I've noticed recently that there are a lot of posts on here asking about people's experiences with the covid vaccine. It's clear to me that a lot of us Autoimmune Warriors are concerned and scared about getting the vaccine (rightly so! I'm not too proud to admit I also shared the same fears!).
I can confirm that I had my covid vaccine yesterday and I'm still alive and kicking!
I have a recent diagnosis of Scleroderma, Dermatomyositis, Lupus and MCDT. I'm also waiting for test results for Antiphospholipid syndrome. It's also important that I mention I have a blood clotting condition called Factor V Leiden which a long history of confirmed DVT's and PE's. I am not in any blood thinning medication, NSAIDs, Immunosuppressants, NOTHING.
I can confirm that I had the Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine despite my Medical history.
I braced myself last night for the impact of feeling horrendous but to my surprise, I don't feel as bad as I thought I would. I've had a slight headache on and off, very tired and a few little aches and pains (nothing us Scleroderma folk don't deal with on a daily basis!). The worst side effect for me so far is how cold I feel in myself. No temperature at all, just shivery. The injection site itself isn't painful but my arm muscle is quite sore but it's nothing I can't cope with!
Given the recent uncertain media coverage surrounding this particular vaccine in the UK and some European countries, I was very apprehensive upon my arrival at the vaccine centre. A doctor came to speak to me and asked about my Medical history which we discussed. I was then called by the nurse to receive my vaccine. Once in the treatment room I confided to the nurse that I was still really worried about the vaccine and the potential implications. She was lovely about it and despite how busy they were she went and called the doctor back to have another chat with me. After our second chat I was happy to go ahead and get the injection.
I know everyone is different. I know we're all unique to our health. And I know we're all scared at the moment and unsure of what to do.
It's ok to be scared!! But don't forget that it's also ok to ask questions if you feel unsure. Don't be scared to speak up! - I did and my mind was put at ease!
I'm happy to answer any questions that anyone may have about my experience and side effects.
Love,
The Human Giraffe xoxox
Written by
Vicrum88
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Thank you for sharing your experience with us ......
I for one have no intention of having the vaccine ... I tested positive and was ill from just before xmas for just over 2 weeks and therefore Hopefully i will have built up my own natural antibodies ...
All the vaccines are experimental and we won't know the real results till 2023. This information is on there own (pharmaceuticals) websites ....
Everyone is free to make their own decisions and i wish everyone well with there choice ....
I'm not scaremongering , i'm just giving my thoughts and opinions on it ...
Many thanks for your comments and sharing your thoughts with us.
I completely agree with you! - everyone has the right to their own opinions and thoughts. Your comment is so polite and respectful that I don't think anyone would think you were scaremongering. I'm a very down to earth and open minded person so all comments and thoughts are welcome here on this post.
I'm sorry that you fell poorly with covid! It must have been a scary time for you with the added stress of your other health issues. I respect your decision to not have the vaccine, ESPECIALLY given the fact that you've actually had covid. You've experienced the reality of it so if you don't feel the jab is right for you then your feelings towards it should be respected. In my opinion, the world of medicine is always going to be experimental no matter how far science progresses. I remember the stigma surrounding the MMR vaccine and it's possible connections to autism as my younger brother had just been diagnosed with autism at the time. That was over 20 years ago and that same stigma still remains to this day with no proof either way of whether it causes autism or not. I have 2 boys. My youngest is autistic. Both boys have had their MMR vaccines. Everything is a gamble and everything carries a 50/50 chance of going wrong. For me, I would rather deal with autism than loose a child to a disease that I could have potentially prevented. But that's just me and my own personal experience. Autism is hard but a family death is harder.
Sending you love and massive amounts of respect,
H.G xxx
I’d encourage everyone to watch the ZOE study YouTube recordings where the latest information gathered from 4.6m users is presented by Professor Tim Spector and others. It’s really interesting real time data that may assist you in decision making.
Well done! I have scleroderma and take immunosuppresants. I had my vaccine about 6 weeks ago now and had the oxford astra zeneca too. I had no side effects at all
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I had my vaccine about 3 weeks ago and feel fine, to be honest COVID frightens me more. So I would agree, it you can put your big pants on as you quoted its only a good thing. Xx
Thank you for sharing your experience. I will get my second vaccination of Pfizer on the 30th March, i’m face to face healthcare with scleroderma and have been working throughout. I had a sore arm, headache and increased fatigue for a few days but I’d rather that than Covid. Your so right, medicine will always be experimental in some form as it’s the only way science and medicine can move forward. It’s only with people consenting to trials that we will discover if a drug works or a technique is appropriate. My mum has a thrombosis in her leg, she had Oxford AZ a few weeks ago and is fine 👍
Its not the immediate effects that i worry about , but the long term implications.. vaccines are experimental but normally are 5-10 years in the making , and this vaccine has not been tested on animals, but now we are the Guinee pigs ... I hope everyone stays safe and well .
I have raynauds, had the pfizer vaccine 4wks ago, sore arm, tired for about 3 days, great now! Better the vaccine than fighting for breath and ending up in icu on a ventilator, you can still get covid even if you've had it before so be good to yourself everyone, be fab, get the jab!!!👍 well done vikrum88
Dear Vicrum88. Thanks for your report. I am a 63 yo male from Italy. The vaccine roll-out here is no where near as extensive as it is in the UK. I am a bit apprehensive about being vaccinated because of our condition but as long as followers of this site do not have any bad side effects it will be alright by me. Cheers.
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Chest x-ray
Newly diagnosed with systemic scleroderma 
Trouble swallowing
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