What should I take after my covid 19 jab?

[ShatteredofLee]

I realise that I have a narrative wrapped around my fears of having my first covid 19 vaccination next week. My current narrative goes like this. I imagine the jab in my left arm, the arrival of a syringe-full of non-self vaccine. Naturally my arm’s macrophages will be mobilised to the threat, like pac man figures, ready to chomp through the invader. Only this invader of course is a ‘friendly’. It’s non-self, but is a potential ally of Self, like a lot of the biological material that makes us up. If my body can accept it, then it will have a role in recognising and fighting off the external enemy out there – Covid 19. However, as my arm’s macrophages send out cytokine signals to mobilise more macrophages, the cytokine’s act like klaxon’s, announcing, not a localised battle in a small spot on the arm, but a generalised body-wide call to arms, a full scale war. Now it seems to me that in the past my body, that’s the Self part and the wide arrange of non-self bacteria that act as mutually beneficial agents on my skin and in my gut, generally rub along quite well. So in theory inviting in this new and novel non-self vaccine should be fine. Except. I know in the past my body has taken exception to some foreign pathogen, fungi, or virus, or bacteria or some critter – mounted a full on offensive, generated inflammation, and picked on its-self. Which has led to the death from friendly fire – of my thyroid. In theory. (Unless you’ve another theory). I know there’s an awful lot of smart people on this site so any suggestions gratefully received as to how to get through this. I’m very open to suggestions of any anti-inflammatories I can pour onto this potential conflagration afterwards – Pain killers? Turmeric? Anti-histamines? Relaxation techniques? What I don't want is some ott reaction from my body that picks on my poor ole thyroid again. I’ll try anything. Is there a different narrative? (A little knowledge is a dangerous thing). Suggestions gratefully received.

[radd]

ShatteredofLee,

You’ve already said it. Reducing bodily inflammation and building a strong immune system which is less likely to create huge immune responses.

Optimal & working thyroid hormones, Vit D, fish oils, turmeric, good diet incorporating natural anti-inflammatories such as garlic, ginger, cinnamon, etc, & healthy life style, adequate sleep, little bit of exercise, managing stress levels through yoga/reading/dancing, etc,

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Nobody knows how anyone is going to react to the vaccine. Anticipating a reaction is probably not a good idea.

Some people have had the "flu type" reaction that is said to be a common reaction, but it would seem that just as many have had absolutely no reaction at all and wouldn't know they've had the vaccine.

I have seen some people say to take paracetamol before the jab, and I've also seen some people say not to take it.

Whether or not you decide to take anything is your own personal choice.

You can check out what other members' experiences after having the jabs have been here:

For 1st jab: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

For 2nd jab: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I will leave your post open for the present, but if it turns into a discussion about vaccine experiences (which are being kept altogether in the dedicated threads) or there are any anti or pro vaccine posts then the thread will be closed.

[shaws Administrator]

I, my daughter - her husband - my husband all have had our two jabs. None of us had any clinical symptoms or felt unwell after either dose.

Just relieved all round. Especially my daughter whom had to self-isolate since lockdown began for the whole year and even though she is only 30 minutes from me - we couldn't meet or visit. Last week was the first time we could meet outdoors.

[ShatteredofLee in reply to shaws]

I guess that’s the payoff too - the fact that we’ll have the reassurance of being vaccinated and get to meet each other again. Thanks for letting me know

[milkwoman]

Both hubby and I did fairly well with both jabs by doing the following:

(1). Drink an electrolyte drink (in the states we have what’s called Pedialyte Advanced) before and after the shot. This keeps you well hydrated.

(2). Take Acetaminophen/Tylenol right after the shot (as well as as needed after that for any fever or pain).

(3). Massage the injection site deeply every few hours to alleviate any injection site soreness/pain and to help distribute the vaccine from the muscle.

(4). Get lots of rest.

[ShatteredofLee in reply to milkwoman]

Lots of good advice thank you milkwoman (I’m taking heart),

[penny]

There are quite a few videos/articles on the internet about the action of the coronavirus vaccines; Covid-19 is what you get when you are sick and a hospitalised case. (The media and government confuse the two but you are a ‘case’ if being treated and an ‘infection’ if you have the virus and are not being treated.).

[thyr01d]

Hello ShatteredofLee, just thought I might be able to offer some reassurance from my own experience of the jab. I have Hashimoto's so understand your concern about an ott immune response. I did have a rough few hours during the night after the jab, but it didn't start until about 10 pm (jab at 6.30 pm) and was over enough for me to sleep after a few hours, I think. I felt very tired and rather depressed the following day but then by the day after was almost back to normal. When my body reacted I just accepted it. I live alone so no-one to call 999 if anything serious happened, so I just thought well I know what this is, I know why it's happening, I accept it and if anything too bad happens I'll cope. Whatever happens, even if I die tonight, I will cope with that, relax into it and accept it will happen one day, whenever death comes I doubt if I'll want it so it might as well be tonight.

In case you are thinking I can't have been very ill, I felt as I did after surgery for cancer led to a 'hospital infection' and had to remain in hospital. I shook, not just trembled but very big shakes that travelled up through my body then down again and had feverish symptoms that went on for a long time. I knew I must have a high temperature because I was so cold, and knew that I should keep cool, but I didn't, I wrapped up warm and covered myself with an electric blanket to be comfortable as I went through the symptoms.

So, I think the answer, is to look after yourself as kindly as you can, take care of yourself physically and keep reassuring yourself that whatever happens, you will cope.

[ShatteredofLee in reply to thyr01d]

Thanks for sharing thyr01d, it sounds like you’ve been through quite a bit yourself. Thanks for the reassurance and I’ll try not to overthink things, take care,