Anyone worried about getting COVID booster shots?

[feelsthethreat 0]

I haven't been on this site in a while, but I am scheduled to get my third Pfizer shot tomorrow evening. I had no reactions to the first two, other than a pretty sore arm. My H had his booster last weekend, and had some serious chills and body aches, although the body aches weren't too bad. 

As it is, when I got my first two shots, I had to take some Xanax before I got to the clinic. I'm definitely seeing Xanax in my future for tomorrow.

I absolutely trust the science behind the vaccine - H is an accomplished researcher in the pharmaceutical industry, and he has no doubts about getting it whatsoever. So I know it's safe; I just don't want to start to feel sick, because that's when I panic.

[Zazz 20]

I got Moderna which is the same technology as Pfizer (MRA) and I have absolutely no concerns about the vaccine honestly.

My rheumatologist offered me a booster before they were even approved (idek if they've started roll-out for Moderna yet), so I likely got a full dose for my 3rd (my guess is they had an open vial and wanted to get it in arms before it expired).

It wasn't any worse than the first two. I'd say the first was the worst, but some of that may be that I picked up some tricks along the way.

I had a fair amount of swelling with each shot and icing it the day of and day after helped A LOT with that, along with doing circles with my arms to get the blood flowing. The only other side effect I had was nausea - I chalked that up to nerves because it was worst with the first shot, but I guess that's a known side-effect these days.

All-in-all though... getting COVID would likely be worse than anything the vaccines can dish out, so I feel pretty confident at this point that the booster was the right choice and that I'm likely pretty protected now.

[feelsthethreat 0]

Oh, I know it's absolutely the right choice, which I feel is what adds to my anxiety. I know I don't really have a choice - it's the intelligent thing to do, to get the shot. So my mind says yes, you have to do it, but the other part of me is screaming, "What the hell are you doing? You might have some nasty side effects from it." That's where the health anxiety comes in.

I had major medical trauma as an infant/toddler, as well as a nasty case of sepsis seven years ago, and because our bodies have memories, mine is telling me to not let anyone do anything to me that might cause discomfort, even if it is in my best interest.

[Zazz 20]

That's really rough, and I can understand where you're coming from. I guess that's why mine comes from the angle it does, which is generally not trusting my doctors to do their jobs effectively and suffering needlessly while they twiddle their thumbs.

I have some great docs now, so you'd think I'd get over that... but my brain, I guess more than my body, remembers strongly the misdiagnosises that led to a lot of suffering as well as having practitioners that didn't listen to me and prescribed drugs that landed me in the ER (mostly that's psych meds but my brain apparently doesn't differentiate those things).

Can you discuss these concerns with your doc? They probably have a lot more info from other patients and the likes that... while we could get some of that, I'm not sure going down the rabbit hole about it is ideal and might just fuel the anxiety.

[feelsthethreat 0]

Three years ago we relocated 2000 miles from where we'd lived for 30 years, so I had to start over with all new doctors. Because of my medical PTSD, I chose to work with an internist that runs a concierge practice. I get more of his time, and I have his personal cell number. He knows of my medical trauma (I was born with a birth defect that required three major surgeries to my mouth and lip that required reconstruction), and has been very careful when referring me to specialists who are not only skilled, but have good bedside manners. I've only used his personal cell number twice in three years - once was six weeks ago when I sliced my finger open on a food processor blade and didn't know what was the best place to go for, for stitches (wanting to avoid a long wait at an ER). So I don't take advantage of him, but he knows me very well now.

I also talk with my therapist when I have procedures coming up (well, I couldn't exactly brief her on the finger episode BEFORE it happened, LOL) such as dental work, colonoscopies (I have a genetic mutation, putting me at high risk for colon cancer, so I have to have them done every year), etc. I used to have to pre-medicate for the dermatologist, dental cleanings and GYN, but the last visits with them have been without Xanax, and I survived. I mean, my mind KNOWS logically that I have to take care of my physical health, but my body screams back at me and tells me to keep them all away from me, which ultimately leads to panic.

Seven years ago, I also had a cancer diagnosis that required a complete hysterectomy, which I went through amazingly calmly, but several weeks after the surgery, I developed an abscess that led to sepsis (which has a 30% mortality rate), and I was hospitalized for five nights. I literally went from fine one evening after dinner, to raging sick by midnight. It was so scary - so yea, it adds to my health anxiety, because I've experienced how fast you can go from completely fine to being critically ill. My doctor knows all of this about me, and takes his time with me.

[Doug97 19]

I'm not worried at all. In fact, my worry is I won't get the booster in time, and I'll catch covid while my immunity from it has waned. 

[BrightPhoenix 78]

My EMT paramedic brother in law got the Moderna booster on Thursday.  I had a long post written up but I don't want to give too many details as I don't want to possibly trigger folks.  I'll just say my brother in law got some hard reactions from the Moderna booster, despite the first two shots not being a big deal for him.  He got his shot on Thursday - it's Wednesday and he's still dealing with side effects from the vaccination.  He's gotten better, but it's still a bit of a recovery period for him.

There needs to be open and frank discussion about why this happens.  I'm overweight, got the J&J booster and had no problems.  My father got the Pfizer booster - no problems.  My sister is pregnant right now and does not want to get the booster for that reason.  My bro in law who's in shape, walks all the time and exercises in his early 30's gets hit by the reactions.

I do hope they figure out why it's a weird diceroll for some people.

[Stephanie 60]

My husband and I got the Moderna booster yesterday. We also had Moderna for the first two. First two didn’t do much in terms of side effects. However I have felt like crap ever since last night. I’ve had the chills, headache and body aches. I’m taking Tylenol every six hours and have been covered up. I checked my temp a little while ago and it was 101.1. I’m a little scared to be honest. I’m wishing I would’ve just gotten an antibody test to see how protected I was. We did get our second shot in March so it’s been just over 8 months. 

