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Covid Vaccine appointment today and feeling scared. Need pep talk

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Posted 7/12/2021 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I live in NYC where it is densely populated and vaccinations are required in most places.

I have an appointment for my first Pfizer vaccine and I'm experiencing irrational anxiety.

Have felt really good lately. Have been exercising, sleeping well. Have fear of getting a reaction from vaccine and/or relapsing.

Of course today it's cold and raining and my throat hurts but I think it's anxiety.

I'm probably just venting but some positive stories will help right now. Thanks.
Posted 7/12/2021 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Huddle,

Try not to worry. I know it’s easier said than done. I had both vaccinations in
April/May and took Sara’s advice and loaded up on vit c and glutathione. I had no reaction to either jab. All my symptoms I had before I have still so nothing changed for me either way. I was super nervous and it ended up being fine. I got it for same reasons you’re getting yours . I was a nervous wreck but it was a non issue. Hope all goes well for you. Btw almost everyone I know has had the vaccine (mostly Pfizer and moderna) and a handful with Lyme and co- infections and no one had any reactions except maybe first night sight fever. Hope this helps. Btw I had Moderna
Posted 7/12/2021 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Kitkate,

Yes, this helped so much. Do you currently have Lyme symptoms? I'm not yet in remission (but have been much better). I react to everything - super sensitive canary in the coal mine type.

I'm having lots of water, will have tea and shower and think of you. Really, I will. I need to just do this. THANK YOU!
Posted 7/12/2021 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
You got this!

Expect side effects, but don't worry that they are a relapse. Truly. A relapse is far more likely from COVID itself, or from major stress.

I felt like rubbish after my vaccine (J&J) for about 36 hours, and then back to baseline. I definitely understand how triggering it is to feel bad, given all we go through with Lyme, but plenty of people with normal immune systems have side effect to these vaccines, about 50%, and it's not a bad sign. Get ready to lay low for a day or two, especially after the second dose. My partner (who has an autoimmune disease) had the same experience with the second dose of Pfizer - rubbish for 36 hours, then back to baseline.

Also keep in mind that there are options if inflammation lingers for a few days - curcumin, quercetin, etc. Your immune system - which boasts inflammation among its tools, and plays a role in many of our Lyme symptoms - is supposed to be activated by a vaccine. Don't be disturbed by it. Easier said than done, I know, but it's what's supposed to happen!

Don't underestimate the peace of mind that comes with knowing that even if you do contract COVID after this, chances are it will have a smaller impact on you and for those around you.
Posted 7/12/2021 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Saraeli,

Thank you and giant hugs to you guys.

Ok hope I go through with it. I'm not as worried about inflammation/fatigue, although I don't want my EBV back since I FINALLY have all day energy. I get a lot of nerve pain and my body does this weird thing where it trembles when I am detoxing something it doesn't like. Really don't want that. We will see.

Thank you both so very much. I'm really grateful to hear your experience(s).
Posted 7/12/2021 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
P.S. I had Covid in March 2020, entire family did, and luckily we didn't require hospitalization. So I'm worried I'll react even more than normal.
Posted 7/12/2021 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
I probably was, and am, in a similar state of health as you currently are, Huddie.. sleeping relatively well, able to handle moderate exercise .. maybe not as sensitive/not a canary in coal mine type though.

My first shot (Moderna) I only had the sore arm and a very mild headache.

2nd shot gave me very heavy flu-like symptoms for 24hrs, then back to baseline.

Just wanted to say that it might be reversed for you with your first shot being the one that hits you hard, and not to be alarmed. Because you already had covid, your first shot may act more like a booster shot, and your actual 2nd dose may not elicit much of a response at all.

Good news is that recent studies have suggested that this type of "hybrid immunity" is more robust than post-infectious immunity alone, or from that of vax alone
Posted 7/12/2021 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Huddie I still have Lyme symptoms- lots of gastro ones but also have neuropathy (pins and needles and weakness at times). So I still have symptoms but can function fairly well.
Posted 7/12/2021 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Huddie, sorry to hear you're experiencing anxiety. I'm not trying to make things worse for you, but have you considered not getting the vaccine? Or if you must, have you considered waiting for a safer vaccine? If you already had covid you have the antibodies in your body already.

Your fear isn't out of place in my opinion, there are many good reasons to NOT get the experimental mRNA vaccine. Especially not with Lyme and co.

EBV has been problematic with the covid and the covid vaccine. I quote:

  • "In this case, HLH was induced by the COVID-19 vaccination immuno-stimulation on a chronic EBV infection background. This report indicates that it is crucial to exclude the presence of active EBV infection or other common viruses before COVID-19 vaccination."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34088334/

I see many people report side effects every day, only for people to brush them off by saying "that means its working" or "it's supposed to do that". The same people won't be anywhere to be found when the symptoms won't go away months later. Or even worse, they will say it's all in your head. Sounds familiar? That's how us Lyme patients have been treated for decades.

I know this might not be what you want to hear, and I'm sure many people think I'm being a **** right now, but I hate seeing people get hurt every day.
Posted 7/12/2021 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone!

Potsnpans and Kitkate thank you so much for your continuing support and sharing of your experiences. I so appreciate it.

Purple light, thank you too! I know you are helping and I definitely don't think you are an a**hole. I share the same worries you mention. I do think it's a roll of the dice and that any viruses in our body may wake up once the vaccine is introduced. That is my fear. That said I know so many who had Covid. Some have still not recovered. It's no joke. And the new variant claims to be worse.

