My friend texted me a few days ago in a panic, as her daughter’s fiancee fainted after his first Pfizer vaccine. He actually was fine after the injection; it wasn’t until he was sitting in the chair for his 15 minute wait. She said he actually fell out of the chair, face down to the floor! He was taken by ambulance to the ER, where he was told he has a vasovagal syncope reaction to the vaccine.
He was told there was no reason that he could not receive his second vaccine. He has never had a problem with nerves, or other vaccines or blood draws. My friend said she told him to save some of that emotion for the wedding!
I’ve had anaphylaxis reaction after an ER visit. We’re still not certain what drug it was. I’ve always had allergies that if I keep under control don’t go into asthma. I had the J & J vaccine. They kept me for 30 minutes, checked on me and there was a paramedic crew on site.
I know my daughter will be okay but as a mom, I can’t help but worry you know? I kept my message to her straight and forward to make sure she has her medicines with her. I don’t want to make her anxious about getting the shot tomorrow just because I’m a worrywart.
I think they are as careful as they can be and of course it is prudent to bring your inhaler, benedryl and Epi-pen. I have had adverse reactions to several medications, allergy shots, am allergic to crustaceans, and have very low lung function.
I scheduled my 2nd shot right before lunch so there would be plenty of staff present and they would be warmed up from the other shots they had administered, just in case I had a bad reaction. I also figured we’d have time to get me to urgent care or ER as needed hopefully without an overnight stay.
As it turned out, I was fine, as was everyone we could see when we got our shots and when my mom got hers.
Anyway, glad folks are preparing and getting their shots!
I have an appointment on the grounds of MGH on Tuesday. I am quite anxious because I know for sure I will have a reaction to the polyethylene glycol (instantaneious body-wide intense chill sensation, swollen lymph nodes, wooziness). But not anaphylaxis. I am confused now about whether ANY reaction to PEG means we should avoid the shots, or only severe/anaphylactic reaction. It’s just not an option to wait for J and J with my mother on hospice and 40% of the staff at her facility unvaccinated.
I also think if you are in MA, that the J&J is uncertain at best. I’ve been following ( and waiting). Seems like the May timeframe ( maybe).
Best of luck to you.
Which makes it really tough for folks who need J&J due to allergies and want to get it in a more protected environment (like a hospital setting). I wouldn’t feel comfortable at CVS if anything went wrong. Can’t wait for this entire thing to be over.
I just called an immunologist I used to see for a second opinion. I have been cleared by an allergist already who expects a reaction but not a dangerous one. The immunologist office transferred me to an allergy nurse hotline through MGH Brigham and the nurse was fantastic. She read through all the notes from the allergist and made me feel more reassured because he fully acknowledged my issues on paper in a way he didn’t really on Zoom. The nurse told me that getting the vaccine on the MGH campus is a good idea, and that they may have some J and J on hand if I ask. They are holding it in reserve. I called the vaccine line at MGH but they cannot tell me. I feel a little better.
@compmom, it sounds like you are doing the due diligence to be as safe as you can. I sure hope tgey have sone spare J&J for you and also that I’d you have one of the other shots your reaction is well managed. Wishing you the very best as you navigate this challenging time.
I had my first no issues though only have asthma and pencillin alllergies so wasn’t concerned. However I went with a friend to her appt at a hospital based vaccine site. She has had anaphalictic issues in the past a few times and has several allergies. I know she is allergic to some nuts, carrots, latex fruits,sulphur drugs, morphine and other things. She wanted J&J but they only had pfizer. Since it was hospital based she talked to a lead pharmacist person, RN, a few different drs etc including her allergist. In the end they all felt she would be okay. I sat there for 30 minutes holding her epipen in my hand talking to her and prepared to call over the closest medical person (tons there) even though I knew I could use the epipen if I had to. I also had her mother in my phone book for an emergency (lives about 5 hours away but knows more of her medical history). Fortunately beyond a sore arm she was fine. No one cared that I went in with her but at a different site a friend wanted her husband (no true reason) and he was not allowed to go in.
