Last weekend I had my first of two Covid-19 vaccines. I left with a leaflet which explained what could or could not happen over the next few days. My husband had his done in January and only suffered a sore arm so I was expecting the same reaction.
Later that day I started to feel like all my muscles were aching, like I was starting with a dose of flu which was one of the classic symptoms on the list so I took paracetamol as it advised. This did the trick so we just went to bed as normal but I had a restless night with aching muscles and just took another dose of paracetamol when I could.
When I got up the following morning my arm was sore as was the gland under my arm and I just felt really rough and every joint seemed to hurt even down to my big toe. I knew it was all part and parcel of the jab and in Tuesday’s Health Section of The Mail it went into great detail about how the side effects from the injection can be a good thing. It said, “A sore arm, headache, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, aching joints and sore muscles. These are the common side-effects reported by some of the 15 million NHS patients to get their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as well as the 500,000 or so who have had their scheduled second dose. But rather than being something to dread, they could show you the vaccine is actually working.“
This made me feel less anxious and especially as it said it was mainly the younger ones who suffered side effects rather than the over 60’s. Some said it only lasted 48 hours but with others it was six days. Mine lasted 4 days.
Another very interesting article I found on the American site Very Well Health where they wrote –
- The purpose of vaccinations is to prepare your immune system to protect you against a virus.
- Symptoms such as pain or fever are indicators that your immune system is doing its job.
- Using over-the-counter medications to reduce the discomfort of a vaccination may dampen your immune system’s reaction.
What they have found out is “If you are fortunate enough to be getting a vaccine against the COVID-19 soon, you may want to ensure it is as effective as possible by not taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before you get the injection, according to researchers at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. NSAIDs include well-known pain relievers and fever reducers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve). They reduce inflammation—marked by swelling, redness, and warmth—that is controlled by the immune system.“
Paracetamol as we all know is not a NSAID but I have many readers who are probably taking some form of NSAID’s for their pain and so I just thought it was worth writing about this article.
The Mail go on to explain fully that once a Covid vaccine has been injected into the body, it immediately starts to put the immune system on red alert for the virus (though it can take two weeks for immunity to kick in).The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to help fight off infection from harmful bacteria or viruses. What you must NOT do is suddenly stop taking your regular medication even if it includes NSAIDs until you have talked it through with your GP first.
The speed they are getting these vaccines out is amazing and for me personally it gives me hope I can see my 18 month old granddaughter properly and be a supportive Mum for my daughter and her family when my second granddaughter is born at the end of June. This was one wish I have had since my daughter found out she was pregnant again just before Christmas when everything was going down hill fast. I feel with the way things are going it will all be fine by then. Please, please go for your vaccine if it’s offered to you, they can see already the difference it has made to the elderly generation.
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