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

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?

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@mwsa1945- I've been very depressed, on and off, during this whole year. The excitement of vaccines has worn off and next Sunday I will finally get my first one. I think that you might be feeling that it is a bit anti-climatic. All we have heard is about vaccinations and anticipating them. As my mother used to say anticipation is my worst enemy. She was right. Many people who I have spoken to seem to have a sense of relief but also a letdown. After all, it really is just a vaccine. After all the hype, no whistles will blow, no fireworks will go off. But, instead of the anti-climatic feeling maybe those of us who feel this depression can turn this anticipation around to a feeling of pride. Look what you did! Having the vaccine will hopefully save millions of lives! You are an excellent example of what everyone should be doing.

Also, now that you have done your duty to yourself and mankind, life has gone back to what it was before the vaccine. Nothing has changed for you, really. You still need to mask, wash your hands and stay 6' away. Do you think that this might be the reason? Does a letdown seem possible?

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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!

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Just had my first dose of Pfizer yesterday. I haven’t experienced any side effects. My arm isn’t sore and I’ve really struggled with flu shot. Chills and body’s aches. I’ve been a touch dehydrated but that might be driving 3 hours in car to get vaccine and 3 hours back. 🤔 I was guzzling water. I’m participating in the Johns Hopkins study on efficacy in regards to transplanted peeps. If you are interested there is a Facebook page where people are reporting results of blood tests. I took blood sample in am and then will take another sample day before 2nd shot. Then at monthly marks down the road. Will report back any findings I receive. Really encouraged by increase in daily shots hitting arms in Mn. Props to all the people putting in the hard work to make this happen. Here’s hoping to brighter days 🌞 ahead!

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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?

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I believe symptoms of depression are emerging for many people as we are vaccinated. The underlying issue has to do with having developed a “comfort zone” during the pandemic, one having to do with isolation, masking and the other rules of pandemic life coming to an end. Transitions are difficult. This may be more true for those of us who are immunocompromised. Particularly difficult is a dichotomy - the vaccine promises a certain safety and society’s moving out of the pandemic while we hear daily from experts who are worried about variants, a fall surge, anti-Vader’s and more.
Treat your self gently as we navigate these choppy waters. Try to get sun (when possible), keep up with exercise and connect with friends and family via safe channels. This too will improve, we will all have to move one step forward at a time until suddenly surprised we find we have created a “new normal”. Don’t forget to breathe, slow deep belly breaths, holding between inhale and exhale for 4-6 seconds when you can during the day.

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I believe symptoms of depression are emerging for many people as we are vaccinated. The underlying issue has to do with having developed a “comfort zone” during the pandemic, one having to do with isolation, masking and the other rules of pandemic life coming to an end. Transitions are difficult. This may be more true for those of us who are immunocompromised. Particularly difficult is a dichotomy - the vaccine promises a certain safety and society’s moving out of the pandemic while we hear daily from experts who are worried about variants, a fall surge, anti-Vader’s and more.
Treat your self gently as we navigate these choppy waters. Try to get sun (when possible), keep up with exercise and connect with friends and family via safe channels. This too will improve, we will all have to move one step forward at a time until suddenly surprised we find we have created a “new normal”. Don’t forget to breathe, slow deep belly breaths, holding between inhale and exhale for 4-6 seconds when you can during the day.

Jump to this post

I believe symptoms of depression are emerging for many people as we are vaccinated. The underlying issue has to do with having developed a “comfort zone” during the pandemic, one having to do with isolation, masking and the other rules of pandemic life coming to an end. Transitions are difficult. This may be more true for those of us who are immunocompromised. Particularly difficult is a dichotomy - the vaccine promises a certain safety and society’s moving out of the pandemic while we hear daily from experts who are worried about variants, a fall surge, anti-Vader’s and more.
Treat your self gently as we navigate these choppy waters. Try to get sun (when possible), keep up with exercise and connect with friends and family via safe channels. This too will improve, we will all have to move one step forward at a time until suddenly surprised we find we have created a “new normal”. Don’t forget to breathe, slow deep belly breaths, holding between inhale and exhale for 4-6 seconds when you can during the day.

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@lizzy102 great advice.

I think those of us are dealing with a bit more because we aren’t certain of where we stand. I have read they figure our immunity could be as low as 30%. I guess we have to be patient and hope that enough people will finally decide to get vaccinated to get us to “herd immunity”. If not I feel we will sort of be in limbo, as in “can I eat in a restaurant?”, “can I fly?”, “do I need to worry about my son possibly harboring the virus and shedding it here if he flies here?”
JK

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