When I signed up my D21, who has asthma and a history of anaphylactic reactions to various foods, I was able to request that my DH be present as her support person. I was also getting a vaccine with a history of anaphylactic reactions to different medications, so I figured with my DH there, and each of us with an epipen handy, my D and I were covered. They also had multiple EMTs at the site, of course. When my D needed her inhaler, they were extremely prompt and had her sitting in a chair behind their table, took her blood pressure, temp, etc. D was embarassed, but they were very quick and efficient!
They allowed H and me to be with my 91 year old mom waiting after her 1st Pfizer shot and just me after the 2nd one.
My understanding is they have crash carts ready at vaccination sites in case there is any very bad reaction. To me, it still feels safer at a medical clinic or hospital but I know they really staff our mass vaccination sites with lots of folks.
Hi - Thanks for this discussion. My D21 has anaphylaxis to dairy, wheat, eggs, oats, and allergies to peas, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. She has had all of her vaccinations to date (18 yo) including flu vaccinations every year with no allergic reactions, except for one to the HPV vaccination. Not sure what was in the HPV vaccine, but I will definitely look into that. She has severe asthma for which she takes multiple medications so we got her a vaccine slot for next week (in Cal). Her pediatrician, allergist, gastro (she has EoE) and immunologist all say to get it as they can treat any allergic reaction at the site. She also takes miralax regularly but has no reaction to that (thanks to this discussion, I’m much more informed about that now). I’m going to go with her just in case. She’s getting the Moderna. I will report back when she’s on the other side of it.
Thanks
If she doesn’t react to Miralex, that is good news! Has she had the biopsy for EoE? (My doc speculated that I have that too but no biopsy as yet. I swallow Flovent a lot!)
Yes, biopsies periodically every few years since she was 1 year old. She too has swallowed a lot of Flovent! The current theory is that her allergy shots for seasonal allergies are helping with the EoE and related food allergies, which I do believe is correct. One issue is whether or not she will be able to get her allergy shots at college (current front runner is Bryn Mawr) or will have to find an allergist to give them.
DS got her first Moderna shot at around 4:20 pm today. I asked her to text me as soon as she gets the shot as I was at work and she did let us know it went well. I called her right away. She said she was fine and was told to wait only for 15 mins. I told her to stay for 30 mins instead just to be safe. Her arm is slightly sore now similar to flu shot but otherwise enjoying her evening with friends in the school’s dance studio. Thank God it went well for her. I am hoping that come summer all my kids gets the vaccine.
Hang in there ! I also have a very, very, VERY sensitive/allergic body plus I am small so my reactions are always magnified. I carry an epi pen but was advised not to pre-medicate with Benadryl. I truly was MORE frightened of a reaction than of contracting the virus itself. I had the Pfizer shot administered at our top notch hospital here and I was terrified and am sure the most frightened patient of the day . I felt comforted that I was in good hands. You may be relieved to hear I had NO adverse reactions and only a slightly sore arm between hrs 12-24 post shot. I choose to get them in my dominant arm so I would be forced to move it which it which is advised. No redness, swelling, headache, fever etc. nor for my hubby.
This hospital choose to NOT administer the J&J vaccine at all (at this point) and they made a big deal about how the efficacy of the mRNA ones is so strong. Any option is better than none but that extra 20% or so of protection sounds good !
So glad it went well for you! I am not going to premedicate. I know what you mean about being more scared of the vaccine than the virus, though of course since we are getting the shots we know better Good luck this week and in three weeks as well!
. I felt comforted that I was in good hands. You may be relieved to hear I had NO adverse reactions and only a slightly sore arm between hrs 12-24 post shot. I choose to get them in my dominant arm so I would be forced to move it which it which is advised. No redness, swelling, headache, fever etc. nor for my hubby.
Good luck this week and in three weeks as well!
