LindsayWhat has two thumbs and is fully immunized?
THIS GIRL.
It has been over two weeks since my second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. I now have as much antibodies against COVID-19 as I’m probably ever going to get. I sure hope those little buggers do their job. If you want to read about my first COVID-19 jab, you can find that post here.
I know from my hilarious and totally original joke above it probably sounds like I was excited to get the second vaccine, but I wasn’t. For the entire 25 minute drive to the vaccination clinic, I kept trying to convince the husband that one jab has plenty of juice to last us through the pandemic, and what’s wrong with 57% efficacy anyway and do we really need that additional 38%, and how do we really know there aren’t antibodies in a box of donuts and don’t we owe it to science to test out that theory first??
As I have mentioned previously, I’m not an anti-vaxxer. I grew up in a time where vaccines were all the rage, and my parents were just conformist enough to wear striped knee-high socks and inject us kids with antifreeze, if a doctor swore by it. Because my PCP has mostly been doing online appointments, I am a year overdue for my tetanus vaccine, but plan to get that soon, mostly so I can get back to licking rusty knives. So, I am not an anti-vaxxer, but I might be a bit of an “anti-injecting-me-with-anything-that-hasn’t-been-rigorously-tested-er”. I just don’t know that we can accurately assess the (potential) long-terms effects of the vaccine yet, and that makes me nervous.
But you’re not here for my irrational vaccine fears and brilliant donut-antibody theories, so I’ll get on with jab story.
Husband and I had appointments for our second jab for 10:00 am on a Saturday. We went to the same clinic as for jab #1 – the sports center building for a local university. This time they had us in a different building than last time, which provided that extra boost of anxiety I love when the only positive I can come up with about a situation is that at least I know where I’m going.
The lines were very short and I only had to wait a few minutes before I was helped by a volunteer who took my license and signed me in. I could overhear the volunteer and patient at the next table discussing all of the great shows they had binged during the pandemic, and then I felt like an idiot because I only binge watched Friends for the millionth time and didn’t start anything new, and I’m still on season 5 of Orange is the New Black and does Piper ever get her head out of her ass? Apparently my volunteer didn’t know, because he’s more of a “Game of Thrones” kind of guy.
My jab administrator was a lovely nurse named Elizabeth. I called her Liz like we were old friends, because I feel I should at least be on a nickname basis with anyone who is going to inject me with the poison of death. [As a side note, I googled “poison of death” to see if that was an actual phrase people use, and discovered it is the name of a song by the spanish-speaking heavy metal screamo band called Armagedom. So….boom. Providing you with medical and musical knowledge since 2021.]
Liz, like me, didn’t do much binge watching during the pandemic and instead likes to read. I discussed all of my favorite books where people die horrible gruesome deaths from pandemics and vaccines, but apparently Liz prefers historical romance.
After Liz jabbed me up, I was sent down several confusing corridors, then outside for a moment and into another building, where a cardboard cutout of Dr. Fauci was waiting while several middle aged women took sexually suggestive pictures with him (not me, despite what the husband may tell you). Then I continued down several more confusing hallways to the observation room. I presume the maze was to test your post-vaccine cognition or sobriety. I passed both.
My experience immediately after the 2nd shot was similar to the 1st – the nerve pain in my feet increased within 10 minutes of injection, but I didn’t have any other symptoms. After an eventful 15 minute waiting period, husband and I were allowed to leave. Because we expected we might feel crappy the next day, we immediately ran to the supermarket, took my pup to the dog park, and ran other errands.
My nausea and reduced appetite continued for about another week. I still now, after 2 weeks, often feel a little nauseous after I eat, but I have no way of knowing whether that can still be traced back to the vaccine. My nerve pain continues to be elevated elevated, and I absolutely believe that is related to the vaccine. The pain had been at a very low level for over 6 months, and was elevated within 10 minutes of receiving both vaccines, I think there must be a correlation. I don’t currently take any medication for the nerve pain, but that’s a story for a separate post. I am very fortunate that, even though it has been elevated by the jabs, my nerve pain is still fairly mild right now.
Overall, my experience wasn’t awful. Everything at the clinic went very quickly and smoothly. The volunteers were so friendly and helpful. It’s obvious they are working hard, and I’m grateful for what they are doing. I never experienced a fever or chills, and my body aches were manageable. Fatigue was worse after shot #1, nausea was worse after shot #2. Nerve pain was equal for both. I’m just glad it’s over, and I never have to do it again (until they start rolling out booster shots, and we have to do the whole thing again).
I didn’t take any medication for any of my vaccine symptoms, but read that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a better choice than ibuprofen (Advil), when it comes to the vaccine. My naturopath also recommended something called Thuja Occidentalis 30c. You can get it at most health stores (like Sprouts) over the counter. Apparently it is typically taken to help with warts, but in the past has also been taken to help with symptoms from the flu shot and other vaccines. Talk to your doctor before you try anything new.
