COVID 19 jab

Caz1

It’s still only  about 1/125,000 chance. And it is being picked up quicker as people are more aware of what to expect, and ,as more is known about it, being treated more appropriately than before. The clotting mechanism is different to other clotting, (as previously thought and treated) as it is an autoimmune pathway. 

Covid also can cause potential complications and long  term damage, and there is also long haul covid to worry about.  A lot of these symptoms haven’t been fully investigated as it is still early days.  But there is absolutely a risk for significant morbidity. That’s what I’m worried about.  I believe the best way to protect ourselves and  others , especially vulnerable people,  from this is to be vaccinated.

Caz xx

FLClover

I’m really sorry that you’re a ‘zebra’ @AllyJay. And I mean that. As I said before, my interest is in the good of people. I don’t like seeing illness and suffering. 

My statistics are from the same place everyone gets theirs. I’ve done a lot of research re covid, bc I was diagnosed at the same time it exploded. So I was dealing with two massive health hazards and needed to know facts. Being so involved in this bc world the past year, I’ve realised there’s politics and corruption everywhere. That’s why we seek second, even third opinions, and constantly ask each other about our treatments and specialists to compare and make sure ours is up to the standard it should be. There’s highly respected and inspired medical professionals who stand firm on the point that covid is not as dangerous to the general public as it’s made to be, and that the masks and vaccines are not necessary or even efficient. As with everything, we make decisions about who we trust and what we allow for ourselves. All I’m saying is, if people believe the vaccine only causes side effects to people cos of other existing conditions, then they should also believe covid is mostly dangerous for the same people with other existing conditions. This was already confirmed a year ago, but for some reason people choose to look past it for covid, but not for the vaccine. This is what confuses me. 

I can’t tell who to take what. It’s not my business, and I don’t want it to be. I just want people to see the truth about covid and the vaccine and its side effects objectively. That’s all. I don’t dispute people’s rights to take it, it’s their choice. I also want my decision to not take it to be respected, without being called selfish and being accused of not caring for others. It’s extremely untrue and offensive. I’m not saying anyone on this forum said that, it just seems to be the general feeling somehow. I will always do my part in helping others as much as I can. I always have. It’s just that my beliefs are different, and I follow my beliefs, just like others follow theirs. If you ladies want to take the vaccine, I fully support that 💯. And I very genuinely hope you don’t have any side effects, and that it protects you from this and any other virus 🙏🏻. We all want the same result, which is good health. 

Halla

Wow @AllyJay you really are a magical unicorn!  And your husband too. 

In the news yesterday they were saying that you are something like 100x more likely to get clots from COVID than you are from the vaccine, and today that we are at very high risk of another outbreak in oz.

I think that’s a winning argument really.

FLClover

This news about covid causing blood clots only surfaced now, magically, after the az vaccine started causing them. This was not mentioned a year ago and no focus on it, until now. I have watched a video by a professor on virology, just one of the videos I’ve watched. The platform is not important, point is it was a valid video. He also was involved in selling the tests to detect covid. He has come out to say covid is not as dangerous as made out to be by the media. All this hype around it is unnecessary. None of these measures are as effective as claimed they are, and they are even a health hazard. 

I have asked a couple of my specialists if I should wear a mask, and get the vaccine. Answer was if I wanted, but not necessary. Similar answers from the nurses. I’ve never seen my med onc with a mask on, esp not voluntarily. Some other specialists do wear masks and advise to get the vaccine, so there are literally people giving valid points from both sides. But these are cancer specialists. They specialise in their specific area. My onc can’t give advice on surgery, and vice versa. 

The man I mentioned above is a virologist, and involved in selling the tests, so one could say he specialises in that particular area. So in this case, I’d trust him. Especially bc he’s coming out and saying this, knowing full well the backlash he could receive. And obviously refusing any commission for ‘selling it’ to the public. He has no gain in doing that, only negative public reactions. So I trust he’s doing it bc he knows it’s true, and is genuinely interested in helping people be safe and healthy.  

I won’t post the link here, if anyone wants it I can pm it. This is a forum about breast cancer, and I’d like to keep my focus on that. I also need to say what I think if I disagree with something, especially if I think it’s unsafe. So I’ve said it, and that’s enough from me. I agree to disagree, as long as no one accuses me of ‘not doing my part’ by not getting the vaccine. That’s not how it works. The world is not black and white; it’s very grey, as my onco told me about my chemo decision. If requested by a friend, I would wear a mask and keep my distance to help them feel safe, but not 24/7. And I won’t put myself and my daughter at risk by injecting ourselves with poorly researched foreign matter. I’m already taking enough medication. 

So, to those getting the vaccine, I hope it prevents you getting covid and any other virus. I hope you don’t get any nasty side effects, and I hope you remain in good health 🙏🏻♥️. To those not getting the vaccine, I wish you the same 🙏🏻♥️. 

Most importantly, since this is a breast cancer site, I hope we can continue to fight this disease, get better treatments in future, and remain in good health 🙏🏻💯💖. We all fight the good fight 💟. 

