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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:
Comefromaway · 17/12/2021 11:35

Well done. I too was terrified when I had my first vaccine

I had my booster yesterday and everyone had to wait 15 mins. They were asking people if they had eaten (and giving biscuits to those who had not) as they said most people who fainted had not eaten. They also emphasised that drinking lots of water/squash helped with side effects.

There was someone having some kind of reaction when I was there, but the person was in a screened cubicle on a bed anyway. I could just see their leg shaking so it is very likely that it was someone prone to either seizures or panic attacks and it was obviously known about in advance.

Original poster
BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 11:36

See weirdly getting Covid doesn't worry me as much as getting jabbed which is frankly ridiculous.
I don't know if that's cos life is hard for me at the min and it's not that I want to die as such but it's just I don't want to be here. Snapped out of existence Thanos style would suit me fine. Completely selfish I know and I would not want to pass it on to someone else who would be sad to be dead.
DS2 had it last year - he was in bed a couple of days but nothing horrific - and the rest of us avoided it, I wfh most of the time and in office alone when not. I know noone who has been ill badly with it. Live rurally, grown own veg and the like so other than DCs I can easily never be close to another person at all so it's just not registered on a risk scale with me. When it first all kicked off I thought I would be but irs gone completely over my head and instead my anxiety is around other things and this vaccine just seems to be what I have focused on !

OP posts:
CarrieBlue · 17/12/2021 11:38

Well done for booking, and what lovely DSs you have!

The vax itself felt like a slight cat scratch (or at least no 3 did, I didn’t feel no 1 at all). I have had a sore arm after all three, like a bruise so it was a bit uncomfortable to sleep on for a night. I felt hungover after no 2 but I’ve had far worse hangovers! No 3 I felt tired so I had a good excuse for pampering the next day. No other side effects, and protected from bad covid and we avoided catching it from DD when she had it a couple of weeks ago.

A slight scratch feeling and a days hangover versus covid seems like a win for the vaccine to me! Look over you other shoulder or close your eyes whilst it’s being done, drink plenty afterwards and take paracetemol if you feel you need it and you will be just fine. We’re all rooting for you 🎉

Wauden · 17/12/2021 11:41

OP, its great that you are going for it. I agree with the suggestion of telling staff beforehand, they should have experience of this.

I was boosted this week in a huge hall and everyone got up and left after 15 mins, as normal.
I was so happy to have it done! I stood in a queue for hours but it was ok.

RedToothBrush · 17/12/2021 11:45

The 15 min wait is pretty pointless.

At both my first I didn't have to wait, as I was with DH (he didn't get one as they ran out - we were the last jab of the day) and second I'd mentioned I was with my husband who was waiting in the car for me (he'd just had his jab and was waiting with DS) so they said not to bother with the 15 min wait and just go as I was with someone and wasn't driving so it was fine!

Obviously the 15 min wait was never really that important.

And tbh, do you want to be sat for 15 extra mins when the risk is more likely to be that someone else will give you omicron anyway?!

You are with your sons. Worst case they can use a phone/get help.

You will be fine. Millions have been.

And tell them just how anxious you've been. It does help.

Cattitudes · 17/12/2021 11:46

I have had vaccine allergies so was still advised to wait, there was a spot for us 'special' people. I read a study that watching something funny before increases the vaccine efficacy so download something funny on your phone to watch while waiting, it will distract you. From all that I have read the side effects (as opposed to any allergic effects) are mainly things that you would have from covid anyway, but milder. So if you feel ill then just think just as well it isn't covid. Presumably ds is much younger than you so how he shook covid off wouldn't necessarily be the same for you.

Derbee · 17/12/2021 11:46

Well done for booking @BlueEyesWhiteDragon! When I went, it was so quick I didn’t even sit down! The lady jabbed me standing up! I’m sure they’ll be sympathetic to your nerves, and will be proud of you for attending.

I know everyone’s different but I had NO side effects at all. Not even a tender arm.

Come back later and let us know how you got on!

sassymuse · 17/12/2021 11:51

If you can, tell the staff - they were amazing with me.

I have terrible health anxiety and getting the vaccine was an absolute ordeal.

From start to finish, they couldn't have been kinder - I was literally shaking and crying; they never made me feel stupid or timewasting.

And the guy who vaccinated came to find me during the waiting period and gave me a satsuma to take my mind off it :)

It'll be fine - I know it's terrifying, but it is safe and also the best way to keep you safe.

NMC2022 · 17/12/2021 11:55

@Amberflames

Nothing else. I thought I was a bit tired but TBH I just fancied a nap

Grin. I can never tell whether it’s jab tiredness or related to having small children who are terrible sleepers!

I have insomnia so.. same I had booked a day off work in case I felt unwell so I figured I should use it Grin
FoxgloveSummers · 17/12/2021 11:59

Your sons sounds really sweet and are obviously worried about you! Nice kids. I know you'll make them proud.

Weirdly when I had my first vaccine I was a bit worried but seeing the whole vaccination "machine" in action made me feel weirdly emotional in a good way! It's just so impressive the way that staff and volunteers and the public are all pulling together in this incredible feat of organisation. I did a happy cry and tbh I wasn't the only one! So if you're having strong emotions when there maybe tell yourself it's not anxiety, it's AWE.

edification · 17/12/2021 12:01

Well done. It is honestly a piece of cake, just look away & you don't actually realise when it's been done sometimes. I had no side effects, thankfully

JoBrodie · 17/12/2021 12:02

Hi OP, well done for booking and good luck for your jab :)

As of yesterday 51 million people have had their first dose, 46.8 have also had their second and 25 million have had their booster, so you are going to be in very good company twitter.com/UKHSA/status/1471513128856956929

I'm also a volunteer vaccine marshal and yes indeed we will take care of you if you're nervous, and of course you can wait for 15 mins afterwards. Do you know which vaccine you're getting? The waiting was never necessary for Astra Zeneca and has been suspended for Pfizer and Moderna, but we put a few chairs out for those who wanted to sit afterwards and a few people used them.

