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Covid and the vaccination. Dealing with phobias

Debbie E

hi all,

Since the start of the pandemic I’ve been really struggling. I have mild panic attacks when I have to go shopping around people. Im practically house bound which is scary because I could cope before

The big thing to hit me now is the fact I got my email regarding my 1st vaccination.

One of my major phobias is taking any kind of medication, vaccines included because I seem to have had incredibly strong reactions to anything I’ve ever been given. Leading to nights of terrifying panic attacks.

I’m terrified of the side effects. I’ve always had an extreme phobia about sickness. And pretty much everyone I know has had horrifying side effects that last for days

I’ve tried phoning the covid team in my area to explain that they are dealing with someone with major phobias and Aspergers but no one came back to me.

Essentially at this point I just can’t see it happening. I am way to scared.

Is anyone else on the spectrum having these kind of issues about the vaccination?

I feel really low at the moment because everyone can see the end of this but there is no end for me.

  • in reply to Loz

    Good info. Thanks for that. It’s likely I’ll be eligible for a home visit which will help with the anxiety of actually getting somewhere. 

    still don’t know if I can go ahead with it though but at least I’m getting things in place

  • I had the Phizer jab last week. There was so much going on and we were moving so fast that I didn't even feel the needle go in. I was asked to wait about 10 to 15 minutes and was then allowed to leave. My arm ached a little, I also got a mild rash on my hands although that appears to be unique to me as I haven't heard anyone else with it. Either way, it cleared up within a day. I was tired, and I had a headache, but I was also quite stressed that week so that may have been the cause rather than the jab.

    The nurse told me that the Phizer is the one they ask you to wait up to 15minutes for, the Oxford Astrazenica, you don't have to wait. and the Phizer is more likely to make you feel poorly on the second one whereas the Oxford AZ is the first. Obviously this is just what was said to me so I can't vouch for the accuracy. My parents both had the Oxford AZ and didn't suffer any side effects at all. My work colleagues have had one or the other, most have not had symptoms. Those that did reported feeling a bit poorly, flu or shivering, that sort of thing, stayed home a day or two and were back to normal quite quickly.

    I found it more stressful getting to and from as I had to go on public transport to an area that wasn't familiar to me. The process of getting the jab was a bit too fast paced for my liking, but there were plenty of staff to direct me and the jab itself wasn't a problem (like I said, I didn't even feel it go in so until my arm ached the next day, I wondered if I'd had it at all!). 

    It may be, that if you focus on getting there, speak to the staff and forewarn them that you have severe anxiety and see if they can lead you through the process so you know what is happening. There is no point in worrying about the jab and side effects that you 'might' get as everyone is different. Even the jabs themselves will be different. You might feel unwell on the first, and get nothing on the second. 

  • Just saying, I had the vaccine 2 weeks ago and only had a sore arm for a couple of days.  It was fast and painless and I didn't have to stay for 15 minutes to get monitored they just said don't drive for 15 mins.

  • You don't have to get it. I had the AZ shot and had flu symptoms for about 12 hours exact, but took paracetamol a few times which helped. I don't mind having a cold or flu, something that which I know will pass. But most things medical scare me. I wish it weren't the case. I love microbiology and had a microscope when I was little and love learning about the chemistry of the human body. But strange painful/hard to breathe experiences are really frightening. Sadly, I've been having difficulty breathing with too much caffeine and I would just have one tea after one coffee and the next all day if I could.

    For most individuals, the pros of having the vaccine outweigh the cons of catching a bad spell of covid. I think you can send your GP an email or wait. From what I've read, they're going t keep fine-tuning the vaccine, but they do ask before your shot what your allergies are. I wrote everything down and took it with me. You can also request the Astra Zeneca shot instead of the mRNA (which really looks cool) if you would rather have something that resemble the yearly flu shot. 

  • in reply to mael

    It’s good to know it’s not just me. I think I need to try and chill out about it for a while and stop giving myself such a hard time. Maybe they might come back to me with more information like they said they would. 

    I think I got extra upset because I tried to put something in place. I was told that the manager would get in touch with me and then nothing happened. It seems like constantly beeping let down by health services can really get to you. 

  • It is a real worry ,i am not sure myself as i react badly to many meds. I keep changing my mind . It should reduce as we come into summer and with more people being vacs it should reduce further. I may wait and see how things enfold .