On a somewhat related, but more positive note, now that we have all been vaccinated, I got to see my dad for the first time in 15 months. Last time I saw him was at my mom’s celebration of life. My sisters were in town, too. Here’s a picture of the sunset we got to enjoy together, as a family.
What are you most looking forward to when everything opens back up?
“Three things in life – your health, your mission, and the people you love. That’s it.” – Naval Ravikant
Smell ya later.
Linds
From a fellow two-thumbs girl, I salute you! Very glad you’ve now had both doses, that’s fab. I’ve got my second one next Saturday because of having to wait 12 weeks between doses in the UK.
I can see your hesitation on the second one. I personally think, from the stats and research I’ve seen, that the second makes a considerable difference. It’s worrying that many people might skip it because of worries from news articles, or because they had horrible side-effects from the first dose. It’s a tricky one. You’re certainly not alone with the concerns over vaccines that haven’t had rigorous testing.
I can’t even remember what season of Orange Is The New Black I got to. D’oh! I did the same with Lost and then Game Of Thrones, where I loved both and watched them religiously but then stopped watching them for for ages… I could could never, ever figure out where I was on either. Sounds good to have a nice jabber do you vaccination who you cold have a casual chat with. The Fauci cutout Is a bit creepy though.
I think it can be very, very difficult to tell sometimes whether things we experience are side-effects from a vaccination or other medication, or just the usual shit that comes with chronic illness. I had nausea too, but thankfully mine was short-lived. I hope it settles down for you soon and likewise the nerve pain. That’s so strange. I’ve heard others say similar with elevated pain levels after their jabs.
That’s fantastic that you got to see your dad recently and your sisters 💜
I hope your vaccinations give you the best protection possible, Linds!
Caz xx
Thanks, Caz! It is nice to have it over with at least. How are you feeling after your 2nd jab?
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the vaccine! I’ve waited quite a bit, doing lots of hand-wringing, but think I’m ready to finally go for it. It really helps hearing other POTSies braving it and making it happen and managing well. There are definitely plenty of very unpleasant stories on my support groups that surely haven’t helped my confidence. And watching it lay my healthy husband out for a couple days didn’t help, though he did get Moderna. Trying to think that if anything I’m more trained and seasoned for a flare after many years of living with this whole POTS and MCAS thing. Anyway thanks again and hope you’re feeling a bit better by now!!
I can totally understand that it’s a tough decision! I have heard stories of both lots of symptoms and zero symptoms after the vaccine from both my healthy and chronically ill friends. I’m not sure how big of a role chronic illness plays in our reaction. You make a great point that we’re trained for flares! I think it’s best to go into it knowing that you might have a flare, and expect to need some downtime after, but that it will pass.
I would be interested in hearing how it goes, if you want to share!
Hi Linds, just wanted to say that I have had my first shot and I got nerve issues like you. Mine was
Left ear ringing (1 day) and I got shingles 2 weeks after in my left eye (I’ve had shingles 4 times so I am prone). Coincidentally, the shingles have caused ringing in my ear I’m also getting tingling nerve issues in the soles of my feet and lower legs that I rarely got pre vax. The doctors agree the vaccination probably lowered my immunity to cause the shingles. As a result my second vaccination is delayed and I have to get it next week so I was reading your posts to see how you went 😊.
Hi Jo,
I’m so sorry to hear that you had nerve issues, too! My BP seemed higher after the 2nd shot, but I didn’t notice that after the 1st. In fact, I was so fatigued after the 1st that I suspect my BP was probably low. It’s so odd how 2 doses of the exact same shot can cause such different reactions. Do you know what shot you got? I think I heard you guys have the Pfizer and AstraZeneca over there – is that correct?
I also meant to add that I had the extreme thirst and stomach issues after my first shot aswell. My blood pressure was higher aswell which I expect was from my adrenaline being activated (hyper pots). Did you notice that Linds?
Great to hear that you could see your dad and that overall you did ok.
Hi Linds, Thank you for replying. I had Pfizer. We usually take them 3 weeks apart over here but I’m coming up to 6 weeks because I can’t shake this low grade fever and tinnitus from the shingles. I’m booked this week but I’m not sure what to do. They have said we can go up to 6 weeks as they are trying to get everyone vaccinated since Delta hit here recently. How are things over there now?
I’m sorry – that must be a really difficult decision to make.
Delta has been pretty strong here, too. My county has a really good vaccination rate (71% of my county is fully vaccinated), but we’re seeing way more cases now than we were just a couple months ago, like 10x as much.