The needle itself is tiny and I didn't feel either it going in or the pressure when injecting the small amount of fluid. I did have some side effects but all were manageable - with my first Astra Zeneca I felt really tired and 'meh' for a day or so afterwards, so had some easy-cook food in. No effects with second AZ.

After my Pfizer booster I had a temperature and a raised pulse but paracetamol normalised all that within an hour of taking it.

It might help to make a note of the symptoms you should watch out for (eg bad headache, shortness of breath) - hopefully not to worry you (!) but to make you feel slightly more empowered (well, maybe). Have a look at page 6 for short-term symptoms and page 5 for ones that might start a few days later www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-what-to-expect-after-vaccination (click on the PDF to download a copy).

If my faster heartbeat hadn't responded to paracetamol then I would certainly have gone to A&E / rung 111 etc. I've been totally fine since.

Hope you have a nice experience and do let us know how it went :)

Jo

SeaToSki · 17/12/2021 12:05

A tip to reduce any sore arm stuff. Do some jumping around before hand to get your blood flowing and then after the injection, do some more. Its sends the good stuff whizzing all round your body and disperses it quickly, so you dont get as much of a sore arm.

Also the jumping around is good to distract you 😀

MrsRussell · 17/12/2021 12:11

OP, I'm going to come on here now and tell you my tale of the awful things that happened to me when I had my third jab yesterday.

I did not get a sticker. Not one measly sticker did I get.
Also, they had a tub of Miniature Heroes on the front desk and they didn't offer me one of those either.

I was peeved, I tell you. No side effects, so I had to go to the crap team meeting at work: no sticker, and no chocolates.
I WAS SWIZZED!!!!!

HowDareYouStealThatCar · 17/12/2021 12:24

Well done for booking OP! I had a very small reaction to my first and third (like PP said, it was just like being a bit hungover for 24h).

It helps me to think that it's a very temporary and minor medical intervention compared to the amount of medical intervention the people who end up in hospital are receiving!

saraclara · 17/12/2021 12:24

Well done!

The staff at the centre where I volunteer are absolutely amazing with anxious people. Even when it's busy, they have all the time in the world to talk to and reassure those who've really had to dig deep to find the courage to come in. I'm in no doubt at all that you'll be allowed to stay for 15 minutes if you ask.

I had side effects from one jab, but nothing at all from the other two. It's disconcerting if you do feel ill, but in some ways I found it reassuring that the jab was doing its thing and making my body respond, even if it wasn't in a way I'd have chosen!

Bettybonce · 17/12/2021 12:27

Well done! I have had all 3 with no issues other than an achey arm. I was asked to wait for 10 mins after each one. I work in a hospital and I don't know anyone who has had a reaction worse than feeling a bit fluey. You will be absolutely fine.

Cattitudes · 17/12/2021 12:28

I did not get a sticker. Not one measly sticker did I get.

I never did get a sticker for any of my three, and worse she didn't even put anything on my vaccine card for the booster, had to put it back with other random loyalty cards. She just said it would update on my NHS app in a few days.

I am slightly exaggerating the side effects at home for sympathy. Dh had about 24-36 hours of side effects and I looked after him, so I feel it is only fair that I am looked after a little for my slightly sore arm. Wouldn't want to make it worse by hanging out washing or putting the bins out now.

BlueEyesWhiteDragon just think of all the help with housework you can get over the weekend while you have a relaxing bath and a lie in tomorrow. Have heard that chocolate supplies are essential!

theDudesmummy · 17/12/2021 12:29

Well done. I have had three now and had absolutely zero recation to any of them (not even a bruise or sore arm, and I barely felt the needle even though I was looking at it). DH felt tired for about 6 hours after the first one and took himself off to watch TV instead of working. DS (aged 12) tried to pretend he felt tired the next day to get out of going to school, but he was lying! Chances are you will have no significant effects.

My dad has Covid at the moment (likely Omicron as in Gauteng) and he is elderly and clinically vulnerable, but it was like nothing more than a mild cold, because, I am sure, he is vaxxed.

bluesky45 · 17/12/2021 12:31

Well done for booking it! I was fine after my first. Flu like symptoms after my 2nd that started around 12hrs after jab and lasted 24hrs. Got 3rd booked for this weekend, hoping I'm not as bad as last time but if I am, so be it, at least it doesn't last long.

honeylemonteaforme · 17/12/2021 12:33

Plan something nice for later on (gingerbread latte with all the cream - I would pick) and focus on that.

ChristmasRobins · 17/12/2021 12:35

15 minute monitoring is still standard for first jabs. It’s only been removed for boosters 🙂

Well done, OP.

RavingAnnie · 17/12/2021 12:38

If you are worried just hang around outside or in the car for 15mins afterwards. I did this anyway after my first jab as the waiting room was v small and filled with people so felt more comfortable waiting outside.

The risks of covid are much much higher than any risks from the vaccination.

Redcrayons · 17/12/2021 12:39

Well done, you’re nearly there.

I’ve had all 3. Middle one I was a bit blurgh for a day after, though tbh I’ve had worse hangovers. My mum didn’t even have a sore arm for all of hers.

I know quite a few people still feeling the effects of covid months after having it done. I don’t know anybody who has been ill for more than a day after the vaccine.

You can do it.

FOJN · 17/12/2021 12:47

Good for you OP.

You'll only hear about the people who felt unwell after their vaccine but there are millions who have had it without any ill effects at all.