[MARC 429]

I got my second Pfizer shot at the end of May and I am due for my booster soon. When I got my second shot I felt washed out for a couple of days, my arm was sore and my temperature went up a tiny bit. I got my flu shot today and so far no side effects yet. 

[BrightPhoenix 78]

Update on my brother, he's doing better.  They don't know what caused his adverse reaction, but they did a bunch of tests on him and he didn't have to take up a medicine - whatever happened on Thursday cleared up for him by the time I got to see him this past Sunday.

He's about 90-95% now, but now he's wondering what he'll have to do for the next booster.

[Stephanie 60]

1 hour ago, BrightPhoenix said:

Update on my brother, he's doing better.  They don't know what caused his adverse reaction, but they did a bunch of tests on him and he didn't have to take up a medicine - whatever happened on Thursday cleared up for him by the time I got to see him this past Sunday.

He's about 90-95% now, but now he's wondering what he'll have to do for the next booster.

Glad he’s better! My hubby and I are feeling much better today, however one weird thing that popped up is the bottom part of our left armpits are swelled up. Mine is more so than his. 

[Ironman 192]

On ‎11‎/‎23‎/‎2021 at 10:55 PM, MARC said:

I got my second Pfizer shot at the end of May and I am due for my booster soon. When I got my second shot I felt washed out for a couple of days, my arm was sore and my temperature went up a tiny bit. I got my flu shot today and so far no side effects yet. 

From what I heard, there is supposed ot be some time between the flu shot and the booster.  I actually plan on getting the flu shot this year as well.  MY very first flu shot ever was right as the Corona started up!

I am visiting my stepmother for Thanksgiving and there is always the get-together.  She found out that the hosts recently got the Corona.  They said they would be okay to host, but even with the vaccine - and hearing that more breakthrough cases are occurring with Pfizer - I am a bit nervous....but I was around people in the same situation last year before I even got the first shot!  It was too late to look into the booster, but like you, my second shot was May 20.

I am totally PISSED at the "Jab or Job" - even with the current halt.  I still had to have my data submitted by Friday November 26! - A holiday in the USA!

[MARC 429]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I had no reaction to the flu shot. My daughter who is 31, just got back from a cruise on Tuesday to the Bahama's and Florida. The ship had 2400 people on it. They announced when the ship returned, that there was a case of Covid-19 onboard. My daughter who is fully vaccinated with the Pfizer and flu shots had a quick test for Covid-19 yesterday which was negative. 

[Otherside 3]

A bit. Have mine Sunday afternoon. Had a bad reaction to both 1&2 last time (nothing drastic, just felt rubbish, had to take time off work, thankfully they were fine with it, near all my team took time off because of it at somepoint), so not looking forward to that.

Flu Jab I had a headache but nothing major.

[BrightPhoenix 78]

Asking my brother in law a bit more about his adverse reaction, I will now disclose - it was really bad diarrhea that lasted a good week.  Doctors think the booster might have messed up his gut bacteria/fauna or whatever and that's why his digestive system was rejecting everything he ate.  But like I said, after a week and a few days afterwards, he recovered.  Saw him this past Thanksgiving (Happy Belated Thanksgiving!) and he was 100% back in shape.

Flu vaccine wise, I got it back in September.  Was a quick jab, sore arm for a couple days and that was it.

A flu jab I got several months years ago left me with a REALLY sore arm for like a week.  That wasn't fun, but subsequent yearly flu jabs were no problem.

[Ironman 192]

We had thanksgiving dinner and a couple of the people had Corona in the last monrh, but not immediate.  They were no longer contagious.  I am vaccinated, but no booster. 

[Ironman 192]

On ‎11‎/‎27‎/‎2021 at 1:59 PM, Ironman said:

We had thanksgiving dinner and a couple of the people had Corona in the last monrh, but not immediate.  They were no longer contagious.  I am vaccinated, but no booster. 

Actually, it was worse than this!   About two hours after I posted this, my stepmother got a call from my stepsister.  This is what happened! 

My stepsister and brother-in-law have three kids - daughter, son, daughter, and then an exchange student from Italy.  All but the exchange student came to dinner - she had a 101 fever and stayed home.  The son brought his girlfriend.  Everybody else was fine.....the youngest daughter had a headache but she was tired from not sleeping. 

Fast forward to the day I posted that quoted message - they tested the exchange student and she was positive for Corona.  The eldest daughter was vaccinated since she is in college, the son tested negative (he had it last year), the girlfriend tested positive, and the youngest daughter also tested positive but was asymptomatic. 

So - I go home on Sunday and have been in "quarantine" ever since in case I have a breakthrough case or am carrying it to be spread to others.  My stepmother got her booster before Thanksgiving so she is fine.  My issue is that my second shot was May 20 - the "contact" date was November 25 (just past the six month threshold). 

I am currently in day six and, so far thank God, no symptoms.

This is actually good information from a research standpoint.

[BrightPhoenix 78]

Have you tried getting yourself tested as well?

[Ironman 192]

Nope - I should have, but the issue is that appointments have been booked solid.  I looked into drugstores that would offer home tests.  $25 for a home testing kit.  I was later told by the staff of my mother's assisted living facility that the rapid tests would not be accepted.  The main PCR test has to be submitted to a lab for a 24-48 hour wait for any result. 

The CDC states that any testing should occur between days 5 and 7 after exposure.  I was already there and beyond.  For quarantine, it's 10 days for vaccinated; 14 for unvaccinated.   In a perfect world, the quarantine would have been over with a negative test by day 7, but we're not there. :(

Friday December 10 is day 15 lol.  No issues.