33

My first two doses I had no issue at all. No observation area (back in the summer) but they told me to not drive and hang around the shopping centre for a little bit. Apart from a slightly sore arm I wouldn't have known. Third one was this week at a different centre where they did tell me to wait. So it depends on the centre but you don't have to rush off if you don't want to. This time I did have a reaction, but it just meant a day of feeling pretty rough, all better now!

Good luck, you will be fine and well done for taking the first step!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 17/12/2021 11:33

You can do it OP! I did feel quite unwell after mine but nothing that a warm blanket and snuggling on the sofa didn't cure.

Sonex · 17/12/2021 11:35

They won't mind you sitting and waiting for 15mins. If you have allergies they still advise it anyway. I went with my son yesterday for his second Pfizer and becuase he has a penicillin allergy (nothing to do with any vaccinations) and they asked him to wait 15 minutes.

Tell them when you go in your re anxious, they will help you. It takes seconds and is painless. You don't have to look. I saw someone at mine that kept their eyes shut the whole way through.

Tell them so they make it as easy as possible for you as you will need the second and the booster. This will go on for another couple of years every winter (as viruses do).

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