June1952

We had our jabs - both got the AZ - did not even feel the needle, not even a prick.  Hoping now for no side-effects but will update this post to give others an idea of any issues so they can make their own decisions.
Very cold and wet here so have the heater on so we can determine if any pain is just our arthritis or something to be concerned about. 😁

June1952

Hubby has had no side-effects at all which is a blessing.
Me, the 'problem child', had the chills and shakes before bed then woke in the night with Fitbit telling me my heart was beating at 111 beats per minute !  My blood pressure was not high at 133/75.  Had a drink then took a soluble aspirin.  I slept a few more hours.
This morning I rang the clinic and was told that is a 'normal' sort of reaction and they would have kept me in hospital to monitor me.  I have had allergic reactions to other medications over the years.
All OK now, taking it quietly, keeping warm and keeping up the fluids.
I know of 2 healthy people in the US who were on ventilators for months and would prefer to avoid that !  Even though home now they are still not 100%.
Glad we've had the jab, at least we have some protection now.

StrongCoffee

@June1952 my mum is hitting a bit of a brick wall with how to get the Covid vax and then receive extra monitoring. Her GP said she should get it done at the hospital in case she reacts (cannot get the flu vax due to allergy, plus she reacts to a few other medications including dental anaesthetic). However, none of the hospitals are running clinics.

Did they say you should go in to hospital now you've reacted or that they would have kept you in given your history?

Given she has a heart condition that means she needs to keep her heart rate down, I might insist I stay with her the night she has it as she lives alone. I'd much prefer she could be properly monitored though!

June1952

Hello @StrongCoffee - Had I called an ambulance last night they would have kept me in for monitoring.  As my blood pressure was OK I was not overly concerned, hence not calling the ambulance.
If you are concerned it is a good idea to stay with your Mum overnight after she has the vaccination, just for peace of mind.  If her GP or specialist was worried about her and possible reactions they would have set something up but it is not done as part of the vaccine program.  She may have no problem at all.
The chills are a basic reaction as are headaches and feeling tired.  Nothing to worry about.

StrongCoffee

Thank you for that info. She doesn't have anything at home to check heart rate nor blood pressure. So I may need to look into that and check she's up to date with her ambulance cover. She drives me up the wall sometimes as she takes her GPs word on everything, rarely asking to see a specialist. Even when she's been complaining lately that she needs to change GPs, she still takes what they say as gospel!

June1952

I understand as my mother thought doctors were God and she had them on a pedestal !  I think my generation is far more likely to query things.  Most GPs seem to pass patients on to specialists very quickly these days.
If your Mum is on a pension she is covered for the ambulance, for one trip anyway.
Do you have a blood pressure monitor or even a Fitbit which you can pop on her ?
Perhaps stay with her on the first night 'just in case' ?  Try not to worry her, though.

StrongCoffee

No, the only heart rate monitor I have is a sports one with a chest strap - I think she'd panic if I started strapping that on her!

kmakm

I'm 54 and had mine at the end of March. This was before the clotting issue became alarming.

I had all the side effects in the most common list for 36 hours, starting about 12 hours after I had jab. It turns out that women between 50 and 60 cop the AZ side effects more than any other group. Just my luck! However a response like that shows that your immune system is kicking into very effective gear.

I am so relieved to have had it and can't wait to be fully vaccinated on the 21st June. It's the only way out of this mess.

The way I think if it is, did you take The Pill? If so, the risk for blood clots is far higher with that. There's no way anyone over 50 is getting Pfizer anytime soon.

In the end you have to consider all the factors, including the risk of catching and possibly dying from Covid19, and decide what is best for you. However bear in mind that at some point we will re-open to the world and Covid will circulate more freely. Not being immunised at that point will be risky.

All the best. K xox

June1952

UPDATE:  Back to normal today.  Now I guess we keep an eye out in case of symptoms of the clotting.
Agree @kmakm, opening the world again will be a scary time.
Even the small outbreaks which happen are a reason to get vaccinated as one never knows when our paths will cross with some poor soul who has been infected but does not know it.

Sister

I spoke to my onc the other day and he has reassured me about the AZ (although I still think it's ridiculous that the supposedly higher risk age group is getting a vax with lower efficacy - govt couldn't organise a chook raffle).  However, he's also okay with me sitting on the fence a little longer and with the queue here in South Oz, that's just as well.

Romla

Had my AZ first jab yesterday. Slight headache initially but10 hours later had chills for about 3 hours despite being in bed under a mountain of bedding and even put electric blanket on highest setting.. Am a bit achey and tired today as had little sleep. I am 1B because of Letrozole and am 67. Hopefully tomorrow after a night’s sleep I’ll be back to normal.I too would have preferred Pfizer and feel a bit like oldies are not as important.However we have a plane trip to Cairns July- August and did not want to take  the risk on a 3+ hour trip.

I remain less than impressed by the Federal government’s vaccine program esp when I read Pfizer contacted them July 2020 asking hm and when but a response not given until November I assume because they put all their eggs in the AZ basket at that stage. Finally delivery of vaccines has been a dog’s breakfast - some surgeries here with little if any some weeks.My own surgery had zero for 2 weeks.