Vaccination

[Lorien]

 

Not been around for a while, mostly things are ok these days. But I have my Covid Vaccination at 9.15...I was fine until tonight but I'm now panicking quite a bit. I've never been to the place before, it's a community centre and I won't know the person who is doing it. I can write things down but I often can't speak in situations that scare me.  I'm fine with the vaccine, the delivery of it etc... But I'm really worried about actually being there. My arms are not in a good state even though it's coming up to 5 years since I last did anything. I've never got to a point where I have felt comfortable with people seeing seeing. All I have in my head is a big open room with lots of stations set up and someone just lifting my sleeve up.

[Rob]

Try not to dwell on it - the stations are still quite private and it's a quick process. Nobody is there to look at your arms, and your arm will only be briefly visible to the vaccinator. It'll be over before you know it.

[Vermilion]

In my experience medical staff don't usually remark on my scars if I'm getting a vaccination, they may ask if you need help with MH but if you say no they don't quibble. I imagine that the the vaccine will be given by a nurse? If so they'll be used to it. It'll probably be like the flu vaccination clinics that I've been to previously so it will be done in a cubicle.

What might help is writing a note to the staff to explain your concerns and what you need which is a lot easier than saying it, as you know. Do you have a 'patient passport' or similar? Otherwise just a brief explanation will suffice, I always ask for someone to escort me to the room because I can't follow directions and I ask if there's somewhere quiet where I can wait. Honestly, they will be used to this sort of thing.

I'd be freaking out if I was in a situation like that too. If it helps, when I've been to walk in clinics in the past the staff have always helped me, I guess that they assist people with all sorts of difficulties. 

[Lorien]

I think the two things freaking me out are that it is a quickly set up situation to meet the demand for essential workers so it is literally a random community center rather than a clinic/GP surgery so I don't know how they will have set up - I assume there will be a level of screening but probably not much.

And

I'd normally take someone with me, but I can't at the moment. My partner can't walk and there is no one else appropriate even if I was allowed under covid restrictions. She has agreed to help me to write a note card to give them because I go non-verbal too easily in these situations. I do have a hospital passport from the NAS website, but it's too long for a situation like this.

[Vermilion]

Would you feel comfortable telling them that you have scars beforehand? You could just write something like I have scars from past SH and I am concerned about privacy and if you are worried about others overhearing you could also just ask them not to mention it. Chances are they aren't going to say anything but you may feel a bit better if you've already said something?

Otherwise I'm not sure what to suggest. Some situations are crap aren't they? 

[Lorien]

I think I will start with writing that sometimes I find it hard to speak, then that both are scarred but right is less, so could they do that side? My partner said wear a hoodie and not take it off until they've read it - often people refuse to read things.

Does that sound ok?
Also, I have Diazepam from when I've been quite high, is it wrong to take one with me in case?

[Vermilion]

That sounds like a good plan, though I don't think that it'll be an issue. 

I use diazepam to help me calm down so I think that it'll be ok for this situation. I've been told to take it one hour before because apparently it works better that way. I'd say see how you feel later and it's ok to take it if you need it. 

[Turtle]

Regarding scarring, when I had my Covid vaccination it was so far up my arm I didn't even actually have to take my top off. In fact, I was ready to take it off (super keen to be vaccinated!) - but the vaccinator stopped me and said I'd only need my shoulder out. I had a vest top on and a baggy shirt over the top, so it was easy enough to take out my shoulder and the top of my arm without showing my forearms (and the majority of my scarring). Do you have something baggy/easy to slip off your shoulder? It's so cold that I think a lot of people want to stay as dressed as possible!

They give you a choice of arm to be vaccinated in, but they do suggest having it in your non-writing arm as it can make your arm quite dead and sore for a couple of days.

I agree that a diazepam might be helpful to stay calm if you need it

I hope you've managed to get some sleep and hope it goes well today! My vaccinator was lovely - I can be quite nervous about needles, but she kept me calm and put up with me nervously rabbiting on about everything under the sun.

[Lorien]

All done and got some sleep afterwards. It was ok, I use cards to explain which had the dual effect of communicating what I needed to and...really confusing them. They seemed a bit unsure if I was able to hear or understand them. But it is done and I'll know what to expect next time so it will be easier.
The room was small so that really helped, only 2 stations and they were set diagonally so no one could see anyone else. I had written and asked the to do my dominant arm as scarring is much less. She didn't say anything which was good. But I felt a bit bad for her as it's set up for them to do the left arm so she was a bit disoriented getting ready. Very tired today, but given I only slept for an hour or so. Just taking it easy today.