To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

Posted by silverwoman @silverwoman, Jan 4, 2021

<p>I know I am not the only post-transplant patient who is thinking about getting the coVID vaccination. My nurse coordinator has told me that the transplant team at Jacksonville has not approved vaccination yet because of the lack of experience with it for our group. One of the Infectious Disease doctors has indicated in a Mayo communication that transplants should be getting vaccinated. The nurse coordinator has said that if we choose to get vaccinated then we should do our laboratories once a week. I'm frustrated and confused by the lack of clear guidance and seemingly conflicting opinions. Is anybody else feeling like this? Have you made any decisions about when and if you will get vaccinated?</p>

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 1, 2021

In reply to @almula "how are you doing today hope you get better.." + (show)

@almula, I think that you are addressing @sparker1, and i want to be sure that the message gets to him/her.
When you want to address a response to a particular individual you can 1) write your message in the REPLY to their post. 2) use the @name of the member that you are want to see it. They will get an email notification.

Here are more tips for using Connect for you-and-anybody else who sees this message. It is a good resource - helpful for new members and experienced members.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
Almula, I am a liver/kidney recipient and I got my 2nd dose vaccine 4 days ago. Doing well. Had only a sore arm, and a slight temperature, Didn't need to take any pain reliever. I wish you well.

JK | @contentandwell | Mar 3, 2021

In reply to @bosco17 "What kind of different recommendations from drs did you get?? Im curious" + (show)

@bosco17 Here is a link to an article I just read, and I have included the part that is especially relevant for those of us who are post-transplant and not opposed to getting the vaccine.
https://apple.news/AkvgmdCFaTKa1ASLJKh0azQ
"We often get asked a question that's a reasonable question - Should people who are immunocompromised get vaccinated? And the answer is absolutely yes - absolutely yes," Fauci said. "That's not only important for them for their own health, but that could be the breeding ground for the emergence of variants for the simple reason that if you don't clear the virus rapidly you're going to have immunological selection within a given individual and as Laurie said correctly, that was probably how all of this started with the 526."

I find it interesting particularly that without the vaccine you are more apt to have Covid for a longer amount of time, which apparently gives it more opportunity to breed variants.
JK

believers1 | @believers1 | Mar 4, 2021

In reply to @contentandwell "@silverwoman I'm in the same position, but I have heard NOTHING from my transplant center, Mass..." + (show)

Hello all, I am a four year liver transplant recipient in may doing very well also have very controlled diabeties. My transplant team in Rochester sent a message out saying it was safe and important for us to get the vaccine. I received my second dose last friday, the only side effect I experieced was a sore arm for 24 hours...might have been lucky everyone is different. I will have labs done next week will let you know if there is a issue. Hope this helps best of luck to everyone. STAY SAFE!

JK | @contentandwell | Mar 4, 2021

In reply to @believers1 "Hello all, I am a four year liver transplant recipient in may doing very well also..." + (show)

Hi, @believers1 Welcome to Connect!

I did eventually get word from my transplant center, Mass General, also and they made appointments for any transplant patients who wanted the vaccine to come there and get it, so I did that. I had my second one (Pfizer) on February 14th, no problems. They followed up with extra lab work appointments and my lab tests showed no variation from their usual numbers. They too are stressing the importance of it for their transplant patients despite it not being as effective on us as it is on people not taking immunosuppressants. No one knows yet just how effective it is on us so we do still need to take the same precautions that we have been taking. Hopefully at some point "herd immunity" will be reached and then things will finally be able to have more semblance of normalcy.

I didn't have a sore arm, but I did have fatigue. Whether or not that was actually from the vaccine or from something else is not clear but I definitely had no side-effects of consequence.
JK

mwsa1945 | @mwsa1945 | Mar 5, 2021

In reply to @amandajro "@silverwoman thank you for your post. I understand you feel uncertain as to what decision is..." + (show)

I received my first dose of Moderna on 3/1 and had the normal side effects which were mild but in the last 2 days I am fighting depression and wondering if it could be related to the fatigue or is a non reported side effect. Is there any information related to the vaccine?

JK | @contentandwell | Mar 5, 2021

In reply to @mwsa1945 "I received my first dose of Moderna on 3/1 and had the normal side effects which..." + (show)

@mwsa1945 I just googled the vaccine and checked out a number of sites and none had depression listed as a side-effect. This was the most comprehensive and straight-forward site for side-effects:
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-180345/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-pfeua-intramuscular/details/list-sideeffects
Is it possible that something else in your life is causing depression, or that you are feeling apprehensive about being able to re-enter the world as we knew it soon? Some people have enjoyed their isolation and feel that they will maintain it to a degree after it's no longer necessary. Of course we will probably never again see the world as we did know it. I realize that sounds pessimistic but I think it's true, particularly for people like myself who are older. For me, that is depressing. I really miss traveling, going to restaurants, socializing, and going to my health club.
JK

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 6, 2021

In reply to @mwsa1945 "I received my first dose of Moderna on 3/1 and had the normal side effects which..." + (show)

@mwsa1945 You’re feeling really down; you didn’t get the side effects but you’re feeling depressed. I think these feelings are normal. We so anticipate something that will make everything better, but then nothing changes. We still wear masks and socially distance and don’t go see our families. We just want everything to be over! And it isn’t. And the news just reports all the awful stuff about the virus and people who don’t want the vaccine and and and..... But you are doing the right thing in getting the vaccine so the virus will go away. We all have our down days, me included. What do you usually do to perk yourself up?

bosco17 | @bosco17 | Mar 7, 2021

Start going for long walks ---It helps with depression

mwsa1945 | @mwsa1945 | Mar 7, 2021

In reply to @contentandwell "@mwsa1945 I just googled the vaccine and checked out a number of sites and none had..." + (show)

Thanks to those who responded and said that my depression is not a side effect but related to the fear of reentry to society and that really nothing has changed about masks, etc. I also realized that I actually enjoyed not having the pressure to engage with others but spending time with myself. During the past year I built an alternate reality with solitary pastimes like jigsaw puzzles, pet and plant care, etc. A bit like being in a prison without the social challenges...I don’t know what to do first with my new found freedom and will spend some time just walking as the weather improves. Living in northern New England does rationalize hibernation and like a Bear it’s time for me to wake up. I’m feeling better from the comments and the self reflection. Thanks.

jolinda | @jolinda | Mar 7, 2021

In reply to @mwsa1945 "Thanks to those who responded and said that my depression is not a side effect but..." + (show)

@mwsa1945
Your clarification and courage to come forward with this important topic is commendable! This is an important conversation to have openly as we all will be facing newness re-entry soon. Some will find it liberating, others will face it with some trepidation so it's important that we stop (like you have) and connect with the feelings as they come.