Unfortunately in NYC you can't do anything without being vaccinated. It may now be like this in other places now as well. But to do anything, if they even allow unvaccinated people, you need to get tested, quarantine, etc... My family wants me vaccinated. My mother is in a nursing home and I can't see her until I'm vaccinated. Believe me I have weighed the pros/cons.

I'm also aware of the new vaccine coming out but in my opinion that one is really untested.
Posted 7/12/2021 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Get it huddie. These variants are picking up pace, delta now lambda. If you could wait it out, sure, but this thing isnt going away and there will be a surge this winter. Covid is devastating on the immune system for a lot of people. Even if the vaccine isnt 100%, it will help you fight it off. You will be happy you got it come fall. Vaccine + horse paste and you're ok smile
Posted 7/12/2021 3:01 PM (GMT 0)

Somebody said...
Your fear isn't out of place in my opinion, there are many good reasons to NOT get the experimental mRNA vaccine. Especially not with Lyme and co.

EBV has been problematic with the covid and the covid vaccine. I quote...

To clarify, that is a single case report having to do with one of the inactivated Chinese vaccines.
Posted 7/12/2021 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Huddie - I’m with you girl!
You got this!

I’m also getting mine!
My appt is on the 17th of this month.

You will be fine and I will be fine.
Posted 7/12/2021 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie,

Thank you Girlie! I'm postponing a bit. Hopefully I go later on today or tomorrow. The place is 15 minutes from us and they said I can come any time until 9:00pm.

It's cold and rainy today and I have chills and sore throat. Feel like I may have a relapse coming on. I exercised every day last week and even went for bike/light hike yesterday. By last night I had neck/shoulder pain, etc...

If I tell myself I'm postponing, then just relax I'll know if a lot is just anxiety smile

I definitely just want this out of the way, but... I will definitely update you all if it happens today.
Posted 7/12/2021 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Huddie a friend of mine gave me this advice and it really helped (and I’m not very spiritual or good at listening to my body so I was really surprised this worked for me. And maybe it might be a good practice for others so I thought I’d pass it along).

“ sit quietly and envision yourself at the pharmacy (or wherever it is you’ll be going for your vaccinations). Close your eyes, take three deep breaths, place your hands over your solar plexus and ask the question:

Is it safe for me to get the vaccine?

Don’t think - just notice your gut feeling. That will give you the right answer. Once the mind is out of the way, the body knows best.

Than, assuming it is a ‘go’ create a healing affirmation to say to yourself repeatedly. Something like:

This vaccine is a healing frequency. My cells easily welcome the protection it offers. “

Anyway for what it’s worth it worked. Hopefully it can help you too.
Posted 7/12/2021 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Kitkate,

I love that - thank you! I do a lot of similar self-talk and even muscle tested myself smile, writing down "Will the Covid Pfizer vaccine be beneficial/well tolerated to my body/mind and overall health?" It came back yes by the way.

I'm glad I postponed. I continue to have chills, nausea and aches today. I some times get mini relapses when I restart exercise and I exercised every day for over a week. I finally felt SO GOOD. I was fine yesterday than knocked back today. Hopefully it passes quickly.

Thank you!
Posted 7/12/2021 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Girlie "You got this"

I went on Saturday for my 2nd shot (moderna). I was super nervous again. I replied to a earlier post that I when I got my first shot I got some tingling in my left hand and foot and tired but not much else. The tingling did go away after a few days, with the worse of it a few hours after the shot. I am almost 48 hours post my 2nd shot. I felt good right after the shot, no symptoms at all that night. Woke up yesterday morning and started feeling bad, body aches, chills, headache and tired (no fever). It lasted most of the day but got a bit better as the day went on. I relaxed all day and went to bed early, drank a lot of water. I feel better today, a little lingering fatigue and aches but not like yesterday. My arm did hurt with both shots, but goes away after 1-2 days and I can live with that.

I continued taking my vitamins (C, D, Zinc and Mag) and I also take bio identical hormones (which ironically I think help some of my Lyme stuff).

Just wanted to let you know as I was very indecisive about getting the shot and super anxious.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

I was CDC positive for Lyme in Oct 2019 after a few years of ongoing symptoms.
Posted 7/12/2021 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Haleybugs,

Thank you. I so appreciate you all sharing your experience. I think I remember you mentioning the arm/leg tingling. I'm glad you are almost past this and double vaccinated! You must feel a sense of relief. I can handle a few days of being off. I'm definitely doing it but just need to feel a bit better than I do today. Today I feel like what I thought I would feel like post shot. LOL. I take bio identical hormones as well. Never thought about whether they help with LD or not. Whatever works! Thanks again.
Posted 7/12/2021 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Would just like to update you. We were having this conversation in another thread. I am now seventh day post Moderna. Felt awful for a full five days....and not fluey, but symptomatic (but I have a history of EBV). I have improved a lot. Almost back at baseline and feeling quite good again, so I advise even EBV folk to get it. Go for it Huddie...this virus is just getting worse. Sorry if my earlier post gave you pause. Just be prepared for symptoms that may feel like a relapse and trust that they actually aren't. Even if it feels like hell...it will pass.
Posted 7/12/2021 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Seb,

Thank you. You guys are such a bright spot in today. I shall hold each of you in my positive visions when I do get it. I do need to get past whatever this is : relapse from exercise or something else. Then I'm definitely getting it. This new variant seems even worse than first go round.

I wish you back to baseline very, very soon. Are you able to do stuff around house but just fatigued or is it more like sidelined in bed with flu? Hoping the former and that you get better and better. Thanks!
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